circle c like neighborhood in round rock or cedar park? (Austin: HOA, new home)

[Moonshinetxgrl]

Hi! We're looking for a new home in rr or leander school districts as my husband works near the domain. Hoping to cut down the commute! We currently live in shady hollow and love that the Hoa has July 4th parade, egg hunts, etc. we'd like to stay in a neighborhood like that.
We can't afford the kind of house we want in circle c or shady hollow (backs to green, large yard, 3k sf, pool). I know this kind of house is few and far between anywhere in Austin but as we plan to live there for the next 20 yrs we are willing to wait and hope, ha!
Seems like most people prefer cedar park to round rock as it feels more like a small town...
Thanks in advance for your advice and opinions!

[Moonshinetxgrl]

Ps - our max is 350k, hoping to get a home for less that needs a few updates (floors, kitchen, bathrooms)

[mark311]

I would start with Avery Ranch and Ranch at Brushy Creek and then explore all the other nearby neighborhoods along Parmer since that will probably be the best commute route for your husband. You might want to trim $50K off of your budget to find a place that can just accommodate you putting in your own pool at that price. Most of these neighborhoods have community pools and when listings with good quality backyard pools come up, they go really quickly (ie. bidding war). Personally, I would want to control the quality of the pool that I purchase as the last thing that you want to deal with is a poorly constructed pool in your backyard. If you do decide to buy a place with an existing pool, I would get an inspector that has extra swimming pool knowledge.

[10scoachrick]

Both Cedar Park and Round Rock are spread out all over the place...so, not a neighborhood feel except within a particular neighborhood(Round Rock does have a 'downtown', but, except for the cross-roads traffic, it's not the 'center' of town). Cedar Park has no defined 'town center'(except for a development named that) and stretches from west of Lakeline Mall all the way to the new WalMart on Ronald Reagan/1431...with everything in the world between. So, you really have to discuss neighborhoods within each city vs the entire area.

You've got a challenge with your wish list(including the price). Things are going in a hurry 'up here' and a nice basic home on a typical lot(no pool and not necessarily large or green belt) is going to be over $100/sq foot...likely pushing $120 for newer. They're selling the new builds in Avery Ranch before the paint dries.

You might look in Buttercup Creek/Forrest Oaks/Silverado-ish areas...established neighborhoods with an easy access to 183A for the commute.

[scm53]

Having looked at them all, Crystal Falls is the closest to CCR, IMO. Same master planned community feel, same amenities, and you can get in at your price point.

[Moonshinetxgrl]

Thank you all so much! All great advice. Keep em coming!

[SFOtoAustin]

Originally Posted by Moonshinetxgrl

Thank you all so much! All great advice. Keep em coming!

Travisso a new community(starting this summer) can be an option which comparable to Circle C Ranch.
But the commute will be still an issue.

[jwynne2000]

Rattan Creek (Parmer between McNeil and Tamayo) is not quite as nice as Circle C, but we have a voluntary neighborhood association (not an HOA) that puts on some great events each year, similar to the ones you mentioned in your original post. The easter egg hunt this past weekend must have had 600-700 people. You can get in way under $350K and can build the pool later to your specs. Or we have a pretty decent community pool.

If you want to be even closer to the Domain, there's old Milwood (Parmer between Mopac and the Riata). A little more expensive, but still under $350K. Not sure if they have any kind of neighborhood association though.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by SFOtoAustin

Travisso a new community(starting this summer) can be an option which comparable to Circle C Ranch.
But the commute will be still an issue.

Travisso will be a l o n g wait.