Hill Country Views & top schools for $600-800K??

[centralaustinite]

Or reconsider how important "views" are. I can't imagine living as far out as Travisso. Especially since I re-read your first post and your job is downtown!! Good lord, take another look at the early suggestions in this post, Lost Creek, Senna Hills, NW Hills, etc.

[A-Tex]

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

Or reconsider how important "views" are. I can't imagine living as far out as Travisso. Especially since I re-read your first post and your job is downtown!! Good lord, take another look at the early suggestions in this post, Lost Creek, Senna Hills, NW Hills, etc.

Exactly. The idea of spending a million dollars on a home that far out in an unproven new subdivision is the definition of crazy --- particularly when you're unfamiliar with Austin and are working downtown. There are many better alternatives in that budget.

[Austin97]

I still think dominion at great hills is one of the best areas that meets the OP criteria.

[Cardiff Giant]

Check out Barton Creek West too, just west of Senna Hills. That should fit your criteria.

Good luck!

[curious1111]

This really depends what is MOST important to you. Hill Country views? Absolute "best" public elementary school? Easy access to downtown? Likely home appreciation? Cost?

Many of these things are competing items. Once you have ranked these things, it becomes much easier. Finding ourselves in almost exactly the same situation as you, we decided to "invest" in the Rollingwood area. Closest to downtown and still in Eanes ISD. Maps to Eanes Elementary, one of the highest "ranked" public elementary schools in Texas. Minutes from St. Andrews or St Stephens private schools. Walk to Zilker for park, ACL, etc. neighborhood pool, parades, etc. 10 minute drive to everything downtown. Diverse population of original owner retirees, artists, professors, lawyers, business, software engineers, inventors,etc. One of our neighbors is the Yeti cooler inventor, another is a cnn political commenter. Whole Food execs, physicians, etc. We love it. The sacrifice? Size of lot, no hill country views, expensive. But if I was advising you, I would tell you that you will be much happier dropping $1mm on something here that you can update/improve over time than a big house behind a gated community further out. And as far as purchase security, I think you can hardly do better. As an example, we bought our first home in the area in 2011. In May 2014 we sold it for 50% more after all fees, etc. That allowed us to build a new home here on a tear down lot.

There are many great options, but I wanted to detail this one for you.

[hornbri]

Sounds like River Place to me. Plenty of homes with views in that price range and in Leander ISD with good schools.

40 minutes to downtown would not be a problem.

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by curious1111

This really depends what is MOST important to you. Hill Country views? Absolute "best" public elementary school? Easy access to downtown? Likely home appreciation? Cost?

.

You will have trouble getting all of that for $600 - 800k. Lots with really nice views in the Barton Creek area are $500k and up.

[New_to_DFW]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Curious1111, we are following a similar strategy as you and buying in Westlake Highlands. It needs a lot of work, but has views, good lot size, great schools, and proximity to downtown. Hoping to close at the end of the month.