Moving to Austin from Tampa (Cedar Park, Anderson Mill: sale, for rent, homes)

[ppp38]

I recommend southwest Austin (Oak Hill). You can find a house under 275k in 78736, 78749, 78745 that track to good schools with a commute into downtown that's around 30 minutes

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by hound 109

I'm confused. To everyone who is recommending South of the River, what Middle School and High School has a Good Arts program with 275K homes flowing into it? (& did they move 6th street south of the river?).

OP, thanks for providing good info in your OP. With the price point that you are looking at I would definitely recommend renting for 6 months to a year. There's no telling what might become available, but you need to be willing to sleuth around and you definitely need to search in several different directions.

Including north. With your criteria, I would try to rent in neighborhoods that flow into Anderson HS & McCallum HS. Both good to great schools, (& McCallum I believe has the best fine arts program in the city). There are LOTS of 1500 - 2000 ft garden home type places near Anderson (Steck & Mopac) that might fit a rental budget & the area is very nice, & also more family oriented than places south of the river (in your budget).

The only school (school feeder) south of the river that would fit your "good school" "good fine arts" criteria might be Bowie HS....but that area doesn't have much in the 275K range. Also, it's not as good & doesn't have the fine arts programs that Anderson & McCallum have. I would definitely look at rentals near the Steck/Far West/Spicewood intersections of Mopac.

OP, where on 6th street is the job? JWynne makes a good point on possibly taking the choo choo as your commute... but only if takes you to your work on 6th. But further out, you could hit all of your data points (except being next to the revelry downtown) at the McNeil or CP train stations.

But rent first... given your price point. Also, if you have any questions regarding junior tennis, feel free to ask specific questions. I have a 15 y/o who has played for 6 years; we have run the gauntlet & are pretty familiar with all things related to junior tennis in Austin.

kealing and fulmore are magnets, also I expect the schools in the area to improve as the area gentrifies, then of course LASA.


tennis could be in westlake which is pretty close.

[Dynamoo]

Not gonna get into Central, Cherrywood, nor Galindo for 275k. Not even close.

[A-Tex]

Originally Posted by ImOnFiya

I'd agree in principle; but remember, not every listing in on the MLS, many often remain off the radar. It pays to look around by car and explore retail/owner signs in those neighborhoods. Bargains can still be had in these areas!

Those days are loooooong over.

[hound 109]

Originally Posted by Austin97

kealing and fulmore are magnets, also I expect the schools in the area to improve as the area gentrifies, then of course LASA.


tennis could be in westlake which is pretty close.

Kealing is in East Austin north of the River. Why would someone living in far south or sw Austin want their kid to go there? (especially if commute to 6th is an issue)

Fulmore is in Travis Heights & wouldn't be a school I'd want my kid to attend even if living next door (much less schlepping up from far south Austin to attend).

LASA is great....but only the top 4% of HS students in AISD (or students who are close to top 4% & are connected) get in. How does the OP know if his kids would be top 4%? (& being new in town, they won't be connected). & lets not talk about the commute from south Austin to LASA.

I stand by my Anderson HS - McCallum HS feeders (& rent).


Tennis "in Westlake" is close to what?

(btw, tennis courts at WLHS are great, but I don't believe that they have programs there.) Actually, the only thing that "south of the river" offers AT THEIR PRICE POINT....are good tennis options. South Austin Tennis Center is a nice little complex with programs for beginners & little ones & the Circle C center (greyrock?) has good coaches & some fine players (nice kids too). BUT...the schools (in their price point) south of the river don't measure up.

(Unless the Oak Hill price point is indeed 275K....then it should be on the list of areas that the OP should be looking at shopping in - after they find a rental - along with other areas of town to shop in that might even hit more of their data points. PPP what is the school feeder for Oak Hill?)

[ImOnFiya]

Originally Posted by A-Tex

Those days are loooooong over.

No, there are many oldtimers and minority homeowners who prefer to do real estate transactions not on the web, but in person. Some of this is due to culture, but also the digital-divide, just like with primary spanish-speaking hispanics, this economic can be tapped into (including computer-savvy non-Texan transplants) but it must be done with a smile and a sincere heart.

Great rental deals can be accomplished this way as well, but you must drive around, see the rent/sale by owner signs, stop and tell your story and seem as though you are a part of the community. Good luck!

[Hills2beach]

Originally Posted by hound 109

I'm confused. To everyone who is recommending South of the River, what Middle School and High School has a Good Arts program with 275K homes flowing into it? (& did they move 6th street south of the river?).

OP, thanks for providing good info in your OP. With the price point that you are looking at I would definitely recommend renting for 6 months to a year. There's no telling what might become available, but you need to be willing to sleuth around and you definitely need to search in several different directions.

Including north. With your criteria, I would try to rent in neighborhoods that flow into Anderson HS & McCallum HS. Both good to great schools, (& McCallum I believe has the best fine arts program in the city). There are LOTS of 1500 - 2000 ft garden home type places near Anderson (Steck & Mopac) that might fit a rental budget & the area is very nice, & also more family oriented than places south of the river (in your budget).

The only school (school feeder) south of the river that would fit your "good school" "good fine arts" criteria might be Bowie HS....but that area doesn't have much in the 275K range. Also, it's not as good & doesn't have the fine arts programs that Anderson & McCallum have. I would definitely look at rentals near the Steck/Far West/Spicewood intersections of Mopac.

OP, where on 6th street is the job? JWynne makes a good point on possibly taking the choo choo as your commute... but only if takes you to your work on 6th. But further out, you could hit all of your data points (except being next to the revelry downtown) at the McNeil or CP train stations.

But rent first... given your price point. Also, if you have any questions regarding junior tennis, feel free to ask specific questions. I have a 15 y/o who has played for 6 years; we have run the gauntlet & are pretty familiar with all things related to junior tennis in Austin.

Thank you. I was just thinking we may look on the rail line. I don't really need to be near downtown. Currently the husband commutes 45 minutes in tampa traffic, that without traffic takes 15 minutes. So we understand traffic.

looks like the train has a stop 2 blocks from his work place.

Most importantly, I want a good place for my kids and I want to get them into activities asap.

[RoadWarrior12]

Originally Posted by Hills2beach

Thank you. I was just thinking we may look on the rail line. I don't really need to be near downtown. Currently the husband commutes 45 minutes in tampa traffic, that without traffic takes 15 minutes. So we understand traffic.

looks like the train has a stop 2 blocks from his work place.

Most importantly, I want a good place for my kids and I want to get them into activities asap.

Then definitely look in the area Hound suggested, but rent first - please rent first! Figure about $2,000 - $2,250/mo should be able to get you into something that zones to McCallum/Anderson. Finding your eventual purchase home is going to be very tough, and will take a lot of searching, in that area - but it is possible!

[austinnative69]

Originally Posted by hound 109

Kealing is in East Austin north of the River. Why would someone living in far south or sw Austin want their kid to go there? (especially if commute to 6th is an issue)

The Kealing magnet is probably the best AISD Middle School. It is the prep school for LASA. If you are invited in, they will bus you from where you live.

Originally Posted by hound 109

Fulmore is in Travis Heights & wouldn't be a school I'd want my kid to attend even if living next door (much less schlepping up from far south Austin to attend).

The Fullmore magnet has a great Law and Humanities program. Also a VERY good school.

Originally Posted by hound 109

I stand by my Anderson HS - McCallum HS feeders (& rent).

Yes the Doss or Hill Elementary, Murchison, Anderson HS is a fantastic track. Lamar is the Fine Arts Middle School and will prep you for the McCallum Fine Arts Academy.

I have a child in the Lamar Fine Arts Academy and spent the afternoon filling out her McCallum Fine Arts application. I just happen to be filling out the application for my soon-to-be middle school-er to apply to the Kealing magnet.

[ppp38]

Oak Hill tracks to Small/Patton/Bowie