Relo advice for family who hates the suburbs of DFW (Dallas: how much, new home)

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by austinnative69

I lived comfortably in a 2/1, sub 800 sqft house in Crestview with my wife and kid, as did my parents.

Yes, we did too. Our first house in Austin was quite a bit smaller than our previous apartment. For us, location trumped size.

[robertsacamano]

That 2nd one was such a good deal at $323/sq ft, it's not even available anymore.

But, you're right, there are indeed houses available for less than $325k in Central Austin that feed into good schools.

[mesmer]

Originally Posted by austinnative69

I was asked to show a house in the OPs price range that met all the criteria she listed in her first post. You are the one who has decided to change the equation.

Older house with character -- check
Good Schools -- check
Central location/short commute to UT --Check
Walkable Neighborhood -- check
Coffee shops (not starbucks) --check

I even put them near numerous bus lines

I lived comfortably in a 2/1, sub 800 sqft house in Crestview with my wife and kid, as did my parents.

I did, because I think 800 sq ft 2/1 is unrealistic for two adults, two children and two dogs with the adults making extensive use of the space round the clock. I think the OP should talk to families that have 2+ kids. I think the OP should talk to people who have gone back to school at UT (especially the law school). I think she will hone her checklist to something that puts her out of central austin.

I've known lots of people who live in crestview. It's a great, beautiful neighborhood. But what this family needs is now out of their price range there. It wasn't ten years ago or five years ago or two years ago. But it is now. Sure, get a great real estate agent and keep an eye out and maybe they will get lucky and find a seller that really doesn't know how much their house is worth in 78757. But chances are the husband is going to have a commute. It sucks. But that's Austin as it is right now.

[mesmer]

Also, I've spent enough time in Frisco to know that there is nowhere in Austin as cookie cutter as the majority of Frisco. Everything in Frisco is flat, boxy, no trees, extensive HOAs, shopping centers. It's also 40 minutes to downtown Dallas without traffic. It's not really equivalent. Some of the areas mentioned in the thread 78727, 78729, 78750, 78759, 78739 - are really more equivalent to south plano or richardson. Housing stock from the 60s,70s,80s,90s.... some in HOA areas, some not, 20-25 minutes to downtown without traffic but significantly longer with traffic. Teravista or Sendero Springs is the kind of Frisco-esque equivalent - Shopping! Chain restaurants! HOA! Waay out there! - that the OP is trying to avoid. I think she will be able to do so.

[austinnative69]

Originally Posted by robertsacamano

That 2nd one was such a good deal at $323/sq ft, it's not even available anymore.

But, you're right, there are indeed houses available for less than $325k in Central Austin that feed into good schools.

This one made me chuckle a bit:

Real Estate & Homes For Sale - 15 Homes - Zillow

[TXEX06]

Originally Posted by austinnative69

This one made me chuckle a bit:

Real Estate & Homes For Sale - 15 Homes - Zillow

House looks like a double wide from the outside. Insane!

[ellab18]

Hey guys- thank you all for the advice and help.
I'll be in Austin tomorrow and through the rest of the week and after considerable research on schools/commute times and homes it looks like we might be leaning towards Cedar Park. It's not the exact area or character I had hoped for, but it seems to be affordable with good schools and not too excessively far from UT.
We are also looking around Anderson Mill as well.
I will keep you all updated with the final decisions.

[ImOnFiya]

If you have time, ask your agent or drive around Northwest Austin: diversity, good schools, and very close to great shopping and good restaurants. Hope your trip goes well!

[JT-3]

Nice. If you want a pretty darn good burger check out HopDoddy's on Anderson Lane.

[Dynamoo]

I'd hate to live in the soul sucking suburbs of Cedar Park. You could still snatch up the remaining homes in the sub-400 range in Allandale or Crestview and avoid living in Cedar Park. Next year or the next, you can probably kiss your dreams of a sub-400k central austin house goodbye.