New to Austin from San Diego (San Antonio, Cedar Park: condo, rental, job)

[prtybrwnis]

I moved to Austin 1/5 and am staying with family temporarily off of Slaughter and Texas Oaks. My fiancee and I are looking to rent a place early February but I want to ask everyone's opinions on area and schools. I have a 14 year old son who will join us in June after he finishes his freshman year in San Diego. So, we have to find an area that will support him academically and athletically in school. He plays basketball, baseball, and football. We are looking in the areas that support Bowie HS but of course rent is very expensive. I have heard from everyone that Akins and Crockett are not good schools even though rent is cheaper. I plan to rent for a year and then buy a home in the area that we will rent in.

I am working off of IH-35 and Ben White, so my commute is good now. I initially wanted to live in Cedar Park but the commute won't be good with the job I have now. My fiancee works in Westlake. My fiancee will be going to dental school in San Antonio in about 2 years so we thought about moving to Kyle to lessen his commute when it happens. Any feedback on this? Or what areas do you all think would be best in this instance? Currently we just want to rent a 2bdr apt, condo, or townhouse for preferably under $900 but no more than $1,000. Then buy a home preferably under 150k but not over 200k in a year.

I am looking for a school that supports parental involvement and communicates with parents. I am very active in my son's education and my son does not like riff raff. He is an average student and loves athletics which he has played since age 2. He also dabs in tennis during the summer. We are an African American family. He is very social and is sure to make friends. I just don't want him to be in a very hostile atmosphere as far as the students. I was told by several people this week that Akins has a big gang problem. I'm not too happy with that, althought my son minds his own and takes care of business.

Sound off!

[cub77cub]

Originally Posted by prtybrwnis

I moved to Austin 1/5 and am staying with family temporarily off of Slaughter and Texas Oaks. My fiancee and I are looking to rent a place early February but I want to ask everyone's opinions on area and schools. I have a 14 year old son who will join us in June after he finishes his freshman year in San Diego. So, we have to find an area that will support him academically and athletically in school. He plays basketball, baseball, and football. We are looking in the areas that support Bowie HS but of course rent is very expensive. I have heard from everyone that Akins and Crockett are not good schools even though rent is cheaper. I plan to rent for a year and then buy a home in the area that we will rent in.

I am working off of IH-35 and Ben White, so my commute is good now. I initially wanted to live in Cedar Park but the commute won't be good with the job I have now. My fiancee works in Westlake. My fiancee will be going to dental school in San Antonio in about 2 years so we thought about moving to Kyle to lessen his commute when it happens. Any feedback on this? Or what areas do you all think would be best in this instance? Currently we just want to rent a 2bdr apt, condo, or townhouse for preferably under $900 but no more than $1,000. Then buy a home preferably under 150k but not over 200k in a year.

I am looking for a school that supports parental involvement and communicates with parents. I am very active in my son's education and my son does not like riff raff. He is an average student and loves athletics which he has played since age 2. He also dabs in tennis during the summer. We are an African American family. He is very social and is sure to make friends. I just don't want him to be in a very hostile atmosphere as far as the students. I was told by several people this week that Akins has a big gang problem. I'm not too happy with that, althought my son minds his own and takes care of business.

Sound off!

Hi,

I don't have any info, but wanted to say Welcome to Austin! We moved here from San Diego in August. You will get a lot of good info on this board.

[jamestown1]

Originally Posted by prtybrwnis

I moved to Austin 1/5 and am staying with family temporarily off of Slaughter and Texas Oaks. My fiancee and I are looking to rent a place early February but I want to ask everyone's opinions on area and schools. I have a 14 year old son who will join us in June after he finishes his freshman year in San Diego. So, we have to find an area that will support him academically and athletically in school. He plays basketball, baseball, and football. We are looking in the areas that support Bowie HS but of course rent is very expensive. I have heard from everyone that Akins and Crockett are not good schools even though rent is cheaper. I plan to rent for a year and then buy a home in the area that we will rent in.

I am working off of IH-35 and Ben White, so my commute is good now. I initially wanted to live in Cedar Park but the commute won't be good with the job I have now. My fiancee works in Westlake. My fiancee will be going to dental school in San Antonio in about 2 years so we thought about moving to Kyle to lessen his commute when it happens. Any feedback on this? Or what areas do you all think would be best in this instance? Currently we just want to rent a 2bdr apt, condo, or townhouse for preferably under $900 but no more than $1,000. Then buy a home preferably under 150k but not over 200k in a year.

I am looking for a school that supports parental involvement and communicates with parents. I am very active in my son's education and my son does not like riff raff. He is an average student and loves athletics which he has played since age 2. He also dabs in tennis during the summer. We are an African American family. He is very social and is sure to make friends. I just don't want him to be in a very hostile atmosphere as far as the students. I was told by several people this week that Akins has a big gang problem. I'm not too happy with that, althought my son minds his own and takes care of business.

Sound off!

With somewhat heavy issues such as you have, you would want to do this "homework" yourself. I wouldn't rely on subjective opinions from "strangers on the internet". Best to go see these areas for yourself, talk to people face-to-face from there, and get school stats. It's a sad statement on our educational funding priorities, but the best schools generally are in relatively unaffordable areas. Homes close to 150K, other than townhomes, will likely be in areas with gang problems. In this country, you get what you pay for/can afford, no matter what race you are.

[neddy]

MY cousins son is a sophmore over at Bowie and he moved this year from DC. He is AA/white but he has had no problem at all at that school and the mom is an involved parent also but it is going to be what you make of it but she loves that schools and is very pleased. Another cousin used to be on the board for the schools that include the ones in Buda and she also was happy with the schools down there. One more thing my aunt lives in Great Oaks in your area and I think it may be in that price range. The dental school, is it the one at Unversity of Texas Healt Science Center (UTSAHC for short)? If so even from Kyle its going to be a drive for him since its one the NW side of town.

[prtybrwnis]

Thanks. I have done lots of "homework" on this matter for the past year, but it's always good to get feedback from others. Kyle just came into the equation so that is an area that I haven't researched other than on the internet. I like to get the background information on things and not just what is presented to me to enhance my visit.

Originally Posted by jamestown1

With somewhat heavy issues such as you have, you would want to do this "homework" yourself. I wouldn't rely on subjective opinions from "strangers on the internet". Best to go see these areas for yourself, talk to people face-to-face from there, and get school stats. It's a sad statement on our educational funding priorities, but the best schools generally are in relatively unaffordable areas. Homes close to 150K, other than townhomes, will likely be in areas with gang problems. In this country, you get what you pay for/can afford, no matter what race you are.

[prtybrwnis]

Thanks Neddy. I am leaning more towards Bowie right now. The registrar and counselors have been great in helping me with the transfer process of my son. Yes, the area I am in now is very affordable but Akins is the school. I am going to still pay them a visit for myself. Yes, it will be University of Texas Hlth Science Cnt-San Antonio Dental School. I will have to tell him about the commute then because he was told that it is only 30 minutes from Kyle.

Originally Posted by neddy

MY cousins son is a sophmore over at Bowie and he moved this year from DC. He is AA/white but he has had no problem at all at that school and the mom is an involved parent also but it is going to be what you make of it but she loves that schools and is very pleased. Another cousin used to be on the board for the schools that include the ones in Buda and she also was happy with the schools down there. One more thing my aunt lives in Great Oaks in your area and I think it may be in that price range. The dental school, is it the one at Unversity of Texas Healt Science Center (UTSAHC for short)? If so even from Kyle its going to be a drive for him since its one the NW side of town.

[achtungpv]

If you move to Kyle you need to check which HS your son would attend. Hays HS is the good school, Lehman is new and already headed downhill fast.

[MovingAloha]

I haven't visited this site in a while and missed the original posting. We too are African American and moved here from Hawaii. I live in Cedar Park, LOVE IT, and commute to South I35 and Ben White. The commute is approx one hour - but believe or not coming from Hawaii, that's not too bad. I also grew up and lived many years in CA so I'm use to driving.

As to your concern about schools, my grandson attends Naumann Elementary in CP and I am extremely pleased with the school. The entire staff, faculty and support have been very welcoming and communicative. Of course it's up to you as to how much you will be involved.

We live in the Red Oak Subdivision and our Neighbors are the best. It is very diverse and most of the folks are from elsewhere, but it's great to have native Texans as well.

Can't speak to your more personal decisions, but all the best to you!

[neddy]

The commute from Kyle to where you first cross the county line and get into SA is 30mins at best of times. From that side he has to make over to the medical center and once again best best of times is going to be 30 mins but depending on traffic and times could be much much longer. But I have got a friends getting out of the program this semester and he has nothing but high praise for the program. I used to live in SA and he is going to get tired of that commute real fast. Any chance you can find work down there?

[austin-steve]

I think your instincts and intuition are guilding you well toward Bowie. If you are flexible on the timing, you can find 3 bedroom homes that lease $1200+ range, or a 3 bedroom duplex for under $900/mo.

Welcome to Austin!
Steve