Best areas to avoid I-35? (Austin, Round Rock: schools, to live, zip code)

[ang08]

We're trying to narrow our focus for areas to live near Austin but it's been almost a year since our last visit and I'm a little hazy on the layout. I've heard plenty of horror stories about I-35; luckily we don't have to commute. Can anyone recommend parts of town where we'd be able to avoid I-35 (and other notoriously bad/dangerous spots for traffic) as much as possible? We'll go into the city occasionally but for the most part tend to stay in our little neck of the woods. We have two small kids and would like a family-friendly area.

[HappyTexan]

Pflugerville is one area. There's 130, 45 and numerous local roads that can take you either south into Austin or north into Round Rock or Georgetown. I live there and work in Austin and never take I35 to work and rarely take it into Austin..only when I need to go way south.

[southdown]

We really like the NW area, up along Parmer Lane (734) and 183, all west of I-35. It's a quick dash into town outside of the rush hours and the areas are great for schools and families, plus easy reach of the hills and lakes. Excellent shopping!

Cedar Park is popular with families, so is Avery Ranch and Brushy Creek, or going back towards town the Anderson Mill, Jollyville and Spicewood areas all attract families who want to be within easy reach of Austin proper.

If you Google map the 78729 zip code, they are all within a 5-mile radius (ish).
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