Need input on North & South Austin. (Shady Hollow: renter, houses)

[WildChicken]

I have been a long-time downtown renter and have lived in Austin for my whole life. In the next 3-4 months I will be purchasing a house somewhere in Austin, but i'm only looking to spend somewhere between $250-325k, not seeing much of a benefit unless I want to jump into 500k range. I'm not sold on way south (manchaca) or way north (cedar park). I need good schools and safe neighbors with firm soil in a 3 bed 2 bath. Most of South Austin is expansive clay, which i'm not a fan of and cedar park is so far from downtown. My ideal box is South of Mcneil, North of Southwest Pkwy, East of 71 and west of pleasant valley. Any recommendations?

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by WildChicken

I have been a long-time downtown renter and have lived in Austin for my whole life. In the next 3-4 months I will be purchasing a house somewhere in Austin, but i'm only looking to spend somewhere between $250-325k, not seeing much of a benefit unless I want to jump into 500k range. I'm not sold on way south (manchaca) or way north (cedar park). I need good schools and safe neighbors with firm soil in a 3 bed 2 bath. Most of South Austin is expansive clay, which i'm not a fan of and cedar park is so far from downtown. My ideal box is South of Mcneil, North of Southwest Pkwy, East of 71 and west of pleasant valley. Any recommendations?

As when anyone asks this question, where in town do you work?

[WildChicken]

Originally Posted by Novacek

As when anyone asks this question, where in town do you work?

Right now I work from home and GF works near downtown.

[sojourner77]

East of 71? That road runs E/W, so please clarify. Did you mean 360?

With your budget, you will either get a good location, good schools, or a good house - but not all three. If you are looking south, then 325K will get you into 78704 (tear-down, great location, horrible schools), Shady Hollow (fixer-upper, decent location, good schools) or a new build near Akins (quality new build, decent location, less than good schools). There is a tradeoff.

[centralaustinite]

Are private or charter schools in the mix? What is your definition of a "good school"?

I don't think what you are looking for, in your price range, exists. You will have to compromise on something.

[WildChicken]

Doesn't look like 500k would work. Let me go up to 750k and see

[sojourner77]

Originally Posted by WildChicken

Doesn't look like 500k would work. Let me go up to 750k and see

Your budget just went from 250K to 750K. Is this a serious thread?

[WildChicken]

Originally Posted by sojourner77

Your budget just went from 250K to 750K. Is this a serious thread?

Initially I thought I would be able to spend 500k to get into areas I want. Per redfin it looks like i would need to jump that up to $600k-750k and even then I might be buying a beater with 1970's carpet.

[WildChicken]

What areas should I look North of mcneil? How is avery ranch

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by WildChicken

I have been a long-time downtown renter and have lived in Austin for my whole life. In the next 3-4 months I will be purchasing a house somewhere in Austin, but i'm only looking to spend somewhere between $250-325k, not seeing much of a benefit unless I want to jump into 500k range. I'm not sold on way south (manchaca) or way north (cedar park). I need good schools and safe neighbors with firm soil in a 3 bed 2 bath. Most of South Austin is expansive clay, which i'm not a fan of and cedar park is so far from downtown. My ideal box is South of Mcneil, North of Southwest Pkwy, East of 71 and west of pleasant valley. Any recommendations?

lots of houses in your price range just north of anderson mill rd. Also some housing stock around duval/mopac (amherst?)

I like to use zillow/trulia/redfin because their map based search really makes it easy to find houses.