considering moving to central Texas with multiracial teens (Austin, Elgin: mobile home, public schools)

[mtngirl5]

I am considering moving with my kids to central Texas. My kids are multi-racial, my son is going into 7th grade and my daughter entering her junior year in high school in the fall. I am originally from southern California and moved to Utah 14 years ago. I have enjoyed my time here but ready for a place with a few more born again Christians. I would like to have a house with at least a half acre or more and with a budget of about $160,000, in an area more somewhat rural but not to far from a city like Austin. And one where my kids would be accepted.

Thanks for any input.

[ElGnomo]

Reaction one is to laugh. Literally laugh out loud. Good luck finding a half acre at that price.

[centralaustinite]

There are very few half acre lots within 30 miles of Austin -- never mind one with a house -- for $160,000.

You find an acre with some sort of house (mobile home, manufactured house etc) in the far outlying eastern edges of central Texas, like Bastrop, Smithville, McDade, Dale, Elgin. But the public schools in those areas are not great and the areas tend to be pretty insular, not sure how any teen from the outside the area would fare.

[mesmer]

You miiiiight be able to find something way out like Lago Vista or Jonestown. Might. Maybe.

Yeah, the LOL above is not far off. Have you done any research on prices here at all?

[G Grasshopper]

I think it would be helpful for you to define what you mean by "somewhat rural" and "not far" from Austin. If you are looking for a suburb of Austin, you budget just would not work. But if you really want to get out there in the country, some folks might know of places. Let us know what part of Central Texas you might want to live in.

[ImOnFiya]

Yes! You can find communities which are diverse in that price range in Austin's suburban edge in towns like Hutto, Manor, Elgin, or Jarrell.

I recommend taking a trip and visiting these areas to see which environment is more suited for your liking! Good luck!

[A-Tex]

Originally Posted by mtngirl5

I am considering moving with my kids to central Texas. My kids are multi-racial, my son is going into 7th grade and my daughter entering her junior year in high school in the fall. I am originally from southern California and moved to Utah 14 years ago. I have enjoyed my time here but ready for a place with a few more born again Christians. I would like to have a house with at least a half acre or more and with a budget of about $160,000, in an area more somewhat rural but not to far from a city like Austin. And one where my kids would be accepted.

Thanks for any input.

Why Austin? It sure doesn't match up very well with the things you're seeking.

[mtngirl5]

Thanks for the input. No, while I have done a lot of looking at home prices in other places, I haven't done much for Austin. Obviously I need to. I would like to be within an hours drive of Austin and I am really in the dark about the area. I am planning on taking my kids for a trip to Texas this summer to get a better idea.

Please continue to give input.

Thank you.

[JT-3]

I think more research is in order to be honest, there are other places in the country. Why here? (here-ish at that)

[G Grasshopper]

If you want something that is an hours drive on, say, a Sunday morning, that might be possible. But in normal commute times, an hour drive is not that far out.