Old Enfield people? (Austin, Clarksville, Earth: property taxes, transplants, for sale)

[Legallyblondemel]

Just wondering if anyone has lived or does live in the area, or has a sense for the feel of the Enfield neighborhood people-wise? From what I've heard, it appears to be the sort of demographic - close-knit community, plenty o' young professionals both with and without kids - that my husband and I are looking for, but I'm a non-native and would love to hear more from someone familiar with the area.

Thanks in advance!

[achtungpv]

I've always considered the neighborhoods off of Enfield to be old money...you rarely see houses for sale there...or they are sold before a sign is stuck in the yard. I could be completely off base though.

[Raskolnikov]

As someone who used to rent a house there, I don't think of it as being kid-friendly. I think of it as being similar to the feel of a "blue state" east coast elite neighborhood, and without many kids. People who are deans of various parts of UT, famous people, or old money people, or young people who got rich in the late 90's and never had kids.

[Biscuits]

Originally Posted by Raskolnikov

As someone who used to rent a house there, I don't think of it as being kid-friendly. I think of it as being similar to the feel of a "blue state" east coast elite neighborhood, and without many kids. People who are deans of various parts of UT, famous people, or old money people, or young people who got rich in the late 90's and never had kids.

Thats sounds like heaven on Earth...

I am on the wrong side of MoPac from Old Enfield and have never lived within its strict boundaries but have admired it from afar for as long as I can remember. Let me be the first to recommend something along Niles Road.

[Raskolnikov]

You'd better be rich, people are going to judge you. As long as you have tons o' money you'll be welcomed with open arms.

[HappyTexan]

If you're not on "the list" you'll never get in there.

[Biscuits]

Originally Posted by HappyTexan

If you're not on "the list" you'll never get in there.

What does that mean?

[HappyTexan]

Biscuits..it means "old money", long time family connections or you know someone.

[RuthieBaby]

Hmm, I have actually REALLY loved living in that area, but my experience may be different from those of others because we live in a condo. As a matter of fact, we wouldn't be leaving the area anytime soon if we could help it, but life happens, and circumstances require that we buy a house that can accommodate a few more family members. We just can't stay in Old Enfield with the price we're able to pay and the square footage we need.

That said, we're not letting go of that property anytime soon because we love knowing that we have the option to move back central someday--an option that, otherwise, might not have existed for us due to the area's appreciation. We consider ourselves incredibly lucky that my boyfriend's family grabbed a condo in that area close to 10 years ago when he was a student at UT and prices were 2-3 times less than they are now.

I had actually written up a bunch of things I loved about the area and then re-read your question; it's not really relevant, so I'll omit it. But let me know if you'd like me to post the info, and I happily will. This, though, I think gets to what you're asking: I have to say we're young, in our 20s, not particularly keen on the whole snooty, rich, elitist attitude--part of why we love Austin in general so much--and I honestly can't say I've felt that way about our neighborhood in the 5 years I've, personally, been there. I know I have experienced that feeling in other parts of town, some not so far away, but not in Old Enfield. I feel like there's a pretty good mix of people, even in just our building. We've got college kids (though not at all the rowdy type), retired senior citizens, young professionals, and families all living nearby. Just about everyone I've encountered has been very down-to-earth and Austin-y, if you will. But, again, perhaps the whole condo thing does, indeed, shelter us from the ugliness that some others have seemed to experience in the area. Who knows?

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by Legallyblondemel

Just wondering if anyone has lived or does live in the area, or has a sense for the feel of the Enfield neighborhood people-wise? From what I've heard, it appears to be the sort of demographic - close-knit community, plenty o' young professionals both with and without kids - that my husband and I are looking for, but I'm a non-native and would love to hear more from someone familiar with the area.

Thanks in advance!

Depends on what you want. If you're talking Pemberton, you might find a house for sale, but it will take a while to be accepted by the neighbors, who tend to be old Austin. If you're thinking Enfield/Clarksville, you will have an easier time, more of a mix there. Enfield/Tarrytown will be even easier...lots of transplants there. Good luck with those property taxes!