What are some recommended neighborhoods for a family in Austin? (Round Rock: real estate, hoa)

[j1won]

Hi Everyone,

I've been following up on this forum for a few weeks now and found so much helpful advice that I decided to join in case I can offer anyone a few suggestions of my own.

I'm a native Southern Californian and have a home in Orange County. I also lived in the La Jolla area of San Diego for several years which was gorgeous. However, due to my job I recently moved to NY and currently live in an apt. Although I love manhattan, I do miss the warm weather and sun. I've heard so many good things about Austin and after doing a little bit of research I began to seriously contemplate on buying a second home there. I decided to visit and had my parents fly over from Ca to meet me there for a mini-vacation in February and although it rained for most of the time we were there both my parents and I really loved it! I do admit that the traffic was pretty bad (I've driven on many NY/NJ roads since my move here, and Austin's highway system was not that much better).

I wasnt able to visit the Round Rock area, but was able to spend some time in Lake Travis and its surrounding areas and really enjoyed the hilly, suburban, and "nature" feel of the place. If I were to buy a home in the Austin area, my parents would most likely be staying there or would have to rent it for a few years before I could actually move there myself since there is a good chance that I may be abroad for a short term (app. 3 yrs) due to the international nature of my job.

Currently I am looking for a home in the range of 200-300k little more if necessary. I would prefer a new(er) planned community but my home in Orange County, Ca is also in a community and the association fees have risen dramatically over the past few years (about $300/month +). Therefore, I'm a bit weary of restricting my search to just planned communities. But in either case, I would like to buy a home in a relatively new area. And as I've been reading the suggestions on these forums, I do not plan on buying the biggest or most expensive house in the neighborhood, but an average sized (2000-3000 sq ft) family home. Also, like everyone else I assume, I would like to buy a house in an area that is steadily appreciating. I hear that while Round Rock is a good place, it relies heavily on Dell which could downsize or move anytime in the future. So with these factors in mind, could anyone please recommend a neighborhood or community:

1. With about a 30min. - 1 hr commute to Austin
2. That are appreciating at a good but steady pace
3. Is good for raising a family
4. Has a good school district
5. That has a relatively close access to outdoor lifestyle (biking, walking, hiking, summer water activities)

6. And finally, can anyone recommend a good certified real estate agency or broker for a buyer (i know the difference btwn seller and buyer agent). If anyone has had good experience with their buyers agent and could give me some advice I would greatly appreciate it bc I have zero connections in Austin!

thank you so much in advance!

[Falcorockme]

We're looking at Southwest Austin, in Western Oaks and the Villages at Western Oaks... this is a great area. Also the other southwestern neighborhoods, like Legend Oaks and Circle C.. all meet the criteria you described

[llkltk]

Hi. I'm building in SW Austin in Meridian. SW Austin has greater appreciation than the suburbs of Round Rock and Cedar Park. The commute to the city is also less annoying than coming from the other areas. It is sort of part of the hill country and is not overrun with strip malls and chain restaurants/shopping. It still has the Austin vibe and is a short 15 minute drive with no traffic to the city. With traffic, probably 30 minutes. You can get a new home in Meridian from 260K-300K which is in your price range. Builders are Newmark, Meritage and Wilshire in this section. There will also be an AISD elementary school in the community in the next few years. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Falcorockme]

Can you really get a house for 260K - 300K in Meridian? Last time I checked there was nothing available under 305K, most houses were in the high 300s

[llkltk]

In the first section, the 55s, the houses are 260-310. They are offering all sort of incentives as well. The range in square footage is 2300-3100 for that price. Those are the current prices. Go to Newmark's website and look at Meridian 55s. Once they finish this section, that's it for that price. Everything else is from 360K well into the 600s.

[new2aus]

If you liked the Lake Travis area you may want to consider Steiner. It is between Lake Travis and Lake Austin and has a lot of hills. I think you could get something pretty nice for $350k or a little less. Exemplary Leander schools in the development and a new high school close being built in a few years. Community ammenities are great, 3 community centers w/ parks/pools, lots of nature and hiking trails and reasonable HOA dues. River Place is nearby and also very nice, but would be more $.

[Plazamazda]

Originally Posted by new2aus

If you liked the Lake Travis area you may want to consider Steiner. It is between Lake Travis and Lake Austin and has a lot of hills. I think you could get something pretty nice for $350k or a little less. Exemplary Leander schools in the development and a new high school close being built in a few years. Community ammenities are great, 3 community centers w/ parks/pools, lots of nature and hiking trails and reasonable HOA dues. River Place is nearby and also very nice, but would be more $.

um pretty sure he said 200-300. and yeah it is a really long commute to Cedar Park High School..

[texastea]

Originally Posted by llkltk

In the first section, the 55s, the houses are 260-310. They are offering all sort of incentives as well. The range in square footage is 2300-3100 for that price. Those are the current prices. Go to Newmark's website and look at Meridian 55s. Once they finish this section, that's it for that price. Everything else is from 360K well into the 600s.

Does 55 mean 55 foot wide lot?

[new2aus]

Originally Posted by Plazamazda

um pretty sure he said 200-300. and yeah it is a really long commute to Cedar Park High School..

um, yeah - if you reread he says "200-300k or a little more if necessary". The higher end of that is doable in Steiner Ranch. Obviously the more you spend the more you will get.

Cedar Park HS is far which is why I mentioned the new high school on 2222 near River Place that will open in a couple of years.

[FromCalitoSteinerRanch]

Originally Posted by new2aus

If you liked the Lake Travis area you may want to consider Steiner. It is between Lake Travis and Lake Austin and has a lot of hills. I think you could get something pretty nice for $350k or a little less. Exemplary Leander schools in the development and a new high school close being built in a few years. Community ammenities are great, 3 community centers w/ parks/pools, lots of nature and hiking trails and reasonable HOA dues. River Place is nearby and also very nice, but would be more $.

I agree, and will add I grew up in H.B. and lived in M.V. and R.S.M. after college. We moved out here in '03 and ended up in Round Rock initially. We would visit the lake during summer, but never ventured into Steiner until one time on a lark in late '04. Well, it felt so much like the foothills we lived on in R.S.M. that we pretty much decided that we were moving from Round Rock.

We lost money on a 1 story 3,000 sq. ft. home, but it was a 4 digit loss, so manageable. Our two girls walk to an Exemplary school, and the oldest of the two will soon be walking to the other Exemplary school across the street when she starts middle school.

At first I felt a lot of bragging rights by being in a neighborhood like Steiner, but after about 2 1/2 years it is now just a peace that we are in a safe, nice, family oriented area with many nature activities in the neighborhood, or just across 620 around Lake Travis. We can get to DT in about 30 minutes during non rush hour times, and get to the airport in about 45 minutes for flights to vacations to places with a beach or real mountains, oh and we can now actually afford those vacations too!

Will there be adjustments? Yes, but where you are now, the adjustments will be at a much lower level, helped by peoples' kindeness and attitudes in Austin. Plus, don't know if you are a Carl's Jr. fan, but they will be opening one in Cedar Park!

I can sum it up this way for us, this is the nicest, and ritziest area that we will ever afford on one income, below 6 figures, and still have money left over to vacation, save for retirement, and the kids' college. It isn't CA, but that really is the point, it ISN'T CA!