Any thoughts on * BUDA, TX*?? (Austin, Pflugerville: sales, to rent, construction loan)

[Liza54]

Anyone know about Buda- how far outside of Austin it is, if it's super- rural, and...what consolidated independent schools mean? Am looking at an Austin move w/in a year and saw an ad for new homes in Buda that were soooo reasonably priced ( usually there's a reason )......I have 2 small kids, am a nurse and we enjoy parks, etc. plus eating out, trying new restaurants, etc.
Any help is appreciated!

[achtungpv]

I live west of Buda.

It's only called "consolidated" because Hays ISD combined Buda, Kyle, and, at the time, Wimberley ISDs into one school district.

Unless you are working absolutely no farther than downtown and can work flexible hours to avoid rush hour, you will have a hellacious commute. I work off at Bee Caves/Mopac and my drive leaving at 6:45 is 30-35 minutes. At 7:00 it's 45-60 minutes. In the summer it's 25 minutes.

Personally, if you enjoy a variety of restaurants, parks, etc. I think you should buy inside Austin since you would still be living in Austin but just sleeping in Buda. I wish I would have had this epiphany before I bought my last house. We do EVERYTHING in Austin other than sleep there.

[achtungpv]

Are the houses in Garlic Creek? That subdivision is one that makes me think Austin's market is on the verge of a correction. I drove through there a month or two ago, and Mercedes had built 50-70 spec houses and there were maybe 5 occupied. If you're a builder and don't have cash flow from sales the only way to keep the money churning is to keep on building and live on construction loans. I got the vibe that was what was happening. Also, the price range if I remember correctly was $230K+ when it opened and now is $150K+.

[TexasHorseLady]

Buda is more Southeast; Bee Caves/Mopac is more Southwest.

Buda is undergoing great growth right now - it used to be a sleepy little town (sorta nice, really), but not so much now. I wouldn't really recommend going into Austin via IH35, though, even if it's the most obvious route - there are other back ways that will make the commute shorter or, at least, more pleasant.

What kinds of restaurants, etc., do you like? And what price range are you thinking about? Might help us point you in the right directions.

[Liza54]

Restaurants...I'm vegetarian, so at least a basic selection. We also love more eclectic types, though...Indian, Thai, Moroccan...all are good. Plus some good Italian places. No fast food except for Subway. I would love to spend ard. 150k- 180k which is why the ad for a nice place ard. 1500sq ft. for 140k caught my eye- and that was brand new! But, I also realize I won't be happy if I can't make it to restaurants or parks, etc. I'm assuming the school district is good as well? I wonder if Buda is going to grow to have 'tons' of stuff ( often Target's and chain restaurants, etc. move to the growing areas ). As far as commute...I'd leave to arrive at a hospital ( to be there ) by 645-7am. Depends on the place, but then I'd be off work at either 315p or 715p. Of course I'd love to live smack in the city, but my nurses salary just won't buy much.

[angielt]

Originally Posted by amymcc

Restaurants...I'm vegetarian, so at least a basic selection. We also love more eclectic types, though...Indian, Thai, Moroccan...all are good. Plus some good Italian places. No fast food except for Subway. I would love to spend ard. 150k- 180k which is why the ad for a nice place ard. 1500sq ft. for 140k caught my eye- and that was brand new! But, I also realize I won't be happy if I can't make it to restaurants or parks, etc. I'm assuming the school district is good as well? I wonder if Buda is going to grow to have 'tons' of stuff ( often Target's and chain restaurants, etc. move to the growing areas ). As far as commute...I'd leave to arrive at a hospital ( to be there ) by 645-7am. Depends on the place, but then I'd be off work at either 315p or 715p. Of course I'd love to live smack in the city, but my nurses salary just won't buy much.

If you are not familiar with the area, probably a good idea to rent a place and check it out first because you might feel a little isolated from a lot of restaurants and shops.

[TexasHorseLady]

I've actually been showing a current client quite a few homes that are more central - not brand new, but quite nice homes - in that price range. A quick search of that price range, minimum sq. footage, turns up 76 homes in the Austin area from Buda and closer in built in 2005 or later. Pflugerville has several - that would be another option, with more restaurants and city amenities currently nearby. As angielt says, too, renting is a viable option while you get your bearings.

[Trainwreck20]

If you want a variety of vegetarian foods close by, I would not recommend Buda. It is probably best known (at least recently) for Cabellas......

[TexasHorseLady]

Well, but it's not really that far, timewise, to South Austin from Buda (used to go every day through Buda from our house that's crawling distance from the Broken Spoke to where we boarded our horses in Niederwald). And South Austin has plenty of vegetarian restaurants or restaurants with vegetarian fare.

[txstate]

Far South Austin is what Buda is and will become, along with the new tollway interchange at 35. Overall Buda-South Austin is nice.