homes in Austin (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio: real estate, violent crime, house)

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by codemc

What would you do if you couldn't afford your ideal home in Austin? Would you buy a smaller home in Austin or move to the outskirts?

Or would it make more sense to move to Ft Worth/Dallas/San Antonio/Houston to get a larger home?

(Budget is @ $450)

First world problems, I know.

I would move to the outskirts. Suburbs are wonderful.

[riaelise]

You have to figure out what really matters to you.

No way would I trade what I have now to live "in Austin". Where I live is as ideal for me as it gets - I have amenities within driving distance, live near a golf course, large lot, larger house. There has to be something that draws you specifically to Austin itself and only you can answer that. I've lived in the area for almost 20 years at this point, including in the city of Austin, and the answer would be simple for me.

When I retire, it's either the Coast or maybe Georgetown.

[whereiend]

The question doesn't totally compute for me because what is an "ideal home"? For me location is a big factor in the home, so an ideal home will by definition be in a good area. You have to be extremely wealthy to afford any home in nice areas of Austin, and I'm not that so therefore I must compromise somewhere.

Personally Austin's suburbs as they are today aren't for me, and living in the central part of the city is worth the premium. I can't imagine Austin ever getting to the point where I truly can't afford it (we don't have the Mediterranean climate for that), if that did happen I'd have to evaluate my options then. If I couldn't afford today's Austin I'd realistically end up in the burbs simply because of family, but if I were choosing for myself I'd probably look at another city like Louisville, Cincinnati, or Richmond or something. (Just throwing them out there, I really don't know).

[Need4Camaro]

Originally Posted by whereiend

The question doesn't totally compute for me because what is an "ideal home"? For me location is a big factor in the home, so an ideal home will by definition be in a good area. You have to be extremely wealthy to afford any home in nice areas of Austin, and I'm not that so therefore I must compromise somewhere.

Personally Austin's suburbs as they are today aren't for me, and living in the central part of the city is worth the premium. I can't imagine Austin ever getting to the point where I truly can't afford it (we don't have the Mediterranean climate for that), if that did happen I'd have to evaluate my options then. If I couldn't afford today's Austin I'd realistically end up in the burbs simply because of family, but if I were choosing for myself I'd probably look at another city like Louisville, Cincinnati, or Richmond or something. (Just throwing them out there, I really don't know).

I'd personally consider Nashville, Charlotte and Tampa / St. Petersburg before those. Better weather and similar mid-sized city vibes.. ..well.. Nashville anyway, Charlotte being a distant second in some ways.

[ashbeeigh]

Originally Posted by Need4Camaro

I'd personally consider Nashville, Charlotte and Tampa / St. Petersburg before those. Better weather and similar mid-sized city vibes.. ..well.. Nashville anyway, Charlotte being a distant second in some ways.

I'd pass on Tampa, myself. Tampa Bay is Zillow's hottest housing market for 2022

[Need4Camaro]

Bleh, every major U.S. city seems to be making that headline.

Here's one from Atlanta: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...7-9-price-hike

Right now living in a major city is not going to be affordable unless its a highly undesirable place.

[TX Rover]

Originally Posted by Need4Camaro

I'd personally consider Nashville, Charlotte and Tampa / St. Petersburg before those. Better weather and similar mid-sized city vibes.. ..well.. Nashville anyway, Charlotte being a distant second in some ways.

Birmingham is a highly underrated spot too, but I think the secret is out there.

[Need4Camaro]

Originally Posted by TX Rover

Birmingham is a highly underrated spot too, but I think the secret is out there.

I've personally been waiting to see if Birmingham would end up catching the growth virus after all the 'premier' mid-sized cities either grew too large or became too expensive (or both) .. .. but yes you are right, B'Ham actually has some nice areas surrounding it.

[cheeva]

Originally Posted by TX Rover

Birmingham is a highly underrated spot too, but I think the secret is out there.

Birmingham's murder rate outpaces Chicago, Washington DC, Detroit

https://abc3340.com/news/local/birmi...-washington-dc

but hey, at least it's not Jackson, MS. Highest per capita murder rate in the US.

https://www.wlbt.com/2022/01/01/anal...ks-highest-us/


seriously though, I've heard nearby Chatanooga was underrated.

[Austin97]

chicago is surprisingly affordable and one of america's great cities. Lots of bad things that make headlines, but they are typically isolated to the bad parts of town.