Smaller cities/towns near Austin (Temple, San Marcos: safe neighborhood, buy, theatre)

[SFSwailor]

We're considering moving to TX and are interested in smaller communities near amenities of larger city. I like what I've seen online about Georgetown, what are other good areas to live. Would like to live near water, green area with trees.

[love roses]

Bastrop, Taylor, Pflugerville (you have to look away from I 35 here to find the greener parts), Hutto (We are about to get a good sized man made lake), Elgin (but the schools aren't so great).

[TexasHorseLady]

Cedar Park, Leander, as well as those mentioned above. Not right on the water, but close to the lake, and the San Gabriel is there, as well. Salado is another option, though a bit further from Austin.

[Mike78613]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Cedar Park, Leander, as well as those mentioned above. Not right on the water, but close to the lake, and the San Gabriel is there, as well. Salado is another option, though a bit further from Austin.

.... and the hill country. Then on top of that, lightrails soon to come. Major bonus to live in CP or Leander.

[Alatex]

San Marcos is worth a look. The economy is solid, led by Texas State University and the outlet malls, and you have the nice river park right there in the middle of town that's great for tubing and swimming.

[love roses]

Bellestar just posted some pictures of Salado in the Texas forum.

[howellintexas]

Originally Posted by SFSwailor

We're considering moving to TX and are interested in smaller communities near amenities of larger city. I like what I've seen online about Georgetown, what are other good areas to live. Would like to live near water, green area with trees.

I absolutely love Georgetown, but be sure to check out the county taxes before you decide. Georgetown's in Williamson Co. which has much higher taxes than the surrounding counties.

Salado is about :30 N of Austin, Belton is about :40. They're both on IH 35 and both have large lakes. Salado's Stillhouse Lake is located W of the interstate, and there's a pretty, heavily wooded, apparently safe neighborhood of CR2484 called Woods of Salado you might like.

Belton has Lake Belton, also W of IH 35. There's a lot of pretty property in Morgan's Point Resort off CR 36. Again woods.

Oh, did I mention deer in both?

Belton is immediately south of Temple, TX which has some restaurants and shopping, a mall and a movie theatre. There's a lot of construction on the south side of town because they're putting in a triple deck interchange, but it's easy to avoid once you get used to the area.

[verybadgnome]

Assuming that you will be working in Austin forget about amenities for a moment and think about your commute. Too many people buy on Sunday and have a hellish commute on Monday.

Austin is almost 300 square miles in size which means there is a wide variety of accomodations in different price ranges.