McNeil Ranch or Alicante (Austin, Corpus Christi: appointed, townhouse, school district)

[LookingtoLeave]

I finally got the call and have accepted an offer in Austin, so I'll need to move around Aug. I am working now with a locater and have seen some nice properties, but of course I realize, they don't always look out for your best interest, so I thought I'd get some info here.

I have found a nice townhome at McNeil Ranch townhomes off of McNeil and even Alicante near 2222/620. I was even told about Monterone @ Canyon Creek, but have heard some horror stories about those. Does anyone have knowledge of these properties and the schools nearby? My son will be starting 3rd grade this year.

Thanks!

[jeffari-al-texani]

I lived at McNeil Ranch for almost a year when I moved to Austin in 2005 (it was called McNeil House back then)...they weren't bad at all...the only problem was that our neighbors seemed to enjoy running up and down their stairs, and made way too much noise...we had a lovely view of the wag-a-bag across the street (Corpus Christi Drive)...Jolleyville Elementary is right down Corpus Christi...maybe a half mile walk at the most...

Even though you would be living in Austin, your child would be attending school in the Round Rock ISD...

just be aware, the traffic on McNeil headed towards 183 from the complex is pretty brutal on Sunday mornings because of that large church campus...

The place off 2222 would probably have a nicer view...and a much prettier drive...but I dont' know anything about it...

[AustinTexan]

I lived a couple of blocks away from McNeil Ranch for 11 years and that part of Austin is dear to me. I live in a nicer home further out in Cedar Park and it's just not the same. I love how everything is so accessible from McNeil (Parmer, 183, Toll Roads, etc.) and everything is so close. I love that HEB across the street, Little Woodrow's down the street, Starbucks, Whataburger, Schlotzskys....pretty much anything and everything you'll need is within minutes if not closer. I'd love to have my current home back in that part of town if I could. To me, it's a hands down decision, McNeil Ranch Homes is where I'd be living. You're in the Round Rock school district which is great! You won't be disappointed.

[LookingtoLeave]

Great! Thanks for the heads up! They both have availability for my time frame and hopefully I won't have noisy neighbors and I'm getting a townhouse and will have no one above or below me. My main issue is commute and schools. I map quested the addresses from McNeil and Alicante to my home office downtown and it appeared Alicante was closer, but I thought it looked farther out on the map. Am I missing something or is it one of those things where it may be closer mileage wise, but there's more traffic?

[AustinTexan]

If you have to drive down 2222 in the mornings or evenings, forget about it!!!! You're MUCH better from McNeil than on 2222. That road is so dangerous and overcrowded that there's are always accidents and it's only getting worst. One accident on that road and it pretty much shuts the whole road down......same for 620. I'd much rather be going down 183 and Mopac than 2222!!! Anyone that has driven down 2222 during morning rush hour can attest to what I'm saying. Save yourself a lot of trouble and stress and steer clear from that road.

[LookingtoLeave]

Aww that stinks! I was leaning towards those (Alicante) since it's not an actual apt. complex, but anything over 45 min. is too much for me.

[jeffari-al-texani]

Uhm, have things changed that much since I left Four Points last October? The drive on 2222 and 360 was much better than what I had to deal with on MoPac and 183...

And it's a much more scenic drive as well...

[texastea]

If Alicante goes to Grandview Hills, I'd go there in a heartbeat. Its an IB Elementary (International Baccalaureate). You can google it.

[TexasHorseLady]

My daughter lives in Apache Shores (next to Lakeway), and she used to go to UT from there daily.

She said half an hour drive from there to UT, either way (620 to 2222 and on in to town, or over to 71 and on in from there).

That's further from town than Alicante, obviously. This was within the last year.

[LookingtoLeave]

Originally Posted by texastea

If Alicante goes to Grandview Hills, I'd go there in a heartbeat. Its an IB Elementary (International Baccalaureate). You can google it.

My apt. locator found me an apt. at Veranda at Grandview Hills that is in my price range and my son would go to that IB school. My only hesitation is that they have nothing to show so I'd have to prelease w/o viewing my actual unit and some apt. reviewers have posted complaints about loud noise/parties. Other than that, it's gorgeous!