Looking for One Acre in Hill Country (Austin, Spring: fit in, real estate)

[fishstix3]

Ok,I've been reading with great interest all of your great advice -- I'm really sort of afraid to write this as it may be an outrageous unattainable goal that we are reaching for here ... I'm a 4th generation California girl with an upstate NY transplant hubby and we are looking to get out of the craziness that CA. has become! We have been researching a move to Austin in search of some "elbow room" for our kids, meaning at least 1 acre in Hill Country. We are not interested in any cookie-cutter style homes, but something that allows our kids to get out to stretch their legs, go for a swim, yet not so secluded that they don't get to know the neighbors. We moved from a 5 acre spot with a little barn in Napa (with chickens and sheep) to SUBURBIA before our kids were born (now 3,8,9 yrs.) so that my husband could have a more manageable commute, it killed us to do it,and we knew when we did it that this was 'temporary' -- we want out NOW!! After several trips to Austin, the two areas we are liking most are Long Canyon and Dripping Springs areas, but for different reasons.What we do like about both is that there are some hills around (one thing I DO like about CA.) Is it unreasonable to look to find a house with the possibility of some chickens, maybe a sheep or goat and still have some neighbor kids nearby? We want a 4 BR, at least 2 bath house -- doesn't need to be a megaplex as so many are today, but it does need to have some good outdoor space. Are schools in Dripping Springs good? Anyone have any input into some of the Catholic or private schools around? We really liked St. Theresa's, but want to avoid the snooty factor as much as possible. Our goal is to be somewhere with regular kids who do not have cell phones by age 7 and full-time nannies -- so not our scene -- we are finding ourselves living it now and really feel like we are selling out. Any input is appreciated! Thanks --

[AustinTraveler]

Hi fishstix3,

You'll get better responses if you include your housing budget.

[fishstix3]

Sorry -- we are looking to stay at or below $550K with at least 1 acre ...

[Trainwreck20]

Gah! You can write your ticket in Dripping Springs......that shouldn't be a problem, or prices are going up faster than I imagined.

Oh! btw, a friend just sold a house of Madrone Moutain Way (off of Camp Ben McCullough Rd aka 1826) that was on a 2 acre lot. They ended up moving just down the road a mile or so, but this neighborhood has lots of large lots (1-2 acres) and most would be in your price range. Since there aren't any 5 or 10 acre lots, the neighbors are relatively close. I don't now about all the lots, but at least a few in that area allow horses, so I am sure chickens would be okay.

Btw, it is in the Dripping Springs School District.

[fishstix3]

Good info -- thanks. I read someone's post where they said the RR and Leander areas are more conservative. Does Dripping Springs have a reputation for being the same? Just wondering if the suburbs in general are considered more conservative than the city, per se. Conservative we are not, but we are not radicals, either. We just want to make sure we are staying in an area that is somewhat liberal.

[Trainwreck20]

Yes, the suburbs, in general, are more conservative; however, I think that the somewhat balanced liberal-conservative population in the area has a tempering effect on everyone. I have not lived in Dripping Springs, but historically it would have been considered pretty conservative. Recently, there has (or it seems there has) been an influx of 'outsiders', so I suspect that there has been some adjustments made in local politics, etc.

On another note, though, you might be surprised how many people who consider themselves liberal are finding that they like living in a conservative area. The negative media regarding 'conservatives' fails to capture the 'typical' conservative or any of the positive aspects of a conservative area. Please don't fall for the stereotypes regarding conservatives, especially around the Austin Area. I don't expect there is going to be any screaming or yelling out in the street regarding your politics, as long as you don't do the screaming or yelling yourself .

[southaustingal]

I live in Dripping and have lived in Austin and Buda, and my opinion is that Dripping is mixed. We have our share of "country folk," the Drippin' folks who've been here since way before the 80s real estate boom. They're more conservative, but they're also intelligent, at least by East Texas standards. ;-)

Also, there are many artists, craftsman, and musicians living in this area, so there's definitely a more liberal population. It'll be a shame when more equity-rich foreigners move in cause the pace of life will definitely change. I'm already seeing many more folks speeding along the roads out here in their luxury vehicles. But for now I'm enjoying the little bit of rural life that's left out here.

[austin-steve]

Are schools in Dripping Springs good?

Yes, the DS schools are considered good by most. The high school is smaller than a lot of the other area schools. It's about 1600 kids.

Go to AustinHomesearch.com and create a search for yourself for the parameters you seek. Select Dripping Springs Schools, your price range, etc. You'll have to click "Advanced Serch" to enter an acre range. Also, if the 4th bedroom is just going to be an office or extra space, consider searching 3 bdrm homes. Many have 2nd living areas and studies that are flexible spaces suitable for an office or bedroom either way.

Steve

[fishstix3]

Also, there are many artists, craftsman, and musicians living in this area, so there's definitely a more liberal population. It'll be a shame when more equity-rich foreigners move in cause the pace of life will definitely change. I'm already seeing many more folks speeding along the roads out here in their luxury vehicles. But for now I'm enjoying the little bit of rural life that's left out here.[/quote]


Well, I guess we might be considered "equity rich" by some standards, and perhaps even "foreigners" as California folk, but we don't like to consider or selves either and seek to sort of settle into a slower pace of life with some breathing room. Having lived on 5 acres with animals, then moving into the 'burbs for the sake of work commute and what we thought was "necessary" for our kids, we are anxious to get back to that former lifestyle -- we don't care about having a massive house and fancy car. Our goal is to move somewhere where we can actually save a bit of money so we can show our kids other parts of the country and teach them that most people don't have 4 BMWs, kids with cell phones, and belong to million dollar health clubs. We are so tight living here that we can't take them to other parts of the country to explore or have some space so we can send them out to play and run safely.

Our intent is not to run rampant over the lifestyle that is present, it is to fit into it and enjoy -- I understand your concern because that is what has happened here where we live. When my family moved in in the early '70s, this part of California was the sticks -- now it is "swanky" and we really don't care for it ...

Thanks for the insight -- I truly understand where you are coming from, austingal.

[AustinGuy]

How bad is the commute these days from Dripping Springs to downtown? I'm also contemplating a move from North Austin down to DS within the next few years.