East or West Round Rock (Austin, Cedar Park: hotels, house, buy)

[austin_or_sd]

I will be moving to Austin MSA from San Diego to work for the Big D in a month. Round Rock might be the place that we will buy a house for the quality of school and ease of commute.

Round Rock is disected by I-35 into east and west parts. I remember a few posts in this forum mentioned that the RR west of I-35 is better than the east part in terms of school, safety and etc. I wonder if there is any fact back that claim.

Thanks in advance!

[MissThe90s]

RR East is better, nicer, quieter, cleaner ... smarter.

It is nicest around Blackland Prarie Elementary.

[austin_or_sd]

Thanks for reply!

Is this a perception or fact? Any other pieces of information that backs the perception?

[jwb123]

Hi, I think you emailed me - but I haven't been online to respond, I will tonight.

I am new to RR, and Texas - so I am unaware of the "east vs west" issues. I *think* I am east?? What is west? Can someone give me a landmark?

We are in the Forest Creek area, near Dell - and kids are in Forest Creek Elementary. It is very nice, clean, safe... shopping and restaurants are nice.

I am not sure where Blackland Prarie Elem is!

[austin_or_sd]

Yes, I emailed you. Look forward to your reply tonight.

From the posts in this forum, I believe the landmark is I-35. West RR is on the west side of Round Rock and east is on the east side of I-35.

[gigi927]

We just spent the whole weekend looking at new construction developments west of I-35 in RR and I found them all to be very nice, very clean, very safe. I feel that west of I-35 has better topography -more hills and trees. I personally like that, so like west of I-35 better.

There are also schools west of I-35 in the RR district that are highly rated, so I don't know that one can say any one specific area is "smarter" than another.

By way of context, I don't live in RR.

[traceyr13]

In general, west Round Rock has the best schools. Westwood HS is considered the "best" high school in RRISD (according to SAT scores, percentage going to college, TAKS scores, etc) while Stony Point HS is far behind the other 3. The exemplary elementary schools are in west Round Rock.

[mrsengle]

Also keep in mind that there may be a HUGE water park built on FM 1431. If it is built, then there will be TONS of construction. Not just for the water park, but for widening the road and all the hotels/restaurants that will go with it. 1431 might be considered Cedar Park, I'm not sure.

[jwb123]

forest creek elementary is an exemplary elementary school, and I guess we are east.

I have heard that Stoney Point is "good" but not at the level as the others. they are building a new one this year over here, with the new levy that just passed.

... after talking to my son earlier, I think Blackland Prarie Elem is near us.

I don't know that I have been to "west" Round Rock yet - the area on the other side of 35 seems older to me, and more businesses, less residential... is "west round rock" the La Frontera area? Sam Bass area?

[jwb123]

I think I was out in "west" Round Rock today! Is west Round Rock out by the Round Rock Medical Center? Brushy Creek subdivision? Cat Hollow? If it is - then I have been out there!

In my opinion, it seems pretty remote, and less accessible than the "east" side of Round Rock. For most shopping outings, and restaurants, it seemed like to me you will have to drive a bit.

There is more trees there - but perspective I guess... I like the open, "ranch" look of where I am. I feel like I am really IN Texas - and coming from the Pacific NW - where we have more trees & greenery than anyone could fully appreciate, I dig the change of pace. There are still trees over here, though.

Given the school ratings that I posted yesterday, I couldn't say that the "west" was really any better than the "east" - just depends on what your personal preference is, or what you are looking for, I guess. We like to be out and about - and the driving distance from things would drive me batty.