Hutto? (Austin, Round Rock, Howe: rental, sex offenders, house)

[jwb123]

Anyone have any opinion on the live-ability in upcoming Hutto?

We are potentially thinking of going there, as house costs are still pretty low. However, I love Round Rock (as far as suburbs go) - and hesitate to give up the 1) School district 2) Accessibility to Austin and other areas 3) Close shopping. 4) Diverse population.

Thoughts?

[Trainwreck20]

I would worry more about the school district than anything else. It is still fairly easy to get into Austin from there, and I think it is an up and coming area that will see lots of different people moving out there. Local shopping will probably be Round Rock or Austin for anything other than groceries or the local hardware store, but that is not that far of a drive.

[Ellen K]

Housing is still very affordable and I hear that they have a very good water supply. It is growing like mad because of the Toll Way, so they are experiencing some growing pains. The last time I was out there it was very convenient to jump off the toll way and there you are! There are lots of strip malls going up and I think it will be a prosperous community.

[austin_or_sd]

Originally Posted by Ellen K

Housing is still very affordable and I hear that they have a very good water supply.

How affortable is the housing in Hutto comparing to Round Rock or Austin?

[mrsengle]

We dodged the Hutto bullet. He put a contract on a home in River Walk (a DR Horton community). We cancelled because we were looking at possibly being transferred to Tucson. Several months later, I drove through that neighborhood, and I don't think that it would have held its value. A friend of my husband's has some rental property in Hutto, and has studied the area extensively. He didn't recommend it. If you do decide to look seriously Hutto, do your homework on the area zoning.

[austin-steve]

I'd stay out of Hutto.

Unless you plan to remain for many years and don't mind paying $4/day in and out on the tollway. Add the toll costs up on a monthly basis, plus the extra gas and mileage on your car and suddenly the cheap housing isn't so cheap. Check the property tax rates too and also the upcoming increase in water bills because Hutto has overcommitted to water purchases. The schools are unimpressive.

I can't think of even one good reason to live there.

Steve

[jwb123]

Hutto didn't overcommit, they were made to sign these agreements, which they are trying to amend.

Right now, we are in the new development of Forest Creek - which is actually in Hutto ETJ (no clue what that really means, but we were told we were in Round Rock - ETJ is bad news for services and utility costs). Due to that, our water is ridiculously high, because of the fees and such of being in a MUD.

What I have been able to get on the schools online, is grossly outdated (2000-2001) but has them listed as "Above Average" - though, I find that hard to believe being that it's so new. I have a child with special needs, so schools and funding is of major importance. This is my main reason for hesitation.

As for tolls, you can get in and out of Hutto without using the toll roads.

I like the small town feel to it, while still being able to get to shopping and easy access to Round Rock - but I am not sure that outweights the rest of it. Frankly, I am worried about the effect of the small town mindset might have on my children. Perhaps things will change there as it develops.

austin_or_sd : You can still get a new construction, large home there under $180k.

Thanks for your thoughts, everyone!

I think we will stay where we are for now.

[Ginsburg]

Hi Jembar
I live in Los Angeles California all my life, and things has change. I am been working hard to try to live better but day by day, the prices for everything is increasing. I found one magazine with Information of The City in Austin, I went with my family few weeks ago, and we deceide to move to Hutto, but I am scare of this big change, I dont have a job off yet, and is to me a new life, Maybe that is happened to you, I know the housing is cheep but taxes is hight ,I been checking the school District and it looks better in difference of Los Angeles I have two kids High School and College, and it looks like we will be neighbors. I hope hear from you soon.

We are potentially thinking of going there, as house costs are still pretty low. However, I love Round Rock (as far as suburbs go) - and hesitate to give up the 1) School district 2) Accessibility to Austin and other areas 3) Close shopping. 4) Diverse population.

Thoughts?[/quote]

[Taterhead]

If you have young children I would check out sex offenders before moving there. My son and daughter-N- law just backed out of a house because they checked for sex offenders in the area and found many to live there.

[jread]

Originally Posted by Taterhead

If you have young children I would check out sex offenders before moving there. My son and daughter-N- law just backed out of a house because they checked for sex offenders in the area and found many to live there.

Keep in mind that "sex offender" could be a number of things. Make sure that who you're looking at is a true sicko and not some 18-year-old who got caught with his 16-year-old girlfriend.