Does our "ideal" location exist in/aroud Austin?? (Dallas: houses, neighborhoods)

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by Philip T

THAT was great. And FUNNY.

Thanks, really that speaks to the level I can understand.

This morning we were joking about whether the "problem" is us? We decided the place we are looking for is Lake Woe-Be-Gone. (Yunno, NPR, Prairie Home Companion Radio Show).

We were thinking we could not "buy" the result at any price. But you are serious that this "Tarrytown" area is it? The $2500 number is just that -- a made up number. Can't deal with Real Estate folks without some number. My observation was that above $2500 we would just see the same stuff "bling-blinged" up with 6 Bathroom Houses with Gold Platted Toilets and such, but no real difference in the product.

Here is something that leaves me confused on the "prices." This last week we were walking through what were listed as over million dollar houses, there in Austin, where the rents were listed under $2500 (talking about same house -- something like $1.1 million for sale or $2300 rent). btw, Saw a LOT of that same pricing pattern in California on the eve of the collapse.

Hitting a Tarrytown link, Tarrytown Real Estate Texas | Tarrytown Homes For Sale I see nothing for sale over $1.2 million -- so what is the equivalent rent?

Try austinhomeseach.com also. It might be more 'serious' than craigslist. I like craigslist to get an idea about markets, but I would probably use austin home search for more details. This one looks good. Clarksville is a great neighborhood. Listing Details here's another one. http://www.austinhomesearch.com/Sear...686&or=2&cp=3#

[clearan]

Burnet TX--pronounced "Burn it" is still small enough to have that rural feel, although all towns within 45 minutes of Austin are expanding rapidly. If you want to venture a little further try Llano, TX. It is truly a town that kids can ride their bikes anywhere. It has a downtown straight out of the history books, I've found the people there very friendly. I live in Kingsland but work in Llano. The town has everything on your list, and Hwy 71 is a straight shot 68 miles to the south side of Austin. George town is urban sprawl.

[Philip T]

Originally Posted by mimimomx3

Glad you took it that way!
Seriously, we ran into the same problems. We 'settled' on NW Hills, which we love, but we had to give up the lake, water, some walkability/funkiness.
Look what I found for you: Beautiful home in Tarrytown!!!.... Unbelieveable Price!... 2448 sqft
I would start checking out craigslist for an idea on rental houses.

Looks great. You see the price is $1400? That is what I am seeing a lot of -- and why I figured the $2500/mo more than covered most anything we would find.

B U T this is Austin ISD, correct?

[csstxex]

One town not mentioned yet that you might want to look into is Lago Vista. The only thing you won't find is a "downtown with interest". However, you will be VERY close to outside activities and the hill country with many fun things to do and see. You would not be far from Cedar Park and Lake Travis, etc., if you need to go to a "downtown area".

When my girls attended school there (elementary), they were pretty good. The middle school and high school seemed to be okay, too - if your children don't have any special needs. It was a one elementary, one middle school and one high school town. The town used to be more "retirement". But, many families are moving in to get the "country" feel and live close to the lake/outdoors/hill country.

You may have to look to find a house you like. There is a mix of older and newer homes. However, you may find a big lot you like and decide to build a house of your liking on it. Oh, there are very few sidewalks, but there are many streets that don't have a lot of traffic off the beaten path where kids ride thier bikes all the time.

Like what has been said, you probably won't find a location with everything you mentioned. But, Lago has a lot to offer.

[centralaustinite]

Yes, Tarrytown is AISD, Casis Elementary, O'Henry Middle and Austin High. All excellent schools. I'd do some serious reading and researching about Texas schools, testing, and drill into the test result before rejecting that line-up of schools.

FYI: just my two cents, but I'd take that line of schools long before I'd send my kids to Eanes. Personal preference of course but tests are not the end all and be all.

[hound 109]

I've read several comments about school quality & then a comment or opinion of a particular school DISTRICT. This is a mistake in greater Austin.

There are some great schools in LISD, RRISD, DSISD & AISD & also some not so great (& some downright poor). Look at the individual schools(elementary/MS & HS)....NOT the district.

I agree with the poster who mentioned Llano as a possible fit to most of the criteria (i think that the horseshoe bay area being 20 miles away contributes to the quality of schools & also to the ultimate quality of life). I have also looked (hard) at Burnet.....liked the town, but hated the courthouse & also the fact that the two BUSY roads bisect the town.

Other towns to consider....Boerne, Kerrville, Fayetteville, Lampasas.

I'd love to add New Braunfels & Lockhart to the list, but the schools are a little suspect & NB is becoming (like Georgetown/Leander/Cedar Park/RR) kind of a Starbucks/HomeDepot/Chili's suburban sprawl.

hound <----is cracking up at Keiller's comment about keeping Wobegon cold to keep the Texans out.

[hound 109]

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

Yes, Tarrytown is AISD, Casis Elementary, O'Henry Middle and Austin High. All excellent schools. I'd do some serious reading and researching about Texas schools, testing, and drill into the test result before rejecting that line-up of schools.

FYI: just my two cents, but I'd take that line of schools long before I'd send my kids to Eanes. Personal preference of course but tests are not the end all and be all.

I agree.

& thankfully there are dozens of quality schools that are NOT located in EISD. (& some have higher test scores that EISD).

[Philip T]

Originally Posted by csstxex

One town not mentioned yet that you might want to look into is Lago Vista. The only thing you won't find is a "downtown with interest". However, you will be VERY close to outside activities and the hill country with many fun things to do and see. You would not be far from Cedar Park and Lake Travis, etc., if you need to go to a "downtown area".

When my girls attended school there (elementary), they were pretty good. The middle school and high school seemed to be okay, too - if your children don't have any special needs. It was a one elementary, one middle school and one high school town. The town used to be more "retirement". But, many families are moving in to get the "country" feel and live close to the lake/outdoors/hill country.

You may have to look to find a house you like. There is a mix of older and newer homes. However, you may find a big lot you like and decide to build a house of your liking on it. Oh, there are very few sidewalks, but there are many streets that don't have a lot of traffic off the beaten path where kids ride thier bikes all the time.

Like what has been said, you probably won't find a location with everything you mentioned. But, Lago has a lot to offer.

Yeah, Lago was on our early list and kind of got looked-over.

Here are their numbers:

(1) High School -- Recognized (a "B")
(1) Middle School -- Exemplary (an "A") Impressive!
(1) Elementary -- Recognized (a "B")

Some how the TEA has added that up to Acceptable (a "C") for the district overall? Seems strange.

As far as houses -- when buying, beaters are just fine by me. I aint purdy, and no need for the house to be, either. I would probably prefer old and beat-up to turn it into a Net Zero Energy house, anyway.

Thanks.

[hound 109]

Originally Posted by Philip T

Yeah, Lago was on our early list and kind of got looked-over.

Here are their numbers:

(1) High School -- Recognized (a "B")
(1) Middle School -- Exemplary (an "A") Impressive!
(1) Elementary -- Recognized (a "B")

Some how the TEA has added that up to Acceptable (a "C") for the district overall? Seems strange.

As far as houses -- when buying, beaters are just fine by me. I aint purdy, and no need for the house to be, either. I would probably prefer old and beat-up to turn it into a Net Zero Energy house, anyway.

Thanks.

I find this site easy to use & prefer it's quantifiable numbers (with the last three years for a trend) as opposed to the terms "Recognized" & "Exemplary" ....since i don't know what these terms mean.

Texas School Performance Maps

(i do wish they'd update the 08 numbers though.)


Lago Vista was on my list (i like the fact that the school numbers are trending up). My beef with Lago is that there's no real downtown or feel of a downtown. (Like a county seat gives you.) I like the views & the relatively cheap dirt though.

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by Philip T

Looks great. You see the price is $1400? That is what I am seeing a lot of -- and why I figured the $2500/mo more than covered most anything we would find.

B U T this is Austin ISD, correct?

Yup.
I believe the elementary schools in austin that are exemplary are Casis, Brykerwoods, Doss, Kiker, but we go private.
Check out the website that says it all: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/cgi/sas/broker or www.tea.state.tx.us if the first link doesn't work.
FWIW, I'd take AISD over EISD anyday. Just my .02