Relocating to Austin-need local advice (Lakeway, Leander: real estate, houses, luxury)

[lmganfield]

We will be relocating to Austin from Singapore around summer 2008. We have a home in Raleigh that we will actually relocate from when we return from Singapore. We are looking forward to the move to Austin. Anyone looking for a home in Apex?

I would love advice from Locals regarding the best area to live with a REASONABLE commute to IBM. Our wish is that we LOVE to be by the water. Any body of water. I presently receive home listings from the following areas: River North, CLS and Lakeway. We also like what is happening at Lakeway Marina. There are so many beautiful homes to select from, but from reading the threads I see that traffic is a problem. Did I read that there is a train system? Will that help a commuter to IBM?

We are in our 50's, so we would love a relaxing pace, close access to water activity, walking trails, etc. Single family or Luxury TH developments, no more than $550.000 price range.

I will also be searching for a teaching or school administrator position. I am happy to work anywhere in the Lake Travis School System.

Please help us narrow the search as it is all very overwhelming, but very exciting as well.

Thanks!

[GANKS]

First thing to factor in your decision is the property taxes here. They are roughly 3% per year or $16,500 per year on a $550K house.

There is no train system here for commuters that I have seen. Lake Travis area is great, that is the direction you'd want to be looking I think.

[Trainwreck20]

I assume that you will be working at the IBM site located in N. Austin in the MoPac/Burnet road area? If so, Lakeway will be a nasty commute. You might try looking at the north shore of the lake (volente area, maybe).

[texastea]

Here's an article about the comuter rail that's starting up next year. The station in Leander is open (currently running buses to downtown and UT) The article lists the planned train stops from Leander.

News 8 Austin | 24 Hour Local News | LOCAL NEWS (http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=181903 - broken link)

http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/downloads/METRO-0330%20METRORAIL_REV (broken link)[1].pdf

Volente is a good idea, Trainwreck : )

[PeacePlease]

that commuter rail will not help someone working for IBM. If you live in Austin, and work for IBM, you will need a car to get to work. $550k can get you a nice house in Austin, but notice the property tax. I complain about mine from late November till late January every year..

[gulfpilot]

Originally Posted by texastea

Here's an article about the comuter rail that's starting up next year. The station in Leander is open (currently running buses to downtown and UT) The article lists the planned train stops from Leander.

News 8 Austin | 24 Hour Local News | LOCAL NEWS (http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=181903 - broken link)

http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/downloads/METRO-0330%20METRORAIL_REV (broken link)[1].pdf

Volente is a good idea, Trainwreck : )

Any idea where the terminal will end downtown?

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by lmganfield

We will be relocating to Austin from Singapore around summer 2008. We have a home in Raleigh that we will actually relocate from when we return from Singapore. We are looking forward to the move to Austin. Anyone looking for a home in Apex?

I would love advice from Locals regarding the best area to live with a REASONABLE commute to IBM. Our wish is that we LOVE to be by the water. Any body of water. I presently receive home listings from the following areas: River North, CLS and Lakeway. We also like what is happening at Lakeway Marina. There are so many beautiful homes to select from, but from reading the threads I see that traffic is a problem. Did I read that there is a train system? Will that help a commuter to IBM?

We are in our 50's, so we would love a relaxing pace, close access to water activity, walking trails, etc. Single family or Luxury TH developments, no more than $550.000 price range.

I will also be searching for a teaching or school administrator position. I am happy to work anywhere in the Lake Travis School System.

Please help us narrow the search as it is all very overwhelming, but very exciting as well.

Thanks!

As someone else said, volente and jonestown would be your best bets. Also north 620 (not sure if it is leander or cedar park) would be good as well. If you arent on the water there is a ton of cheap land. If you want waterfront the land itself will probably run 200-300K. Houses are anywhere from 200-500/sq ft.

[texastea]

Originally Posted by gulfpilot

Any idea where the terminal will end downtown?

The map link I posted didn't work so I found another one. Acutally, the whole "All systems go" website is full of information about future plans, etc.

All Systems Go Long-Range Transit Plan - CapMetro

[ILikeSmartHippies]

Originally Posted by texastea

The map link I posted didn't work so I found another one. Acutally, the whole "All systems go" website is full of information about future plans, etc.

All Systems Go Long-Range Transit Plan - CapMetro

The transit system is almost ready to open, is that right?
How has this affected real estate & business in austin's suburbs over the past couple years?

I assume that outlying real estate near the stations would go up - as people are able to live further out of town and simultaneously lower commute time.

[centralaustinite]

It is not going to change much at all! Right now, they are planning 7 trains inbound in the morning! Capacity will be around 1100 people.

This is not the El starting up! It is still Texas, most people trying to get to most places will need a car. You can get around on the bus but it will slow.