Thinking of Austin, a few questions (Houston, Dallas: for sale, houses, neighborhoods)

[KcNative88]

Ok, i have a family of four in Kansas City. We are just really disliking the city, even though we've lived here all our lives. It's bitterly cold in the winter and so humid in the summer. We've traveled to many other cities, and almost everything seems better. (Mabye the grass is always greener on the other side, but oh well) We want to move somewhere nice, but someplace affordable. Austin has just really stood out to us.

In KC, we have lived in the suburbs, right by the plaza, and about 5 minutes outside the city. The suburbs have seemed to suit us the best as we have 2 children. A suburb in Austin would be nice, but not much farther than about 30-45 minutes away from downtown. The closer, the better. A neighborhood with houses from like 200-400K would be nice too.

We have a few questions. What is the best school district? What is the nicest neighborhood/area (As in crime, bang for your buck, and things around it)? If you have moved from another city, was it better or worse than where you moved from? What's the weather like year round? How close is it to other cities in Texas (Houston and Dallas to be exact)? What's your complaints about the city in general?

Thanks in advance for any answers or advice

[TexasHorseLady]

"Best school district" is a very subjective thing, varying not just by family, but sometimes by individual child. (The school that was great for my son would have been a disaster for my daughter and vice versa.)

"Nice" is equally subjective.

What are your interests, where are you likely to be working? We need more information to give you a good answer.

With just the little bit of information you've given, I'd say look at Cedar Park.

We have an 11 month growing season. Generally, that 12th month is August. It can be very hot in the summer. We have a climate that tends towards drought/flood/drought/flood. Within a 50 mile drive of Austin, going in different directions, you can find quite different topography.

[KcNative88]

We would like to know the school district with the best test scores, reputation, and history. We would also like a district with a really good high school.

I will likely be working in or around the city. I'm flexible on the exact location. That's not the issue, we just want to know out of all the small areas/neighborhood, which would be the best? We consider the best, having a nice school district, not a whole ton of crime, "nice" people, not crowded, and someplace where you are getting a lot for your money when you buy a house.

[TexasHorseLady]

Okay, define "nice" people! My nice might not be your nice, after all.

Again, what are your interests other than schools? I'm not trying to be difficult, but there are a few areas that might suit your requirements; might as well recommend the ones that would be the best fit. Do you like the lake, do you like hiking, do you like to play soccer, do you want to be close to downtown music events, that kind of thing.

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by KcNative88

We consider the best, having a nice school district, not a whole ton of crime, "nice" people, not crowded, and someplace where you are getting a lot for your money when you buy a house.

Round Rock. At least that's a good school district with a getting a lot of house for your money. I don't live there so I cannot speak to nice people. What would you consider crowded though? Lots of traffic? Because there is heavy traffic all over the Austin area.

[TexasHorseLady]

Good queseiton, Jennibc. Do you mean traffic, do you mean lot size?

[KcNative88]

By crowded, I mean just not a ton of houses packed into one place. Traffic doesn't matter to me.

And my interests, would include going to concerts downtown and playing soccer actually. Weird that you suggested those two things. But the school district and neighborhood comes first. If it's close to some soccer/music stuff, added bonus.

[hound 109]

Originally Posted by KcNative88

By crowded, I mean just not a ton of houses packed into one place. Traffic doesn't matter to me.

And my interests, would include going to concerts downtown and playing soccer actually. Weird that you suggested those two things. But the school district and neighborhood comes first. If it's close to some soccer/music stuff, added bonus.

There are dozens of neighborhoods (towns) that might be a fit. Cedar Park, Dripping Springs, RR, Georgetown, SW Austin, N Austin, NW Austin, Leander all have neighborhoods you'd be interestested in.

Many of these neighborhoods feed into districts that have superlative AND... also average schools (many districts have dozens of schools). IMO, a child will attend a school (or schools) & not a district.

Here's a map I've found helpful in identifying the TAKS scores of schools:

Texas School Performance Maps

Good luck.

[jobert]

I would recommend SW Austin. When I think SW austin, MoPac/Slaughter marks the spot. This area of town is not as dense as other areas, has a great high school (Bowie), and is conveniently located close to downtown. This is relatively rural for Austin suburbs. The lack of density reflects the lack of amenities in this part of town (no Ikea's, outlet malls, etc.) Houses around 1500 sf can be bought for low 200's with a healthy amount of 300k-400k houses for sale. This part of town is quickly poised to be a more desirable suburb due to lack of alternatives. I don't live in this part of town, but I would if I could.

[mm57553]

We're in Steiner Ranch and love it. Lots of hills, exemplary schools (Leander school district), 18 miles of hike and bike trails, 3 community centers with pools, over a dozen parks with playgrounds, 800 acres of protected land that will not be developed, about 30 minutes to downtown (without traffic), awesome neighbors, right by the lake, lots of sports and social groups for kids and adults, and houses ranging from about $250,000 - $3 Million, so something for everyone. Basically all the ammenities of a master-planned community with more scenery and hills than most comparable communities in the area.

www.steinerranch.com