Round Rock VS Austin?? (Pflugerville, Anderson Mill: environment, relocate, property taxes)

[PamelaJahnke]

Hello Everyone,

I’m yet another person coming from LA (Marina del Rey to be exact) to Austin TX. My Husband & I recently purchased a rental property in Sendero Hills (SE Austin) and loved the area so much my husband & I decided to relocate. We know that SE Austin is considered a bit… working class etc (that would be EAST of the 405 here-lol) & several realtors have told me I should look in other areas to live that are more conducive of our goals (safe clean area, kid friendly, good schools). They recommended Circle C & Travis Country (neighborhoods). However, when I looked into housing it was much pricier than we will be able to afford.

I really like the Round Rock area. We know that if my husband finds a job downtown he will have to commute 45 minutes or so. That is a non issue considering he is driving from Marina del Rey to the Valley now! But besides the traffic—is Round Rock a nice place to raise a family?? I grew up in Yorba Linda (OC) Ca… From pictures Round Rock looks similar… am I way off?

Maybe someone out there can help. We are looking for a place close to Austin in a safe neighborhood for children w/ good schools. We don’t take advantage of a lot of the night life here in LA so we’re fine being 30 min or so from downtown… we want to spend somewhere around 170-200k…

Any suggestions?

[amyboone]

Round Rock is a pretty good town, but Pflugerville and Hutto are also. Pflugerville and Hutto still have the small town feel to them. Never been to the area you came from, so cant compare there. They all have pretty good schools. Some of the schools in Round Rock have lots of immigrant workers childrens though, not that this is a bad thing, but it seems more time is spent on trying to help those kids then to advance the better kids.

[AustinTraveler]

Originally Posted by PamelaJahnke

We know that if my husband finds a job downtown he will have to commute 45 minutes or so. That is a non issue considering he is driving from Marina del Rey to the Valley now!

I don't want to come off too preachy here but I beg to differ that the commute is a non issue. It would seem to me that you would do whatever possible to minimize your husband's commute so as not to add to Austin's already bad traffic problems. I really believe that everyone has a responsibility to not add to the problems here but rather see what they can do to improve it. Perhaps you can rent or live in your rental property until you know where your husband's job will be, and then look for housing after that.

Again, this is not meant to offend you. I just wish more people would move here with the intention of making Austin a better place.

[austin-steve]

It would seem to me that you would do whatever possible to minimize your husband's commute so as not to add to Austin's already bad traffic problems.

I'll second that, but for a different reason. (and also not trying to be preachy)

If you want to provide a good environment for your kids (safe neighborhood, good schools, etc.), won't you also want your husband to actually be home with the kids in time for dinner, etc. instead of breathing fumes on IH35 for 2 hours a day (morning and night), 5 days a week?

I work with a lot of California clients and many of you seem to be resigned to the attitude that commute times are no longer important factors in a happy lifestyle. Come and enjoy Austin, but take back your commute time and enjoy the extra 20 hours a month (240 hours a year) you'll have to be home with kids or doing something you enjoy.

Steve

[jwb123]

To answer your original question though - yes, Round Rock is a very nice suburb, as suburbs go. We are very happy here, lots of young families (we would be happier if it was more "hip" young families, vs. conservative young families... but nice people, none the less) and a really nice environment for our children. Lots to do and people are very involved, generally speaking, with their families and children's activities.

We live in Forest Creek, and our children go to Forest Creek Elementary - we are THRILLED with that school.

Generally the 'western' side of Round Rock is where people are moving right now - because it's newer. In my opinion though, it feels very far away. We are in the 'eastern' side of Round Rock, in a golf course neighborhood, which has been developed probably about 6-10 yrs ago. I like the close access to Hutto, and toll roads.

The commute to Austin, if you use the toll roads, probably wouldn't be bad at all.

We were considering living in Hutto, but have decided not to right now. It's still to young in it's development - though it does have a nice small town feel.

I would not live in Pflugerville.

I have to disagree with this statement.

I really believe that everyone has a responsibility to not add to the problems here but rather see what they can do to improve it.

And, I like ya, AT - and don't want to be negative towards your opinions - you have every right to feel as you do. This statement just seems so unwelcoming and sort of elitist, or maybe I mean seperatist... Everyone needs to take an active part in making their community a better place - absolutely... but that is not the sole responsiblity of all newbies to the area.

Why are the majority of Austin and suburban residents primarly single occupant drivers? I hear there has been a study which indicated that people were single car drivers, and intended to stay that way - which is why there are no HOV lanes! This is ridiculous! This is the only city I have ever lived in without HOV.

This is a growing city, which is getting bigger. I hope that Austin can embrace the change and deal with it - rather than being reluctant and hold on to that "small town, that's not" attitude... that is one of the problems places like Seattle is dealing with right now.

The answer is not always "live where you work" - not everyone can afford that (you know the homes prices within the liveable areas of Austin, for families, right?) nor does everyone want to, because of school district issues. Across the country, the suburbs are often right for young families, for several reasons.

This is a layered problem, with lots of issues to address - and cannot be solved by simply saying, "live where you work, don't contribute to the commute".

Hope I didn't offend you!

I do totally agree with this statement though...

If you want to provide a good environment for your kids (safe neighborhood, good schools, etc.), won't you also want your husband to actually be home with the kids in time for dinner, etc. instead of breathing fumes on IH35 for 2 hours a day (morning and night), 5 days a week?

My husband works at Dell, so we live in Round Rock. His commute in Seattle used to be an hour each way - and our quality of life is so much better now that we have reduced that commute, our family time has grown... it's been great.

If he had to work IN Austin, we would look to live South... BUT, I recognize that not everyone can do this, for their own reasons.

[AustinTraveler]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

but that is not the sole responsiblity of all newbies to the area.

No offense taken at all Jenbar. I did not say or mean to infer that anything is the sole responsibility of newbies to the area. My statement said, everyone, not newbies.

[jwb123]

I guess I took it as that, because twice now, I have seen it in response to new people coming to the area... I take that back then

I do agree that "everyone" has the responsibility to make their community a better place - but like I said, I think it's an issue that's layered... and does not have such a simple answer. To address it, one would also have to address house prices, property taxes, school districts, single occupant drivers, improving public transportation, state, city and employer funded benefits for ride-sharing... just to name a few items..

[kdevi]

Originally Posted by amyboone

Round Rock is a pretty good town, but Pflugerville and Hutto are also. Pflugerville and Hutto still have the small town feel to them. Never been to the area you came from, so cant compare there. They all have pretty good schools. Some of the schools in Round Rock have lots of immigrant workers childrens though, not that this is a bad thing, but it seems more time is spent on trying to help those kids then to advance the better kids.

?

[springbean]

Originally Posted by amyboone

but it seems more time is spent on trying to help those kids then to advance the better kids.

Hmmm, I disagree with that. Specific classes are formed for ESL kids, they take no attention away from the other kids. They are given the attention they need to succeed, just as the rest of the children are.

[hound 109]

I'd find out where he's going to work before looking at "parts of town".

Also, I'd look at areas just NE of 183 & West of Mopac...& also the area around Westwood HS (Anderson Mill area) for homes that meet your price, neighborhood & "quality schools" criteria.

(& if you follow the realtor's advice & buy in Circle C & your hubby gets a job in RR......you'll never see him.)

Good luck in your search.