Lax:aus (Austin, Roma, Bastrop: HOA fees, condo, houses)

[Jaustin Time]

Hi all... or maybe I should say y'all,
This board is a great resource. Lots of valuable information and opinions. My situation is that I am a single woman looking to move to Austin from Los Angeles before the end of the year. (Grew up in New England though.) Am looking to convert the equity in my L.A. condo into a single-family (2 or 3 bdrm) home (around $200K) in Austin /area. Will be retiring in about 5 years or so and will have to find work in Austin. (Much experience in both graphic design and hospital administration.) School districts not a concern since no kiddies at home. I don't have to be in Austin proper and prob'ly can't afford it anyway. Are all houses in Austin in developments with association fees? I so much would like to get away from home ownership with runaway association fees. I'm a bit of an aging hippie... like the arts... painting/art welding... like gardening, biking and cycling (Vespa); would like to able to swim regularly... go to yoga classes... need a garage (studio/workshop). I'd like a Trader Joe's, too... but I guess you can't have everything. I plan to spend a week house-hunting at the end of April/early May. I've read good things about Wimberley and Bastrop but long commutes are unappealing. I appreciate any suggestions you might make as to neighborhoods/areas to check out. Thanks!!

[austin-steve]

Sounds like you'd be a perfect fit for South Austin, especially if you don't mind an older home. Check out zipcodes 78745, 78748, 78749 (or MLS areas 10N, 10S and SWE. You can find a good home still for under $200k in areas like Cherry Creek, Texas Oaks, Maple Run and many other south Austin neighborhoods.

The older sections of South Austin have no HOA fees. But even many of the newer ones have small fees of $12 to $36 per month. The highest you'll find anywhere in HOA fees in Austin is about $55/mo.

Good luck with your move.
Steve

[iheartaustin]

Did you like Austin? Did you find a place to call home? I moved here about 4 years ago, and love it!