Got the job! HELP!!! (Austin, Round Rock: lease, how much, house)

[cabolissa]

I'd like to share my perspective after spending a short weekend in Austin for a job interview and house hunting tour. Yeah, I could see myself here...

Let me start by saying that I'm from CA (don't hate me), and although I LOVE my home state, cannot afford to buy a nice home in an area that is desirable. We're looking to relocate to a reasonably priced state with wonderful safe suburbs, good schools, universities nearby and some light nightlife for the occasional trek downtown.

I flew in and immediately noticed how much WIDE OPEN SPACE there was! We took 130 toll road up to Round Rock, where my family lives, and I enjoyed only seeing a few cars on the road (it was 5:30pm). While it looked markedly different than from where I live: flatter, a little dryer (largely due to the drought conditions), it was pleasingly calm and the homes were comparable in size and beauty of where I live now (albeit much less expensive). The next day, I interviewed and was offered a job 5 hours later - oh CRAP, now I've really got to make a decision!

I rushed back up to RR to meet with Moderator cut: my agent to visit 7-8 properties we'd identified as possible options to lease the first year or two. I loved 3 and liked another, so now I've got some thinking to do... We covered homes in Round Rock, Cedar Park and Pflugerville, but weren't able to see much of each of the cities. Since we're looking to rent around $1000-1100/mo for a 3 bedroom, I was happy to find some new properties (5 yrs or newer) that fit the bill. Many newer shopping centers were very nice, with everything you'd need to find. I love the community parks/pools within many subdivisions.

Now, I just need to square away the schools. I also may consider Hutto near 130. So what I need to do is get some recommendations for good Jr/Sr High Schools in RR or Hutto near 130. Any suggestions??? We'd like to be in a neighborhood of homes just under $200K so if we decide to buy, we won't uproot our daughter's school in a couple years... HELP!

[iceshots]

Congrats and welcome to Austin!

Now the fun really starts! You have to MOVE!!!!

My recommendation for high schools would be Dripping Springs, but y'all went the other way.

[cabolissa]

Originally Posted by iceshots

Congrats and welcome to Austin!

Now the fun really starts! You have to MOVE!!!!

My recommendation for high schools would be Dripping Springs, but y'all went the other way.

Thanks! From what I've seen online, DS looks beautiful! Who knows, once I live there for a while and get to know the different areas, all that could change. THL thinks I'd like a green community up in Georgetown, so I'll also have to take a look up there. But since we have family we'd like to be close to in RR, and so that's a big reason we went "north".

[momojojo]

Congratulations! I'm jealous. I'm from California too, so please keep me posted on how things work out for you. We're visiting in April, and hoping to move to the Hill Country in the near future, but I've never lived out of California. Wishing you and your family the best.

[love roses]

I forgot to mention in the IM that it takes us roughly 30 minutes to get downtown by toll rd.

[hound 109]

Where's the job located?


Here's a school/map website i found user friendly for school testing info:

Texas School Performance Maps

After fooling around on the above, I could narrow my info search easier on great schools.net

Good luck.

[twange]

Congratulations on finding a job so quickly

Enjoy the process. Yes, 130 will be great if you're living in that part of the area. I take it from just south of the river to I35/45 a couple of times a week. Easy-riding. Make sure you buy the Textag, it will save you money!

[cabolissa]

Originally Posted by love roses

I forgot to mention in the IM that it takes us roughly 30 minutes to get downtown by toll rd.

Thanks for your suggestions!

[cabolissa]

Originally Posted by twange

Congratulations on finding a job so quickly

Enjoy the process. Yes, 130 will be great if you're living in that part of the area. I take it from just south of the river to I35/45 a couple of times a week. Easy-riding. Make sure you buy the Textag, it will save you money!

Thanks. I have to say, I've been actively looking (for a job) in both Austin and Denver since last October. This has been the first real comfortable fit to come along, however...

[twange]

Originally Posted by cabolissa

Thanks. I have to say, I've been actively looking (for a job) in both Austin and Denver since last October. This has been the first real comfortable fit to come along, however...

I was looking all during that time as well, it's been a bit tough here in Austin as the job growth has been pretty slow. I was just starting to despair when I got the call in December. And I was living here! It's a lot harder when you are applying out of town. So consider yourself blessed and fortunate!