Just back from my first visit to Austin... (Round Rock, Spring: for sale, new house)

[eichlerfan]

And I loved it. We have our house up for sale here in CA, and my husband has been to Austin many times, but this was my first visit. Our goal this visit was to drive all around Austin and nearby towns and see how we felt about different areas. We drove up as far north as Round Rock/Georgetown area, and we knew it wasn't for us. Coming from CA I found it just too flat compared to what I was use too. Also just way too many chain stores, and while certainly convenient, it just wasn't what we were looking for. Trying to get away from some of that urban sprawl if possible. We drove around Westlake Hills, Steiner Ranch and some other nice areas too. However when we drove out to Highpointe/Belterra/Dripping Springs we knew we had found where we want to live. We fell in love with the Highpointe development. We timed the drive to central Austin during rush hour and non-rush hour times and it will be doable for us. My husband will be working from home anyway. House taxes are much higher of course in Highpointe than what we are use to, but on the other hand we will no longer be paying state taxes, so it's close to being a wash for us.

We loved Austin and so did our kids, and we were sad to leave. Hopefully our house will sell quickly (yeah sure in this market) and we can be on our way. In the meantime you all have a great city there. I loved the eclectic feeling of the city. I'm from the Bay Area, and while different and wonderful, it also felt a little bit like home too. Best of both worlds.

[D-Towner]

Originally Posted by eichlerfan

And I loved it. We have our house up for sale here in CA, and my husband has been to Austin many times, but this was my first visit. Our goal this visit was to drive all around Austin and nearby towns and see how we felt about different areas. We drove up as far north as Round Rock/Georgetown area, and we knew it wasn't for us. Coming from CA I found it just too flat compared to what I was use too. Also just way too many chain stores, and while certainly convenient, it just wasn't what we were looking for. Trying to get away from some of that urban sprawl if possible. We drove around Westlake Hills, Steiner Ranch and some other nice areas too. However when we drove out to Highpointe/Belterra/Dripping Springs we knew we had found where we want to live. We fell in love with the Highpointe development. We timed the drive to central Austin during rush hour and non-rush hour times and it will be doable for us. My husband will be working from home anyway. House taxes are much higher of course in Highpointe than what we are use to, but on the other hand we will no longer be paying state taxes, so it's close to being a wash for us.

We loved Austin and so did our kids, and we were sad to leave. Hopefully our house will sell quickly (yeah sure in this market) and we can be on our way. In the meantime you all have a great city there. I loved the eclectic feeling of the city. I'm from the Bay Area, and while different and wonderful, it also felt a little bit like home too. Best of both worlds.

I don't think you will find many Eichler Houses in austin, but good luck to you!

[iceshots]

Originally Posted by eichlerfan

And I loved it. We have our house up for sale here in CA, and my husband has been to Austin many times, but this was my first visit. Our goal this visit was to drive all around Austin and nearby towns and see how we felt about different areas. We drove up as far north as Round Rock/Georgetown area, and we knew it wasn't for us. Coming from CA I found it just too flat compared to what I was use too. Also just way too many chain stores, and while certainly convenient, it just wasn't what we were looking for. Trying to get away from some of that urban sprawl if possible. We drove around Westlake Hills, Steiner Ranch and some other nice areas too. However when we drove out to Highpointe/Belterra/Dripping Springs we knew we had found where we want to live. We fell in love with the Highpointe development. We timed the drive to central Austin during rush hour and non-rush hour times and it will be doable for us. My husband will be working from home anyway. House taxes are much higher of course in Highpointe than what we are use to, but on the other hand we will no longer be paying state taxes, so it's close to being a wash for us.

We loved Austin and so did our kids, and we were sad to leave. Hopefully our house will sell quickly (yeah sure in this market) and we can be on our way. In the meantime you all have a great city there. I loved the eclectic feeling of the city. I'm from the Bay Area, and while different and wonderful, it also felt a little bit like home too. Best of both worlds.

Welcome (future) to the area.

HighPointe is a nice place. We took a long serious look at a lot of the houses there. I love the community and fitness center.

If you want to still consider other areas around Dripping let me know. I can share over 1 1/2 years of research on the various options. One of my favorite areas is Sawyer Ranch just across the road.

Not sure if you saw the recent post about the new HEB coming in. They just filed the papers with the town this week.

[eichlerfan]

Originally Posted by D-Towner

I don't think you will find many Eichler Houses in austin, but good luck to you!

LOL, while I have loved living in my Eichler, I'm ready for a big new house. Our Eichler is in beautiful original shape, and so someone (hopefully) will enjoy a true Californian home.

[D-Towner]

Originally Posted by eichlerfan

LOL, while I have loved living in my Eichler, I'm ready for a big new house. Our Eichler is in beautiful original shape, and so someone (hopefully) will enjoy a true Californian home.

Castro Valley? Or Maybe somewhere in Marin County?

[Exiled Texan]

Good luck selling. It is a brutal market for sellers. But, if you have a pristine Eichler, you may not have a problem. What don't you like about your Eichler? Limitations on space? I'm a huge fan, but have never lived in one.

[AMYL0452]

eichlerfan,
We moved from the Bay Area a year and a half ago, and have never regretted it one minute. We chose Belterra because of the school being right down the street, but isn't it nice out here? We also work from home, but even in rush hour, it's better than the bay to downtown (comparing commuting to San Jose). We've loved the warm welcomes from neighbors to the cashiers at the grocery stores, the kid friendly restaurants with playscapes, the beauty of the hill country in the Southwest, and the downtown that is just big enough, and not too big. And, not to mention what you get for your money. And we love being close to Dripping Springs and seeing the growth there. Good luck on your home sale, and hopefully you'll be enjoying Austin soon!

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

What is an Eichler?

[Foreverking]

Originally Posted by eichlerfan

And I loved it. We have our house up for sale here in CA, and my husband has been to Austin many times, but this was my first visit. Our goal this visit was to drive all around Austin and nearby towns and see how we felt about different areas. We drove up as far north as Round Rock/Georgetown area, and we knew it wasn't for us. Coming from CA I found it just too flat compared to what I was use too. Also just way too many chain stores, and while certainly convenient, it just wasn't what we were looking for. Trying to get away from some of that urban sprawl if possible. We drove around Westlake Hills, Steiner Ranch and some other nice areas too. However when we drove out to Highpointe/Belterra/Dripping Springs we knew we had found where we want to live. We fell in love with the Highpointe development. We timed the drive to central Austin during rush hour and non-rush hour times and it will be doable for us. My husband will be working from home anyway. House taxes are much higher of course in Highpointe than what we are use to, but on the other hand we will no longer be paying state taxes, so it's close to being a wash for us.

We loved Austin and so did our kids, and we were sad to leave. Hopefully our house will sell quickly (yeah sure in this market) and we can be on our way. In the meantime you all have a great city there. I loved the eclectic feeling of the city. I'm from the Bay Area, and while different and wonderful, it also felt a little bit like home too. Best of both worlds.

The tax thing is not a wash....in these ecconomic times, if you lose your job in Cali, you don't have to pay the state taxes anymore until you get another one. In Texas, lose your job, and you don't get out of those HUGE property taxes. prop taxes in Cali are alot less expensive.

One should not move to Austin until they have done a summer there. After that, then I would do if you can handle the humidity. Especially a person who comes from the most perfect weather state in the nation.

[TexasHorseLady]

Eichler Homes.