Moving to Austin This Summer (Spring, Bowie: fit in, houses, neighborhoods)

[Maggie'sMa]

Hi,
We're moving to Austin this summer because my partner has taken a job with the university there.

We have three boys, two who will be a junior and a freshman in high school, and one in the seventh grade in the fall. They are currently all in TAG programs in our current midwest city.

We want a nice neighborhood with good schools. Racially diverse is a plus. Somewhere not too, too far for my husband to drive every day. I'm pretty earthy crunchy, so would like to fit in somewhat with the neighbors.

We will be selling our current home, listed at $400,000 in the midwest. We'd like the Austin equivilant of that. At least five bedrooms, that kind of thing.

We looked around when my partner interviewed, but that's not the same as getting a local view of things. I'd appreciate any suggestions for neighborhoods, schools, etc.

Thanks!

[centralaustinite]

Wow, if you find this utopia, I'll be right behind you moving in!

There are some parts of Eanes/Westlake that are coming down in price, low 500K, great schools (but big) and not very racially diverse or crunchy. Humm . . . maybe Barton Hills or Zilker? But you will be hard pressed to find much at 400K. Highland Hills is a possibility and McCallum High is quite diverse, more crunchy area and close to downtown/UT, you can find houses at 400K there but without much yard and probably without five bedrooms. I actually I can think of one in the Cat Mountain/Highland area that would go to McCallum High.

Much depends on what you want from a house and exactly what you want from a school.

[TexasHorseLady]

More details on the house and school WOULD be useful, but I do think you can find something in Barton Hills in your price range (but not your number of bedrooms range AND your price range) that would suit.

You might find something in Crestview, as well.

However, you might have to define "nice neighborhood", as that can mean vastly different things to different people. Age of neighborhood? Do you want an HOA, absolutely DON'T want an HOA, or couldn't care less? That kind of thing.

[BlueWaves]

We recently sold our home - 5 bedroom, 3800 sq ft... similar to what you are looking for - it sold in 89 days in November! Most of the homes that were competing are STILL on the market. Our Realtor was really on top of the market for us, watching everything and communicating consistently with us. I think finding a Realtor that understands what you are looking for and is very knowledgeable in the area is a great first step for you.

That being said... I would have to say a home as large as you are wanting and with "good schools" will be difficult to find, especially if you are wanting to stay in the $400,000 range.... unless you are willing to live in the suburbs and your husband drive in. Otherwise... with size, price and location as your 3 qualifications, you might have to pick our most critical 2 out of the 3.

Good luck!

[jamesia]

Crestview/Brentwood/Allandale (aka north central area)... I'd live there if I were you. They're lovely neighborhoods with a lot of modernist architecture. Though houses aren't going to be that big for your price range, as other people mentioned. I think that will be true throughout the city. And you don't want your husband to commute far with traffic like it is here, I tried it for a year... Those three neighborhoods are walkable/bike-friendly and safe.

[AGA]

I would look at areas that feed to Westlake HS, Anderson HS or Bowie HS. Or if you want further out...I hear Dripping Springs schools are great, too!
That may be your determining factor, since you have 2 kids that need to finish up and are ahead of the proverbial curve.
Circle C feeds to Bowie....S/W area...not terribly crunchy but getting there...a nice community kind of all within itself...Prices are comparable with what you are looking for.Not a TERRIBLE commute especially if you have a flexible schedule.

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

what are you all trying to convey when you use the word -quote-crunchy-unquote-?

[jobert]

Originally Posted by oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots

what are you all trying to convey when you use the word -quote-crunchy-unquote-?

Like Granola, not to be confused with Crispy, which what you will find in the red suburbs

[hound 109]

Originally Posted by Maggie'sMa

Hi,
We're moving to Austin this summer because my partner has taken a job with the university there.

We have three boys, two who will be a junior and a freshman in high school, and one in the seventh grade in the fall. They are currently all in TAG programs in our current midwest city.

We want a nice neighborhood with good schools. Racially diverse is a plus. Somewhere not too, too far for my husband to drive every day. I'm pretty earthy crunchy, so would like to fit in somewhat with the neighbors.

We will be selling our current home, listed at $400,000 in the midwest. We'd like the Austin equivilant of that. At least five bedrooms, that kind of thing.

We looked around when my partner interviewed, but that's not the same as getting a local view of things. I'd appreciate any suggestions for neighborhoods, schools, etc.

Thanks!

What's your definition of racially diverse?

& I'd look at Great Schools.net for info on diversity / test scores etc.

$400K with 5 bedrooms will probably put you in the burbs....which i gather may or may not be too earthy crunchy .

[jobert]

Originally Posted by oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots

what are you all trying to convey when you use the word -quote-crunchy-unquote-?

"crunchy" is earthy, not superficial or concerned with the status quo. More likely to listen to NPR, not use deodorant (not a bad thing) volunteer at shelters, eat/shop organic, drive a Prius or ride a bike, support local gardens/artists, more liberal overall. antithesis of 'Crispy' is what I refer to as more conservative/religeous. more likely to live in the suburbs that feed into well performing schools. Attend church, well, religeously. Wanting your kid to be successful financially regardless of the costs, drive SUV's, more likely to own a gun, etc. Some will disgree with me sure so I am going to put on my helmet now..