Considering buying a home in Steiner, Lakeway, or Lakewind (Austin: rent, neighborhood)

[mimimomx3]

Well, a quick search for zip code 78734 (Lakeway) turned up 17 sex offenders:
https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DP...chType=Zipcode
So, I guess you'd have to move really far away (Mars?) to get away from these guys.

[centralaustinite]

Most crimes against children are perpetrated by people known to them, most frequently related to them. Very sad but true. I am raising three children in central austin (and there are 11 other small children just on my block). We feel very safe. I do not mean to make light of your concerns, but location alone is no protection. The best bet is to choose your family members carefully.

Statistically, one is much more likely to experience suicide than murder, so be kind to yourself!

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

Most crimes against children are perpetrated by people known to them, most frequently related to them. Very sad but true. I am raising three children in central austin (and there are 11 other small children just on my block). We feel very safe. I do not mean to make light of your concerns, but location alone is no protection. The best bet is to choose your family members carefully.

Statistically, one is much more likely to experience suicide than murder, so be kind to yourself!

It's true about the most criminals to be family members or aquaintances. We too are central and our kids play outside all the time. I know there is a sex offender a few blocks away and so do our kids. We have no plans to knock on his door!

[LookingtoLeave]

I feel weird asking this question, but I'm going to anyways. Is there a good a decent amount of African American families living in Steiner Ranch? I just bought a home there and am moving in late summer and I would really like for my son to not feel like the oddball out in school.

[AustinTexan]

Originally Posted by LookingtoLeave

I feel weird asking this question, but I'm going to anyways. Is there a good a decent amount of African American families living in Steiner Ranch? I just bought a home there and am moving in late summer and I would really like for my son to not feel like the oddball out in school.

No. I have friends who live in Steiner and I visit quite often and I honestly don't think I've seen a black family there, ever. I've seen a few black people driving cars there but I don't know if they lived there or what. Quite frankly, you won't find too many black families in that part of Austin (i.e. Lake Travis, Lakeway area). Either way, I don't think he will feel like the oddball as long as he's friendly.

[LookingtoLeave]

Oh well, there's a first time for everything. Thank AustinTexan

[hoffdano]

I have lived in the Lake Travis area since 1985. We moved into Lakeway in 1986 and thought for a while we were the youngest couple in the entire place. We watched Lakeway change over the next 12 years into a much more age diverse community. It was no longer the retired and near retired golfers and airplane owners. Eventually we outgrew our home as our family grew and when we moved - we moved out of Lakeway. Lakeway proper is a very controlled area. Active city government, police, and tight control of homeowner issues. Lakeway is friendly, active, clean, and safe. The Lakeway pool is very nice, as is the Lakeway park. Lakeway has a large marina too.

We wanted more space and less control. That's why we moved to Spicewood.

Do not be concerned that Lake Travis Elementary is rated lower than Lakeway Elementary unless you don't want your kids exposed to a bit more diversity. Lake Travis Elementary includes kids from the eastern end of LTISD which includes Apache Shores, and interestingly enough, Vineyard Bay and Costa Bella. So it has kids from VERY wealthy parents and others far less so. Some Lakeway families got heroically bent out of shape when attendence zones were re-drawn and oh my god their kids would have to be in the same class as non-Lakeway kids! Lake Travis Elementary is a new building (2004) built to replace a mold-damaged building originally built almost 30 years ago.

I have nothing bad to say about Steiner other than traffic at the entrance is growing steadily and property taxes are higher than many other areas.

I have never been in Lakewind Estates. But the OP does need to make a choice - if you want neighborhood pals for your children it is not so easy to find in acreage sites.

But I like space, privacy, and no HOA where I live.

[JustTheTemp]

Originally Posted by LookingtoLeave

I feel weird asking this question, but I'm going to anyways. Is there a good a decent amount of African American families living in Steiner Ranch? I just bought a home there and am moving in late summer and I would really like for my son to not feel like the oddball out in school.

Honestly? No. This is the whitest place you could possibly live in the Austin area, with the exception of Westlake/Rollingwood. I'm not sure of the tolerance level of people living out there, but all in all, Austinites tend to be cool. SW Austin is probably the most conservative of the population, though.

[txgolfer130]

Originally Posted by LookingtoLeave

I feel weird asking this question, but I'm going to anyways. Is there a good a decent amount of African American families living in Steiner Ranch? I just bought a home there and am moving in late summer and I would really like for my son to not feel like the oddball out in school.

Okay, Steiner may be predominately white, but there are quite a few black families living there. It's almost ludicrous to think that black families can't or won't live in Steiner Ranch. When my sister was living there as late as last year there were 8 black families w/in 2 miles of her home. How do I know? Because her kids played with their kids, and had sleep overs, pool parties, birthday celebrations and everything that kids do.

Now, is Steiner 95+% white/asian/european? Yes. But they are friendly and affable people. Most of the things that almost 80% of the families in Steiner have in common....$$$$. Not, Michael Dell money, but I would not be surprised to find a high median income within the development.

Now as far as the school goes, CPHS I believe is 11% black the last time I looked. Not a lot, but there are some people that he will be able to identify with based on a common denominator.

Steiner is a great place. Don't let the small amount of X color of families discourage you.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by texastrigirl

Personally we chose Circle C over Steiner because of better proximity to downtown and the airport...plus the houses were a bit lower in cost. You should definitely check out both and see which location suits you best. Why doesn't anyone ever mention Avery Ranch? Isn't that a nice area up in Cedar Park?

Careful, little lady. Not to pick nits but Avery Ranch is within the city limits of the wonderful city of Austin.! As the thread mentioned diversity in subsequent posts, I would have to say Avery Ranch is quite diverse. We have a half-dozen different countries represented in our single block!