Moving the family to Austin? (Georgetown, Cedar Park: HOA, mobile home, neighborhood)

[BrooklynNativeTexan]

We are looking at potentially moving our family (2 kids under 4 yo) to Austin, from NYC, and would love this community's help in narrowing down the right place to live. Here are our requirements:

1. At least 1/2 acre in an unincorporated area, or an area where we could run a home-based business from a garage or outbuilding, or that type of thing. I think communities like Steiner Ranch or Circle C would probably have too many regulations to allow this, so we are thinking someplace a little more rural.

2. Good schools. Doesn't have to be "the best," I suppose, but we want a place where we can settle in -- elementary through high school -- and feel comfortable that our kids are getting good opportunities to learn.

3. We are looking somewhere in the $200-$350K range. Low taxes, etc. would be good, too.

Nice to have:
1. Kid-friendly neighborhood - playground, pool, etc. Other potential friends nearby as well as other parents of young families.
2. Access to lake, trails or other recreational opportunities.
3. Aesthetic beauty.
4. Things like diversity and walkability would be nice, but I suspect are impossible.

So far I have been drawn to the Lakeway area, and unincorporated Travis Co. near Lakeway, in 78734. Lake Travis School District.

Are there other areas we should be considering? Any down sides to that area that I might be unaware of? We aren't clear on where I will be working, but I expect a long commute anyway, so that's not a huge issue for me.

Thanks so much!

[llkltk]

Hmmm, with that price range it's going to be tough to find a 1/2 acre. You would probably need to move further out like Kyle or Buda. Low taxes, that is tough because we have really high property taxes.

Living by the Lake with a 1/2 acre will run upwards of 600K+.

[BrooklynNativeTexan]

Hm... I found some listings in the area, in that range, but maybe there is something about them that isn't evident from the online listings. I know the houses are small (1500 sq ft or so), so that might be it.

[TexasHorseLady]

First, what kind of business?

Second, are the listings you're finding in Apache Shores? There's quite a range in there from mobile homes to mansions (it's one of the original "lake communities" from before things developed out there) and that might be where those listings are.

Third, have you considered Georgetown? It seems to fit your parameters pretty well (and has Lake Georgetown and, a short drive away, Lake Granger), as, does, for that matter, Cedar Park.

[txgolfer130]

Bastrop! Schools are good, but not LT or Eanes good. Lot's of land, commute to S. Austin is 40-45 min., to N. Austin 45-50 min., depending on traffic.

Extremely friendly, lots of families, great State parks that are near by, and lots of sports.

[hoffdano]

I would not consider Bastrop High School a "good" school.

I think living in Travis County will give the OP some freedom they won't have in Austin or in the areas controlled by uptight Lakeway (for example).

Western Travis county - like Spicewood - might have what the OP wants. If you're not too close to the lake the prices drop significantly. Lake Travis schools are very good.

[BrooklynNativeTexan]

TxHorseLady, I'm not sure if it's Apache Shores I'm seeing but it's definitely not mansions! How do I know what the boundaries are, of Apache Shores? The neighborhood association I turned up in a search for one property was "Lake Austin Business Owners" so I don't know what that means.

The business is a manufacturing facility (knitting machines), but it isn't loud and there won't be a lot of people coming and going.

I haven't really considered Georgetown, but should probably look into it. Thanks.

I think Spicewood might be a bit too far out for us, as I will likely be commuting into town and would like to keep it at an hour or less, if possible.

[sandlinjames]

For that price range, check out the Oak Hill area (north of Circle C in S Austin). We have 3/4 acre we got for < 200k. Not sure of the schools, however.

[TexasHorseLady]

Well, there are several (7) properties in Apache Shores with half an acre or more in your price range. A couple wouldn't work (too old/small), but some appear to be quite nice.

Not sure where the Lake Austin Business Owners HOA is - google only has it pop up on lists of associations at City Council meetings, but no details at all.

[txgolfer130]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

I would not consider Bastrop High School a "good" school.

I think living in Travis County will give the OP some freedom they won't have in Austin or in the areas controlled by uptight Lakeway (for example).

Western Travis county - like Spicewood - might have what the OP wants. If you're not too close to the lake the prices drop significantly. Lake Travis schools are very good.

Funny, I wouldn't consider LT schools that good either, is relatively more expensive than Austin proper regardless of lake location and there is nothing there for your investment, except time.