Do you think Cedar Park will prosper now that the new 183 is opened? (Austin: real estate market)

[karenoscar]

I currently live in Cedar Park. I used to work in South Austin and my drive was sometimes an hour during rush hour. Most of the traffic was congested at the point where the 183 closed off on Lakeline. I remember it as torture as I slowly moved along. Now I work from home.

One day I decided to make the drive from South Austin to Cedar Park during rush hour to if there would be a difference. I took Mopac-183-got off Lakeline. The only real traffic I experienced was near dowtown near Cesar Chavez till 35th. After that it was a pretty smooth ride. That congestion near Lakeline was non-factor now that people had the option of either taking Lakeline, 183bell, or the 183 toll road. If you live in Cedar Park and work in North Austin you can avoid that downtown traffic. My question.

Now that traffic is less of an issue in Cedar Park--Do you think it will attract more residents? Cedar Park is young small city-smaller than Round Rock and the way its growing here. It might fill out sooner than Round Rock due to its small size. Do you think this will give it a push up in property value? Or will Cedar Park always be considered no mans land?

[gigi927]

Well, I can certainly say that the mayors of both Cedar Park and Leander are counting on both cities prospering big time with the opening of the toll road. I read a couple of interviews with them regarding the opening of the road and what plans they have in place to bring new development into the area along the road and near the road. Between the retail, office and medical facilities they are talking about, they seem really confident that Cedar Park and Leander are on the verge of something big.

If the real estate market downturn doesn't hit here too badly, I think that will be the case. It's a scenic area with lots of land and a lot to offer. If the influx of buyers coming from out of state withers away, then there may be a big old toll road with not a lot around it! My feeling is that the area has grown so much already and they seem to be managing the development in a smart way that hopefully it will continue.

[paigeeden]

I read in the paper that Cedar Park population has doubled since 2000.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by paigeeden

I read in the paper that Cedar Park population has doubled since 2000.

Leander has plans to make a walkable downtown. If they really do it I think it will be a huge draw.