What do you do for fun in Leander/Cedar Park? (Houston: sales, 2009)

[kingugly]

Originally Posted by BijouBaby

Hey JLo - There's no need to be insulting here. Since you don't know me, you're really in no position to make a wide-sweeping generality of how boring I must be. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but many people here find Cedar Park/Leander more than just a little lacking in entertainment or intellectual stimulation. That doesn't make them boring - they just get that in other places nearby. What you find entertaining may leave someone else mind-numbingly bored. People make use of the activities and good points of the community that they enjoy, and leave the rest alone. Saying you're "bored" with the rest doesn't constitute a boring person.

Perhaps it would be of more value to instead teach your children to be less judgmental, and more tolerant of others, without feeling the need to be condescending or insulting.

Wow, you took that completely the wrong way. She was making a joke. That's what she says to her kids when they say they are bored.

And I don't even get how you drag her kids into this? Teach your children to be less judgmental? What are you talking about? Have you ever been around kids? They say that all the time, no matter where they live!

[JLO]

Hey BijouBaby - Sorry if I offended you, or if you found my personal opinion judgemental or condescending towards you personally (whoever you are). However, not to embarrass you, but I wasn't responding to you at all as a matter of fact. I don't recall what you even wrote. Rather, I was offering assitance to the original poster who specifically asked for opinions about life in Cedar Park vs. Brooklyn. Having come from NY, I realize the fear of the unknown is often overwhelming ... particularly if you are relocating from Brooklyn to Cedar Park. It is my humble opinion that "boredom" is a state of mind and not a condition of location. I was simply sharing some personal insight which I teach my kids. I am entitled to my opinion. I'm sorry you disagree. If that's the case, you may be contributing to the wrong sight as this forum welcomes all different opinions about all different things and doesn't condemn others for offering their personal opinion.
Additionally, thanks for your advice on my child rearing. Please know, I raise my children to be tolerant of all people including those who have a different opinions and teach them never be condescending to those whose opinions differ, unlike you. Before you go doling out advice about not being judgemental or condescending, perhaps you should heed your own words. I was stating an opinion, ... my opinion, ... which I did in order to offer assistance to the original poster. If you are offended, my sympathies. If opinions other than your own bother you, maybe you should examine who is being judgemental. Just a thought. Just an opinion ... my opinion. Hope I am not "boring" you. This forum is to assist others in relocation and moving. I have been offered a world of help relocating over the years. I am very grateful and was merely trying to give back. Enought said.

Hey Hound 109 -- As for the heat ... if Houston is worse than the NYC subway at rush hour during the summer,... I won't be visiting anytime soon. Scratch that road trip off my list. Thanks for the advice.

[JLO]

[quote=JLO;8958962]As for being bored ... that word is forbidden in my house. If you're bored in my opinion then you must be boring (that's what I tell my kids). Here, it's all about family, sporting events (my kids play lacrosse and soccer, basketball and swim). If you have a one and four year old, chances are you haven't been bored for quite some time.

One more thing ... if you read the entire passage, you would clearly see that my comment about boredom was intended in humor at the original poster. Clearly (from your post which I now read), you have no children.

[brattpowered]

I don't live there, but I would imagine a fun time would involve a feel-good Megachurch singalong followed by a Golden Corral pig out. Applying stickers with the names and outlines of your children on the back window of your Suburban before heading to a "tea party" would occupy your time for a little, too. Or maybe glueing the siding back on your house if it is older than 3 years old. Have a fun move!

[FueledByBlueBell]

As someone with experience in this area, might I suggest SW Austin? You can find a large lot, while still very close to Central, Downtown and South Austin. I think you will find that you won't enjoy Austin (proper) as much with such a long drive. Some people do, but traffic to and from that area can be a beast. Try Oak Hill and Bee Cave. They are also a bit more liberal.

[ladylonghorn2]

Originally Posted by llkltk

Also, Central Austin is so not Brooklyn or anywhere near it. Central Austin has chain restaurants, parks and movies, doesn't it?

Brooklyn has a Duane Reade or Rite Aid on just about every corner, so it's not like there's some ban on chain stores.

I too am looking to relocate back to TX (where I am from) from my current home in Brooklyn. I also wonder what sort of culture shock I am in store for. Will it be hard to make friends? Will I feel stranded in the suburbs? One of the things that is great about a walkable, more urban neighborhood is that you can't help but meet your neighbors because there's no escaping them.

What are some ways that people in Cedar Park get to know one another and foster a sense of community?

[FueledByBlueBell]

I moved back from NYC too, and while we don't have Duane Reade and Rite Aid on every corner, we do have a Walgreens and a CVS...

I didn't really feel too much culture shock except when doing random things like ordering lunch (why is everyone here so slow when making my salad???), or any experience in a restaurant (why are the lights SO bright and why are they taking my plate so quickly?). We moved to the 'burbs and to be honest, I worry that I am now used to big closets and space. What I should have done is moved some place where we could walk to things. Had I it to it over I would have stuck to central or south Austin, and renovated. If you must go 'burd, again, I would stick with west, south or maybe the Arboretum area as it is relatively easy to get in and out of the city.

We do still love it and even though we miss the east coast, I'm not sure we'll ever leave.

[woodinvilleguy]

Originally Posted by ladylonghorn2

Brooklyn has a Duane Reade or Rite Aid on just about every corner, so it's not like there's some ban on chain stores.

I too am looking to relocate back to TX (where I am from) from my current home in Brooklyn. I also wonder what sort of culture shock I am in store for. Will it be hard to make friends? Will I feel stranded in the suburbs? One of the things that is great about a walkable, more urban neighborhood is that you can't help but meet your neighbors because there's no escaping them.

What are some ways that people in Cedar Park get to know one another and foster a sense of community?

We moved here a year ago and we have meet a ton of people by joining the YMCA here and our community (the ranch at brushy creek) has some community events. One advantage of a brand new community in development is that everyone is new so they are looking to meet the new neighbors.

[northofaustin]

I think you have summed up the major differences between Big City & suburbs (cars vs. walking, space vs. population density, less racial diversity) no matter where you move.

My wife and I moved to Cedar Park from Norwalk, CT a few years ago for much the same reasons it sounds like you are moving (We also spent a lot of time with friends in Brooklyn & in the city). I would go so far as to say Cedar Park is not just family friendly but family/kid centric - we love that about here, but I can sympathize with any single, or married/no kids people in the area -- it would be very boring. Anyone who does not enjoy outdoors is missing out as well.

Kid centric. We are currently very kid-centric (12, 10, 1yr old) in our lives, and that works well living in CP. Most of our circle of friends we have met have been through somewhat kid related activities. (I'll admit there are many people on our block I have barely met). My wife has met friends through the Library's "Storytime" activities - and I have met a lot of people through the YMCA (which I would recommend joining - best deal in town for gym/classes/ etc if you are into working out etc.) Outdoor activities and kids sports are year round. CP is full of hike/bike trails, swimming, kayaking, 2 community fishing lakes, etc (Another reason for the move - we couldn't stand another New England winter).

Politics & Religion & Racial diversity. This might be a biggie (I'm conservative, my wife liberal). I think Austin, as a liberal haven, is mainly focused on the University/Hyde Park/South Congress area. Most of CP (most of TX outside South Austin) is White/Protestant/Conservative with a good portion Hispanic/Catholic/Conservative. I find most educated people here very politically and religously tolerant. CP average education is a bit higher than the norm. As with anything - this will depend on your circle of friends - keep in mind most people in CP or Austin are transplants here too (I do not personally know any native Cedar Park/Austin people). Most of our friends are originally from California or the Midwest, and some from East Coast.

Walking VS Cars. Public transportation is non-existent and commuter biking is for healthier braver people than us. I am lucky enough to work from home - after spending too many years in cars/subway/buses commuting to work I wanted to make sure we did not get trapped in the "car culture". Our kids schools (middle & elementary) are both in walking distance and they walk most days with good weather. There is a Walgreens, ethnic grocery store (Red Onion Market), corner shop (like a bodega), swimming pool, and park within a few blocks or walking distance of our house. There are weeks when I never set foot in my car. (My wife works at the hospital so she is the commuter in our house). -- so if you look for it, you can find it. (Walgreens & CVS is like RiteAid in the city -- there seems to be one on every block even in the suburbs).

Austin excursions. My wife and I go into Austin for our "date night" about once per month and that's pretty much it except for the family activities at the Childrens Museum, zilker park, town lake -- its about 30 min to downtown, and a cab would be ridiculously expensive, so one of us has to be the designated driver. That being said, I think we enjoy culture about as frequently as we did in CT (we were about a 30min express ride to Grand Central). Next outing will be for Wicked when it is in town -- again nothing like Broadway, but close enough for us.

Sites to check out for your decision - cedar park city website, local cedarpark360 website, and the Williamson County YMCA website.

Hope this helps.

[jobert]

The drawback with Cedar Park is the remoteness. The positives are the amenities, but they are manmade, and can be duplicated anywhere. CP could have been built in NE Austin, and the difference would have been better soil, better terrain and better location.