Place to live between Austin and San Antonio, TX (New Braunfels: moving to, liberal)

[achtungpv]

You can't go by solely mileage to determine a halfway point since traffic is drastically different between the two cities.

We live SW of Austin off of 1626 just outside the COA city limits.

My wife works in downtown Austin and drives 17 miles to work in 45 minutes on a good day.

I work in downtown San Antonio and drive 70 miles and 99% of the time I'm there in 65 minutes w/o speeding. To get to the outer loop in SA it's 45 minutes. 55 minutes to 410.

If we lived in San Marcos, it'd take me 45 minutes and my wife about 70 minutes with several 90 minute days a month.

I would personally avoid SM if you have an interest in public schools, day care, or hospital care.

[jobert]

Originally Posted by achtungpv

You can't go by solely mileage to determine a halfway point since traffic is drastically different between the two cities.

We live SW of Austin off of 1626 just outside the COA city limits.

My wife works in downtown Austin and drives 17 miles to work in 45 minutes on a good day.

I work in downtown San Antonio and drive 70 miles and 99% of the time I'm there in 65 minutes w/o speeding. To get to the outer loop in SA it's 45 minutes. 55 minutes to 410.

If we lived in San Marcos, it'd take me 45 minutes and my wife about 70 minutes with several 90 minute days a month.

I would personally avoid SM if you have an interest in public schools, day care, or hospital care.

For her, it's between 1-1/2 hours and 2 hours each day in a car, and you spend over 2 hours a day in a car? Fair statement?

[achtungpv]

Originally Posted by jobert

For her, it's between 1-1/2 hours and 2 hours each day in a car, and you spend over 2 hours a day in a car? Fair statement?

Yes.

Also, my wife & I both leave work at 4:30 and I'll occasionally beat her home. She's never more than 10-15 minutes ahead of me.

[jonaspond]

New Braunfels has grown 55% in the last 8 years. We moved to the area five years ago and have found the people of New Braunfels very welcoming.

[jonaspond]

New Braunfels has better schools, and has continually seen positive growth with respect to shopping, medical, and manufacturing.

[rgb123]

I live in New Braufels, work in NE San Antonio (about a 25-30 minute drive in the morning, sometimes more in the evening depending on my route). I like the location, for the most part. It allows me to work in San Antonio, and date in Austin

However, I still feel a little caught in the middle, and would prefer to live in a city, I think. Though, NB is really a very large small town. It's not really small at all. The traffic bugs me and the crowds in the summer time can be annoying.

Fall - spring it is very nice. I enjoy it for the most part. I am a bit tired of my living space though. I think if I had a nice house in the area I would like it even more.

A thing about Texas that just bugs me in general (so not specific to New Braunfles) is just all the giant SUV's, they seem so out of place to me in that little historical downtown. It would be such a nice walkable area (especially landa park) if it were not dominated by Giant Trucks and cars in general. That is my main beef with the town....

I would not say I have felt unwelcomed in New Braunfels, but it is generally hard to meet single people my age anywhere. It would probably be better for me in Austin. If I were married, NB would be great.

[mecannon90]

Cans someone help give me more information about San Marcos Texas? We are looking to move there!

Originally Posted by Southern Phoenician

I lived in San Marcos and commuted to North Austin for 2 years. San Marcos is a nice town and is definately a good half-way spot to live in. As another poster mentioned a good poing-- you need to consider WHERE in Austin and San Antonio you are driving to before deciding where to narrow your search. For example, if you chose New Braunfels and your husband had to commute to North Austin, he would easily be in the car 1 1/2 each way during peak traffic. South austin or Downtown wouldn't be so bad. Same goes for San Antonio. Both cities have a lot of traffic.

I would live in either New Braunfels or San Marcos. I have a couple of recommendations for you for both areas. Check out Willow Creek in San Marcos; its at the Wonder World exit. We built a custom home there and loved that neighborhood. It's a nice mix of older and newer homes and very nice! Lots of trees and hills. Some lots back to the ridge (ours did) offering nice views and privacy. For an older home, I would look at Spring Lake Hills subdivision. I love that neighborhood! The historic district is an option; a lot of pretty homes but not many renovated ones come up for sale too often.

River Chase is really nice which is much closer to San Antonio; really nice homes/lots but you might spend 20 minutes getting to your house once in the neighborhood (a big drawback).

Another really good choice is Havenwood; it's really close to I-35 on Hunter Road and in between San Marcos and New Braunfels. I love this neighborhood. It's not for someone who wants convenience though; you are not walking distance from anything. The location might be a good option for you though.
[url=http://www.havenwoodtexas.com/]Rural Community | Country Living | New Braunfels, Texas[/url]

Something else to consider is schools if you have kids. San Marcos schools are not all that great; I know many people who put their kids in private school there. New Braunfels schools are better.

Having done the commute thing, I agree with the PP who suggested getting a job in the same town. If that is not an option, perhaps renting would be a good suggestion to start.

If you decide to go with San Marcos, feel free to send me a message. I can give you lots of good info and contacts (real estate agents, doctors, etc).

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by mecannon90

Cans someone help give me more information about San Marcos Texas? We are looking to move there!

http://www.city-data.com/city/San-Marcos-Texas.html

Be careful to avoid homes or apartments that are in the flood plain http://www.statesman.com/news/news/l...develop/nmxQt/

[hooky hornstein]

Out of the box answer: Luling.

Once you get used to the smell.

[txstate]

Gem award goes to Seguin and Lake McQuenney