Towns around Austin (San Antonio, Lubbock, McAllen: 2009, house, unemployment rate)

[seyareno]

Hello All, My wife and I are planning to relocate to the Austin area. We are looking at small towns around the city possible towns are Georgetown, Leander, Taylor, Bastrop, Lockhart, Kyle, and San Marcos. We are interested in easy commutes to city since my wife would be working in Austin. Small town appeal, schools, 30 to 40 mile commute maximum. Any other good towns not on our list would be appreciated.

[TexasHorseLady]

You might want to look at Dripping Springs, as well. Elgin's another possibility.

[ATXIronHorse]

Why does it have to be Austin? Plenty of great Texas cities to choose from: DFW, Corpus, San Antonio, McAllen, Lubbock, Midland-Odessa.

[airboat5]

I agree with txhorselady dripping springs is really nice. but you might try fl they have millions of new jobs and free land.

[jobert]

Originally Posted by ATXIronHorse

Why does it have to be Austin? Plenty of great Texas cities to choose from: DFW, Corpus, San Antonio, McAllen, Lubbock, Midland-Odessa.

I would pack up and leave here for any of those towns in a heartbeat. This place is the Bermuda Triangle, once you move here you can't ever leave. Don't listen to Forbes, it's a trap!

[calel]

Since you basically listed most of the towns surrounding Austin, I think the answer would depend on which side of town you or your wife is working on. It's horrendous trying to commute from North to South and from South to North at any time of the day on a weekday. Heck, it's pretty bad trying to go North to South on a Saturday on I-35.

[art_teacher_mom]

I agree that if you tell us what part of Austin you all will be commuting to - it would be much easier to help you narrow it down. I lived in Georgetown for 15 years, Round Rock for 5, Austin for 17 and my family lives in Bastrop and Leander, so I could give you some insight to these places.
Any further details about your lifestyle and price range for house hunting could help us direct you as well.

[seyareno]

My wife will be working in the downtown area. We would like no less than 1 acre. We both commute about 20 miles now so we are used to a drive. We like the city just don't want to live in it, but close enough to enjoy it. We would like a family oriented small town. We have a 2yr old son so a stable school district will in the future will be a must. Thanks for any additional information you may be able to provide.

[iceshots]

what price range are you expecting? If you are working right downtown, a 20 mile drive is not going to get you too far out. What time length of a drive will you find acceptable? That is a better judge than distance.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by airboat5

I agree with txhorselady dripping springs is really nice. but you might try fl they have millions of new jobs and free land.

Millions of jobs in Florida? Are you goofy?

May 2009 unemployment figures list Florida at 39th in the USA at 10.2%. 39th means 11th worst. Texas on the other hand is 14th best at 7.1%.

Unemployment Rates for States