Steiner Ranch - Insider Perspective? (Austin, Cedar Park: best neighborhoods, hair salon, apartment)

[MP3Texas]

We are originally Texans that spent the past 9 years in New England and are looking to move back, specifically to the Austin area. Steiner Ranch looks great via the Internet. We're a family of 5 with 3 kids under the age of 5 with the top 2 priorities being great schools and great neighbors.

Can anyone give perspective on the neighborhood? Does it have a friendly, community feel? What do most people do who live in Steiner (since it seems to be a bit far from central Austin)?

Also, any estimates on what we can expect for monthly electrical bills assuming the A/C will be on constantly?

Thanks!

[ladylonghorn2]

I would love to know about monthly utility bills also! I've never had to cool a large house (right now we keep the windows open in our 600sf apartment most of the time)... What's it cost for homes under 3000sf? Is there a big cost difference between new homes (more energy efficient I hope) and the homes built in the 90s?

[woodinvilleguy]

There have been a ton of recent threads about Stiener. The basics are people that live in Steiner love it for many reasons. If you can handle the downsides of the commute, somewhat higher property costs, and a somewhat strict HOA, it is great.

I would highly sugest you visit a lot of communities before buying, the greater Austin area has a lot of good neighborhoods with great schools for reasonable prices. Very few people on this board hate their neighborhood so that is a good sign :-)

[MP3Texas]

ladylonghorn2 - as woodinvilleguy mentions, there are quite a few threads... I saw on a different one that electricity for one family with a ~3100 sq ft ran about $200 to $250 on average and then it dropped in the winter (when the monthly gas bill went up). It sounds pretty reasonable. We're currently spending on average close to $500 on utilities a month driven primarily by heating expense (in New England).

Thanks woodinvilleguy - sounds like downsides we wouldn't mind!

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by MP3Texas

ladylonghorn2 - as woodinvilleguy mentions, there are quite a few threads... I saw on a different one that electricity for one family with a ~3100 sq ft ran about $200 to $250 on average and then it dropped in the winter (when the monthly gas bill went up). It sounds pretty reasonable. We're currently spending on average close to $500 on utilities a month driven primarily by heating expense (in New England).

Thanks woodinvilleguy - sounds like downsides we wouldn't mind!

We have 2800 sq ft and last month the power was around $200. We keep upstairs at 78, downstairs at 78 during the day and 76 at night.

power seems to drop to around 80-100 in the winter, I think (?) we have an electric heater.

[CATXTransplant]

I've posted this before so I will paste it here:

What I love about Steiner is that you don't have to leave the neighborhood for much. We have several restaurants (bistro, thai, pizza, deli, steakhouse), 2 nail salons, 2 dentists, a primary care doctor, 2 preschools, an orthodontist, a market, 2 martial arts studios, a music lesson place, 2 dry cleaners, 2 nail salons, a hair salon, a wine bar, a liquor store, a Pak Mail, 2 day spas, a gas station, an Edward Jones, and an awesome neighborhood coffe/ice cream shop, and more all within the neighbohood.

We also have 2 (soon to be 3) exemplary elementary schools and a middle school on site. It feels like a small town. Everyone here knows each other, so I feel like I have the whole community watching out for my family and my children.

We also enjoy the 20 miles of hike and bike trails, lake access, 3 community centers with 7 pools, tennis courts, fantastic views, neighborhood sports IN the neighborhood for kids and adults, a swim team, and lots of neighborhood events and activities.

I know that there are other communities with similar amenities, but we LOVE the beauty of it. I never get sick of looking at the sailboats on Lake Travis as I enter the neighborhood. Also, I find the preserve to be breathtaking. We love taking our kids down to the back of the neighborhood to look at boats. And, they love to see the longhorns and horses at the ranch in the back of the neighborhood.


Also, we have approx. 3300 sf. and I use a programmable thermostat. Our highet bill was $268. Hour neighbors have 3800 sf and 3 kids who run in and out all day (my kids are two so we can control the doors/windows better), and her August bills are in the upper 400's. I keep my air at 78, though. Actually, it's on 78 now and I'm freezing...might have to turn it up while Hubby's not looking!

[texastrigirl]

MP3Texas - find a good realtor who knows the best family neighborhoods in Austin, figure out what your commute will be, what your interests are and then go visit the ones within a half hour commute. Then go and add in the best neighborhoods she suggests that are just outside the bubble you want to make sure there is nothing about them that makes you want to throw criteria to the wind. Very popular Austin planned communities are:

Steiner Ranch - North of Lakeway, south of Riverplace
Lakeway - Even further West of Westlake
Riverplace - Northwest
Lake Pointe - West of Westlake
Travis Country - Southwest of city
Circle C Ranch - Southwest of city past TC
Various SW Neighborhoods - Villages of Western Oaks, Meridian, Oak Parke

I tried to list places with very good schools. We lived in Circle C and loved it. You can search the threads and find much discussion on it vs. Steiner Ranch. Also, several nice places in Cedar Park and Leander. I just have no idea what your criteria are. So I repeat, get yourself a really good realtor. I can DM you with one.

[woodinvilleguy]

I'd add to your list:
Avery Ranch - North Austin
Ranch at Brushy Creek - Cedar Park

I agree completely with texastrigril to tour with a good realtor, I have found a good one and there are several that lurk on this list as well. Feel free to DM me if you want my realtors info.

[ConnerFamily]

[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]MP3 Texas, [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Hia there! My family and I just moved to Steiner Ranch and LOVE it! My husband and I both work off of the MOPAC so the commute is fairly easy for us. About the neighborhood, it is amazing. I mean really amazing. It is perfect for growing a growing family or a family that is comfortable not growing at all. Like CATXTransplant mentioned, the neighborhood has it all. You wouldn’t have to leave for anything if you didn’t want to. Within the neighborhood you’ll also find several business that cater to busy family lifestyles while providing comfort and an air of free spirit. The neighborhood offers two daycares, a Market with fresh produce, fish, cheese, cereals and milk (perfect for grabbing a bit of groceries). In addition, you’ll find the sidewalks are full of walkers, bikers and joggers. The neighborhood is safe and friendly. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Two experiences stick in my head when I reflect on how satisfied I am with the neighborhood. First, during the school year around 8am and 3pm, you’ll find many children and parents walking their young students to school (it is amazing the sense of volunteer community helpers you’ll find in Steiner). [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Second, when we first moved to Steiner Ranch I took my 2 year old daughter to the park. By the time we left (2 hours later), I had met 2 couples within the neighborhood, one of which invited my family over for dinner. The parents in the parks seem to live by the theory of, “It takes a village to raise a child.” [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]If you contact me directly, I can link you up with my realtor. I would persuade you from going to the Steiner Community center and speaking to an agent there. I’ve heard that she sends all of the future residents to her husband who is a Realtor and they DO NOT live in Steiner.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Good luck [/SIZE]

[CATXTransplant]

The girls at the Welcome center are NOT allowed to refer you to a Realtor if you come in. There was a problem previously with a certain girl referring to her husband, but that got taken care of. I suggest going to Realtor.com and typing in 78732. It will be pretty easy to figure out the Realtors who work in Steiner the most. From there, you can figure out who lives there. It is very important! Good luck with your search!