The Crossing at Onion Creek (Austin, McKinney: HOA, condos, low crime)

[tmd0925]

I'm interested in buying a house in this development and was looking to solicit opinions/experiences.

I know the stigma of the east side of the highway/Crockett High, etc. However, I have no children and just want the best short-term home (5-10 years) I can buy.

I think the size of the homes, their proximity to I35 and Southpark Meadows, and the HOA will help keep the property value stable for the future.

Anyone live in this development? The area? Any advice or suggestions on finding a similar home? Thank you in advance.

[CptnRn]

I don't live there but know people who do.

That part of town breaks the East Austin stereotype. Its a good neighborhood with low crime rates (zip code 78747). The geography Onion Creek and the area isolates it from the higher crime areas North of there in the Dove Springs area (zip code 78744). http://malford.ci.austin.tx.us/polic...e/zip_2008.pdf

The easy access to the freeway and downtown Austin are a real plus in my opinion. It is close to some of the best wildflower drives around, to go pick up BBQ in Lockhart. McKinney Falls State Park a short drive to the north is a great camping and recreational area.

Just make sure any property you buy is not endangered by the flood plains in the area. You can go to the City Stormwater Management office and view the latest flood plain maps or use this http://coagis1.ci.austin.tx.us/websi...isclaimer.html Note, as development density grows, areas that used to be out of the flood plain are now in it, so being close is risky.

[jobert]

I drove down Slaughter the other day and was surprised at how nice that neighborhood is. I've had little reason to drive over there, but did one day for grins, but it seems to be separated from the rest of SE austin due to lack of access when you get that far south, and tends to be rolling farmland/ranchs and small dirt roads - it was kind of nice to be able to get into the country that close to downtown. I kept going, and found a huuuuge tree farm, and an exotic animal farm down a few miles with buffalos and llamas and other weird animals - don't really know what's going on there, but it was pretty weird. Other than that, it was pasture. If you go immediately south, there is Onion Creek which has some houses that range from 200K condos to 750K houses. That is an old Austin neighborhood for officers at Bergstrom AF Base from what I've heard. I agree, though, the access to the highway is nice as you can avoid 15 minutes of street driving a lot of people endure just to get to the highway, from there it's straight shot to downtown. The drawback you mentioned was Crockett. Well, that's the same school you'd get if you paid 800K for a house in Travis Heights as well, so go figure. I think Crockett will get better as South Austin further gentrifies. summary: I would recommend buying, as it seems to be inexpensive (young demographic) close and convenient and safe, and that people don't know about the area because there is no "destination" in that part of the county so buying there could be prudent.

[tmd0925]

Thank you both so much for your input!

I'm a little concerned about the floodplain, as it stands the house I'm looking at is about 1 mile outside of it. However, I grew up in the Midwest where we dealt with flooded basements, living rooms etc. all the time. Given our current drought, I just can't see that house being washed away like Noah's Ark in the time I'll occupy it. Maybe I'm irrational

I would love to hear from someone who has lived there, though I'm very close to buying.

[tmd0925]

Also, isn't the city obligated to purchase homes within the flood plain if it grows?