What neighborhoods to look in for young couple/new families? (Austin: houses, to buy)

[Tara0616]

My husband and I are newly married and want to buy something within 30 minutes of Austin. We prefer newer construction and we would really like something with a nice view or lots of green belts/open space.

Where should we look?

Thanks!

[Trainwreck20]

30 minutes of the Capital building/downtown area? Or just 30 minutes to the city limits? And what kind of budget?

[Tara0616]

30 min to downtown. Under $350k if possible.

[mvnandshkn]

Maybe check out Leander or Crystall Falls to be exact. Two builders Mercedes and David Weekley. They have a lot of good things coming in the future along with a commuter express train from Leander directly into Austin beginning next year I believe. I think that values will go up there due to the commuter train along with the master plan over the next 10 years. Also, the toll road will help out on your commute into downtown as well which they have just about completed. Very nice hill views for sure.

[Trainwreck20]

The first areas that come to mind - mostly because they are areas that I have lived in - are NW Austin in the Balcones Woods/Angus valley area. The area has excellent schools, but the average age is probably a little higher than some other 'young' neighborhoods. Some areas are much nicer than others, I lived in Angus Valley and loved it. The houses are a bit older (70s, mostly), but were well built for that era (for the most part, the late 70s ones are not so good). It is a curbless neighborhood, mainly, and some do not like that.

SW austin area has some very young neighborhoods and good schools. Costs a little more than NW austin, mainly cause of new construction and 'planned' subdivisions.

[jennyb315]

Originally Posted by mvnandshkn

Maybe check out Leander or Crystall Falls to be exact. Two builders Mercedes and David Weekley. They have a lot of good things coming in the future along with a commuter express train from Leander directly into Austin beginning next year I believe. I think that values will go up there due to the commuter train along with the master plan over the next 10 years. Also, the toll road will help out on your commute into downtown as well which they have just about completed. Very nice hill views for sure.

I live in Crystal Falls--- don't forget Perry Homes and Drees They are two other builders in here. We have a Perry Home and a quite happy with it and their service. Lots of different lot sizes and price ranges available too. Plus we are going to have one awesome pool when it's finished in August Oh-- there is a golf course too. Pricies are probably from $225K to over a mil depending on what you're looking for. Don't forget to factor in taxes--- we expect to pay $7000 a year.

Shopping isn't that far away-- the new HEB in Leander is about 5-7 minutes north, Randalls is about 7-9 minutes south in Cedar Park and there is a Starbucks in it (very important to a coffee addict like me!! ) Walmart is about 5 mintes away and there will be a new Super Target, PetSmart, movie theatre and if I'm not mistaken, a new hospital on 183A and 1431-- about 8-ish minutes away from Crystal Falls. Lakeline Mall is about 10 minutes away. Plus, one thing I really like, is that you are driving, not sitting at lights

Our neighborhood schools are Winkley Elem, Running Brushy Middle and Leander HS. I have kids in Winkley and RB and we're happy with the schools so far. And I've heard great things about LHS as well.

Come up and visit-- I think you'd like what you see.