Transplants from Oregon, is Austin "more" or "less expensive"

[Acuda]

bassman-
I'm moving to Austin in a few weeks from Eugene. I am a beginning teacher and I'm at that point in my life (30; where have those darn years gone?) where I want to buy my first home. Since I am a single beginning teacher, I was quite concerned about affording my first home. However, after visiting the area and talking with my brother, who lives in Fort Worth, I came to the conclusion that the Austin area is more affordable overall than Eugene. I would like to be able to live closer to town (SOCO, Hyde Park area-similar to Old East Medford home style), but for my first house, I may have to settle for a bit further away. From what I have gathered, Westlake is obviously expensive, close to downtown/SOCO/Hyde park (which I like tremendously) area can be pricey, and I'm sure some other areas I have not yet discovered (Circle C, Steiner Ranch) may be up there. But there are areas such as in North Austin, SE and SW Austin that have nice homes that are affordable (not to mention Round Rock and Pflugerville). Although I'm not a fan of track homes, they're a bit more affordable, and I have to start somewhere. Property taxes are more, but to me, you get more for the money in the Austin area. I'm not sure if you have kids, but most of the schools are bigger, newer and pretty nice compared to Oregon's Public Schools. If you look in Round Rock for example, you can get a nice "track style" home that is two stories, 3+ bedroom, 2+ bathroom, 2 car garage with an average yard (sometimes with mature trees) for $170,000-$200,000. What do we get in Oregon (Medford or Eugene) for $170,000-$200,000 now? We maybe can get a 40 year old home with 2 or 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a 1 car garage with the typical Oregon sighting look. Forget that (thanks a lot Californians j/k). If you can afford more, then I think you'll find Austin fairly affordable. As far as utilities, Austin will be a little bit more, but it's not like you are coming from Eugene where we rarely need A/C. You know in Medford you are rocking the A/C as it climbs to the upper 80s and 90s (average) in summer with many days that are in the 100s. Best thing to do is visit though. It is a cool place with a lot to do and a lot of Oregon transplants. This is just my 2 cents, but I hope it helps.

[love roses]

Round Rock has older homes, but they are closer to the downtown. I don't know if any are for sale. When I say older, I mean like turn of the century older. Pflugerville does too, I think.