Noticed two things about Austin last week...

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots

If you can afford it.

Just for grins I compared the cost of living in Round Rock with that in Oak Hill 78749 where I live. It is more expensive in Oak Hill. The cost of living in South Central Austin is probably closer to RR, but the crime rate is higher.

RR Dec. 2009 cost of living index in Round Rock: 82.7
OH Dec. 2009 cost of living index in zip code 78749: 88.7

RR: Median real estate property taxes 2008: $3,710 (2.2%)
OH Median real estate property taxes 2008 in $3,894 (1.8%)

RR Estimated median household income in 2008: $66,218
OH Estimated median household income in 2008: $82,125

RR Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $169,800
OH Estimated median house/condo value in 2008: $251,744

[jobert]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

RR Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $169,800

That's really low.. are you sure about that?

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

Originally Posted by jobert

Don't be foolish - everyone can afford to live in Austin.

Of course, especially the homeless. Thank you for the correction.

[jobert]

Originally Posted by oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots

Of course, especially the homeless. Thank you for the correction.

Whatever you are currently paying for rent/mortgage in Hutto right now, you can find for the same price in Austin proper. I guarantee it.

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

Originally Posted by jobert

Whatever you are currently paying for rent/mortgage in Hutto right now, you can find for the same price in Austin proper. I guarantee it.

I don't believe you. There is no way we could have this house in "Austin proper" for the price we paid. I searched for months. Well, unless you're talking about a house similar to this one with a crack house on one side and a liquor store on the other.

[bgrn198]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Heck, I remember when 2222 and Mopac was (a) a railroad - Mopac - and a road - 2222, and (b) waaaayyyy out in the country.

We moved out to the country in late 1996, were living in South Austin (Ben White/Mopac), husband's business was in North Austin (Burnet/Rutland). It took him about 20 minutes to get to work and back then (that was in the 1980's/early 1990's, through1996).

A couple of years ago, I timed myself going from Burnet/Rutland to Whole Foods on 5th, at rush hour (leaving Burnet/Rutland at 5:00). Using not Mopac, but the roads I knew about from before (mainly Lamar until I got close to my destination, then cutting over to some back roads), it took me 23 minutes.

I've been on Mopac at rush hour in the past couple of days, and it was, indeed, bumper to bumper. So I hopped off and went over to one of those side roads and made it down to the Ben White/South Lamar area from north of Austin in about 20 minutes.

It all depends on how well you know the area and the roads. Helps a LOT if you've watched them being built and know what roads were there before (and still are)!

Yeah I remember when my parents moved from Cat Mountain to Davenport Ranch back in 1990 and 360 was out in the country with no traffic and almost no lights.

[DeadInSuburbia]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

I think people drive slow in Austin. But lots of times that because they can't go any faster. I am most annoyed though by left lane turtles when they are going slower than the rest of traffic in that lane.

Way too many people talking on their phone. I just don't understand why people want to talk to people on the phone so much while they are driving.

This is my experience in Austin, NOLA and OKC - all smaller towns - compared to Atlanta and Dallas. These smaller towns have not as much area to cover, and fewer lanes, so traffic must go slower.