Austin vs. Its Suburbs: For Kids (Round Rock, Pflugerville: cul-de-sac, houses, to buy)

[brattpowered]

I don't have children but looking back on my childhood I'd imagine Austin is great for kids. Hyde Park and Crestview seem to me like they would be wonderful places to grow up. There are nice, shaded streets to bike on, parks to play with friends at or meet new ones, shops to walk or bike to to get a sandwich or ice cream, and nooks and crannies to explore.

I would absolutely hate growing up in the "very nice suburbs" of Round Rock or Pflugerville. Why would I want to live in a subdivision where I would have to brave a 12 lane highway to escape to buy a comic book or see a friend? Or bike on streets that are baking in the shadeless sun all day? Or live in a place where everyone just plays in their backyards and has to meet in arranged "playdates"? Maybe if my idea of fun as a kid were sitting in the a/c in front of the television all day packing on the pounds Round Rock would be a fun place to grow up.

[AustinGuy]

Originally Posted by brattpowered

I would absolutely hate growing up in the "very nice suburbs" of Round Rock or Pflugerville. Why would I want to live in a subdivision where I would have to brave a 12 lane highway to escape to buy a comic book or see a friend? Or bike on streets that are baking in the shadeless sun all day? Or live in a place where everyone just plays in their backyards and has to meet in arranged "playdates"? Maybe if my idea of fun as a kid were sitting in the a/c in front of the television all day packing on the pounds Round Rock would be a fun place to grow up.

Hmmmm.... I've never lived in Round Rock or Pflugerville, but I've driven through some of those suburbs and have seen lots of kids out playing. It seems like you're painting a very one-sided picture in your poll.

[satanoid]

I grew up in Travis heights. great area for kids.

No reason at all to sacrifice an interesting place to live for boring suburbia under some misguided idea that it's 'safer'.

[brattpowered]

Originally Posted by AustinGuy

Hmmmm.... I've never lived in Round Rock or Pflugerville, but I've driven through some of those suburbs and have seen lots of kids out playing. It seems like you're painting a very one-sided picture in your poll.

I didn't let my opinions affect the cut-and-dry polling part of the post, I just outlined them in my message describing my position. I'm sure kids do play on the cul-de-sacs sometimes but I would much rather live in a more interesting place than RR. It seems like you only mentioned one side in your post too

[nwcubsfan]

Best for Kids

What does this even mean? Best schools? More fun? Better opportunities?

[brattpowered]

It means whatever you want it to mean. When I was making the poll I was considering how enjoyable life would be for children in either of these places, but you can vote however your heart desires.

[AustinGuy]

Originally Posted by brattpowered

It seems like you only mentioned one side in your post too

I don't have kids so I don't have a strong opinion either way. I'm a huge fan of central Austin (it is where I call home), but it gets a bit old reading all the suburb slamming that goes on in this forum. Most families can't afford central Austin these days, so I bet the ratio of houses with kids in them is far less than in the suburbs.

[AustinTraveler]

This thread won't go anywhere except down the usual path of suburb vs. city. This is a relocation forum and is meant to provide useful information for those considering Austin as a place to live. If you want to argue the merits of city vs. suburbs, I suggest you find another venue.