SW, W, NW Austin? (West, Cove: real estate, renting, home)

[Zzyzx]

Originally Posted by audrey2

Is Highpointe closer to Dripping Springs than Balterra? I was actually looking forward to a much shorter commute. Are there neighborhoods like Balterra that are closer in? Balterra sent me flowers the other day, and I'm so easy it made me want to live there! No, it already was a favorite of mine, but the flowers didn't hurt, either! What do you think of property values appreciating nicely in some of the newer upscale developments like Balterra?

audrey2,

For the record, the name is Belterra.

A lot of people live in Belterra, if you like it, that's really all that matters.

Highpointe is about 1 more mile west on 290W, then about 2 more miles south on Sawyer Ranch road. running water way, Austin, TX 78737, USA - Google Maps

[mimimomx3]

I think the drive from Belterra in Dripping Springs to north of downtown (35th st?) will be loooong during rush hour (7 am is rush hour) I would budget at least 45 minutes, and more like 90 minutes if there is an accident. DS is really pretty though.

[aus_lr]

i would think that definetly SW Austin is much closer to downtown than NW Austin and has much of the beauty of the hill country to offer! Lantana is a beautiful community near Wm Canon and SW parkway, only 330 homes.. they are releasing lots for the last phase now.excellent location!

[audrey2]

Yes, I will be working on Exposition off of 35th street. What if I left at 6:45 am? I can't get past the fact that mapquest estimates the commute to take about 20 minutes. Does 290 get piled up? We're hoping to stay in the house and our jobs for the long haul (want to settle and hate moving) so would my commute likely become wayyy uglier over time as 290 gets built up? I'm also looking at Meridian, but that may not be any closer! Maybe the Heights at Loma Vista? Mapquest says 17 minutes. I've gotta stop relying on mapquest unless they develop a feature that acounts for rush hour traffic!

IF I would like to keep my commute under 25 and could leave the house as early as 6:45, are there any other areas west of I-35 and maybe a bit closer in that would at least be comparable (and affordable for us) like Belterra? For instance, I'm looking at Covered Bridge, which is closer, but does THAT highway get ugly during rush hour too? There's too much to think about at once, and I still feel like I'm missing a lovely, closer in neighborhood in SW, W or even NW Austin? What about homes near Balcones Country Club? I've pretty much decided that Steiner Ranch is beautiful but too far away. Please don't let me overwhelm anyone with my questions. Just let me continue overwhelming myself. Any help/insights would be much appreciated!

[mimimomx3]

I think it's more practical and realistic to look at the mile distance from your work location to where you want to live. It's such an Austin thing to describe commutes in terms of time instead of mileage. It just comes down to priorities, if a view/hillcountry is important, you'll have to compromise on drive time. If money is a factor, you'll have to move farther out and compromise on view and time. If convenience is a factor, you'll have to pay more. Decide what's MOST important and then focus your attention there. Is downtown an option? There are some cool lofts to buy or rent and you're in the middle of everything with a quick commute to just about anywhere.

[aus_lr]

traffic at the Y in oak hill is really bad , u have to get past that to get to Belterra . we drove out there and then we drove to Travis country west and Lantana communities, and wow what a difference in the commute time! Belterra is definetly a long drive, even in off peak times. if u want closer to downtown and not spend too much time travelling , then find closer communities like i have mentioned.. in the long run, having to commute shorter distance every day really helps ( saves some gas too! )

[audrey2]

Does anyone commute from Circle C? Would that commute to 35th be any better than the one from belterra? I threw myself in to a web search on lantana and am in love!!! What would you say the views there compare to, those of you who live there? Stupid question of the hour: If we build, we'd expect to pay a lot more (than a comparable resale in same area) because we'd have to purchase the lot on top of that, right?

[McJ]

There is a back way that you can take from Belterra or Highpointe that will help you avoid the "Y", you won't save tons of time but you'll save the aggravation.

[audrey2]

What is the Y? Would you mind pm'ing me the back way?

[aus_lr]

the 'Y' refers to the interesection where 290 and 71 separate, there is always a huge traffic buildup there ... yes u may find other ways to get to Belterra without having to go through the Y - but i think all of them would take quite some time.

yeah Lantana is beautiful , u have lovely hill country views since its a hilly terrain... yes u have lot premiums , but i heard the builders are offering good incentives.. so get there when they still have lots left ...as for the price, i think the new homes are selling for about the same price as existing homes (existing homes are not really old , this community shdnt be more than 4 years old.) as for the lot price, i am sure u can get a good bargain on that! so it shdnt be much more than buying an existing home, in fact if u r lucky and bargain well, u can get for the same price. Good luck!