This is why I'm leaving California (Austin, Clarksville: mortgage, house, neighborhoods)

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by Melissa78703

Depends on what part of Palma Plaza it's on, if it's closer to the West Lynn intersection in the direction of Lamar. I did look at a decently-priced rental on Palma that bumped up right against the frontage road and gave it a pass. It did seem to be quite noisy, and that was during the day. Can't imagine what it might have been like during rush hour.

It's noisy- and smelly- even on the W. Lynn side! But there are plenty of people who don't mind....

[homeinatx]

Originally Posted by mimimomx3

It's noisy- and smelly- even on the W. Lynn side! But there are plenty of people who don't mind....

You'll get a little ambient noise from MOPAC and even Enfield during rush hour, but smelly from what? The roses at Sled Nursery? There is a reason this is expensive Austin real estate. You are a few blocks from the real old money neighborhoods in Austin - Pemberton and the mansions along Windsor. You can walk to several of Austin's top restaurants - Wink, Jeffreys, Cafe Josie, excellent cafes and coffeeshops. You are less than five minutes from downtown, the lake. There are tons of old trees and a nice variety of architectural styles. If there is a better concentration of amenities and serenity in the Austin MSA, I would like to know where? Its gotten really expensive and will only get more so, which is a pity as it was still real neighborhoody when I lived there 8 or so years ago.

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by homeinatx

You'll get a little ambient noise from MOPAC and even Enfield during rush hour, but smelly from what? The roses at Sled Nursery? There is a reason this is expensive Austin real estate. You are a few blocks from the real old money neighborhoods in Austin - Pemberton and the mansions along Windsor. You can walk to several of Austin's top restaurants - Wink, Jeffreys, Cafe Josie, excellent cafes and coffeeshops. You are less than five minutes from downtown, the lake. There are tons of old trees and a nice variety of architectural styles. If there is a better concentration of amenities and serenity in the Austin MSA, I would like to know where? Its gotten really expensive and will only get more so, which is a pity as it was still real neighborhoody when I lived there 8 or so years ago.

A little ambient noise? Really? Mopac is packed for at least 3 hours twice a day. *I* can smell the exhaust, especially in the summer. BUT....that doesn't take away from the (many, not all) beautiful homes and proximity to all you mention. For $400-500, I prefer to live a little more quietly and higher, but still central. Trade offs. Nothing's perfect!

[Melissa78703]

Originally Posted by homeinatx

You'll get a little ambient noise from MOPAC and even Enfield during rush hour, but smelly from what? The roses at Sled Nursery? There is a reason this is expensive Austin real estate. You are a few blocks from the real old money neighborhoods in Austin - Pemberton and the mansions along Windsor. You can walk to several of Austin's top restaurants - Wink, Jeffreys, Cafe Josie, excellent cafes and coffeeshops. You are less than five minutes from downtown, the lake. There are tons of old trees and a nice variety of architectural styles. If there is a better concentration of amenities and serenity in the Austin MSA, I would like to know where? Its gotten really expensive and will only get more so, which is a pity as it was still real neighborhoody when I lived there 8 or so years ago.

I'm from Old Back-in-the-Day Clarksville. My mom lived on the street next to me, Eason. I remember when this entire neighborhood was considered "sketchy," more than 25 years ago. (I was quite a bit younger, of course!) My mom never understood why I moved back. There's just something about the antiquity of this place that can't be duplicated. Not to say that there aren't any neighborhoods like it in the entire U.S., but I just haven't found them yet.

Confession: If it weren't for Clarksville, I would have moved away from Austin a long time ago. When people ask me where I'm from, I tell them, "Clarksville."

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Everest209

Your name is "sickofcalifornia", no agenda there. Live through a Texas summer, and maybe you'll understand why you pay that much in the bay area.

Well this is about Texas or should be, not California, but believe me, no house in the bay area or anywhere else with 875 sq ft, is worth a 1/2 mil. By the way I used to live in Marin County, it is a good place to live as is some other parts of California but not worth the cost of everything including your lousy tax system.

Nita

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by AustinGuy

Well, you did pick out one of the most expensive areas in California - Marin County - to compare Austin to. And, I'd say you do need to bring property tax into the equation to be fair.

If you want to compare expensive areas to expensive areas, we have some "cute" houses in Hyde Park, Clarksville, Deep Eddy, etc that are about the same size and will set you back 300k-400k plus a higher property tax bill than that Marin County house.

But have you considered the high property taxes versus the high income tax in Ca and other taxes..Believe me, we have lived in both, the cost of living in Ca is much, much higher. And there are not many houses with under 900 sq ft selling for even 300K plus the house the OP is talking about was a short sale. That same house in a regular sale would probalby be closer to 700K.

Nita

[slo1318]

Its simple supply and demand. If you look at the country like you look at a city, it makes more sense as to why some areas are more expensive. Highly coveted areas are going to be more expensive.

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

Originally Posted by slo1318

. Highly coveted areas are going to be more expensive.

If that is the case then why are the "country", (rural) areas less expensive? I ask that because there are many people that "covet" the country atmosphere. I would believe there are just as many people that love the country as there are that love the city. (I'm open to being wrong)


Which areas are coveted and why? And, who or what is driving this correlation between area and worth? Who is putting the extreme "value" on something the rest of us might not do so?

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots

If that is the case then why are the "country", (rural) areas less expensive? I ask that because there are many people that "covet" the country atmosphere. I would believe there are just as many people that love the country as there are that love the city. (I'm open to being wrong)


Which areas are coveted and why? And, who or what is driving this correlation between area and worth? Who is putting the extreme "value" on something the rest of us might not do so?

Your post really doesn't make sense. I think it is obvious that more people do NOT prefer a rural experience. Add the population of NYC, LA, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, etc. and you will quickly gobble up much of the USA's population. Most people want or need to live (relatively) close to where they work. Single people naturally choose smaller homes or choose apartments. Singles also value being closer to places to socialize.

Rural properties are less expensive because fewer people want them.

I am one of the people that prefer a semi-rural environment. I don't want to live in the country. But I don't want to live in the city. Hence my choice of Spicewood as a place to live.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by Melissa78703

You and I had two very different experiences. Once I owned my own home, I was subject to taxes, paying for repairs, and a crazy HOA that made us pay more than 50 percent of our valued property for "special assessments" within three years of purchase, to the point where we had to take out a second mortgage. When my financially-impaired ex-husband didn't pay his income taxes, the IRS filed a lien on the house. We paid into the house far, far more than it was ever worth.

Now, I don't worry about what happens when the air conditioner goes out -- that's the rental property's responsibility. So is pest control, paying for new roofing, keeping the lawn mowed and kept, cleaning the pool and paying for all of the things that I normally would have to pay for.

I can tell you that my quality of life has gone up exponentially. Now I can save up for retirement. If I have to buy a new car, no worries--got the money saved, and I could pay for that sucker cash down. Rather than pay to replace a broken A/C unit or expensive home owner's insurance, I can take that money and go on vacation instead!

You DO pay for all those things - it is just buried in your rent.

If you were renting and had IRS trouble - they would find a way to get your money. The house didn't cause that problem. Your ex-husband caused that problem. Renters go through nightmares of their own - the landlord/owner goes bankrupt, rent goes up, maintenance goes to pieces, lack of control over your surroundings, etc.

I think people should buy a house only because they want one. There shouldn't be a tax deduction for it.

I LIKE living in my house - which will be mine in a few years. Compared to what I paid for it - I have substantial equity. I didn't get a 30 yr mortgage. I didn't over buy or over extend my debt. I'm not a genius - just don't like a lot of risk. No car payments either.