Okay Austinites....throw me your perspectives on living near Lake Travis area... (Cedar Park: where to stay)

[macsmom99]

We are looking to buy a home in the Austin suburbs. We have kids in elementary and middle school and want to pick somewhere to stay for a decade or so. We want to be near shops, schools, recreation, medical facilities, and the lake. We want excellent schools. We want a family feeling with a sense of community, but not be on top of our neighbors (at least 1/2 acre or more). We want kids who play outside in a safe environment. We do not need to commute to downtown for anything except our own entertainment, and we will be at the airport every couple of weeks.

Hit me with it, Austin...what neighborhoods do you recommend? (Pretend cost is not a factor). I welcome any comments about the "feel" of any of the neighborhoods as well...what's the unofficial reputation out there?
Thanks so much!!

[hoffdano]

Areas within Lake Travis ISD that you might consider in no particular order:

Lakeway - good sized lots, very established, and many families (plus a mix of retired people). Very controlling city government.

Lakepointe - very family oriented, more kids visible, but smaller lots in most sections

Uplands - very good sized lots, more upscale in general, gated (negative to me)

Falconhead - newer, many lots are good sized but may not be 1/2 acre. Lots of families, more $$ than Lakepointe. I think of Falconhead West as Falconhead on a slight diet.

All are very safe communities and a few minutes from Bee Cave and the businesses in that area.

[SickOfCalifornia]

We live in Steiner Ranch, literally across the street from Lake Travis, and with it's own boat-loading dock into Lake Austin. Love it here. The only thing missing out here is a relatively nearby hospital... but they are about halfway done with a huge new one right down the road in Lakeway (about 5 minutes) that should be completed in 2011. We are in Leander School District, and the four Steiner-only schools in our community are consistently rated exceptional - both by the official surveys as well as informal parent opinion. There are homes with a half-acre or more here, but they are the higher end homes. Still, the sense of community here is very strong, and you should at least drive through and get a feel for the area.

[TexasHorseLady]

What's your price range? What size/type house are you interested in?

[PBRstreetgang]

We're in the same boat as macsmom - thanks for the info! Any comments on the 'east coast' (Leander, Cedar Park, Volente) vs. the 'west coast' (Lakeway, Briarcliff) communities? We're not big fans of gated/country club/golf course-centric developments.

Thanks

[TexasHorseLady]

If you're not big fans of gated communities, you're likely going to be happier in Leander/Cedar Park/Volente, though there are some communities like Apache Shores that don't fall into that category in the Lakeway area.