Where would you buy a house if..... (Austin, Lakeway: to rent, first time home buyer)

[eichlerfan]

Where would you buy a house if:

1. you wanted to spend no more than 400,000 max.
2. you were in your early 50's.
3. you had one young teenager at home and one college age child at home.
4. Schools were not important other than for resale value.
4. you worked from home, but drive to the airport often.
5. most of what you do in Austin is central, west and northwest.
6. don't want to be in a neighborhood with only young families.
7. wanted a home no more than 5 to 10 years old ideally.

We moved here last year and wanted to rent for awhile before buying again so we really get to know the area. We really enjoy renting for now (long time homeowners, but are loving the no maintance for now), but we will eventaully want to buy again. At this point we are just checking out neighborhoods and it's been more a process of elimination than anything else.

[atxcio]

Wow, 5 and 6 at the same time are difficult. Most new communities seem to appeal to young families & put you far out of town.

Northwest Hills would be perfect but close to the $400K mark (although well worth it, IMO) and older housing stock. Very safe and a nice mix of people in all stages of life. It wasn't considered central 15 years ago, but now it is and it's only going to get more so. Stability of home values is almost a guarantee. Proximity to everything you mention is easy -- even the airport, as 2222/Koenig/290 is really a very good cross-town route once you get east of Mopac.

[TexasEd]

Maybe Mueller? It's near the airport and close to central Austin. Probably has some young families though. Mostly newer homes in a new subdivision.

New homes in Austin, TX | Mueller Austin

[eichlerfan]

Mueller is very nice, but the backyards are postage size. I only say newer homes because we have always owned older homes and we just don't want to have to deal with remodeling again. Been there done that. If the home were updated then that would be a consideration.

We know that by buying in a newer developement that we will be with some younger families which is fine. I'm wondering if we bought a home in the 300 to 400 range as opposed to 200 to 300 range if that would eliminate mostly all younger families, as in first time home buyers. I know there is no perfect situation, just don't want to be in a neighborhood with families filled with only really little kids as our kids are teenagers and adult.

[blakely]

Maybe Allandale? Or Northwest Hills, but you are probably going to have a smaller selection there with a $400K cap.

[orbius]

Lakeway.

[ScoPro]

Originally Posted by eichlerfan

Where would you buy a house if:

1. you wanted to spend no more than 400,000 max.
2. you were in your early 50's.
3. you had one young teenager at home and one college age child at home.
4. Schools were not important other than for resale value.
4. you worked from home, but drive to the airport often.
5. most of what you do in Austin is central, west and northwest.
6. don't want to be in a neighborhood with only young families.
7. wanted a home no more than 5 to 10 years old ideally.

We moved here last year and wanted to rent for awhile before buying again so we really get to know the area. We really enjoy renting for now (long time homeowners, but are loving the no maintance for now), but we will eventaully want to buy again. At this point we are just checking out neighborhoods and it's been more a process of elimination than anything else.

One overlooked neighborhood is Balcones Village on 183N.

It meets all your criteria except for #7 - most of the homes are from the 60s to the early 80s. However, total makeovers can be quite nice. One 1971 ranch next to my brother with 2,400 sq.ft. was extensively renovated a year ago & sold for $300k. The lots are fairly large too, and there is a golf course & country club in the middle of the neighborhood.

[AustinSpartan]

Originally Posted by orbius

Lakeway.

And that drive to the airport from Lakeway is tolerable at an hour+?

[AustinSpartan]

I'd suggest Great Hills, it seems to have everything that you've asked for.

[hoffdano]

Falconhead West. Drive to the aiport can be as fast as 35 minutes (71 to SW Parkway, then 71 again).