Family of 5 moving to Austin Area...but where??? (Waco, Round Rock: rent, homes)

[134214jf]

I was wondering if I can get some input from locals regarding the positives and negatives with the North West area of Austin. I just got a job offer and will need to move in 3 weeks from California. I already know the weather will be different but I think it will be a good move for my kids (11, 9, 7). My job will be in the North Austin area and am looking at places like Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown, etc.

What area would you recommend? My #1 priority is getting my kids into a quality school both Elementary and Middle.

We will be renting so I do not think home prices will be a major factor but we are looking at paying a maximum of $1500.

There are just so many schools it makes it hard to pinpoint one specific area. We recently took a vacation out there and drove around for the day but did not leave knowing what areas we liked the best.

[10scoachrick]

It might help to know in what area of 'North Austin' you are working. 'North' Austin means different things to various folks on the board and your commute should be a top concern. Avery Ranch is in 'north-north' Austin and feeds into good schools. It also has great access to a number of traffic arteries; again keeping your commute in mind. Round Rock is to the north and east of us while Cedar Park is to the north and west. Leander and Georgetown are both farther out, but your actual office location might help determine if those areas will make for acceptable commutes.

Good luck and bring your sunscreen and A/C...it's HOT!

[ImOnFiya]

If I were you, I think your best bets would be Northwest Austin, West Austin, Avery Ranch, Cedar Park, and Leander.

Good luck!

[134214jf]

We have really concentrated our search to the Cedar Park/Leander area but that still leaves us quite a few schools and neighborhoods to consider.

[neddy]

Sent ya a dm.

[dk311]

My family and I are originally from Tx but moved to Maryland 10 years ago. We are moving back to TX June of 2012 and good schools are a major factor on where we want to find a home and jobs. My oldest will be in high school my middle child will be in middle school and my youngest elementary school. we are really trying to move around the Round Rock, Pflugerville area or anywhere around there if better schools. The price of homes we are trying to stay around is around the $150-$160,000 range or rent for less than $1200-$1300 a month. If anyone has any input on schools around these areas I would love any information. We are taking a trip down in the spring to visit family and look for homes and get school registration info so I have to really decide where and what we are doing before then.

Thank you for any information.

[Tim_Barton]

I hear Waco is wonderful