I'm Downtown - Wifes at Dell...Where to live? (Austin: houses, neighborhoods)

[smelyal8r]

So that's the question. We are looking in the $200 - $230k range and have our fist child on the way. We like quiet neighborhoods with good schools obviosly and don't like having all the houses on top of each other.

Today I checked out Forest Creek which I like, and Blackhawk Estates and Falcon Pointe in Pflugerville, but I like the more western areas as they have bigger trees and the houses have more privacy. This is going to be a tough task. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks

Brett

[IamInShape]

Try Cedar Park in Buttercup creek and Lakeline oaks. You can try Stone Canyon and other parts of Round Rock at your price point. There might be some stuff in Scofield farms in Austin--thats between dell and downtown--if you need more info on Scofield farms email me

[jwb123]

I don't know how the commute is daily, from Forest Creek - but that's where we live and we love it. My husband is at Dell. If your downtown commute would work via toll roads - I don't think you would have any problem at all... but everyone does say to stay off 35...

Did you look into the new construction section (Don't buy there - it's a legal mess right now, bad bad investment) or the existing homes? You can find a decent lot in your price range in the existing homes. In fact, there are several in my little loop of streets that are from the $180-238k price range which are very nice and within a quick walk to the amenity center, creek areas and neighborhood school.

I like the amenity centers better in the Pflugerville subdivisions you mentioned - but I don't like the houses/neighborhoods or schools as much as FC. FC will be more quiet (further from the toll roads than those two subs in PF) and it's a friendly "neighborhoody" community. Lots of trails to walk, etc.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by smelyal8r

So that's the question. We are looking in the $200 - $230k range and have our fist child on the way. We like quiet neighborhoods with good schools obviosly and don't like having all the houses on top of each other.

Today I checked out Forest Creek which I like, and Blackhawk Estates and Falcon Pointe in Pflugerville, but I like the more western areas as they have bigger trees and the houses have more privacy. This is going to be a tough task. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks

Brett

The area at parmer and mopac is in your price range and is an easy drive to dell with access to mopac to go downtown. The best bet is to live closer to downtown because I35/mopac going north arent really bad during rush hour because they are counter to traffic.

If you look at the east west roads like anderson ln and braker ln, you will find a number of smaller houses in your price range.

Around braker and lamar you can pay around 105/sq ft
around braker and anderson ln it is 200/sq ft
around parmer and lamar it is 100/sq ft or slightly under

These areas are not your manicured suburbs.

[llkltk]

Originally Posted by IamInShape

Try Cedar Park in Buttercup creek and Lakeline oaks. You can try Stone Canyon and other parts of Round Rock at your price point. There might be some stuff in Scofield farms in Austin--thats between dell and downtown--if you need more info on Scofield farms email me

These areas are a nightmare commute to downtown though. Scofield is about a 40 minute commute but Cedar Park is hellish.

[LoveATX]

The light rail would that will be online very soon in Leander/Cedar Park would make the downtown commute a snap. Not to mention you will need one less car! I cant wait!

[smelyal8r]

Thanks for the replies. We found one house we like in Avery Ranch, and one in Forest Creek. I'm leaning toward the FC one as it is bigger and has a 3 car garage for the same price as the one in Avery Ranch. My wife seems to like the Avery Ranch neighborhood a little better and thinks that having an Austin address will make the house appreciate better. I tend to disagree and I want my big garage so hopefully I can talk her into it!! We'll see.

[texastea]

Is the Avery Ranch home in the Leander ISD or Round Rock ISD?

[smelyal8r]

I think it was in the Leander ISD. We made an offer on the house in Sonoma tonight (I originally thought it was FC) It's a really great house. The three car garage was the clincher for me, but I think Avery Ranch and Sonoma are equally good neighborhoods to live and raise a child. We are excited. Thanks for the help everyone.

Brett