Living in Hutto

[crrzzyy8s]

Originally Posted by love roses

Aside from the taxes

Whats wrong with the taxes? Its 2.75% correct?

What is a normal water bill? Energy Bill?

[love roses]

I'm mostly just talking about the water. I'll try to find a bill for an example. Ours is never really too outrageous, but we try not to go crazy using too much. Hutto is safe. I'm not afraid to walk at night in my neighborhood alone. Despite some of the negatives posted, there are also lots of positives. Hutto used to be a one stop light town with just under 2,000 people....and that was like 10-20 years ago. It has a little over 20,000 now. There was one neighborhood that had some major issues as far as the ground, and that was only because of the shabby building they did. I live in a nearby neighborhood on the same type of soil and we never had any foundation issues. My daughter attends public school here and there are some things I don't like about it, but it hasn't been enough to chase us out. We have some great neighbors and my daughter has lots of friends, so don't let that worry you. There are good, down to earth friendly and helpful people here.

[riaelise]

I'm going to put in a good word for Hutto as well. I live in the "Three points" area (where three cities meet - Pflugerville, Hutto, and Round Rock). Just like Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Leander, and all of the other rural, small towns that suddenly find themselves now "small cities," there will be growing pains. You have to have a healthy dose of perspective. That is why people who reside in Austin don't really understand or have a clue as to what it is to transition from a small town that literally had farmers trucking produce down two lane roads well into the 20th century to a city..worse yet, a "suburb of Austin." You have to live in these towns-in-transition to fully understand.

That being said, I liken Hutto, Pflugerville and Round Rock as three siblings from similar stock. Which means that all three cities at one time not so long ago were just like Hutto...primarily rural. Round Rock being the oldest "child", Pflugerville being the middle child, and Hutto being the baby -- the last one out of the house. Round Rock has grown up and has left the nest. Pflugerville is pretty much there, too, especially since it is lessening its reliance on property taxes. Hutto, being the baby brother, is almost there but is taking a slower time and is constantly in the shadow of its larger brethren. Understanding that, and going into things with eyes wide open, you can spare yourself disappointment and actually enjoy living there if that is what you want to do. The retail thing is really a non-issue. If you go right down 685, you can enjoy the large shopping center area in Pflugerville, which has (or will have) just about everything known to man. Down 79, you have Wal Mart. Hutto also has some quaint local establishments in its downtown area. It's not big, and doesn't resemble Georgetown's, but it does have some local flavor.

All the suburban cities have similar new home offerings, Hutto included. I know you've already set your eyes on one house, but it's worth looking at the Lookout / Brushy Creek area. These homes are custom and are on acreage and range from 300-800k. Yes, there are many people seeking acreage that's "far out" but not too far out from town and live in Hutto.

Crimewise, from what I've read, Hutto doesn't appear to be that bad at all. As far as the utilities, it doesn't matter really where you live, but you're gonna pay more not living in the City of Austin. So, take that into consideration.

[HappyTexan]

Originally Posted by love roses

I'm mostly just talking about the water. I'll try to find a bill for an example. Ours is never really too outrageous, but we try not to go crazy using too much. Hutto is safe. I'm not afraid to walk at night in my neighborhood alone. Despite some of the negatives posted, there are also lots of positives. Hutto used to be a one stop light town with just under 2,000 people....and that was like 10-20 years ago. It has a little over 20,000 now. There was one neighborhood that had some major issues as far as the ground, and that was only because of the shabby building they did. I live in a nearby neighborhood on the same type of soil and we never had any foundation issues. My daughter attends public school here and there are some things I don't like about it, but it hasn't been enough to chase us out. We have some great neighbors and my daughter has lots of friends, so don't let that worry you. There are good, down to earth friendly and helpful people here.

Actually Hutto was even smaller..like 618 give or take in 1996/7 when I was looking for some land.
Last link I could find was 1250 pop in 2000. Hutto just burst overnight in home building.