Which neighborhood for family with kids? (Austin, Cedar Park: real estate, HOA, big home)

[jechala]

Hello,
We're considering moving to Austin with our 3 kids (ages 5, 3, 1). Oldest will be starting 1st grade next year and we're looking at places with best schools. Hubby loves Lago Vista area but it's too far out... don't want to be isolated from the city especially since we don't know yet where we'll work (IT jobs). We also like Steiner Ranch, but we don't want to be tied with Association Rules/Fees/etc. And they don't allow campers in backyards (hubby wants to buy a camper). Our price range for house is around $350k. Any suggestions where else to look??

[Gorfml]

spicewood area?...

[TexasHorseLady]

Okay, what do you like to do? Are you looking for a 4 bedroom? Have you settled on a school district yet? If you're looking at Steiner, I'm guessing that's the kind of house you're interested in, but without being in an HOA. Define "isolated", because Steiner's somewhat isolated, as well (but at least you don't have to drive halfway around the lake to get to Austin like Lago Vista!What exactly do you like about those areas?

Apache Shores is a possibility if you like that area. Cuernavaca area might be a little over your price range, but you might luck out and find something there.

[Idlewile]

Balcones Village and the surrounding nooks and crannies -- (the majority of 78750 but not all of it --SOUTH of Anderson Mill Rd only), will get you large lots (room for the camper and no HOA) in a highly desirable area that's very pretty where most of the homes are 25-30 years old and custom built.... but expect a fixer of varying degrees for 350K. Arguably the best school track in the Austin metro outside of Eanes (Spicewood/Canyon Vista/Westwood). Close to shopping and highways. Expect to categorically give up newer finishes and a newish house and also expect most houses in this area to go very quickly at or over asking price.

[hound 109]

Find at least one of the jobs first & then post back.

While your searching for employment, peruse a few dozen of the 853 threads in the Austin forum that discuss nice family neighborhoods with good schools. Also look at CaptainRn's excellent "Welcome to Austin Sticky".

//www.city-data.com/forum/austi...fo-thread.html


But without knowing where your job is, dialing down on a specific area is putting the cart before the horse.
.

[sua2017]

I would look in Steiner because many rich people do live there and if not rich at least upper middle class! You probably already know that your price range will give you the ability to buy into Steiner and a neighborhood that large people are bound to own RVs.

I would say check out Cedar Park as well, you will for sure get good schools and a big home on that budget!

Anything in Lake Travis ISD would also work because you should get something in price range and with a big enough back yard, that area is known for big lots, but it is kind of far out.

Avery Ranch would also be a good option! Great schools and very similar to Cedar Park. A great master planned community.

Lastly I would suggest looking into Circle C, of all the neighborhoods I would say that it will have the most appreciation in home value, closest to downtown, and can get a good home on that budget. Much of Circle C is not in the hilly area so the lots sizes can be big and not disrupted by hills that might exist in Great Hills (which is why I am not recommending Great Hills, though a fantastic family-friendly neighborhood with good schools). Many jobs are also becoming available in south Austin and when it comes to real estate it is really HOT even with Austin standards. This is just my opinion and other people may not think as highly of Circle C but I would say any family with flexibility of where home can be located and with your price range would be dumb not to at least give it some thought I have never lived anywhere near Circle C so I have no bias to 'come to my neighborhood' but then again I might not see the bad!

[Idlewile]

For some reason I thought you said your husband would work from home (but that was a different thread I replied to)... since you don't know where work will be, it's unwise to hone in on neighborhoods first. Traffic is an absolute killer here and much worse than everyone expects.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by sua2017

I would look in Steiner because many rich people do live there and if not rich at least upper middle class! You probably already know that your price range will give you the ability to buy into Steiner and a neighborhood that large people are bound to own RVs.

I would say check out Cedar Park as well, you will for sure get good schools and a big home on that budget!

Anything in Lake Travis ISD would also work because you should get something in price range and with a big enough back yard, that area is known for big lots, but it is kind of far out.

Avery Ranch would also be a good option! Great schools and very similar to Cedar Park. A great master planned community.

Lastly I would suggest looking into Circle C, of all the neighborhoods I would say that it will have the most appreciation in home value, closest to downtown, and can get a good home on that budget. Much of Circle C is not in the hilly area so the lots sizes can be big and not disrupted by hills that might exist in Great Hills (which is why I am not recommending Great Hills, though a fantastic family-friendly neighborhood with good schools). Many jobs are also becoming available in south Austin and when it comes to real estate it is really HOT even with Austin standards. This is just my opinion and other people may not think as highly of Circle C but I would say any family with flexibility of where home can be located and with your price range would be dumb not to at least give it some thought I have never lived anywhere near Circle C so I have no bias to 'come to my neighborhood' but then again I might not see the bad!

Sounds like a few neighborhoods that would NOT allow the camper/RV on the property. Never mind the whole HOA thing.

[jechala]

Thanks so much everyone for your suggestions! My answers to some of your questions:
-We either need 5 bedrooms, or 4 plus a room/space that can be converted into a guest-room/office. Can be a fixer-upper type house, my husband is very handy.
-No specific school district in mind, but we do want the best (elementary, middle, and HS).
-Don't want to be isolated, meaning we don't want to have to drive EVERYWHERE... park, library, etc. And we'd prefer to be in area where lots of other kids are.
-Understand about the jobs... we do plan to find at least one first (definitely before moving) but wanted to have ideas about the neighborhoods. In today's economy though (in our field) there are always layoffs, cuts, outsourcing etc. No such thing as job security. Might as well pick a good neighborhood first.
- Thanks, will look at the suggested threads.

Thanks again everyone! If you have additional comments, I'll be very grateful!

[janineg]

The Barrington Oaks area might be a good fit. No HOAs, nationally ranked high school, close to Spicewood Library and some shops (in a strip mall). Here's an example of a house in that area: 8300 Wexford, Austin, TX 78759 | MLS# 6317054 | Redfin