Wooten Park N. Austin (Anderson: apartment complexes, houses, transfer)

[timtemtym]

Years ago I got my start in Austin at a small elementary school in the Wooten area (just south of 183 west of Lamar along Anderson Ln). It served the small neighborhood, some very run down multi family units, and a trailer park that housed families in old, broken RVs.

How is this area now? Home values were affordable back then (mid-late 90's). I always thought the area would make a huge comeback as areas south were already getting pricy. Did it make a comeback? Is there new development in the area? I haven't been back in years to look at it.

[centralaustinite]

No new developments (it is pretty much fully built out), but home values have definitely risen, still values are relatively low to surrounding areas because the school still isn't that good. The area around Pillow ES has really exploded (Pillow has been an exemplary school for about decade) and as people can't afford Pillow or Allandale or Brentwood, this area will transformed. Hasn't fully happened yet. You can still find reasonable prices and if you are looking for appreciation over the next 10 years, it will happen here.

[A-Tex]

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

No new developments (it is pretty much fully built out), but home values have definitely risen, still values are relatively low to surrounding areas because the school still isn't that good. The area around Pillow ES has really exploded (Pillow has been an exemplary school for about decade) and as people can't afford Pillow or Allandale or Brentwood, this area will transformed. Hasn't fully happened yet. You can still find reasonable prices and if you are looking for appreciation over the next 10 years, it will happen here.

It's not just the elementary that's an issue though. It's the whole track --- including the middle and high schools which are among the worst in Austin. Although prices are definitely on the rise (an acquaintance recently sold a large but unremodeled home there at the $300K mark), it's lagging behind due to the school issues and some pretty rough old apartment complexes.

[timtemtym]

Originally Posted by A-Tex

It's not just the elementary that's an issue though. It's the whole track --- including the middle and high schools which are among the worst in Austin. Although prices are definitely on the rise (an acquaintance recently sold a large but unremodeled home there at the $300K mark), it's lagging behind due to the school issues and some pretty rough old apartment complexes.

It also serves a housing project just up Lamar on the other side of 183. Unless they have changed the zone there. Very few of the kids there lived in the houses around there. I knew a lot of the families got transfers to schools south and west of there. Pillow has always been a great school. I remember when the principal there lost her battle with cancer. I also knew the principal who took over from her, very awesome lady as well. But, we always thought that when the homes went up in value the parents might start bringing in their kids which would shift the zone. Until that happens (assuming it hasn't), the school will be a place that serves for remedial instruction for kids who show up with lower levels. Sad but true... That's how schools go. If parents who put a lot of prep work into their kids' learning send their kids elsewhere, the school will not get better. But no one wants to make their kids the pioneers.. and rightfully so...

[ImOnFiya]

Originally Posted by timtemtym

It also serves a housing project just up Lamar on the other side of 183. Unless they have changed the zone there. Very few of the kids there lived in the houses around there. I knew a lot of the families got transfers to schools south and west of there. Pillow has always been a great school. I remember when the principal there lost her battle with cancer. I also knew the principal who took over from her, very awesome lady as well. But, we always thought that when the homes went up in value the parents might start bringing in their kids which would shift the zone. Until that happens (assuming it hasn't), the school will be a place that serves for remedial instruction for kids who show up with lower levels. Sad but true... That's how schools go. If parents who put a lot of prep work into their kids' learning send their kids elsewhere, the school will not get better. But no one wants to make their kids the pioneers.. and rightfully so...

Again, who are these "pioneers"? Of what exactly, when there are already people there?

[timtemtym]

Originally Posted by ImOnFiya

Again, who are these "pioneers"? Of what exactly, when there are already people there?

That would be pioneer in the sense of sending your student who probably grew up with books and literacy and math skills in to a school that is seen as lower performing. Not pioneers into the neighborhood which is already pretty well occupied.

[RoadWarrior12]

Originally Posted by ImOnFiya

Again, who are these "pioneers"? Of what exactly, when there are already people there?

Pioneering actually caring about education and the parent's and community's role in pursuing this.