Dripping Springs (Austin, Round Rock, Kerrville: home, neighborhoods, buying)

[jennwithtwins+1]

I'm really interested in checking out the Dripping Springs area. Does anyone live in this area? Do you like it? How far of a drive is it to downtown Austin? Are their neighborhoods that are closer to downtown than others? I've read that Belterra and Highpointe are nice, is this true? Are the schools good? Any info would be helpful, thanks!

[jobert]

The drive into downtown Austin is not worth it in my opinion - you would be better off in Oak Hill. DS is out in the country and was never really intended to be a bedroom community to Austin, much like Lakeway or Lago Vista. If you are working a 9-5 downtown, be prepared to spend 2-3 hours/day in traffic. A lot of people move to "Austin" with the intention of living in the hill country no matter what, but don't have realistic expectations about price, reasonable location, or traffic. FWIW middle class anglos in Austin have an enormous capacity for sitting in endless traffic, and DS will continue to grow in the future as a result.

Apologies for the cynicism, but white flight is the main driver of sprawl in this direction - the further west you go on 290, the whiter and more elderly the demographics become until you reach Fredericksburg, which is practically one giant nursing home.

[hoffdano]

I think that is a bit harsh. An interesting demographic pattern shown by the last census is that Austin minorities are moving to the suburbs. Most of the movement the last decade has been toward Round Rock, Plugerville, etc.. And the underlying theory is that these people want good schools and a home they can afford. I see no reason this wouldn't happen in southwest and western parts of Austin (including Hays county) over time too.

It is 27 miles from RR12 and 290 to UT. Not sure how long that would take in rush hour. I drive that distance from Spicewood to the Arboretum and it ranges from 40-50 mins most days.

Dripping Springs schools are good. We know a number of families that live in DS and they are very happy with the schools - and these are well educated families that have high expectations for their kids.

[jobert]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

I think that is a bit harsh.

Apologies for the tangent, and unfairly characterizing Fredericksburg. The other communities I mentioned, like Lakeway and Lago Vista are great for families and those who work in the immediate area.

Traffic into Austin from western Travis County on 71 and 290 is the issue, as it's really bad and is only getting worse (at the 'Y' especially), and endorsing a move to Dripping Springs for someone who plans on working in downtown Austin, is something I have reservations about.

When one looks at a map of Austin, and sees a thick line with "290" inscribed on it, they think it's a true "highway" when it really isn't, so it's misleading. When one travels west of the Y, they will find these roads don't have overpasses, on ramps, and are no larger than city streets with stoplights removed in certain places. The only place that 71 is a true "highway" is when it's known as "Ben White" between Montopolis and Mopac, it turns into a two lane country roads with stoplights outside these two boundaries.

[tidak-apa]

Dripping springs is a beautiful town, but like what has already been mentioned, the drive into downtown is going to take a lonnnng time during work hours. As a recent former high school student I would say that most of the public schools around here are not great, unless you think having all the sport coaches also as the class room teachers is educational.

Staying in Austin would be the best bet unless you really want to live somewhat out in the country, for being close to the city

[gpurcell]

From Dripping Springs you can take the back way through Driftwood to MOPAC. That's way better than dealing with the Y.

[BitViper]

Originally Posted by jobert

... but white flight is the main driver of sprawl in this direction - ....

Oh.. then they're gonna love me when I move in.... Eveybody.... move one town West.. Here comes BitViper!

ETA... two months!

[ScoPro]

Originally Posted by jobert

The drive into downtown Austin is not worth it in my opinion - you would be better off in Oak Hill. DS is out in the country and was never really intended to be a bedroom community to Austin, much like Lakeway or Lago Vista. If you are working a 9-5 downtown, be prepared to spend 2-3 hours/day in traffic. A lot of people move to "Austin" with the intention of living in the hill country no matter what, but don't have realistic expectations about price, reasonable location, or traffic. FWIW middle class anglos in Austin have an enormous capacity for sitting in endless traffic, and DS will continue to grow in the future as a result.

Apologies for the cynicism, but white flight is the main driver of sprawl in this direction - the further west you go on 290, the whiter and more elderly the demographics become until you reach Fredericksburg, which is practically one giant nursing home.

Black flight is contributing greatly to sprawl in Pflugerville & Round Rock...thanks to the overpriced gentrification of East Austin which is pushing them out of their once affordable housing.

[die Eichkatze]

Originally Posted by jobert

Apologies for the cynicism, but white flight is the main driver of sprawl in this direction - the further west you go on 290, the whiter and more elderly the demographics become until you reach Fredericksburg, which is practically one giant nursing home.

No need to apologize, fairly accurate statement. I was raised there and my family helped settle the area....Kerrville is the same way.
I love my hometown, but I hardly recognize anyone now since people (mainly older) starting flooding the area in the 90's.

To the OP: If you are working downtown, I would advise against this move, that drive will wear you down. For some reason they love to put traffic lights on a major highway which only adds to the frustration. As more development takes place between the "y" and DS, it will only get worse, and then you still have to deal with MoPac.
Schools are good, but you can find the same quality closer to Austin.
If your heart is set on DS, then I would advise you to test out the morning drive before buying (do it after school starts back up and normal traffic conditions return).

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by ScoPro

Black flight is contributing greatly to sprawl in Pflugerville & Round Rock...thanks to the overpriced gentrification of East Austin which is pushing them out of their once affordable housing.

It isn't just the cost of housing. It's the schools.