Commute to downtown from Great Hills vs Jester - what's worse? (Austin: 2014, attorney)

[eirenecat]

We are considering both Great Hills and Jester as potential areas to move. I'm a software engineer and work near the Arboretum (likely to stay in this area even if I changed jobs as many tech positions are up here) and my husband is an attorney. What's the commute like these days in 2014 for folks having to drive to downtown courthouse-area from either Jester or Great Hills in the morning? My husband is usually leaving around 8.30 AM or so. I've seen threads from the past about this but they are old enough as to perhaps not be relevant with the new influx of traffic.

[RoadWarrior12]

They're both pretty crappy. I'd maybe give Great Hills a small advantage, but it wouldn't be a significant enough difference to sway one way or the other.

Better hope court doesn't start until 9:30, if he's planning on leaving at 8:30.

[Austin97]

I think great hills is better. But it can depend on where in great hills. Some parts feed into bluffstone and you can cross 360 to take spicewood springs to mopac. The bluffstone light is slow though. Other parts along yaupon let you go under 360 (or if you wait at the light everyone turning left can go so you dont have to wait multiple cycles). Yet other parts might require you to get on 183 to mopac.

I dont do rush hour, but the times Ive had to do it I allot about 30 minutes. Possibly 40 if you get hosed on mopac. 10 minutes to get to mopac and spicewood springs, 20 minutes to get downtown. Jester is probably similar except you drive 2222 which I think is quite bad.

If you can afford jester/great hills you might look at northwest hills.

[riaelise]

I don't live in the Jester or Great Hills areas, but I used to live not far from either and commuting to downtown on 183/mopac/35 is a PITA. I'm in a similar situation as you and your spouse, I work downtown and have to deal with the courthouse a lot and my commute is 40 minutes. But that's ok, because I like where I live and my husband works at the Riata office complex.

If you find a home that you really like in either areas, I'd say go for it.

[winkosmosis]

Originally Posted by riaelise

I don't live in the Jester or Great Hills areas, but I used to live not far from either and commuting to downtown on 183/mopac/35 is a PITA. I'm in a similar situation as you and your spouse, I work downtown and have to deal with the courthouse a lot and my commute is 40 minutes. But that's ok, because I like where I live and my husband works at the Riata office complex.

If you find a home that you really like in either areas, I'd say go for it.

Where do you live?

[LiveUrban]

You can park at a station and take a train into downtown from the areas your looking at:

http://www.capmetro.org/metrorail/

[A-Tex]

Originally Posted by LiveUrban

You can park at a station and take a train into downtown from the areas your looking at:

Riding MetroRail - Capital Metro - Austin Public Transit

What are you talking about? There isn't a train that runs remotely close to either Jester or Great Hills.

OP, although I think mileage wise Jester is closer, I think GH has less agonizing traffic if you can get out via Yaupon to Old Spicewood Springs then under 360 or Raincreek to Bluebonnet then across 360 to Spicewood Springs. 2222 is just the devil during rush hours.

[LiveUrban]

Originally Posted by A-Tex

What are you talking about? There isn't a train that runs remotely close to either Jester or Great Hills.

OP, although I think mileage wise Jester is closer, I think GH has less agonizing traffic if you can get out via Yaupon to Old Spicewood Springs then under 360 or Raincreek to Bluebonnet then across 360 to Spicewood Springs. 2222 is just the devil during rush hours.

Yes there is. Great Hills is about 5 minutes away from Kramer Station.

Drive to the station, park, then take a train into downtown without having to deal with traffic or parking

[A-Tex]

Originally Posted by LiveUrban

Yes there is. Great Hills is about 5 minutes away from Kramer Station.

Drive to the station, park, then take a train into downtown without having to deal with traffic or parking

Kramer and Braker is nowhere near a five minute drive from Great Hills in the morning or evening. And to suggest that it's even an option for the other area they're looking at - Jester - is pure comedy.

[scm53]

Originally Posted by LiveUrban

Yes there is. Great Hills is about 5 minutes away from Kramer Station.

Drive to the station, park, then take a train into downtown without having to deal with traffic or parking

Would work great. Except that there is no on site parking at the Kramer station.