Austin or San Antonio? Please Help me! (Houston, Round Rock: low crime, how much)

[djlora]

I currently live in Denver and want to move to Texas because I have "dry eye syndrome" and need more humid conditions; and as you know Colorado is very dry. I have an entertainment company (Club dj, Mobile dj, Audio Rental, Private parties, Audio production) and as much as I hate to leave my current clients I need to relocate. I have done some research on both Austin and SA but I need help deciding which one would be better for me, my wife and my son (27, 24 and 3 yrs old) Please help me decide...

- I need to continue my business, my main market is the Latin community but I do Hip-Hop night clubs so can you guys tell me what city out of the two has a bigger night life.
- I'm not so worried about schools since my son will be going to a private school, but can somebody recommend a good neighborhood in Austin and SA... Upper Middle Class, decent water quality, low crime so I can start looking for a home on MLS.
- My wife also has her own business (cleaning company) is there oportunity for her to continue her business in Austin or SA???
-Does anyone know how much in property taxes I would have to pay, let's say for a $175,000 to $250,000 home?

I can't think of anything else right now, but I would really apreciate your help on this one.

[adtobias]

sa is more family friendly but austin has a better youngee night life

[achtungpv]

if you cater to the hispanic market, then SA is the obvious choice.

[atxcio]

Property taxes will be about 2.5-3% in either place, so figure $5500 or so with homestead exemption. In reality, there is variation among appraisal districts on how close they will value your house to actual market value. Houston seems to lag pretty far behind current market value, which is a good thing... Austin (Travis CAD at least), on the other hand, is pretty aggressive in keeping up with market values. Sometimes even surpassing what you could sell the home for. So it is more expensive on both the initial cost, and the recurring property tax cost. I don't know how aggresive the Bexar CAD (San Antonio) is.

In SA you will get more for your money, and more latin culture. Don't know about hip-hop, but I'd suspect that might be bigger in SA too. The cleaning company would probably do well in either place, maybe a little better in Austin. But overall, sounds like SA might be your place.

[austin2003]

djlora,

We moved from Evergreen, CO to Austin in 2003--and LOVE Austin. Colorado was all about the outdoors, and Austin is the only city in Texas that has a similar lifestyle. It's a very casual city and the mix of people keeps it interesting. There is something for everyone here! It is very much like Boulder as far as culture. I recommend Eanes ISD for schools (good as any private school for elem, middle and high school) and the west side of town. The move from Colorado was a very easy one to Austin!

[hound 109]

Private School for kid & your business catering to the dynamic & growing hispanic community & it's music?.....slam dunk for SA.

Since schools are not so much an issue, i'd look at some of the neat older neighborhoods inside loop 410 north or west of downtown. (or along 410 north).

[brattpowered]

Originally Posted by djlora

I need to continue my business, my main market is the Latin community

San Antonio

[domino_1]

San Antonio has a more active hip hispanic community; but Austin has a more active night life with hispanic community and not many nice clubs for hispanics. The latin scene is also big with the non-hispanics in Austin. it is a real cultural scene. I don't suggest living in Austin though. Thrall school district is wonderful. Since getting married, my husband and I have had our kids in the Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville and Thrall school districts. Pflugerville was the best for a larger city school. Thrall is the absolute best by far. There is also a very large and active community in Taylor, right next to Thrall. You would be in the country and about 35 to 40 minutes from downtown Austin. We also have lower property taxes and more space.