Round Rock Relocation Questions (Austin, Georgetown: section 8, to rent, low crime) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

BaxterBrown · 08-22-2015, 09:56 AM

Hi everyone,

My husband may be getting a job soon in Austin, and we are very quickly trying to figure out the area. We plan to rent at first, but can anyone tell me how bad the commute really is from Round Rock to Austin? Google maps is showing like a 13 mile drive. His work location looks to be right off of 183 and is between 1 and I35. I'm sorry I'm not familiar with the city yet, but on the map I would say his office is N Austin west of I35. In Maryland, where we live now, 13 miles could take 20-45 min.

Also, are there any alternate routes out of the city when traffic is backed up, or are you stuck on a highway?

We have heard good things about Round Rock in terms of raising a family, we have a 9 month old, so school choice is a huge deciding factor. Are the schools in Round Rock good? Are they safe? We like suburban living. Are there any other good suburban areas with less commute times? By good, I mean low crime and good schools, decent housing prices (250-350k), and the area isn't declining because of urban sprawl. Is section 8 housing a big thing in the area? We have watched our neighborhoods deteriorate in Maryland because of section 8, crime increases, schools tank, and businesses shut down.

I've read that it is hard to find a job around Austin. My husband would have a job before we left, but I would need to look. I'm an accountant with about 10 years of experience and have my CPA and an MBA, is there hope to find something? I keep reading that all the jobs are going to recent grads. I'm worried about being unemployed. I know I need to see what happens, but I just want to know in general, is it possible to find an accounting job in the area? Industry accounting, not public.

Thank you in advance.

scm53 · 08-22-2015, 02:46 PM

You won't have a problem finding a nice 3/2 house in the upper end of your price range, that tracks to great schools. One place to look would be in Avery Ranch. Will leave it to the experts here in the RR area to narrow it down.

Drive at peak times should be around 30 minutes, max, from Avery Ranch, for example.

With you quals, you shouldn't have a problem finding a job, especially if you can be patient. I know this seems like a big step, but you are in better shape than most that come here. Have faith!

BaxterBrown · 08-22-2015, 07:33 PM

Thank you very much for the reply scm! We will check out Avery Ranch. 30 minute commute is fine, really up to an hour is doable. We are used to it. The move is exciting, but it is scary leaving a job without one, even if my husband is working. I feel safer with both of us working. Thanks for the support!

COCUE · 08-23-2015, 08:41 AM

I 2nd the Avery Ranch recommendation. We live there and really like it so far. Both hubby and I commute to locations near your husband and totally doable in 30 minutes or less during peak times. We do it every day separately

spchtx · 08-23-2015, 10:24 AM

We just moved here from Ca. I will be working off of 183, and we have moved to Cedar Park closer to 1431 and Ronald Regan/Parmer. It will take me about 20 minutes to get to work from where we are living.

So far we're very happy with where we have chosen to live, after extensively searching all over the North part of Austin and it's suburbs. We don't start school til Monday, and I will have an elementary kiddo and a middle schooler. We have been really impressed with our school interactions so far, and everyone we talk to has good things to say about the schools here. Cedar Park is part of Leander ISD. Cedar Park is also just north of Avery Ranch. So close that I still haven't quite figured out where one ends and the other begins. :-)

Can't help you on the CPA job info, but I will tell you that my husband has found a lot of networking groups in his area of work. (Project Manager/Business Analyst) It seems like a very common thing here, and he's also been to several more "general" networking events, and gotten some good leads through those. Feel free to message me if you want.

10scoachrick · 08-23-2015, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spchtx

Cedar Park is part of Leander ISD. Cedar Park is also just north of Avery Ranch. So close that I still haven't quite figured out where one ends and the other begins. :-)
.

Pretty much the dividing line between Austin and Cedar Park in the Avery Ranch (a neighborhood) area is Brushy Creek(the actual creek). When you cross the bridge on Parmer with Brushy Creek Lake(the lake) to the east, that is the border(going from 65mph in Cedar Park to a hands-free 60mph in Austin). I do find it odd that we have no "Welcome to Austin---Population changing daily" signs along Parmer or 183, two of the main points of entry to the city up here in the northlands.

There is probably some point near 1431 and Ronald Reagan/Parmer(officially 734) where a tall ladder would allow you to see Leander, Georgetown, Austin, Cedar Park and Round Rock...all within spittin' distance

.

Welcome!

By the bye, Avery Ranch is divided between LeanderISD and Round RockISD, even though no part of Avery Ranch falls into either of those cities...Avery Ranch is totally within the city limits of Austin.

Just a little somethin' to keep folks on their toes!

spchtx · 08-23-2015, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

Pretty much the dividing line between Austin and Cedar Park in the Avery Ranch (a neighborhood) area is Brushy Creek(the actual creek). When you cross the bridge on Parmer with Brushy Creek Lake(the lake) to the east, that is the border(going from 65mph in Cedar Park to a hands-free 60mph in Austin). I do find it odd that we have no "Welcome to Austin---Population changing daily" signs along Parmer or 183, two of the main points of entry to the city up here in the northlands.

There is probably some point near 1431 and Ronald Reagan/Parmer(officially 734) where a tall ladder would allow you to see Leander, Georgetown, Austin, Cedar Park and Round Rock...all within spittin' distance

.

Welcome!

By the bye, Avery Ranch is divided between LeanderISD and Round RockISD, even though no part of Avery Ranch falls into either of those cities...Avery Ranch is totally within the city limits of Austin.

Just a little somethin' to keep folks on their toes!

Thank you! I love this site for the many things I learn.

BaxterBrown · 08-25-2015, 10:29 AM

Thanks everyone for the info. I appreciate it. spchtx - hope back to school went well for your kids!

spchtx · 08-26-2015, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaxterBrown

Thanks everyone for the info. I appreciate it. spchtx - hope back to school went well for your kids!

Thanks! It went very well. My youngest has had issues with school, and she has had the "I hate school" attitude, since first grade. For the first time, she is actually enjoying going to school. (Well at least for 2 days now.)

hound 109 · 08-26-2015, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spchtx

We just moved here from Ca. I will be working off of 183, and we have moved to Cedar Park closer to 1431 and Ronald Regan/Parmer. It will take me about 20 minutes to get to work from where we are living.
....

From 1431 & Parmer it will take 20 min. just to get to Lakeline Mall (during rush hour, during the school year). The OP has a job on 183 (between mopac and I 35). For the OP, the commute would be an hour from 1431/Parmer & 45 - 50 min. from Avery.

Avery and the area mentioned above are good areas. But there are also good areas with a shorter commute for the OP (& some with better school tracks).

I'd be looking at neighborhoods in Pville, neighborhoods south of 620 that funnel to McNeil HS, possibly even central & eastern RR that funnel to Cedar Ridge HS....and of course neighborhoods that feed into WWood HS.