Moving to Austin Texas from Syracuse (Round Rock, Georgetown: day care, new house, neighborhoods)

[hound 109]

Originally Posted by SUorange

I believe it's around Ranch Rd - the address actually has Austin as the town.

Ranch Road What ?

(& what is the nearest Cross Street?)

If schools are important, then print off the School Track(Feeder Pattern) Maps for Leander ISD & for Round Rock ISD. (& depending on where hubby's job is located...possibly Georgtown ISD and Liberty Hill ISD).

Know these Feeder Pattern Maps as well as (or better than) maps with cities.

But tell us hubby's work location (nearby cross streets).

[SUorange]

That is the road that his work is on Ranch Road 620

[mesmer]

Originally Posted by SUorange

That is the road that his work is on Ranch Road 620

That's both a road and a highway. People are asking for the cross street because that road is 23 miles long, and while we can guess generally what part of 620 he might be working near, a cross street is much more useful for advice purposes. It's equivalent to saying he works right off of 690.

[austinnerd]

SUOrange, the reason why hound109 asked "Ranch Road What?" is that there are tons of roads here that start "Ranch Road XXX".

There is a small neighborhood that is bordered by 620 to the north, 183 to the east and Anderson Mill Road to the south that is technically in the City of Austin (though in Williamson County) and feeds into Westwood High School (one of the higher ranked schools in the area, you'd be in the Round Rock ISD) that you might be able to find houses in your price range (high end). Caveats:

- there is a reason why the houses are cheaper there while being surrounded by far more expensive homes, your dollar is not going to buy you something as nice as it would say in Leander.
- the feeder elementary (Anderson Mill) isn't as highly rated but the middle school is good (Grisham)
- you used to be able to find houses there under $200K pretty regularly, looks like $250K is now at the lower end so you may have to stretch a bit.

But if your hubby is working off of 620 then you'd be very close. You just need to decide if the proximity and the schools would be worth the downgrade in actual house.

[SUorange]

CO 183 looks to be near it....not sure if that helps

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by SUorange

Hello -
My family will be relocating from Syracuse to Austin TX at the end of June.
My husband will be working in the Cedar Park area.
There are many locations that we have been looking at online, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander.

My questions are:
which one is the best to raise a family, 8 and 4 year old, I need great school. Not just elementary- but middle and HS as well.
Is there an area to avoid? - known for drugs and crime
Any recommendations on Pre-School? Looking at Primrose school?

Is there such a neighborhood where I can get kids playing and running all around-grocery stores nearby, schools close enough to get to in case of an emergency?

I also see that you guys have toll road. We have a toll road it's our thru way we jump on it for distance travel is that the same for you guys? or is this a road that we will take on our daily travels?

Please give me all the information that you have, we get 7 days to look at houses but if I can narrow locations down then it will be helpful!

Thank you to everyone in advance

how many square feet, what age, bedrooms etc.

Personally I think people should move as close to austin as they can afford. If they are in one of the outlying cities they can always reverse commute. But living closer gives you much more flexibility to future jobs incase there is a job switch.

If you are ok with around 2000 sq ft, then the anderson mill area could be a good area. It feeds into one of the best school chains into the entire area (grisham->westwood). But those schools might be too competitive as there are a lot of asians. The plus side of anderson mill, is that if the job changes to austin, there are many decent commutes.

[10scoachrick]

Actually, a townhouse in Avery Ranch can be purchased in that range. LISD schools and a pretty easy commute to 620/183(actually a dream commute for many) Access to four soon to be five pools/play areas in the area. Downside is HOA fees that mean you don't do any landscaping but pay dearly for that. I know this because we live in one of them. $5.5k in property tax has got us looking again(and that's HALF of what we paid when in the big Texas house!!!). Gotta shop carefully if you need any room, however. Our Overlook condo is ~2300 sq ft with bonus sized two car garage...they aren't building them like that any more!

[FalconheadWest]

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

Actually, a townhouse in Avery Ranch can be purchased in that range.

You mean the townhouses that are under litigation and can't get lender approval because of it? Must be a cash buyer... (though the lawsuits might be done, but last I heard a couple of months ago they weren't)

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by FalconheadWest

You mean the townhouses that are under litigation and can't get lender approval because of it? Must be a cash buyer... (though the lawsuits might be done, but last I heard a couple of months ago they weren't)

No idea of what you speak...our townhomes don't usually last past the first open house.

[FalconheadWest]

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

No idea of what you speak...our townhomes don't usually last past the first open house.

Here is marketing for the Commons at Avery Ranch Condos from an agent who had one listed recently:
"....cash is preferred (although XXX can do the loan with enough cash down). The HOA is suing the developer over some workmanship issues. I have every doc from the suit to send you and your client. We've been under contract 3 times and fallen through for financing. GAH! Even past inspection and buyer asked for nothing. BRING ME A BUYER!!"