Need info on a few cities (Austin, Burnet: food, best, locations)

[Aquitaine]

a 2 bdrm apt didn't seem all that much cheaper than renting a house.

Probably the apartments that are comparable in price are slightly smaller but also closer to "stuff."

You can rent a 3 bedroom house with a yard for $1500 -- but it'll be a very small one (like 1200 sq ft) and probably far South. The comparable 2 bedroom apartment will likely be in a newer complex with amenities...but an apartment. Just depends where you want the value to be.

[Independentthinking]

Pretty much finished touring Round Rock yesterday. Nice city. We'll be hitting Pflugerville in the next couple of hours. I'm not seeing a lot of current listings in Cedar Park, but have a decent enough list for Leander.

I found the traffic lights interesting (nearly shot right through a red within the first 5 minutes of driving). I'm used to vertical lighting so was thrown off by the horizontal lighting.

Also, thought it was funny how Waze just didn't want me to get on I35. It was like it was screaming at me...TAKE FRONTAGE ROAD!, TAKE FRONTAGE ROAD! Now I get what all the talk is about the interstate. It gets just a tad busy at times.

Another question is how clearly marked are the toll roads (in other words, would someone absolutely know if they were entering one and being charged tolls)?

We went to a place called Baby Acapulco's last night and are going to try Black's Barbeque tonight.

Got a good Tex-Mex place for tomorrow night to suggest?

Also, the Mrs. thought the apartment suggestion was a good one, so looks like we may check at least a couple out. I think we're both finding that perhaps a town home might be a good compromise.

We're actually not used to so much space as our house in the Bay Area is a whopping 1070sf, lol.

Thank you all for the suggestions so far. Nice to see so many helpful people.

[JT-3]

Depends on where you will be tomorrow? Check out Chuy's. Jack Allen's Kitchen is always tasty, not TexMex but local to here with a few locations.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by JT-3

Depends on where you will be tomorrow? Check out Chuy's. Jack Allen's Kitchen is always tasty, not TexMex but local to here with a few locations.

Jack Allen's will be packed for Sunday brunch; but worth the hassle, IMO. Same for Chuy's at lunch time...any location(well, except for the hassle part...get there at opening bell if you don't want to wait). You asked specifically about 'night', so that info may be of little help

Really does depend on your starting point.

You may or may not notice that the Leander, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park "boundaries" are pretty darned fuzzy, especially as their ETJs bump together...you may not have any idea you're leaving one and entering the other, depending on your location. Take a look at Ronald Reagan Pkwy to get an idea of what I mean. Zoom WAY out to see the puzzle, then zoom in on your specific area...
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[JH6]

Rent for 6 months to a year to figure out where you want to live.

Learn where the ghetto is and where it is not.

Also learn what you want to be close to for recreation, shopping, etc.

We live in Round Rock and it has grown quite a bit, and the city does a lot for residents.

I wouldn't rush into buying a house only to find out its too far of a drive to work, and the area is a little seedy, plus you don't like where it is.

[Independentthinking]

Originally Posted by JH6

Rent for 6 months to a year to figure out where you want to live.

Learn where the ghetto is and where it is not.

Also learn what you want to be close to for recreation, shopping, etc.

We live in Round Rock and it has grown quite a bit, and the city does a lot for residents.

I wouldn't rush into buying a house only to find out its too far of a drive to work, and the area is a little seedy, plus you don't like where it is.

Yep, exactly our intentions. Thanks!

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by Independentthinking

Pretty much finished touring Round Rock yesterday. Nice city. We'll be hitting Pflugerville in the next couple of hours. I'm not seeing a lot of current listings in Cedar Park, but have a decent enough list for Leander.

I found the traffic lights interesting (nearly shot right through a red within the first 5 minutes of driving). I'm used to vertical lighting so was thrown off by the horizontal lighting.

Also, thought it was funny how Waze just didn't want me to get on I35. It was like it was screaming at me...TAKE FRONTAGE ROAD!, TAKE FRONTAGE ROAD! Now I get what all the talk is about the interstate. It gets just a tad busy at times.

Another question is how clearly marked are the toll roads (in other words, would someone absolutely know if they were entering one and being charged tolls)?

We went to a place called Baby Acapulco's last night and are going to try Black's Barbeque tonight.

Got a good Tex-Mex place for tomorrow night to suggest?

Also, the Mrs. thought the apartment suggestion was a good one, so looks like we may check at least a couple out. I think we're both finding that perhaps a town home might be a good compromise.

We're actually not used to so much space as our house in the Bay Area is a whopping 1070sf, lol.

Thank you all for the suggestions so far. Nice to see so many helpful people.

Well, I can't get past their Interior Mexican side of the menu, but Azul Tequila is the place I take clients when they are on the fence about whether or not to move here and friends who CAN get to the TexMex side seems to enjoy it just as much. So far it always seems to do the trick of convincing them to do so. I tend to go to the original at Ben White and South Lamar, but have enjoyed the "new" one on Dry Creek Drive just as much.

[Austin97]

chuys is an austin staple. A lot of locals poo poo it, but their food is consistently good.

We have been going to el dorado cafe which is new and good.

[eirenecat]

I hate Chuy's food, but their drinks are good. (Well, that's not true. I like their Baja shrimp tacos but that is it.) I like Maudie's a lot more, and Trudy's food also--and Trudy's drinks are amazing.

[Austinite76]

Originally Posted by eirenecat

I hate Chuy's food, but their drinks are good. (Well, that's not true. I like their Baja shrimp tacos but that is it.) I like Maudie's a lot more, and Trudy's food also--and Trudy's drinks are amazing.

That's funny. I've never been a fan of Trudy's food, and really enjoy Chuy's (Hatch enchiladas for the win for me) - different strokes! Both do have the best Mexican Martinis.

Since OP is north side, I'd probably lean Chuys on I35, or Trudys North Star.