Where to live when working downtown (Austin, Round Rock: real estate, renting, houses)

[msulinski]

I am contemplating a move to Austin. The office location is downtown. What are the typical ways people commute to downtown? Do most people drive, take a train, take a bus, etc?

I am also interested in the school district. The schools don't have to be the absolute best, but I would still like something decent. Based on my initial research, Westlake seems to have the best schools, but is probably out of my price range. Round Rock seemed good, as did Dripping Springs ISD, and Bowie High School (not sure what district this is in).

I would like to keep the commute around 30 min by car. I am looking for 4 bedrooms in a family neighborhood with some trees (so maybe new construction is out). My budget is around 550k.

Thanks

[centralaustinite]

There are many great high schools in Austin ISD! I am partial to McCallum but Anderson, Austin, Bowie, and LASA are all very strong.

Allandale would have been an easy recommendation several years ago but real estate prices are constantly rising in Austin.

[TheActualAnswers]

You could probably just find a house near the downtown area, since the city is old there should be older houses you could get with what your looking for, but due to me not wanting to push you anywhere, just look at Zillow and zoom out near the downtown area and see what you can find.

[Mimmyu]

You may want to look more along the rapid routes than the train route. That will open up south Austin to your search, and you wouldn't have to worry about the train being full or being outside of the service times.

[austin-steve]

Your budget will dictate the answers. But SW Austin, zips 78749, 78739, 78736, 78735 are a good place to start.

[10scoachrick]

Oddly enough, WHERE downtown is an important question to be answered. Can make a huge difference in commute ease/time from various areas.

[ashbeeigh]

What are some of the other things you want in your home? Big? Small? Historic? Suburban? Urban? Also it's worth renting for a bit before buying. I initially started in north Austin in the burbs and am now central and love it and am possibly moving south of the river to be near work in southwest Austin.

[msulinski]

Originally Posted by ashbeeigh

What are some of the other things you want in your home? Big? Small? Historic? Suburban? Urban? Also it's worth renting for a bit before buying. I initially started in north Austin in the burbs and am now central and love it and am possibly moving south of the river to be near work in southwest Austin.

I am looking for newer construction (preferably 2000 or newer), 4 bed, about 2800-3000 sq ft with a suburban setting. Based on the searching I have done so far, Circle C seems to work.

[msulinski]

Does anyone know how the parking is for the train stations, specifically Westgate Station, Southpark Meadows Station, Lakeline Station, and Tech Ridge? Coming from NJ, most train stations have a multi-year wait to park.

Also, how about the bus service? Is this a good way to commute? I am just concerned the bus gets stuck in the same traffic as the cars, and it takes forever.

Thanks

[Trainwreck20]

Originally Posted by msulinski

Also, how about the bus service? Is this a good way to commute? I am just concerned the bus gets stuck in the same traffic as the cars, and it takes forever.

Thanks

Bus service will depend on where you live, where you will be working, and what you tolerance for heat it. But it can be done; my brother has not owned a car in 30 years or so now, I guess, and gets around via bus. They are not quicker but are less stress than driving. Since you ask about schools - the issue with buses is more related to having to have a schedule adapted to the school hours and potential unforeseen reasons to have to go to the school during the day.

Depending on exactly where you will be downtown, SW Austin is my first thought. Prices have really gone up in the last few years, though, so it is much closer to your budget than it was just recently. You might also consider just north of CC - Villages of Western Oaks is ~2000 construction and a bit cheaper although typically around 2,400 sf as opposed to 2,800. I am sure there are some larger outliers, though. Commute gets longer very quickly as you head south (i.e. Meridian). All the schools in that are are good, although if you do go north of CC you might end up at Austin High as opposed to Bowie. That is not necessarily a bad thing if you are working downtown anyway.