Cedar Creek Area? (Austin, Elgin, Bastrop: for sale, house, buyer)

[vtcowgirl]

Hi everyone,

I've been browsing around different options for myself in the areas around austin, buy land and build? renovate a fixer-upper? (i have to admit, i'm kind of addicted to hands on renovating, but it might be nice not to live in a construction zone for the first time in a long time, my daughter has NEVER lived in a house that i wasn't moving a wall or tearing out a kitchen or bath) OR find a fairly young home i don't have to do anything to? (but then it won't feel like "me.")

I see a lot of different homes and land that fall into all of the above categories in the Cedar Creek area near Bastrop. What's the scoop on this area? Seems there's much for sale. The commute seems a fairly reasonable distance, and the land looks decent, there are some very affordable prices, is it considered a less than stellar area?

thanks for any input. (and why can't i make my heading bold?)

vtcowgirl

[johnrex62]

I don't live in Cedar Creek, but am nearby on the north side of the river. There are a lot of myths about living on the east side of IH35 that might be true about being close to downtown Austin, but get generalized to the whole area out to Bastrop.

It is a more rural area and not part of a town with a good history of support services. Cedar Creek is a newer community (compared to Bastrop, Smithville, Austin) and it's growth is very recent as well. We do not have a track record on how it will hold up or be managed. This makes some hesitant to invest.

The myths on crime, demographics, property values and resale demand also hurt the general area. I cannot see that most of these myths are true and none of them anywhere near the extent the myths portray.

I am quite happy with my property near Webberville, and would have no problems personally purchasing property in the Cedar Creek area. Just be aware that it does not hold the prestige of the areas west of IH35 and does suffer from an inferiority complex. This will change over time, but you may have to be patient.

[TexasHorseLady]

As said, it's more rural. I've been showing a buyer some properties out there (his daughter and family live near Webberville and he wants to live close by) and we've found some very nice places. There should be horse-suitable properties out that way, as well. It's a little more of a "horsey" area up towards Elgin, but you'll find plenty of sympatico people down Cedar Creek way, too.

[vtcowgirl]

thanks for the replies. it really helps to get feedback from those who live there.

i currently live in an area with an inferiority complex, but it is THE most gorgeous area in southern vermont! go figure. it's rural, no "amenities" to speak of.

i'm drawn to the east side of I35 for some reason. as i don't really have any pre-conceived notions about areas around austin. bastrop, smithville, mcdade, la grange. i like that it's green and rolling and more like the farm land i'm used to.

at least i've narrowed my search down to only a few areas!!!