Why would you rather live in a house in a suburb than a house in a neighborhood of Austin of the same price?

[llkltk]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

In Austin, there was not the big "bubble" that many other areas of the country experienced. Consequently, we don't have so far to fall. So there's been softening - sales are down over the same time last year - but prices are up. (Yeah, odd, I know, but there it is.) At the moment, there are areas in Austin where it's a seller's market, and some areas where it's both a buyer's and a seller's market, depending on your price point.

So don't count on getting houses in the city or elsewhere in the area for "bargain basement prices" unless things get so bad overall that you won't be able to sell the house you currently own in the suburbs, never mind buy one in the city.

Yaaa, Texas Horse Lady, it was just a joke. But, don't be so optimistic. It could happen someday.

[jhwest]

I would totally rather live in Austin proper. But I have six kids and needed the most house for the money. So we ended up in Cedar Park. I've definitely lived in worse burbs than this.
I also have no handy skills (neither does my husband). So we need something that will not break down or need replacing.
Subdivisions really give me the willies, especially ones where the houses look quite similar (like mine). But I've come to realize that there is more to me than my zip code or choice of siding.

I've also realized that if you really want to be different, try having six kids. That'll make you stand out for sure.

[FromCalitoSteinerRanch]

For us the choice for Steiner was sealed when we simply saw all the kids and families. Plus, for us the schools are important, and even though our property taxes are $10K per year, the 3 Exemplary schools are close enough to private in quality. We also get the tax benefit of the property tax payments, and I think that private schooling payments would not receive the same tax treatment.

But when it really comes down to it, being a single income family, private school is not an option even if we wanted to.

[llkltk]

I know this could happen anywhere, but this is why I feel safer right where I am. Yikes.

statesman.com