What do you do for fun in Leander/Cedar Park? (Austin: 2014, move to)

[blakesq]

I remember telling my dad I was bored once, thereafter he gave chores to do for the rest of the day, I didn't say I was bored to him anymore.


[quote=JLO;9009069]

Originally Posted by JLO

As for being bored ... that word is forbidden in my house. If you're bored in my opinion then you must be boring (that's what I tell my kids). Here, it's all about family, sporting events (my kids play lacrosse and soccer, basketball and swim). If you have a one and four year old, chances are you haven't been bored for quite some time.

One more thing ... if you read the entire passage, you would clearly see that my comment about boredom was intended in humor at the original poster. Clearly (from your post which I now read), you have no children.

[texastea]

Hey. We live in Leander and I wanted to give you a snapshot of what we do up here in remote "south Dallas." (haha). We go to the blues concerts and movies in the park and Libertyfest, street festivals, dances and parades "downtown." Most Leander events are pretty well done, and more accessible than Austin events. And its fun to see people you know. Your kids can go off with their friends and you don't have to worry. Very small town feel but smartly executed...like AC'd chartered buses to and from Libertyfest.

Way Off Broadway Players and school events like high school musicals, concerts and dance team events provide affordable and close-in entertainment. I've invited neighbors to my kid's middle school dance team event and they showed up to support it. We love going to the high school football and baseball games. We go kayaking at Brushy Creek Park and hiking in the San Gabriel. Alamo Drafthouse is 10 minutes from our house and we meet our friends there on a regular basis. Our favorite place for mexican food and margaritas is Jardin del Ray in Leander. Not many chain restaurants in Leander city limits, but plenty 5 minutes away in Cedar Park. We just got our 1st Starbucks, but I usually go to Austin Java across the street. For pizza, we like Saccones. But there's also AJ's, opened by a family from New York.

Actually, going into Austin is not that big of a deal. I just took an SUV load of kids to lasertag in south Austin because that's what they wanted to do, and that's what kid-centric mom's do.

[cre8tiveink]

I lived in Cedar Park for 5 years and have just moved to Leander...I have 3 kids and we all love it. The neighbors are great..everyone here is VERY friendly! Good luck :-)

[DORAEMON4ever]

Originally Posted by woodinvilleguy

You realize the you can throw a rock from Cedar park to Austin, right?

Thank you for saying this!! I understand if people are debating between Elgin and Austin. I mean seriously it is just a hop from Cedar Park/ Leander to Austin.

[BrooklynNativeTexan]

Hi, folks, just wanted to chime in as the person who started this thread way back when. We have moved, and ended up in Liberty Hill -- even farther out than Leander/Cedar Park. We've only been here since September, but there is certainly plenty enough to do -- especially when you consider Georgetown, Round Rock, Leander, Cedar Park, etc. Not to mention Austin! Thanks for everyone who provided info that helped us make the decision!

[WoodyTX]

Originally Posted by jobert

I don't necessarily dislike Cedar Park specifically, I just dislike what it stands for.

The proper term for this is "prejudice".

[Northanna_2001]

Originally Posted by BrooklynNativeTexan

Thanks everyone who has answered so far. Would love to hear more if people have more to add.

I am from TX originally and know there is nothing resembling Brooklyn, especially if one leaves downtown.

When I think about moving, I also wonder about politics. I am fairly liberal, as is my husband, and my experience of TX (except in college, when a lot of people get more liberal) has been of a pretty conservative place. I'm from Houston originally. I know Austin has a reputation as a liberal haven, but is that for real, outside of the college kids? And is liberalism tolerated in places like Leander/Cedar Park? When I scan real estate listings online, I see a lot of crucifixes on the walls in the pictures of the homes, and, to me, that says Bible Belt, no bastion of tolerance.

My husband and I are looking at a move to the area in August and we have the same concerns. I was born and spent summers in E. Texas when I was a kid; however, I've lived in the Western U.S. for over 30 years. We're moving for family.

[WoodyTX]

I have a number of friends in Cedar Park, Round Rock, and Leander who work in Dallas (various companies, not all together). They telecommute, with maybe one day a month spent up there. Situations like that could account for the few % 'commuting' to DFW, Houston, SA, etc.

I've lived in Austin for twelve years, and worked in tech for ten. I have yet to have a job anywhere near the city center. I've worked off Duval, in Oak Hill, in Round Rock, off McNeil, and out in Leander and Cedar Park, but nowhere closer. The whole concept of living in Cedar Park and driving downtown to work is entirely alien to me, and to most of the techies I know.

[WoodyTX]

RE: Tolerance. In my experience, very few people around here are bible thumpers. Assuming that a cross in a home means an in-your-face attitude is, well, intolerant.

[MalloryArt]

Hey it's been a while since this was posted but in case anyone finds it and is still curious, I would like to ring in. I have lived in Brooklyn and now live in Austin. Brooklyn is incredibly similar in to Austin in so far as there is a lot to do/see in a 3 mile radios. The people are just alike! In fact when I had first moved here I found myself saying, "It's like little Brooklyn!" You can find a relatively inexpensive apartment in Austin but you can't buy...or it is much harder to do than in a suburb. I haven't been there yet but if it's anything like the Jersey burbs (where I grew up) it's tame compared to Awesome Austin. When I lived in Bloomfield, which is cooler than most burbs, but only due to it's proximity to NYC and Montclair, I hardly ever went into The City even though that's exactly why my apartment was so expensive. Therefore, I feel if you are looking for connection to fun events when they are possible to you (which will be harder to make happen when you don't live as close) Austin is the place for you. Also, it is fun to grow up in a city, isn't it? Your kids will thank you for it. What do you remember most about your childhood? Things, or Environment?