Thoughts on Lago Vista? (Austin, Buda: homes, buying, gated community)

[deathpenalty03]

not to say that their are not million dollar homes there. because their are

as far as schools go. lago vista isd is not bad. but i believe lake travis isd is a little better

[EclecticCynic]

I know that the first post in this thread is OLD, but I thought I'd comment anyway. I wasn't looking for anything about LV; but happened upon this page and frankly, I'm shocked at the negative impressions and comments!

We have lived here for nearly 9 years, and have met many extremely interesting, talented people from all parts of the world and across all age ranges. We have rarely met an unfriendly person. We can become as involved we want to be. Even when we've had periods of non-involvement (busy with work, vacations, etc), it's clear upon our return that we weren't forgotten. When one of us is sick, we are visited by people with flowers, casseroles, desserts, and even full meals! It has really been amazingly warm, fun, and small town!

Our neighborhood is made up of mostly new homes, but there are a few that have been in our area for perhaps 20 years, but they are maintained well and look as fine as the newer ones. It's true that some of the older, more traveled areas look run down, so your first impression was wrong. The bigger, newer homes are build in areas that are more quiet and have more striking views.

The median home list price at this time (Sept 2011) is about $200K (Austin is at $240; Lakeway is at $388; Georgetown $225; Buda $176).

If you check age ranges, it's evenly divided here: under 10 (12.6%), teens (14.4), 20s (13.4), 30s (13.5), 40s (13.1), 50s (9.9), 60s (10.7) and over 70 (12.5). 28% of the homes have kids. This doesn't look much like "mostly retired people" to me, unless people are retiring at a very early age these days.

Commerce seems to have a hard time here, however, since many people shop in Cedar Park. For the short "drive into town" (18 minutes), they have a change of scenery and a wide array of shopping options at slightly lower prices. It does seem as though a few residents want zero population growth, but on the upside, we have a few new restaurants that sport great reviews, and we hear that the strip shopping area near the Post Office is finally almost ready to fill it's spaces, so perhaps there will be even more growth than in the past 5 years. When we came here 9 years ago, there was nary a fully-stocked drug store or grocery store (only a few convenience stores/gasoline stations) - quite an improvement without the typical wild growth and urban sprawl.

We're a city of churches, 10 parks, a very active women's club, Lions Club, art club, garden club, dance groups, drama group, singing groups, a fine arts school (just opened), good public schools, and much more! NO, I'm not in real estate, and I turned my stepford wife apron in YEARS ago!

To the lady from South Carolina who started this thread, we hope that you are one of our neighbors - but if not, we hope you found a great home. Please tell us about it!

[bird.danse]

2014 is quickly approaching and I'm interested in hearing more about Lago Vista!

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by bird.danse

2014 is quickly approaching and I'm interested in hearing more about Lago Vista!

Like what?

[tsample]

Originally Posted by EclecticCynic

I know that the first post in this thread is OLD, but I thought I'd comment anyway. I wasn't looking for anything about LV; but happened upon this page and frankly, I'm shocked at the negative impressions and comments!

We have lived here for nearly 9 years, and have met many extremely interesting, talented people from all parts of the world and across all age ranges. We have rarely met an unfriendly person. We can become as involved we want to be. Even when we've had periods of non-involvement (busy with work, vacations, etc), it's clear upon our return that we weren't forgotten. When one of us is sick, we are visited by people with flowers, casseroles, desserts, and even full meals! It has really been amazingly warm, fun, and small town!

Our neighborhood is made up of mostly new homes, but there are a few that have been in our area for perhaps 20 years, but they are maintained well and look as fine as the newer ones. It's true that some of the older, more traveled areas look run down, so your first impression was wrong. The bigger, newer homes are build in areas that are more quiet and have more striking views.

The median home list price at this time (Sept 2011) is about $200K (Austin is at $240; Lakeway is at $388; Georgetown $225; Buda $176).

If you check age ranges, it's evenly divided here: under 10 (12.6%), teens (14.4), 20s (13.4), 30s (13.5), 40s (13.1), 50s (9.9), 60s (10.7) and over 70 (12.5). 28% of the homes have kids. This doesn't look much like "mostly retired people" to me, unless people are retiring at a very early age these days.

Commerce seems to have a hard time here, however, since many people shop in Cedar Park. For the short "drive into town" (18 minutes), they have a change of scenery and a wide array of shopping options at slightly lower prices. It does seem as though a few residents want zero population growth, but on the upside, we have a few new restaurants that sport great reviews, and we hear that the strip shopping area near the Post Office is finally almost ready to fill it's spaces, so perhaps there will be even more growth than in the past 5 years. When we came here 9 years ago, there was nary a fully-stocked drug store or grocery store (only a few convenience stores/gasoline stations) - quite an improvement without the typical wild growth and urban sprawl.

We're a city of churches, 10 parks, a very active women's club, Lions Club, art club, garden club, dance groups, drama group, singing groups, a fine arts school (just opened), good public schools, and much more! NO, I'm not in real estate, and I turned my stepford wife apron in YEARS ago!

To the lady from South Carolina who started this thread, we hope that you are one of our neighbors - but if not, we hope you found a great home. Please tell us about it!

EclecticCynic,

Thank you, so much for your input on LV. We love it, too! We are hoping to move there in a few months and wanted to know how it was as of today? I know when we visited awhile ago, it was still in it's growing stage and not much was around, but I've seen that it looks like more opportunities have come to town. My daughter will be in 8th grade when we move and I was curious how the teen population is there? I was shocked when we moved to rural Iowa from Houston, Tx and the teens are hateful! IN RURAL IOWA!! So, we are a little concerned that it might just be her age group in the year 2014.

I like that you added all of the clubs and activities that are possible there, but I didn't see anything about a local pool or activity center, anything like that?

Thanks,

[Surfergaltx]

Does anyone have a current opinion on the Hollows or know if there are still pending lawsuits? I'm researching the Jonestown area for possible relocation. Thanks!

[Halls1027]

We looked at lots in the Hollows last year but passed due to high HOA dues and community propane. Its pretty with great amenities but wasn't for us. We didn't hear anything about the lawsuits. You may want to check out homes/lots off Reed Parks dr. We ended buying a 3 acre lot in a small gated community there which we are currently building on. HOA dues are low, great views, and lots of privacy.

[UntaintedSwim]

Originally Posted by CameraGirl

Please help! We have spent the past 3 years in an extremely difficult situation- we moved from Denver, Co to an extremely small town in South Carolina on the coast. It has been a disaster. We got taken badly on the real estate deal, the townspeople are hateful to outsiders and basically it is "the exact opposite" of what we had moved here for & hoped it would be. Now, I am scared- big time. We are planning a move to the Austin area- we own our own business- that we will be marketing from Austin & it's suburbs to San Antonio and all the area's in between. The nature of our business is mostly home-based though and any commuting will be done at times when traffic should be low. I am trying to be far more careful with this move- I have found a couple of houses in Lago Vista. I'd love to know people's thoughts on that area. We have no kids, nor plans to have any- so that also doesn't fit in to the equation. Is there shopping in Lago Vista- grocery stores, fast food etc? Is there restaurants? I've tried to google it and I don't find really "anything". How far is it to all that stuff? Is it a safe area, a nice area? What is the collective perception of that area? After all that we have been through- failure this time around is not an option. Help shed some light.

I came on here to ask your exact question from years ago --- I see. Thanks. I will read the replies you got.
Did you end up moving there? How is it?

[UntaintedSwim]

Originally Posted by lagovista

I will first say that I'm a REALTOR and I would like to think I'm not bias but to be honest I love living hear. I would like to dispell all the negativity. Lago Vista does have Award Winning Schools very high continuing education ratios some of the highest in Texas. Very low student to teacher ratios.

YES, there is a grocery store (brand new), ACE Hardware, and there is a decent size strip mall that is close to completion that will host many restaurants and new stores. There are quite a few developments in the works that will suit primary residents, weekend homes, and retirement communities. They are straighting out 1431 to allow easier, safer access.

YES, Austin is 45 minutes away but unless your working dowtown Austin I dont see it to be a problem. Saying that there is also the new Toll Road and the Light Rail, which will be up and running in the near future.


The city boasts 3 golf courses and 1 in Point Venture.

Yes there is $125 ANNUAL POA fee, well that allows you access to over 10 PRIVATE (GATED) parks almost 5 boat ramps and lots of recreational activities. You will not find a better deal around. This city was primarily a duplicate of Lakeway.

You cant find lakeside communities and a great small town atmosphere anywhere around. Living on or near a lake is such a greater quality of life in my opinion. There are retires and young couples middle age demographics I know b/c I've sold to them all!

Well I dont think that was to much of a rant but Lago Vista and the surrounding communitites offer so much more than other cities and are at reasonable prices historically speaking (temporarily) and I have yet to find any faults!

Read Some Blogs in google, type in (activerain lago vista)

Scott Hutchinson, Lago Vista REALTOR

Hi Scott,

Do you have any updates since I see your post was from about 8 years ago?
Grocery stores and more about way of everyday living? Thank you kindly.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by UntaintedSwim

Hi Scott,

Do you have any updates since I see your post was from about 8 years ago?
Grocery stores and more about way of everyday living? Thank you kindly.

Haven't heard a peep from Scott in over 7 years.