Advice for an Austin-bound family? (Round Rock, Cedar Park: rentals, house, find a job)

[atxbadger]

Hi,

Our move from Minneapolis to Austin is earnestly in progress. I've begun interviewing (I'm in the staffing/recruiting/HR industry) for jobs and we've been looking to make a move coinciding with a new job -- a necessity in this economy.

We're in our mid-late 30s. Our kids are 4 and 6. I work full-time and my wife works part-time (she's a communication specialist -- web, print, admin support work). Any help you can offer with my questions would be greatly appreciated!

1. What's a good area with good elementary schools to find a 3BR house for rent in the $1000-1300 range (if you name some good schools, I can probably search based on that).
2. Beyond Craigslist and online job boards, any thoughts on where someone with my wife's skills could find part-time work?
3. If we were to use a student or recent college grad for childcare while my wife works, what's typically the going rate?

I'm sure I'll think of more questions but I'm hoping this gets me started. Hopefully my hard work leads to some job offers soon. Thanks all!

[triwing]

1. What's a good area with good elementary schools to find a 3BR house for rent in the $1000-1300 range (if you name some good schools, I can probably search based on that).

Probably Lake Travis area, Round Rock, Cedar Park, etc. My preference is Lake Travis area.

2. Beyond Craigslist and online job boards, any thoughts on where someone with my wife's skills could find part-time work?

Not going to lie, it is probably tough right now to find anything but I do know of several advertising agencies in Austin she might want to try.

3. If we were to use a student or recent college grad for childcare while my wife works, what's typically the going rate?

Dunno, you might want to find a job board/announcement board on UT's campus and have a look.

[llkltk]

2. There are many admin. jobs here in Austin, she could easily find one.

3. Probably 10-15 per hour for a college student or grad.

[jobert]

I can only answer #1. If you look SW towards the Circle C or Shady Hollow area, you will find exemplary rated elementary schools (highest rating). This is a sought after part of Austin that has good proximity to downtown. Google "TEA" for school ratings. Renting for that price range in that part of town would be difficult though, but it's worth a try. "Austin-Steve" may know more than I.

Welcome to Texas!

[TexasHorseLady]

A quick scan of the MLS turns up nothing for lease in the Southwest area in that price range, though there's one (considerably lower than the others) as low as $1325.

A lot would depend on where you're going to be working. There's a lot of Austin and environs that isn't downtown, including places where people work, so proximity to downtown/UT isn't necessarily your highest criteria.

As for schools, a school that's wonderful for one kid might be a disaster for another, and vice versa (had exactly that happen with the two kids in my own family, just imagine the variations between families!). So you'll want to look at the individual schools with your specific kids in mind. You might want to check out Great Schools that has a lot of information on schools including feedback from parents as a good way to take a closer look at the individual schools from a distance. Ratings are just a place to start; you need to look at WHY a school has particular ratings, and understand that the ratings will vary from year to year based on a number of criteria.

That being said, Lake Travis, Leander, and Round Rock school districts all have good reputations and there are lots of rentals in your price range in those communities. The schools within them will vary, of course, but that's true of any district, including Austin.

Besides the criteria you've outlined above, what do you like to do in your off time? What kind of neighborhood are you most comfortable in? That might help us point you more in the right direction.

[atxbadger]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Besides the criteria you've outlined above, what do you like to do in your off time? What kind of neighborhood are you most comfortable in? That might help us point you more in the right direction.

Thanks everyone for all the great info so far. I'm not going to worry so much about price until I have a job in hand and some idea of what our income is going to be. Don't want to put the cart before the horse.

Looking for a kid-friendly neighborhood. Some proximity to parks, similarly aged kids to play with, etc. Neighbors who like to pop over for a beer or cocktail are always great too

As for what we like to do in our off-time, my wife loves to bike so I'd be doing some of that on weekends although I workout on my own, indoors. Walking distance to coffee shops is always nice but usually limited to pricier areas.

I work as a recruiter in the tech industry so it seems most likely (although not certain) that I'd be working in the vicinity of north Austin.