Where to live near south Austin

[TheyCallMeDerek]

One neighborhood that hasn't been mentioned is Behrens Ranch. I lived there and it's kind of tucked away and the homes are newer (2006-2007). The MLS only shows a couple of listings that might work for you, but appreciation rates seem to be holding up there. I honestly thought there'd be more available around 230k but most listings in the subdivision are 250k-430k!

[TXgirl72]

Thanks for the added info. We are worried about commute times from Buda or Kyle. It may be a good option, though, because we do want to get the most house for our money. We plan to stay in one place a long time, and we'd like a house that will accommodate our family as our kids get older. Moving, even locally, is expensive. We'd like to avoid that for a while. I agree that renting first is the best option. We did that when we moved where we are now, Kansas City. We then had a house built where we wanted to be. At that point, we only had a baby, though. Now, with two kids who need to get settled into a school, it would be difficult to make two moves within a year or two. Funny thing, though, after living in KC for 7 years, we now wish that we had bought in a different area than we did. We ended up building where we had rented because that is the area we knew best and were getting connected here. It really takes a while to get to know the feel of the community and where you would most want to be. Maybe we do need to buy less house, stay there for the time, and make a change later if we need to.

Thanks again for the info. You guys are great! BTW, the arguing just made me laugh.

[jobert]

Originally Posted by TXgirl72

We did that when we moved where we are now, Kansas City.

Really? When we decided to move in '08, it was a toss-up between KC and Austin. My wife went to UMKC, and I proposed to her on the lawn of the Nelson-Atkins. We hung out at Union Station afterwards, got burnt-ends at Arthur Bryants, then hit the station Casino on the river. Good times.

[TXgirl72]

How cool is that! Are you glad you chose Austin?? We have loved it here. We are just too far from family, plus hubby would like a job change. It's funny, when you start thinking of moving, everything here looks even more beautiful. It is a pretty area. We live on the west side of Olathe, if you are familiar with it, and there is still alot of open space near us, but all of the amenities we could ask for nearby.

Tell me more about what makes Kyle and Buda rural. I grew up in a small town, but have now been spoiled by big city amenities. I like a good gym that has things for the kids too, easy access to shopping, etc. However, I also miss the friendliness & feel of a small town. We also are an outdoorsy family too. Like to have parks, trails, lakes, etc.

[TheyCallMeDerek]

Buda and Kyle are less "rural" than they used to be. As Austin has grown out Buda especially has also grown. Lots of shoping and restaurants have popped up along I35. Kyle has also grown and has a shopping center with Target, Kohls, Marshalls etc across the street from a HUGE HEB. In that development there's a Starbucks, Chase bank, Wataburger and other conveniences. For true rural you'd have to go to places like Gruene, Driftwood and Wimberley.