Seems like it is really tough to find places in these areas. The one I linked to in my previous has already been leased per the realtor. I checked out some in Hyde Park but everything there in our price range looks to be way too small. Will keep looking and hopefully come across something.
^ you will have to make a choice about how important location is to you, and if it is super important, then wait for the right property (which might be a little smaller than you like), and be ready to act. When we finally settled on the 78746 zip code, knowing our budget was limited for that zip code, we knew we'd have to act fast. Still, a ton of people were in the same boat as us; young families looking to get in the best public school district in town while being very close to downtown, Zilker, etc., and with limited budgets. I bid on 6 houses. I bid on everything from move-in ready to complete gut jobs. And still was consistently outbid. There was one house that I kid you not had 27 offers on it - the sellers in this case smartly put it on the market for less than fair value and ended up getting over fair value. Ultimately the property we found was actually the best for us. Smaller than we wanted at just over 2k sf, but completely redone and move in ready and we'll be able to walk our kids to school. Takes me 10 minutes to get downtown for work. And even with that, we got lucky because it was a for sale by owner and we just happened to see it pop up on an online website slightly before the rest of the buying market knew about it. My realtor went and previewed it and drew up a full price contract on the spot and we submitted it before we had even seen the house. Not all of Austin is like that, and not at all price ranges. More expensive stuff can sit for a while. But be prepared for a little sticker shock relative to Houston. You pay more for less and have to act quickly.
No worries...thanks for taking a look. One thing about the property you linked (and similar ones that are found in Central Austin)...those were often built in the last five years prior to the housing market tumbling by out of state investors (though as you have likely found, that crash has effected central Austin much less than other areas). I mention that b/c these new, modern places often stick out and do not fit into the fabric of the communities they are built in. In Brentwood (and Crestview) for example, the community was mostly built in the '50's-'60s...back then the area was considered one of Austin's original suburbs. The houses are mostly Craftman bungalow style between 1200-1800 sq feet. If you are looking for bigger (but still original) houses, a subdivision like Allendale will offer that as the community was built when ranch style homes were more in fashion. Point being there are many people in these old Austin neighborhoods that are not a fan of the new construction that do not fit in the landscape of the community. It led to the creation of the McMansion ordinance here in Austin. It may not bother you to live in one of these, but just wanted to give a taste of the bigger picture. If you value size or modern architecture there is the Agave development on the Eastside, or as others have mentioned Mueller (also on the east side). The latter, offer new homes from a variety of builders, and try to mimic the styles of old Austin neighborhoods. Regardless, if trying near the city, size/land is one of the first things that is compromised.
Gotcha, that's the same situation in my neighborhood now in The Heights. A lot of old houses next to newer houses that look somewhat out of place. It's tough because I like the charm and quality of older houses, while I also want things like granite counter tops, large kitchen, etc. Ideally we'd find an older house that has been updated. I did look some in East Austin and it seems housing is a bit more affordable there and there is more of an inventory. Is that area still a decent drive into Round Rock?
East Austin is becoming a hot spot for Austin because it's so close to downtown. It's becoming a 'good neighborhood' but there is still crime there.
I know a girl who lives out there in Circle C <iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nCAso76mbdI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
You're going to have a very difficult time finding stuff that is over 1800 sqft in all the neighborhoods everyone is mentioning for the price range you are looking. Most of the older neighborhoods have smaller houses.
Yeah that's what I'm finding out after an entire day of looking. Is Pflugerville/Round Rock totally lame for a couple with no kids? I'm not really a big fan of suburbs, but we may need to expand our search out to there. Either that or just bite the bullet and get a smaller place than we're used to.
Whether it is lame or not depends on what you value most. Those areas that you mention have the feeling of any suburb...to me living in those areas is not necessarily bad, but it negates any of the austin 'experience' that is unique to the city. Suburbs are suburbs. For me, and I too am in my early-mid 30's, I would sacrifice size/land before central location every time. The amenties the Circle C's, the La Cantera's, and other mega-developments have very little to offer a couple in the situation such that you and your wife find yourself in. I've lived in Central Austin for 7 years, and while I have heard of Circle C, I couldn't even tell you where it's located. That is not meant to say that I'm super cool, or in the know, but for someone in my professional/social situation, I have no reason to go there or any other similar developments...there is nothing destination worthy of those places in and of themselves.
First you have to realize is very small. All of Austin and the burbs would fit inside the inner loop. So nothing is really far. It takes 15 minutes to get from Round Rock to Downtown without traffic. Pflugerville/Round Rock are the lamest place in the Austin, Area. It's very plain, flat and conservative. If you want to live in the burbs up north, only the west side of Cedar Park/Lake Travis area is acceptable because its very near the lake and the area is the Texas Hill Country. You may want to look in the Northwest Hills area, or in Great Hills area on the NE side of 183. This area is more yuppy and still very close to everything. It also is only 10 minutes from Downtown. You should be able to find something there in your price range.
Yeah, the neighborhood watch is on the lookout for DD. It's well known that he shoots pornographic videos that he then posts on an obscure sports website. The horror! And I thought I had escaped this kind of crap when I retired from hunting replicants. I should have known better. :-(-
like i said, i lived in french place for years and my job takes me up to g-town and r.r. a couple times a month. getting into r.r. in the morning is a breeze and coming home traffic was not that big a deal - and even if it is there are plenty of alternate routes on the eastside. i think people are talking up the traffic issues more than they should - the key is to just stay the f*** away from downtown - if yall get a place on the northside you will be fine. just dont move down to south austin like i did! if yall are wanting a more "modern" home as opposed to your run-of-the-mill rent house i would take a look at mueller. all newer homes, right off the highway, lots of walking trails and easy access to downtown. the only downside is that you wont have any kind of yard.
this is true. not entirely true. there is ghetto-ness, but there is just as much, if not more gentrification. its nothing like it used to be. areas that i wouldnt venture down in broad daylight 15 years ago are now infested w/ skinny jeans wearing/ironic moustached hipsters.
ask yourself this... if you were relocating to houston would you want to live in the heights or katy?
