My wife and I are looking to move back to Texas. We've targeted the Hill Country as our top destination. We love Austin and would like to live there, if possible. We want a small, older house -- less than 1,000 square feet -- in a quiet neighborhood, but near the action. We'd prefer downtown, but prices there are absolutely nuts. We'd live in the country, too, if the area was nice. My questions: * Where are the best places to live? Areas to avoid? * How about the suburbs, like Round Rock and Georgetown? Lago Vista looks nice, too. * Other considerations? Thanks, guys! I've had enough of these New England winters and look forward to returning to Texas!
Not sure about all of that, but Austin is home to the best restaurant in the entire world: Rudy's BBQ. You should go by and eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner there.
You'd live in the country ... near the action? What kind of 'action' and how close? Well, older home near the action...Tarrytown. Price? yuk. There may be an older home (how old?) or two down here on the southwest side, maybe off of 1826, but most seem larger than what you're looking for. Doesn't take long to hit downtown (15 min easy, non-rush hour, will shorten because we'll be losing stoplights). Cannot help much w/ GTown or RR, other than beware traffic if you plan to commute to Downtown. And welcome to town!
I've lived in Hyde Park (central) for about 10 years it's expensive, but the location is perfect. Round Rock and Georgetown are pretty far (I don't really like either) and Lago Vista is really out of the way, but the lake is nice. Anything in town that's nice in a cool area will be at least 200k or more. Some parts of South Austin are nice, but most cool affordable stuff would probably be on the west side.
Welcome to Austin, GV. I've lived here since '98, and there's no better place to be, in my opinion. I'm looking for a house in Cedar Park right now, which is Northwest of Austin. Here's a list of areas that you might be interested in: Hyde Park: Older neighborhood, in the city, just north of downtown. Most of the homes here are around 40-50 years old. The trees are massive, and the area is pretty quiet. Round Rock: Sprawling almost as fast as Sugar Land, I-35 and its surrounding corridors are a mess here every morning and afternoon. Houses are new and can be had within $130's - $300's. I wouldn't recommend living here unless you work at Dell. Pflugerville: Just south of Round Rock, a little closer to Austin. Used to be better, now the public schools are going downhill fast. It's not very nice to look at, but the houses are cheap. Northwest Hills: Very nice, mature neighborhood only 7 miles from downtown. Homes here go for about $120-$150/square ft. Nice hills, fantastic area, and greenbelt. Parmer/620 area: Newer area, a little far for your taste. Nice homes being built out here. Cedar Park: Traffic is atrocious, but it's got plenty of trees. Much nicer than P-ville or RR. Definitely worth checking out. South Austin: need not apply
Thanks for the feedback, guys. It looks like we have more options than we thought we did. We'd prefer to live as close to downtown as possible, but we're not opposed to country living or suburbia either. Hyde Park and Northwest Hills sound like a great place to start. Thanks, Baqui99.
Hyde Park, Hyde Park, Hyde Park. From what you've said, it seems as if you were describing Hyde Park precisely. This is my third year living in Hyde Park, and I can truthfully say it's the best area to buy a house in Austin. The property value refuses to decrease; crime is nonexistant; it's just north of downtown; it's a beautiful area; it's filled with nothing but the kinds of houses you're talking about; it's a little expensive (I payed $1,500/month for a 3-bedroom [but gorgeous] house), but not too bad and still a terrific overall value; the neighborhood stores are so quaint it almost hurts...not to mention Hyde Park Grocery is a great place for organic (and vegan) foods. It's got a wonderful golf course if you're into that, and the best strip-mall in Austin sits right on its perimiter (Hancock Center - HEB, 24-HR Fitness, Radio Shack, Petco, Sears, Old Navy, Rack Room Shoes, Freebird, various fast food outlets - for your friends, of course...). The UT Intramural Fields are available for your use although technically you're supposed to be a student or with one. Public tennis courts, basketball courts, parks, beautiful character-packed scenic alleys between every street, tin-roofed houses and achingly nice neighbors. The list could go on, but I've ranted enough. Anyway, hope to have you in the neighborhood soon! Good luck!
If you want a taste of Hyde Park you could stay here for a night. Adams House is located in historic and central Hyde Park. It was built in 1911 for Mr. and Mrs. Richard Gesswein as a one-story, L-shaped bungalow with wraparound porches on the east and south sides. The House was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Adams in 1922 and was elevated to a two-story colonial revival home in 1931. Adams House was recently renovated by historic preservation architect Gregory Free. The original pine floors, sash windows, slate flooring and twelve-foot ceilings have all been restored. The home is now owned and operated as a bed and breakfast establishment by Sidney and John Lock. Adams House is located at the corner of Avenue G and 43rd Street in historic Hyde Park. Shipe Park, with tennis courts, swimming pool and playscape, is located one block to the north as is the Elisabet Ney Museum. To the east one block is Hyde Park Bar and Grill and la Dolce Vita Coffee House. Other favorite nearby restaurants include Mother's Vegetarian Restaurant, Manga, Julio's, and Quack's Bakery and Coffee House. Hancock Golf Course is in the neighborhood; the University of Texas and LBJ Library are also in close proximity. The neighborhood is ideal for walking and biking with wide streets, beautiful trees and historic homes. Rates range from $80 to $125 per night. http://www.bbonline.com/tx/theadamshouse/
Always thought living outside of the city limits or even north of 360/Mopac north interchange was too far from downtown Austin. I lived near Zilker Park and near 360/Mopac south and the traffic was pretty manageable to/from downtown whenever I felt the urge. I agree with the Hyde Park suggestion as it matches your description. When I left Austin, supposedly East Austin was being gentrified, not sure what became of that.
What're your views on Vermont now? Anything bad besides the winters or is it just a job decision? I've only been in Austin for a couple years for college but I love it. It's like a second home. I'll second Nomar. Rudy's is the best BBQ you'll find. When I was rushing fraternities, I'd hound the rush captains into taking us there for beer and brisket. Went there a good 5 times and never had to pay.
There are some nice little neighborhoods over in east Austin now - they've come a long way in the past decade. Oh and the B-B-Q is a wash IMHO - you've got Ruby's, Stubb's, Salt Lick, Rudy's, Green Mesquite, and probably 2 or 3 more greats i've left off. MMMmm barbeque brisket...
Love Austin. It is simply awesome. I live in Hyde Park, but I couldn't afford a house here. It's expensive. I have seen alot of OOS liscense plates lately. Virtually every state represented except Hawaii, Delaware, Alaska, Rhode Island and actually, I think that is it. Seen alot of Mizzou, Illinois, Massachusetts plates. I think Austin possesses all of the good qualities of Texas and virtually none of the bad qualities.
Isn't that area awesome? I live like 4 blocks from there. There are some apts there as well, and I'm thinking about moving there. Too lazy to walk the few blocks, lol. If you lived and worked right there, you would never need a car. Everything is within walking distance.
So what kind of work do these out of state folks do? I sold my house to a couple that was coming from Silicon Valley, but the tech industry took a bit hit the past few years. I thought the state government was the main job creator in Austin still.
I love Vermont. It's like living in a vacation -- my house looks out over a tiny little farm nestled between mountains. Beautiful. People here are awesome, politics are a little more GV76-friendly and I can see living here for the rest of my life. Being less than five hours to Boston, New York, Montreal and the Maine coast is nice, too. But our family is in Texas, and we miss them a lot. We figured Austin was a good compromise between rural liberal Vermont and urban conservative Houston.
Hyde Park does sound what we're looking for. I'm googling it right after I hit the submit button. Again, thanks for your input, guys. It's been very helpful.
You're welcome. I hope it's not presumptious of me to say that. I did help you the most. These other deadbeats either don't know what they're talking about, or they're losers. Dallas, I live on 43 and ave a. Before you come looking for me, when I said deadbeats, that didn't include you.
As someone who is living in Circle C I think SouthWest Austin is AWESOME, you are 10 minutes from downtown and 10 minutes from the salt lick. The elementary schools are Exemplary, (Kiker and Mills) and the neighborhoods rock, and the golf is not bad either. Welcome to Austin GreenVegan, your handle tells me that you will fit right into our eclectic mix. DD
