Moving to Texas (Austin area) from Minnesota

We're seeing a lot of nice looking houses in Leander, Manor, and Elgin. Any thoughts on those towns? We'll be going down to look at the properties in mid-July... I can't wait!

We live in Georgetown and LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

You can check out the web sites:

http://www.visitgeorgetown.org/
http://www.georgetown.org/

It all depends on what you're looking for, though. Originally we were looking at central Austin because we are used to very urbanized areas. However, we gradually moved our search outward due to DH's job (in Round Rock) and allure of more square footage and a yard with some privacy! Now, we're really glad NOT to be in central Austin.

I personally wouldn't want to live out in Manor, it seems too removed, and that area isn't the most beautiful. I'd point you to the west side of Austin -- it's the hill country and it's amazingly beautiful. Marble Falls is supposed to be very nice, although I've never been there.

You could live inexpensively near Lake Travis in Lago Vista (if you're willing to make the drive). It's beautiful there and prices are still very low.

What exactly are you looking for, amenities wise?

I only know a little about how things work in TX as far as special needs go but I do know a little. Until your DD turns 3, she will receive services through the county early childhood education department. At 3 she will age out and receive services through the schools. I would call and talk to the early childhood schools in each of the communities you are looking at and even visit them before deciding where to move if at all possible.

No offense to anyone intended (my husband and I are both products of TX public schools and we will probably move back one day (to the Austin area) so I've looked into this quite a bit for DS#1) but the school systems in TX are really hit or miss. Services range from really, really good to unbelievably bad. Georgetown Public Schools are supposed to be very good as are Round Rock schools although I'm not a huge fan of Williamson County services (what you would have to use until DD is 3). I would hold off making a decision about where to end up until after I was able to talk to teachers, coordinators, etc in person but then, I have that luxury and don't know if you are able to wait to make a decision. Good luck!

As far as what we are looking for in a property - we are looking for a 3 or 4 bedroom, 2+ bathroom with at least one garage space. Most of the homes we are looking at are at least 1250 sq. ft. - a large kitchen with lots of cabinet space could sway me towards any house! I would love to have mostly hardwood or (real) tile floors, but that can always be changed. Natural gas is pretty much a 'must have' for me, because I really don't like cooking with anything else, and it is a less expensive utility overall. The yard is also a big part of the deal - I'm looking for a pretty big backyard, with a fence. I want to have room for a BIG garden! We're being so specific because we want to buy a home and stay in it for a LONG time, if not forever.

I personally don't mind being a little removed from the city, in fact, I would really prefer it. My employer has 2 facilities in the Austin metro - one on the NW side of town near Leander, the other is on the Airport property. I'm unsure of where I am going to be placed, so a commute is a given. We have two well-mantained fuel-efficient cars, so it's not that big of a deal other than time. I did look at some houses in Georgetown - and I really like the looks of the older architecture in the downtown area. We will have to make a point to check it out when we're down there.

The schools are the only part that concern me a little. Both dh and I were products of both public and private schools, so I'm not opposed to either. I would really like any info that you all can give on the schools there. I'm seeings that the NW metro area schools seem to be the ones getting high rankings overall. We have found at least one house in Leander that we really like - any thoughts on the schools there? Also, to the mama that mentioned Bastrop - what are the schools like out there? Would the county services be decent in places like Manor and Elgin, or is it just too far out? My daughter's teacher and other therapists are putting together a description of her needs and the services that she would have been receiving through our county. I will be picking that up Wednesday. They did suggest that I get in touch with the schools prior to going down there, so that we could mail the packet ahead and have a plan in place when we arrive. If the county is only able to do part of the program, dh and I have discussed seeking out services privately... if we can even find that?

Well, you mamas have really helped stir my brain about this so far - please continue to give any other thoughts!! And thank you for taking the time to do so.

be well.

anne

Anne, as far as schools go, we researched all of that before we moved (even tho we plan to homeschool) because we wanted a) good resale value and b) a good backup plan if there was an issue with homeschooling.

Austin ISD is hit or miss. The schools are better where it's most expensive. Overall, AISD is inconsistent, and downright bad in some areas, so you really need to be specific in your home search in order to get a good school.

Round Rock ISD has the best overall reputation in the area. The Leander & Georgetown school districts are equally as good as Round Rock (and have better scores in some areas).

If you decide to check out Georgetown, let me know & I'll tell you some of the highlights! Leander is nice, too, although it's much more rural than gtown. You can get a good amount of property inexpensively. There's going to be a commuter train running from Leander to central Austin eventually.

On that note, there's approval for a commuter train from Georgetown all the way to San Antonio. We can't wait!!!

We've been talking with a realtor, and that has helped narrow our search down a bit. Basically, we're looking in the North to Northwest corner - Leander, Cedar Park, Pound Rock, and a bit into Georgetown. The schools seem to be best up in that area. And I guess we're just going to have to get over the 'sticker-shock' of taxes down there.

As usual, suggestions are appreciated.

be well.

anne

Quote:
If it's any help, Georgetown (the city proper, don't know about the "township") has one of the lowest tax rates in TX. It's significantly lower than RR -- you have municipal utility districts (MUDs) in RR that add quite a bit to the tax rate. We were able to get more house for the money in Gtown than in RR, simply because of the tax rates. Can't comment on Leander as we never pursued a home there.

How's the search going?

Dripping Springs is so beautiful!

Sooo, Annababy, how did the trip go?