Anyone live in, or around Austin TX?

[Joe in TN]

Looks like my work will be moving me to Austin.  I have no idea where to even start looking for a house.  I am willing to drive 30-45 minutes into downtown if needed.  Can someone suggest some outlying areas/neighborhoods?

Joe

[BiggBake]

Round Rock and Georgetown are the two cities just to the north of Austin.  Nice places to live in both.  Are you looking for suburbs or rual?

[BiggBake]

Cedar Park is also nice.  A little Northwest of Austin. The west side of Austin is the higher income areas.  South Austin is decent along with a few areas of east Austin.  There is an area called Wells Branch in north Austin that is reallly nice.

[Joe in TN]

The more rural the better, but I may be limited with what I am willing to spend.  I need a good elementary school and that is the main driver.  To be honest I would hope to be able to find a rental with 3 bedrooms in the $1,250/mo range.

Joe

[keepitreal]

Joe- I have lived in the Austin area off and on for my entire life. I have 2 pieces of advice to offer:

#1) The absolute best advice that I can offer you is AVOID WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX like the plague.
Williamson County makes no bones about the fact that it is a Hyper-Police State. I have reached a point where I do not even like driving through it.
Here is a clip of Alex Jones speaking about Williamson County: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xedh_aLIg74
FURTHERMORE - the suburban ticky tacky landscape of Williamson County is SOUL CRUSHING. Any time I drive through the place I always have this song playing in my head:
Little Boxes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONEYGU_7EqU


#2) I would recommend that you live EAST of Austin.
The Balcones fault runs down I-35. The towns and land West of I-35 are definitely beautiful, but the Soil and the Water is better east of I-35.

[oktheniknow]

While it's true that Williamson County has a lot of HOA suburbs, there are areas where you can live the country life near the city. It's also the fastest growing county in the country right now. 
As for the video, that was done some 14 years ago and we all know that Alex gets a little out there at times...

[OutWestTX]

I second the advice about avoiding Williamson county.  Burnet and Blanco are MUCH better choices.  There is an active prepper group in Burnet.   

[BiggBake]

I agree with OutWestTX.

[Beetlebum]

I will also be headed out there in the May time frame. My office will be off of Zicker park. I HATE commuting so I will be looking in that area, at least initially until I get established and have more capital to get some land. Are there some good libertarian/prep groups to introduce myself to? Any general general knowledge or tips for Austin I should know? Thanks

[OutWestTX]

Any general general knowledge or tips for Austin I should know? Thanks

The official motto is "Keep Austin Weird".  That pretty much sums it up. 

There are several prepper groups in the Austin area.  Meetup.com has info on them.  Central Texas Preppers seems to be the most active.  They do canning classes and things like that. 

[TexasGirl]

Any general general knowledge or tips for Austin I should know? Thanks

Austin itself is different, it's like little California.  There are actually bumper stickers that say "Keep Austin Weird."  Other's see it as a zit, embarrassing and full of toxic pus.

Austin is not representative of the rest of the state.  Please don't hold us accountable for what you may see there. (Stay off of 6th street.)

~TG

[OutWestTX]

(Stay off of 6th street.)

~TG

No, everyone must experience 6th Street at least once!   

[oktheniknow]

Yeah, Austin is funky weird. Has lots of business opportunity though.
I live in hated Williamson. Works for me. In the country but near the city.
Georgetown is a quaint little town not far from Austin.
Are you looking to move inside the city limits of Austin? Property taxes are high. Course they are high in Williamson as well.
Let me know when in town and can get together for coffee.

[oktheniknow]

Sixth Street is best experienced on Halloween.
You get the double barreled weirdness!

[Beetlebum]

Thanks for all the replies!

Yeah, Austin is funky weird. Has lots of business opportunity though.
I live in hated Williamson. Works for me. In the country but near the city.
Georgetown is a quaint little town not far from Austin.
Are you looking to move inside the city limits of Austin? Property taxes are high. Course they are high in Williamson as well.
Let me know when in town and can get together for coffee.

Georgetown does look nice! Whoever put together the city's Flickr account has picked some beautiful pictures. I also like how they have a kickball league... awesome. Right now I'm looking at renting in the city because I'm not ready to play the commuter traffic game yet. Ill hopefully find myself within biking distance of work. Eventually we'll move out away from the city as we're able. I was noticing how high the rents and home prices seem to be. They seem to be inflated relative to the rest of the state/nation. Any thoughts? I suppose I haven't looked at too much real estate in other large cities so maybe it's on par. Thanks for the offer, I'll try to take you up on that when I do get down there to take a look.

Austin itself is different, it's like little California.  There are actually bumper stickers that say "Keep Austin Weird."  Other's see it as a zit, embarrassing and full of toxic pus.

Austin is not representative of the rest of the state.  Please don't hold us accountable for what you may see there. (Stay off of 6th street.)

I take it you see Austin as a zit. I am curious what you think I will see there that requires disassociation of accountability. I have lived in TX before, just not that area or any of the large cities for that matter. I'm not going in completely blind of what TX is. How is it a little California? Do you mean in financial/regulatory/political/people can't drive in snow sense?

I find the dichotomy between opinions of Austin really interesting. People seem to be really proud of being "weird"  or want nothing to do with the place. I'm hoping to find people who don't subscribe to the Left/Right paradigm. I've seen several things that make me think I will find this but many people seem to think Austin is forever lost to the Left. This leads me to wonder, is this a relative Left compared to TX or to the rest of the nation? Maybe "weird" means they don't subscribe to the typical paradigms?

[TexDaddy]

No, everyone must experience 6th Street at least once!   

Absolutely!

[oktheniknow]

If you'll be commuting, remember that Austin has the light rail now that runs from Leander to downtown. Would be cheaper and less headache than fighting traffic every day. I've ridden it once and it's very nice. Even has free wi-fi, and you can store your bike onboard. If I had a downtown office job I would love the time to just check email, read, or unwind.
It is a very hot real estate market here right now all around Austin in residential and commercial.

As for the weird, when in Austin and seeing the Obama stickers, funky Bob Marley hairstyles, and purple houses just have to shake my head and smile. There are lots of libertarians around also I believe they just stay on the outskirts of town.

[TexDaddy]

Austin is overall very liberal compared to the rest of Texas.

After all, it is the state capital, therefore lots of government workers. It is also home of the University of Texas, so lots of students and professors.

If you end up in Austin, be sure to check out the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum.

[TexasGirl]

I take it you see Austin as a zit. I am curious what you think I will see there that requires disassociation of accountability. I have lived in TX before, just not that area or any of the large cities for that matter. I'm not going in completely blind of what TX is. How is it a little California? Do you mean in financial/regulatory/political/people can't drive in snow sense?

I find the dichotomy between opinions of Austin really interesting. People seem to be really proud of being "weird"  or want nothing to do with the place. I'm hoping to find people who don't subscribe to the Left/Right paradigm. I've seen several things that make me think I will find this but many people seem to think Austin is forever lost to the Left. This leads me to wonder, is this a relative Left compared to TX or to the rest of the nation? Maybe "weird" means they don't subscribe to the typical paradigms?

The comment was both literal and figurative.

Many of the people living in Austin share the socialist control freak ideals California is known for.  And our Bilderberger governor touts how many jobs he has stolen from California as a good thing.  Well, many of those California companies moving to Texas are bringing their employees along for the ride.  These people generally act and vote like they did out west.

Libertarian values are good, they generally don't work to impose their values (or bills to pay for them) on others.  Austin proper used to be that way decades ago.  Now you have to be out of town to enjoy freedom.

I do know a libertarian that lives just inside Williamson County.  He gets hassled a bunch, and isn't impressed with the jail Concierge, either.

~TG

[OutWestTX]

I have no complaints with all the weird people congregating in Austin.  The problem is that people in Austin seem to think more government is the answer to everything.  The people in the rest of Texas think that government is the PROBLEM!

[TexasGirl]

I have no complaints with all the weird people congregating in Austin.  The problem is that people in Austin seem to think more government is the answer to everything.  The people in the rest of Texas think that government is the PROBLEM!

Yes, thanks for putting my thoughts into better words.  Between late night trips halfway across the state (people who have not experienced Texas may not appreciate the "halfway" expression) and a new Doberman puppy, short sleep has taken a mental sharpness toll.

I'm glad for the nasty weather, good excuse to catch up on sleep.

~TG

[Beetlebum]

 

The problem is that people in Austin seem to think more government is the answer to everything.

    Got it. That's unfortunate. Despite that significant negative, I'm looking forward to the change of scenery. It looks like Austin and the surrounding area has a lot to offer.

If you end up in Austin, be sure to check out the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum.

I'll definitely take a look at the museum. Texas certainly has it's fair share of history, good and bad.

And our Bilderberger governor touts how many jobs he has stolen from California as a good thing. 

Isn't his time up soon? Who's expected to take his place?

Any info on Mayor Lee Leffingwell? Info on him seems to be scant.

[OutWestTX]

Texas is a great place to be a prepper.  If you like the outdoors there is an almost endless variety of activities for you to do here.  Hunting and riding my horse are my two favorites.  There are plenty of neat places to explore.  Everyone who comes here must pay homage at the Alamo.  You need to go to Enchanted Rock at least once.  Of course, the Riverwalk...Big Bend....it is endless.

[oktheniknow]

The area around Austin has the Highland Lakes that offers lots of fishing, kayaking, boating, etc. Lots of parks, great restaurants, etc.

[TexasGirl]

The area around Austin has the Highland Lakes that offers lots of fishing, kayaking, boating, etc. Lots of parks, great restaurants, etc.

Texas is unique in that it offers such varied landscape; sure there's the high plains and tumbleweeds people imagine, but also pine forests, rolling hills, mixed hardwoods, mountains and canyons.  Desert areas,  rich farmland, or lake after lake.  Corn and wheat fields as far as the eyes can see, or lakes invisible from the air because of huge cypress trees growing throughout.  And the people can be just as varied.

In Austin you virtually have to hassle with permission and permits to buy roofing shingles or pass gas.  Where I'm at they haven't even heard of building or septic permits.  Was taking with a neighbor about hunting bear and cougars for meat.  Yes, hunting them in our "neighborhood."  No licence required.

~TG

[OutWestTX]

 Was taking with a neighbor about hunting bear and cougars for meat.  Yes, hunting them in our "neighborhood."  No licence required.

My son recently shot a bobcat, it was good eating.  I had never eaten it before and wasn't sure how it would taste.  Bear is downright delicious!  If you can take a bear, you'll be hooked.

[oktheniknow]

Have lived around Austin for over a dozen years and seen the rapid growth in suburbs and development, being the fastest growing area of the country.
With the coming impact of Covid-19 and the areas Jack has been focusing on with the coming real estate market and the changes in education, has me pondering my options.
Some of the big projects being proposed (Domain sized and larger) has me thinking taxes are going to skyrocket as surrounding govts have shortfalls. This may not happen here, as more people from out of state continue to move here. 
Was previously a homeowner and now rent, and have been gauging the local market to try and find a non HOA property to buy, preferably over half an acre with an existing house.
In the overpriced market am starting to see prices lowering.
May have to wait till next year before really good ones start to appear. Have started to see home prices fall. Anyone else? This is outside of Austin by the way - Leander, Georgetown, Buda, etc. I am looking. Others see this trend?