Relo from midwest, looking for neighborhood with young families (Austin: house, neighborhoods)

[texasherewecome]

We have three young children and are used to the country club feel with kids all over the place and activities all the time. Kids will be attending Holy Family in Brushy Creek, work at the Domain. Budget is $1.5M.

Trying to get a sense for where young successful families are living. Here's what we have been looking at, but would appreciate any advice.

Crystal Falls Grand Mesa - are there many young families?
UT Golf Club in Steiner - worried about commute
Cimarron Hills - felt far away from shopping and not many young families
River Place - the part of the neighborhood we saw felt cramped for $1M+ properties

Any others to add to the list?

Much appreciated! Thanks

[ashbeeigh]

Westlake may be an option as is Grey Rock in the southwest part of the city. (Well, even some of Circle C). The commute for Greg Rock would be almost as bad as Steiner, but you can decide for yourself in what that looks like. And if you ever need to go public both areas are great. This price point and what you’re looking for isn’t my expertise, so I’ll take a step back after offering those up. Good luck.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by texasherewecome

We have three young children and are used to the country club feel with kids all over the place and activities all the time. Kids will be attending Holy Family in Brushy Creek, work at the Domain. Budget is $1.5M.

Trying to get a sense for where young successful families are living. Here's what we have been looking at, but would appreciate any advice.

Crystal Falls Grand Mesa - are there many young families?
UT Golf Club in Steiner - worried about commute
Cimarron Hills - felt far away from shopping and not many young families
River Place - the part of the neighborhood we saw felt cramped for $1M+ properties

Any others to add to the list?

Much appreciated! Thanks

That far outside of austin it is hard to spend that much money. It would be dumb to work in the domain and live 45 minutes away.

Avery ranch is much less expensive than your budget, but likely has some of what you are looking for.
Great hills is an older neighborhood, the first generation of owners is turning over so it might not have as many kids as you would want
Northwest hills has already turned over and has a ton of kids. There is no country club feel.
We had friends that lived in tonkawa springs in brushy creek that backed up to brushy creek. I thought that was a very cool area.

I wouldnt live in any of the places you mentioned based on your job location.

[kitkatbar]

Some of the places you are proposing to live would require unpleasant commutes. 620, in particular is notorious as a terrible road. The neighborhoods out that way have seen massive growth, but there has been no improvement in 620, and there is none planned.

There are lots of nice neighborhoods close to the Domain. Great Hills. Northwest Hills.

[texasherewecome]

Originally Posted by Austin97

That far outside of austin it is hard to spend that much money. It would be dumb to work in the domain and live 45 minutes away.

Avery ranch is much less expensive than your budget, but likely has some of what you are looking for.
Great hills is an older neighborhood, the first generation of owners is turning over so it might not have as many kids as you would want
Northwest hills has already turned over and has a ton of kids. There is no country club feel.
We had friends that lived in tonkawa springs in brushy creek that backed up to brushy creek. I thought that was a very cool area.

I wouldnt live in any of the places you mentioned based on your job location.

I honestly don’t want to be close to Austin. Also don’t mind a commute if we can live in an area with lots of space and hill views. Avery Ranch felt very cookie cutter with small lots.

[ashbeeigh]

From the sound of it OP wants an elite feel. While the Northwest hills area is beautiful, I don’t know if it’s got the same vibe as something closer to, say, the Austin country club. But, that’s just me. Even with that said, anything along 183 and 360 might be a fit and those, in my opinion, are the closest to “mountain” views that’s you get in the Immediate Austin area.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by texasherewecome

I honestly don’t want to be close to Austin. Also don’t mind a commute if we can live in an area with lots of space and hill views. Avery Ranch felt very cookie cutter with small lots.

With over 4000 homes, Avery Ranch has quite a variety of styles and lot sizes. As expected, many of the nicer homes/lots line the golf course. There were at least ten builders on the east side, north of Avery Ranch Blvd, so much less "cookie-cutter" than some of the other more affordable sections. Some of the "interior" properties aren't too shabby if you don't mind spending under a million...

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by texasherewecome

I honestly don’t want to be close to Austin. Also don’t mind a commute if we can live in an area with lots of space and hill views. Avery Ranch felt very cookie cutter with small lots.

One problem with hill views is that they are not compatible with kids running around. When there are lots of hills the kids dont tend to play outside because it is too hard to ride bikes, you lose balls down the hill, etc.

Great hills country club was recently renovated and the neighborhood is turning over. There was a 20 year battle with the old timers and new families to renovate and the new families finally won as the old timers move out. Families are starting to congregate at the country club, but for a long time kids were somewhat frowned upon.

There is a 4600sq ft house for 1.45M


Northwest hills has a few streets (far hills, north hills dr) where the streets are flat yet the homes have great views. This is incredibly rare in austin. There is no country club feel in NW hills (not even public parks), but there are lots of kids. NW hills has a few streets along deepwoods/waterline where hundreds of kids (maybe even 1000) trick or treat.

Keep in mind your kids can change schools and your job can change. The closer you are to austin, the more options you have.

[chitown50s]

Westlake or Steiner Ranch.

Nothing to see, move along folks.

[Cinema West]

Originally Posted by texasherewecome

Trying to get a sense for where young successful families are living. Here's what we have been looking at, but would appreciate any advice.

Crystal Falls Grand Mesa - are there many young families?
UT Golf Club in Steiner - worried about commute
Cimarron Hills - felt far away from shopping and not many young families
River Place - the part of the neighborhood we saw felt cramped for $1M+ properties

Most of the above are older subdivisions that are becoming more and more populated with retirees
Young families generally choose newer subdivisions like Travisso west of Leander as example. Taking the toll roads wouldn't be too bad of a commute.
But your main focus should be on school districts. Holy Family is a private school but only up to 8th grade....then what?
Leander ISD is marginal, Austin ISD sucks and Eanes ISD is the best.