Good neighborhoods for easy commute to Ikea area? (Austin, Waco: best neighborhood, for sale) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

texasdiver · 08-21-2009, 12:37 PM

Hi everyone:

My wife is considering a position at the new Scott & White hospital that is located behind Ikea & the outlet malls.

We currently live in Waco and we don't really know that whole suburban area north of Austin except what we see passing through on I-35. So we're thinking about driving down this weekend and poking around to see where we might want to live if she takes this job.

We have 3 young girls ages 3, 6, and 11 who are active in soccer and swimming. I am a HS science teacher and will also be looking for work in nearby schools if we decide to move. School districts with strong soccer and swimming programs would be a plus.

So we're looking for towns/subdivisions in that area that will provide the best schools and quality of life for us and our kids but that will also be a reasonable commute for my wife. We are probably looking for a master-planned community type of situation with lots of sidewalks, bike paths, community pools and playgrounds, that sort of thing. And our budget is probably in the $400K range give or take.

I've heard Steiner Ranch mentioned but judging from the map it looks like a larger than necessary commute to the Scott&White hospital. But I've never tried to drive it. I know so little about this area that I don't really know where we should be looking. Georgetown? Round Rock proper? Cedar Park? Leander? Pflugerville? And I don't really know what the cross-town commutes are like in that area. I know from experience that I-35 can be a mess. But I don't know what any of the other roads leading into that are from the east or west are like.

Any advice? What would be the best neighborhood/school district to live in that is say a 20 minute or less commute from the new Scott & White Hospital?

mark311 · 08-21-2009, 12:54 PM

Leander or Round Rock ISD's are right there and both are generally good. You'll need to look at individual schools that match up with the neighborhoods as some schools are better than others within each district.

I'm more familiar with the neighborhoods just West of Ikea, but Mayfield Ranch, Parkside at Mayfield Ranch, Sendero Springs, Ranch at Brushy Creek, Avery Ranch would all be close to what you're looking for. All are either Leander or Round Rock schools.

Soccerzone and Nitro Swim are both very close to all of the above neighborhoods.

https://www.soccerzoneaustin.com/contact.cfm

Nitro Swimming :

centraltex_sara · 08-21-2009, 01:21 PM

Agree with the 5 communities mark311 mentioned. You might also consider Behrens Ranch, Stone Canyon, and Teravista (closest option).

CATXTransplant · 08-21-2009, 01:49 PM

I have some friends who live here in Steiner and work at Scott & White, but you're right, it's a hike in rush hour traffic. I like Mayfield Ranch, ranch at Brushy Creek, Teravista. If you're looking for something comparable to Steiner (Master Planned Community), check out Avery Ranch. Hidden Glen is also pretty nice. If you just get off 35 at 1431, and go away from Ikea (West), you'll drice by several neighborhoods you might like. From there, you can turn onto Sam Bass to see neighbrohoods like Behrens Ranch, Hidden Glen, etc... To see Avery Ranch, take 1431 to Parmer and turn left.

LoveATX · 08-21-2009, 01:52 PM

I have a neighbor who is physician at Scott and White and we live in Sendero Springs! If you have any questions regarding this particular neighborhood or any of the surrounding for that matter PM me.

texasdiver · 08-21-2009, 03:24 PM

Thanks guys....

We'll drive down and explore the neighborhoods that you all mentioned.

For those of you who live in that area (Sendero Springs...etc) Do you like it? Are you happy with the neighborhoods, schools, amenities?

Or would you rather live someplace farther away? Seems to me that there should be good options quite close to Scott & White and there is no need to tackle a monster commute.

love roses · 08-21-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CATXTransplant

I have some friends who live here in Steiner and work at Scott & White, but you're right, it's a hike in rush hour traffic. I like Mayfield Ranch, ranch at Brushy Creek, Teravista. If you're looking for something comparable to Steiner (Master Planned Community), check out Avery Ranch. Hidden Glen is also pretty nice. If you just get off 35 at 1431, and go away from Ikea (West), you'll drice by several neighborhoods you might like. From there, you can turn onto Sam Bass to see neighbrohoods like Behrens Ranch, Hidden Glen, etc... To see Avery Ranch, take 1431 to Parmer and turn left.

Hidden Glen is very nice and there is another neighborhood right next to it that's very nice. I have a friend that lives there and she loves her neighbors and the neighborhood. TeraVista is also a nice neighborhood and is practically across the street from the hospital. It has community intranet, is somewhat "hilly", golf course/clubhouse, several pools and parks. Same for Hidded Glen and nearby neighborhoods.

XLadylawX · 08-21-2009, 03:38 PM

Just spent a great deal of time exploring Teravista. Found a lot of houses for rent and even more for sale (new and re-sale). For my money, I would buy a nearly new re-sale and save on the depreciation. Those builders always charge a premium for all the fancy upgrades contained in the models. Plenty of fabulous homes for sale in Teravista that are less than 3 years old. You can lay down roots as a renter first then if you like it you can buy a slightly used house. I think Teravista's close proximity to the medical and university facilities will bring in fabulous neighbors. You and your family among them. ;-) Also, if your children get sick or have an emergency and you are working far across town, your wife can be there for them really fast. In fact, she could probably ride her bike to work with a commute of less than 1-2 miles.

love roses · 08-21-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texasdiver

Thanks guys....

We'll drive down and explore the neighborhoods that you all mentioned.

For those of you who live in that area (Sendero Springs...etc) Do you like it? Are you happy with the neighborhoods, schools, amenities?

Or would you rather live someplace farther away? Seems to me that there should be good options quite close to Scott & White and there is no need to tackle a monster commute.

There's no need to tackle a commute from Steiner or S. Austin when there are more than adequate or comparable neighborhoods on either side of 35 closer to the hospital. Leander and RR are both great districts and there are plenty of amenities that match what you'd find in Steiner.

texastea · 08-21-2009, 11:11 PM

The high schools in the areas mentioned are generally Stony Point and Round Rock (Round Rock ISD) and Vista Ridge and maybe Rouse (Leander ISD). Even though your kids aren't near that age, I'd really investigate which schools would be best for them.

Round Rock has some fantastic elementaries in that area, but their best high schools are McNeil and Westwood.