We'll be moving back to Texas after having been away for many years. We've not lived in Austin before. We'd appreciate any input regarding living in NW Austin or Round Rock. Of course, we've even considered SW Austin. Central Austin is cool but that's not going to be where we'll live. Help please. Thanks.

Take me with you! I don't eat much...

Welcome to Austin! Hope you love it as much as we do!

Do you have children? This should perhaps be your first stepping stone into where you look for housing. School districts vary quite a bit here, so you may want to check into rankings of schools.

We're looking forward to a great bluebonnet spring with all the rain we've been getting this week! Welcome!

Austin welcomes you! I have lived here 20 years now and am not tired of it. I love Austin. I live in southwest Austin and prefer it to North/Round Rock because I feel that traffic is worse up north(even though traffic is pretty bad everywhere). Southwest has rolling hills , lots of trees and I think the neighborhoods are better(safer, less crime, prettier).

Need more info on your interests, where you will work, if you have kids, etc. You can email me: [email protected]

We moved back here last year after living away from Austin for about 6 years. We live on the SW part of town just off of Southwest Parkway. We absolutely LOVE IT. Close enough to downtown to get there quickly, but far enough out to still be in the hills and less expensive (AND less crowding). I don't care for the north part of Austin b/c, though it's cheaper, it's more "vanilla". Something to be said about vanilla of course but I like being closer to the "real" Austin.

Thanks SO much for all of your responses! Admittedly, our inquiries are somewhat premature but we are so eager! We are in our early-mid 50's and don't consider ourselves "old folk" yet. We're not interested in a 55+ community. Nor do we care much about a golf course community. We have been retired for 7 yrs and are interested in starting a business in Austin. We have an adult son who also lives in Texas. A lot is 'up in the air' for us: whether we buy a house or a condo/townhouse or rent an apartment (can't imagine! haven't been in an apartment in years) for awhile 'til we get our bearings...we'll see. ARE there nice townhomes or apartments? We tend to agree about the described flavor of the Round Rock area. How do you all define "SW Austin?" What zip codes? What roads? Anyway, we've got new adventures ahead. We'll be keeping in touch along the way.Thanks again.

Well I live in apts...these are some new apts, about a year old. Called "Hills at Lantana" There are two sections, one is one and smaller two bedroom, and the other section are three story townhomes (bottom floor is garage). We live in the medium sized 2 bedroom. Great apts...granite counter tops, slate tile in the kitchen (backsplash and floor), black and brushed metal appliances, and attached garages. We're staying here while we save up for a house, but it's pretty darn nice living for an apt! There are alot of professionals in this section.

LOL, I realize it seems as though I must work for the apartments But we've just been pretty happy with them. You do pay for these amenities of course, but as a transition place, it's worth it.

I also know that they are going to be building some townhomes on Southwest parkway, though they haven't broken ground yet. There are also some just a mile or so away in the Convict Hill area (of course, that name may scare some people off )

Thanks for the apt info. Where in Austin is it? Sure wish we could tie up our loose ends HERE and move on!

I also live in SW Austin. There are a lot of housing options, including apartments & garden homes (small cottages).

Southwest Parkway is off MoPac, past Barton Creek Mall & Capital of Texas Highway, and just before 290.

A bit further south on MoPac is Oakhill & Circle C. Out west on 290 is Dripping Springs if you want more of a country setting without being far from civilization (20-25 minutes from downtown).

If you want to take advantage of Austin (meaning Central Austin) I would recommend the SW area over the NW. Traffic is heavier & it takes forever to get in from the north.

Those apts. are in SW Austin off of Southwest Pkwy.

Love the views out here too. It's kind of funny, we were driving on Southwest Pkwy towards 71, and I told my husband "you know, being right here, it's hard to believe that not 10 minutes away is downtown". (*sigh* of course, it won't take long for THAT to change)

I have a friend who lives in Dripping Springs and loves it...although oddly enough it's not any cheaper to live out there. I read an article the other day that lists the average home price in that area at $250K...they are building a nice new development out there, but all the houses are in that range.

LOVE Austin, but NOT the cost of living We built a house in Houston that the builder also builds the exact same model here in Austin. Price difference is $40K more.!

Yeah...but you're in Houston....

I hope that in another month we can return to Austin to look around. I like the idea of easier access to downtown by living SW. Of course, with growth that WILL change, I guess. Anybody have any comments about boating/sailing on the lakes?

I have lived in Round Rock and Austin, but if I had to do it again I'd probably live in Georgetown. Now Georgetown is a bit farther north of Round Rock, but it is a lovely community with very nice homes and a beautiful lake (Lake Georgetown) nearby. The town is well managed, there are nice shops, and the old town square is very pretty. Georgetown University (not the one up north) is the oldest university in Texas and is built mostly of that beautiful Texas limestone. As for living in Austin itself, if you will have some kind of local business that depends on having a place in town, then you'd better be in Austin. Otherwise, Georgetown is really the jewel of the whole area, IMO.
Good luck.

Saw this post and had to get some info...we are seriously considering a move to Austin due to possible tansfer with my hubbys job...we now live in Raleigh, NC. Where is the best place to live if you are looking for a safe community, GOOD schools a must, close to major hospital (I am an RN), good shopping/culture and community sports. Our son is 10 and plays AAU baseball. Thanks for any info.

Schools in Austin are all pretty good as are most areas to live. The east side of town is kind of rough and may not be your thing. Most of the newer housing development (and schools) in Austin is in the North, West & Southwest. West & Central austin are the most expensive areas to live.

Lots of hospitals, too. Seton & St. David's are the affliates & both have websites.

You can find nice communities within an hour in all directions, just depends on how much of a commute you want & if you want more of a small town feel.

I live in Georgetown and although I don't have children (cannot speak for the schools in Georgetown), I enjoy it. Living in Austin has it's perks, but I find even in SW Austin, it can be more expensive than Round Rock or Georgetown. Excellent school districts are Round Rock and Leander ISD. Round Rock is north and Cedar Park/Leander is northwest. No matter what part of town you are in you will be battling our traffic problem either I35 or 183. My suggestion is look at some websites and visit the city to see what area best suits your needs.

You asked: "How do you all define SW Austin?"

Just wanted to say that gives you away as a former Texan. "You all" or "Y'all" -- either way is acceptable.

Ri-ight...just tend not to write "ya'll!"

Of course you see...I misspelled it! That's why I don't write it !