scouting trip to hill country
 

My husband and I are seriously considering relocating to Texas hill country from a Chicago suburb. We are planning a "scouting trip" in a few weeks... I would really appreciate ideas on where would be a good "hub"? We're not going to check out tourist stuff for the most part, more to look at some properties for sale, get a feel for some communities in order to narrow down our choices in towns. We would like to be no more than an hour from San Antonio or Austin, and near an area with access to an active youth football program, good dining-Italian and Mexican, and maybe not as touristy but still charming? We are looking for 5 or more acres to buy with a house or we may rent if possible for a year and build. We would really like to find some land that is green with climbing trees and open sky, too. Possible? We are self-employed, so as long as we have access to an affluent community(we build high-end custom cabinetry)I think we will be fine. Any ideas?

A friend of mine lived in Dripping Springs for about a year and she liked it very much. It's a small town but not touristy, yet close enough to Austin to enjoy the benefits of city life.

I think you will have a lot of options, I hope others can tell you a few more.

A dear friend of mine lives here...

http://www.cordilleraranch.com/

located just outside of Boerne it may be more remote than what you're looking for but defintely worth a look-see.

Thanks. Anybody else?

You'd be wise to rent for a while and decide once here where you want to live. If it's around the San Antonio area, I'd suggest Boerne too (Cordillera's ads have intrigued me too, but then I looked at the home prices and forgot about that!!) It's a cute little town with lots of land and a good school system.

Finding someplace green with plenty of climbing trees is no problem at all in the Hill Country, but a spot with lots of good dining close by will be. Those are all smaller towns in the Hill Country--with everything small town living entails.

I'd suggest having two bases for your search--one in San Antonio then the other in Austin. Those will be the towns where you'll go when you need to "get away" so you'll want to find the one which suits you best.

P_M, do you know anything about Bastrop? Hyatt recently opened a resort there and I know some people who have moved down from Dallas too. Is that area beginning to boom?

Hi OO. I don't know much about Bastrop but it seems like an OK place. I like the idea for Boerne because it's between Austin and SA, so the OP could easily reach either city.

I'd definitely second the idea of renting for a while and exploring from Austin and SA. The Hill County can vary greatly - from upscale developments like Lakeway (just west of Austin) to smaller towns like Fredericksburg, Boerne, etc., so it's really a matter of what suits your style and taste. It's very possible to find your acreage that's green with trees.

BTW - Bastrop isn't in the Hill Country but it has been growing for years due to proximity to Austin (30 mi east of Austin) and is hilly and greener than the Hill Country (more like the Piney Woods in East Texas). It is still "booming" and certainly might be an option. Some people think that area has an advantage because it's on the same side of town as Austin's airport - if that's a factor for you.

If you want your son to be in a good high school football program, then look at Kerrville. Kerrville Tivy High School is in the 5A (big school) category and is consistently in the playoffs. Honestly, Division 1 college scouts don't get to the towns smaller than 4A very often.

We love the Hill Country - for a variety, check out the following:
Fredericksburg
Boerne
Kerrville (my least favorite, personally)
Comfort
Ingram
Hunt
The Hill Country has become very popular and it is a beautiful, laid back area. Hope this helps...

You might want to check out the area around Wimberley. My dad has 7 acres nearby in a really beautiful area. Very accessible to Austin, San Marcos, and even San Antonio (I'll take flights to either Austin or San Antonio to visit him, although I prefer flying to Austin).

It has a bit of a artsy feel and reputation, so individuals looking for custom cabinetry would already be used to visiting the area.

That said, a lot of the other suggestions are good too!

Thanks so much for all the help.
We don't need lots of dining, just one good Italian place within 15 miles or so...:)
Our son is only 8 1/2 and in private schools thus far, but he's planning on being the next Walter Payton-lives for and loves playing, football. My husband has always coached, too, so he's hoping to be able to continue to assist, etc. They've always done Pop Warner, but any youth football league would be good.
We will be coming down the 1st weekend of March; any thoughts on a pretty place to stay? We like boutique hotel types. Bed and Breakfast are ok if they aren't all wallpaper and Victorian furniture. I'm thinking something that will put us near hills, trees, or water. Really anyplace without 3 feet of snow sounds good now as I can barely leave my driveway up here in northwest Indiana.
As far as what we're looking for to build or buy-at least 5 acres, preferably a little more, the aforementioned trees, open pasture or grassy areas, somewhat private, but not way way out. We need to be on the edge or outskirts of a town so that we aren't more than 15 minutes from coffee and donuts or groceries.
I can't wait to see the Hill Country...

Anybody else?

Good places to stay in Austin and San Antonio? Not generic hotels...For $150 or less per night?

Here's an idea of a place to stay - Gruene Mansion Inn (in Gruene which is right next to New Braunfels). It's between Austin & San Antonion with the Hill Country towns to the west...a charming town as well.

Also try Prince Solms Inn in New Braunfels.

Thanks. We head on the 28th. I'm pretty sure we want to be between 281 and I-35 as far as living. Can't wait!
This has been a bad year for snow up here!

Good luck and have fun. BTW, Gruene Mansion Inn is a good rec (and they have a good restaurant). But remember it's pronounced "Green" - don't ask why, most of us haven't figured it out either.

I would check into Marble Falls. It's a lovely community with beautiful lakes surrounding it. Their school system is really neat--my cousin was a coach there for several years (now a vice principal at the high school) and his wife an elementary school teacher. It's convenient to Austin (my uncle commuted for about 15 years), has lots of outdoor recreation, great schools (good sports!), and just a neat community. Good luck! (if you find yourself seriously interested, I could get you in touch with my cousin to get an in depth view of the school [email protected])

Definitely check out New Braunfels and Gruene. They're right next to each other, between San Antonio and Austin. Gruene most definitely has an affluent community, and there are a lot of beautiful homes/properties along the river. I don't know the neighborhoods, but I know it's worth taking a look!

Good luck, and welcome to Texas!

I can think of a lot of descriptions of Gruene, but affluent would never have been one of them. :)

We live about 20 minutes away and kids in our neighborhood go to New Braunfels schools. Football is alive and well at Canyon High, although it's not big time Texas football...I believe it's special 4A.

There is plenty of land to be had still, though it's probably going fast. We were at Gruene Hall Sunday--hadn't been since around Christmas and were very, very, sorry to see the start of a condo development along the river, of all things and places. Developers seem bound and determined to ruin what is so good about the Hill Country.

A condo development in Gruene?!? Where, in relation to Gruene Hall & the Gristmill Restaurant are they putting the development?

Oh, no! Say it ain't so!!!

Hello greystonefarm,

First, let me welcome you to Texas, and especially the Hill Country! We're so glad to have you :)

Here are a couple websites that might help you out:

www.spanishoaks.com
www.beecavetexas.com

These are links to places nearer into Austin than Gruene or Dripping. Lots of development is going on right now, so the roads around 620, 71, and Bee Cave Road are a mess.

Spanish Oaks is an upscale residential development located on Hwy. 71 in the Lake Travis School District. They are in Class 4A for sports, and over the past couple years have made it pretty far in the playoffs.

There is also a soccer/baseball complex just off 620 and 71, good for recreational and club sports. Finding an active youth football program will not be a problem. Remember, this is Texas!

Off of 281 are a couple developments where some friends live. They each have about 5-7 acres. On one side of the highway is Dripping schols, the other side is Lake Travis.

Lots -- and I mean lots of new homes are springing up everywhere, and some have acreage, some are just homesites.

Just give me a holler if you need anything else. Happy house hunting!

Forgot the restaurants:

In Lakeway, there's a couple places I could recommend:

ciolas.com (Italian)
roccosgrill.com (gotta try the pepper steak and the lamb chops - OMG!)

and Pao's Mandarin House - can't find the link, but this place is delish!

All three of these places are in Lakeway.

Condos in Gruene....as you are coming into the historic district, at the foot of the hill where the road crosses the river, just the other side of the river. Signs are up and the land is cleared. Looking up the hill and to the right from this area you can see the Grist Mill, that close. It really is a shame.

OO,

So many trees have recently been cleared on our side of town that, depending on which direction they're taking off from, we can hear the planes depart from the airport. So very sad.

AM...and you are a long way from the airport! :( Topography, flora and fauna are what made this area so popular, drew everyone in, and rampant development is ruining it, potentially killing the goose that laid the golden egg. You watched what happened north of 1604 and now I'm watching it happen even further out.