Potential Move to Austin

[SQLGeek]

There is a good chance I will be getting a job offer and potentially it will be in Austin (Houston is the other likely location). While I'm waiting to find that out, I wanted to start looking at living there. I've been in the area some but don't know much about the best places to live and such.

Right now we're in a somewhat rural middle class suburb in Fort Bend county and I think we'd probably prefer that as opposed to living in the city.

Which areas/counties are the ones the avoid? My assumption is Travis county would be one.

What about ranges in the area? I prefer shooting outdoor if at all possible.

I'd appreciate any and all advice. :)

[Redneck_Buddha]

Expensive, crowded, hipster hades, traffic enough to give you a nervous breakdown, newly legalized homeless campgrounds a la Los Angeles, Democrat iron-fisted control, over-rated. What's not to love?

[uthornsfan]

So I live downtown and work in the domain.

It is and isn't as bad as everyone says or thinks.

Can you tell me where the new office would be located and what is on your list of things you like and don't like.

Traffic
Food
Commute time
Walkability
Kids
Etc etc

[anygunanywhere]

PM sent.

[Redneck_Buddha]

In reconsidering my above response, I figured I should include some of Austin's redeeming qualities from when we lived there from 1999 - 2014:

1. You can go far in the tech industry as far as position and salary if you find the right opportunity. Tech jobs are definitely a distinguishing feature of the city, and generally a ton of them available as I'm sure you've found out. Moving to different companies should be pretty easy if need be.

2. Very good food in general and you are almost always a stone's throw away from good BBQ and a short drive to the Hill Country which has many beautiful spots.

3. Some decent ranges when I lived there, including Red's and Eagle Peak. Expect to make plenty of gun toting friends who lean towards the left side of the political spectrum, as going to the range is a popular team-building activity in the tech companies there.

[OneGun]

Anyplace but Eastern California!!

[SQLGeek]

So I live downtown and work in the domain.

It is and isn't as bad as everyone says or thinks.

Can you tell me where the new office would be located and what is on your list of things you like and don't like.

Traffic
Food
Commute time
Walkability
Kids
Etc etc

The office will be in the Market District right near the river.

We wouldn't want to live in the city I don't think but I won't rule it out immediately if there's a decent neighborhood that has the more suburban feel. We're pretty used to suburban living and the like. We have two young kids so good schools are a priority. Parks and the like are nice too.

My wife won't need to commute anywhere.

Food, the usual fare. Nothing fancy but proximity to cheaper groceries would be a good thing.

My current commute is 1 to 1.5 hours. Keeping it around that if not less would be ideal. I'm not opposed to taking toll roads. I think due to the nature of my job, I'll be driving mostly.

I'd like to keep the house at or below $400,000. At least a quarter acre would be nice but I understand those two may be mutually exclusive. A garage large enough for a workshop would be nice too.

I don't shoot competition but might like to start, especially SASS. Otherwise I don't do a lot of tactical shooting. I do shoot clays on occasion. I'd prefer joining to a club vs public range if that's a possibility. A range not far away would be a nice bonus but admittedly lower on my list of priorities.

Access to Hill country would be a bonus, especially for a weekend getaway camping, etc. I want to take up mountain biking as well so I don't know if one area is better than the other.

I fish once in a blue moon and never hunt. Boating isn't out of the question.

Appreciate the help!

[uthornsfan]

So here are some of your options.
East - South east is going to be your best bet from a traffic and affordability perspective. It will have good new home options with decent land. However the food and school options are still slowly catching up with the growth.

South is pretty heavy with traffic but has a tons of upside in regards to housing and food, schools are decent.

West is probably the best but unless you go far West it is going to be crazy expensive and the commute will be bad the further out you go. Best schools, lots of great food and lifestyle stuff.

North and Northwest will have some of the same but traffic is probably some of the worst. Great schools, lots of new housing, etc.

I'd be happy to put you in contact with a good friend who is a realtor. No pressure if you already have one, he is a good ole boy that shoots and hunts and is pretty laid back but has a wealth of knowledge in the area.

Oh and pretty much everything LDP said (in a joking manner) is, semi-racist or phobic, or flat wrong :)

I live in East Austin (on 6th street), I'm not a hipster or a libtard, I speak English, and am generally normal.

[SQLGeek]

I appreciate y'all looking out for me but I'm pretty clear eyed about what Austin is like. I've lived in the belly of the beast in the SF Bay Area. If I can hack it there, I can make it anywhere. Houston isn't exactly a picnic either. :)

[Stick_Shift]

I lived in South Austin off Manchaca. South has the best balance of amenities and housing. None of it is cheap, but South is the best combination of affordability and stuff to do.

[HeathB]

I live just south of austin and we love our community. Look at sunfield in buda

[srothstein]

I live in Luling and work in the capital area. It is about a 75 minute commute each way. I would recommend looking at Lockhart, in Caldwell county. It is a small rural town with a population of around 15,000. The costs are low, especially compared to Austin. It is growing and they are starting to get a few subdivisions put in for people who are willing to make that commute. Lockhart is most famous for its barbecue.

And there is an outdoor gun range just outside the city limits, Lone Star Range. Not many amenities, but easy going on shooting with almost anything allowed if you obey a few rules.