Moving to Austin??

Mark Roe · #1 (**permalink**) 01-15-2009, 08:34 PM

Hey guys.........

My wife and I are THINKING about the Austin area. We'll be in Austin the first week in Feb, and have a realestate agent taking care of us. We're looking in the Lake Travis area.

Any thoughts?? I'll be bringing my Cobra with me IF the state of California drives us out.......they're getting closer with all the taxes, regs and other stuff that goes on out here.

Anyway, any thoughts, suggestions on where to live, sfuff to do would be appreciated.

Mark

rms427 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-15-2009, 10:17 PM

We lived in Texas 3 times and have a son in Austin. Housing in general is much less expensive than California and no State income tax. However, make sure you check out the property tax. The last time we lived in Texas (Houston) we had a $500,000 house and paid 18,500 per year in property taxes.

Being the state capitol and home of University of Texas there is a lot to do. Our son graduated from UT and loves Austin, especially the music scene.

tomh440 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-16-2009, 06:01 AM

Thats interesting. A $500,000 house should be half that. Maybe depends on the school district?
I'm near lake Travis. Look me up if your in town!

Gregg(What's his name)? · #4 (**permalink**) 01-16-2009, 06:10 AM

Mark,

Come on down. I moved to Austin 10 years ago and just love the place. The wife and I decided to stay here after I retire from the military. There is so much to do in Austin and if your into outdoor activities then you have come to the right place. I would agree that property taxes are a little high. But other wise I Love it here.

Perhaps we can meet you on Saturday with our Cobras?

Gregg H

boomerangj · #5 (**permalink**) 01-16-2009, 06:36 AM

Hi Mark-

I'm on the north side of Lake Travis. Lived in Austin for 15 years and 12 years on the Lake. Hard to beat. I'm in the Volente area and if you have any questions feel free to contact. I will say it took a lot of weekends to find the right property for us. The area has a lot of "variability" especially in the unincorporated areas. If you have school age kids the news is all good as the school districts all have really improved and carry high ratings.

I'm not a Cobra owner. Just hitting this site every day trying to "figure out the plan". So maybe a ride in your Cobra?

Take care and welcome to Austin! Great place!

Scott

Tugboat · #6 (**permalink**) 01-16-2009, 07:37 AM

Mark,

Any good agent will know the 725' Lake Level mark. I owned the Scuba Shop on Lake Travis for years and now live in Houston. We have looked for Lake Front property to retire on for the last 2 yrs. The economy hasn't effected the water front one bit, YET!!! You can't build under that level. I looked at property last yr, 3/4 acre on water for $285,000, no house, and it was perfect. Didn't realize the elevation was 700'. A couple months later it was under several feet of water. Lake Travis may not be Lake Tahoe but it is some of the best in Texas and is very beautiful. Lake Travis is a variable lake level. Will vary sometimes, in a drought, 30-40'. Yet it is 200' deep in front of damn. Lake is known as the clearest lake in Texas.
You can't go wrong with Austin, Bring your car and a boat!!!

Welcome

Larry Boatner

CowtownCobra · #7 (**permalink**) 01-16-2009, 11:02 AM

Mark,

Coming from California, you'll like the culture, but hate the traffic.

rms427 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-16-2009, 02:55 PM

We looked at lake front property in Austin when we were getting ready to retire in 1998. We found lake front property to be about the same price as what we found in Northern California. We ended up purchasing a place on a lake in California between Lake Tahoe and Sacramento. I don't know what happened to the price of lake front in Austin but it went way up here. The price has come down but is still much higher than what it was when we bought in 1998.

tomh440 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-16-2009, 03:34 PM

Mark, if you like to golf Steiner Ranch has the U-T golf club. Lakeway has nice golf clubs too. Riverplace, Falconhead..... all have courses.
Just depends how far you want to be from the city life. I'm near the Oasis (overlooks Lake Travis) close to 2222 and 620 intersection. About 7 miles from Lakeway. Most everyone in the Texas Cobra club knows the Oasis.
Come down for the Texas Meet in March, (or sooner) I can show ya around!
Tom

timhorr · #10 (**permalink**) 01-16-2009, 04:43 PM

Check out this website for houses
Austinhomesearch.com

you can put in the school district and price range and you'll see everything in MLS...save you alottttttt of time..i live in west austin, off Bee Cave road..once you get west of downtown its excellent rolling hills (including lake travis)..there are pockets of distressed housing..i would recommend renting for 6-12 months while things get worse...and have cash in hand and lowball sellers

Jamo · #11 (**permalink**) 01-16-2009, 09:58 PM

Wonder what the wine's like.

SLHetal · #12 (**permalink**) 01-17-2009, 01:22 AM

I agree with Tim. I used to do developing in Austin years ago. It would be best to find a place to rent and get to know the ins and outs before you decide on a purchase. Texas is just starting to see the effects of the real estate downturn and may experience further home price erosion during the next twelve months. That should give you time gain knowledge in order to land a better deal.
Sam