Austin, Texas City life without all the headache
on the edge of the Texas hill country.
November 19, 2002: 6:23 AM EST
By Erica Garcia, Money Magazine
NEW YORK (MONEY Magazine) - Austin residents
enjoy the best of both worlds: a stylish, exciting urban life, but
without a lot of the hassles big cities are known for.
Even the heart of town is laid-back. Live music is one of the area's
biggest draws, for residents and out-of-towners alike, especially
in March when the South by Southwest festival brings thousands to
hear cutting-edge music and see new films. Close to downtown, bordering
the University of Texas campus, is historic Hyde Park, packed with
colorfully painted Victorian houses; it's one of those rare city
neighborhoods where parents are happy with public schools. As a
result, Hyde Park has enjoyed an influx of young families who like
to walk instead of drive, whether to the local park or the gelato
parlor. Hyde Park's popularity has pushed home prices up to $300,000
or more. Farther south across the Colorado River, called Town Lake
in these parts (dammed sections of the river get their own "lake"
designation), lies another hot historic area, Travis Heights. Area
landmarks include Zilker Park and Barton Springs, the local swimming
hole, where a summer swim is an almost obligatory rite of Austin
citizenship.
Ten minutes west of Austin on the south bank of the Colorado River
is West Lake Hills, an affluent community with a rural feel and
spectacular views, courtesy of the rolling Texas hill country, which
offers a landscape quite distinct from the city plains. "I
bought a view -- with a house attached," says Bernard Ortiz
de Montellano, 64, a retired professor whose home overlooks Lake
Austin (the Colorado River again). Here you'll find narrow, quiet
streets and spacious homes. Residents -- with and without children
-- brag about the Eanes school district, which was named "exemplary"
by the Texas Education Agency.
For a more reasonably priced suburb, head about 15 miles north
of Austin to Round Rock, which boasts large contemporary houses
that run in the low $200,000s. Many of the town's newer developments
include community tennis courts, swimming pools and clubhouses.
The local public schools are known for their demanding standards.
And if you're lucky enough to work for one of Round Rock's major
employers, such as Dell Computer, you'd have a 10-minute commute.
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