Cedar Park / Leander ladies - few questions

JLKillion

We are having to move at the end of May (lease is up, don't want to long-term renew). We're thinking of buying in the Cedar Park / Leander area.  It seems like you can get a nice property for our price range, which is not true in Austin. Okay, here goes:

1. We want to try to get an apartment up there for the summer to check out the area. Does anyone have any experience with CP/Leander apartments? DH is calling around, but personal recs go a long way. DD is ~8 months old and I'll be home with her, so I'd like somewhere we can walk and play in a pool.

2. DH works at UT, and is interested in taking the train. Do you have any opinions on commuting with the train? Is this a feasible option? He knows how to get from the station to his building using the bus, but as far as the efficiency / timeliness of the train, we have no idea. 

3. What is your opinion on the different areas of CP/ Leander? Without driving up yet (and without meeting with our realtor), I'd like to get an overall idea of why different areas with similar houses seem to vary so greatly in cost.

4. Finally, do you like it? I love central Austin and while I know it's not that far away, our Whole Foods / Townlake habits will have to change. I'll be a SAHM starting in June and want to make sure that we're moving somewhere I'll be happy with DD.

Thanks for any help you can give! 

keado

I'm in NW Austin (183/Duval area) so I'm not really qualified to answer all your questions, but I will say that we've spent a good deal of time in Cedar Park and up the 183 corridor (parks, activities) and the area is soooooo kid friendly.  Both towns seem to have master planned beautifully for family living with convenient shopping, tons of parks and greenbelts. 

Plus, every time we go out we always wind up talking to different people.  The moms that we meet are very friendly.    

That probably doesn't help too terribly much - Good luck!

ssinca

I meant to reply to this earlier but I forgot!  

1. I would definitely look into CP over leander...leander is really far from town IMO.  and you'd probably end up taking the toll road (like we do) which isn't terribly expensive but it does add up.  I think you'll have more apt options in CP as well, although I don't have any specifics on that.

2. my neighbor used to go to UT she would take the bus.  I asked her if she would take the train once it started but she said the route isn't convenient to get to UT.

3. I think you pay more for CP because you're closer to town.  also, the houses are generally more established - i.e. have bigger trees, etc.  

4. I know you already said you were going to drive around, but I think this is a great idea.   you'll figure out which one you'd prefer.  GL! 

 

 

PMBridetobe

There are several good ones around here.  It all depends on what you want.  There are some near Ranch 1890 that look good.  It just depends on your price point and what options you want.

 I really like the train but it really does not fit in my schedule.  I would have to be up about 2 hours before I would need to drive and the leaving time is not near  the time when I need to leave. It would elongate my day.  BUT if it did not I would use it.  I also liked the bus.  It stops more but the Internet seems more reliable and it would go directly to UT.

I personally like Leander. It is much more affordable than CP. I live right on the Leander/CP line and I find it is convenient to most things.  Yes, I do take the toll way and it is about $65 a month.    The main areas that I have seen are the Buttercup creak area in CP (nice, pricey) and then Horizon Park/Lakeline Ranch area.

I love it and since I work downtown, stopping at Whole Foods is easy on the way home.  Depending on where you live here there are a lot of parks and great areas that you can have fun in.