Suggestions for a place in Texas!

[pgreen]

My job has me soon moving away from my 2500 sf shop, with nearby house...

I will be travelling between Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston on a regular basis, so location isn't critical. I have been looking into the Waco or Austin area.

Any suggestions? We need good schools, 2-5 (or maybe more) acres, and either a standing shop or a good location to put one... Looking at $175K, give or take.

Seems that a simple 2-car garage isn't very common in these parts. I'm guessing that car ports are way more common.

 

[BlackSheepSpeedShop]

Where r u at this time?

 

[pgreen]

Sorry, that could help.... I'm in Michigan. Looking out at a foot of snow!

 

[BlackSheepSpeedShop]

Austin is way more liberal than any other part of Texas. So, Austin and Waco are worlds a part. Just remember that you wont get a basement. P.M. me, I am in the DFW area if you have any question, but I am sure that you will find something in that price range.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Also, just a heads up (because sometimes folks from out of state don't realize this), Texas is a big state and there is a lot of drive time between DFW, Houston and SA.

Location is critical for a number of reasons. I can't stress that enough.

Land and homes are more expensive the Hill Country (centex area/Austin). Austin is also getting liberal and they like to spill their authority on everyone else.

Land is cheaper in the extremes of the state. Between the cities you listed Houston will have the cheaper land (least from when I last looked). I wouldn't live in S.DFW unless I'm well out of the city. I'm in N.DFW and really like the atmosphere but I feel like we're just way up here in our own little world. The place I'd love to get back to would be SA. The route between SA and Austin is getting busier. The Sprawl north of SA is something else. I'd be headed south of there.


What areas have you looked at? In person? Online? Have you been able to spend some time down here at all? Any preferences?

 

[BlackSheepSpeedShop]

I am also from N-DFW. In my opinon the only place to be.

 

[tez929rr]

My job has me soon moving away from my 2500 sf shop, with nearby house...

I will be travelling between Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston on a regular basis, so location isn't critical. I have been looking into the Waco or Austin area.

Any suggestions? We need good schools, 2-5 (or maybe more) acres, and either a standing shop or a good location to put one... Looking at $175K, give or take.

Seems that a simple 2-car garage isn't very common in these parts. I'm guessing that car ports are way more common.

175K for 2-5 acres w shop, including a house? Maybe a mobile home.

No place in the hill country is that cheap.

 

[David79z28]

I am also from N-DFW. In my opinon the only place to be.

+3 I live in a rural area of North Texas. Land and homes are still cheap. Within an hour I can be in downtown Dallas or DFW airport, etc.

I can play in my shop and take the toy out almost year round.

There are also plenty of colleges within a couple hours....

 

[hetkind]

We had a house on two acres with a 2 car garage, separate 20x24 shop and attached 17x35 pole barn we paid 120k for in Canton, Texas, 75 miles east of Dallas on I-20 with EXCELLENT schools.

Howard

 

[red baron]

Is it that inexpensive out there? Wow! there is nothing south of 350k here, and thats with 1/4 acre or less!

 

[BlackSheepSpeedShop]

Its all about location.

 

[pgreen]

Thanks for the help so far guys. I spent last week and drove the big triangle of DFW/San Antonio/Houston/DFW. I ABSOLUTELY realize the drive. I will be around this triangle often....

Red Baron - You are in a different kind of neighborhood than I am looking for. With my job, I can be out in the boonies, hours from anything (as long as the kiddo can go to a decent school). 1/4 acre isn't even in my search criteria, nor is $350K or so.

I haven't really spent much time really checking out the areas myself in person yet. That process will start in a week or so. I have looked at a LOT of houses on the internet in all kinds of places all over (mostly inside the triangle of freeways). What I am looking for IS available. But I'm looking for opinions of areas.

Moving all my **** will be a whole other mess!

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

If you like to shoot ***** or trap, check out the Waco gun club at the airport. They used to alternate shooting the nationals there. The best thing about Waco though is the Texas Rangers Museum.

I could stare at the "Bar-B-Q guns" for hours.

 

[december45]

Hill Country is really nice... all of tx is nice of course but i like the hill country best.
for my money id be looking around Canyon Lake area.. a great lake and its north of San Antonio, west of Austin and south of Dallas... easy access to hiway 281
if your interested in some property any where between Austin and San Antonio contact this guy... http://www.hillcountrylandman.com/
830 708 6547 This guy knows his stuff about land in TX
He can find you land or house and shop, just about any thing you want.

 

[DGC15]

You should look at McGregor or Gatesville. Both are just west of Waco. Things are much cheaper.

 

[robertearl]

We put all of the transplanted yankees in Dallas. Cali people we put in Austin. Keeping them all together makes it easier to keep an eye on them.

Bryan - College Station would be another place to look at if you don't mind a college town.

DFW to Houston or DFW to San Antonio is about 4.5 hours driving.

Reb

 

[Nighttrain]

Waco is an up and coming town and is probably the best central area for your commute. Look out towards Crawford (Yes where W’s ranch is.) There are some really nice properties out there in your $ range. I lived south of Houston for four years. Not too bad if you don’t have to drive through Houston, that and the hurricanes will get old. I would stay far north side of Houston towards Huntsville.

Dallas to me is just another big city that goes on forever. I grew up north of there. TexasMotorSpeedway.com is up that way.

As mentioned College Station area is also pretty central and of course a good school town. There is a race track there also, TexasWorldSpeedway.com

I live just west of Austin. You hear a lot about how liberal Austin is but I don't worry about it. I commute to Austin for work; I work then go back out of town. I guess the best part is all the liberals drive little ECO Cars and so for me I don't have to worry about one causing too much damage to me while I commute with my F-350.

North of Austin is Pflugerville, Georgetown, Round Rock, Hutto and even further Temple (Fort Hood). All pretty nice and good schools.

Canyon Lake as mentioned also is a nice area. Lots of rolling hills.

Best of luck and hope you enjoy Texas.

 

[shovel]

Another option may be between Houston and San Antonio. I like the Columbus or LaGrange area. Some very nice properties that arent as expensive as the hill country around Austin. I'm stuck in the S.E. Texas area near the Louisiana border. Good luck to you and post up some pics when you get moved in.

 

[bazzateer]

Does Waco suffer as a result of the 'incident' there in '93? I mean, are property prices adversely affected?

 

[slip knot]

I'm gonna second the LaGrange/columbus/schulenberg areas. Area is really pretty year round. I live a bit closer to the coast and don't advise getting much closer than I10 or you'll eventually have to deal with Hurricane issues. Seems like the state govt is getting into flexing its muscle and making mandatory evacuations at the drop of a hat. I've gone thru 2 so far and the storms missed us by a mile.

Move down in the winter so you can acclimate to our summer slowly. otherwise you will suffer come August.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

I love the swatch of Texas that runs N-S between I35 and I45. It is a beautiful land. I grew up in Karnes Co. which is significantly SW of the area you guys are recommending. I'm doing my darndest to eventually get back.

 

[ddawg16]

I was born and raised in the DFW area.....you will never get me back there to live....

Austin is a nice town....I also like San Antonio....

A lot depends on the type of scenery you like.....West Texas is pretty much desert....East Texas is pretty green....as well as the south.

The Houston area is HUMID....as in cut it with a knife....

It was in the high 70's here in Los Angeles today.....I think I'll stay here....

 

[Nighttrain]

I would say not. Amazing after 18 years not much is said about those 80 folks that died. If you have google Earth type in N3135.44 and W9659.17. I have flown over that spot and there are still buildings and old wrecked vehicles there.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
<o> </o>
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Waco</st1lace></st1:City> is fast growing. I think having W’ ranch there and all the news of Cindy Sheehan that made for a newer image for <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Waco</st1lace></st1:City>.<o></o>
<o> </o>
Still a nice town with a good University (Baylor)<o></o>
<o> </o>

 

[Falcon67]

X2 - 175K won't buy a used house in town in the Austin area now, let alone outside. I'd look around Seguin, San Marcos, Huntsville, Bryan/College Station, Temple/Belton area, Corsicana, Hillsboro.

 

[onewaydave]

Lot of good Texas info here. I'll add Gradbury and Stephenville area to the mix. or go east toward Lufkin... Look and you will find what you are looking for.

Driving the triangle will only give one view of what to expect. That can change in a heartbeat, as they say. I left Houston on the south side one friday afternoon and it took 6 hours to get to the Woodlands. I-45 was under construction and I averaged 5 mph the whole way. It would normally be a 60 minute drive.

The last time I drove through Dallas, I-35 to I-45, at 2:30 in the morning on a Saturday, there was construction and the exit and 2 miles of I-45 was closed. No warning signs, no detour signs, just got dumped out in south Dallas. Took about 45 minutes to find my way back to I-45 where I could get back on.

Oh yes, and I always like to remind people moving to Texas that you need to learn to say sh$t with 3 syllables to fit in.

Dave, 100% Texan.

 

[BlackSheepSpeedShop]

Granbury is great but I know it would be over your stated 175k. when I said you could find something like what you were looking for in your range it was when you stated you wanted to be someplace out and away from one of the cities and that you didn't need the shop to be built yet just a place to build one. I did look and you can find plenty of homes is the 175k range that sit on 2-5 acres. The further out you go, the more you get for your money. I am sure that you are smart enough to have figured that out. I wish you and your family the best of luck on your move and I am sure that moving to the great state of Texas will be a good thing for y'all.

 

[hetkind]

Oh, one piece of advice for those moving to Texas...there are virtually no parks, public land or other recreational facilities easily available in the state WITHOUT an entrance fee.

In some of the other states, we get used to free use of public land, like 55% of the county I currently live in is National Forest.

So, when you buy land, buy enough to play on...

Howard

 

[Boyd]

1800sq/ft home, almost 4 acres, small pond, shop, small barn, great schools in Forney (I have 3 daughters in the district now). "As is" is kinda scary but for $153k, it might be worth it.

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/16100-Miller-Farm-Road_Forney_TX_75126_M86259-57374

 

[Falcon67]

Oh, one piece of advice for those moving to Texas...there are virtually no parks, public land or other recreational facilities easily available in the state WITHOUT an entrance fee.

In some of the other states, we get used to free use of public land, like 55% of the county I currently live in is National Forest.

So, when you buy land, buy enough to play on...

Howard

You know well that you're paying for that, just not at the gate. I pay at the gate in Texas and I help pay for your "free accesss" in other states every April 15. Texas retained all public lands when it because a state, so there is pay for use. You can get a year pass at the TP&W - $60 for one year, $75 for two cards (family) and you can bring as many guests as fit in a non-commercial vehicle. No money, no parks - pretty simple I think.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/parkinfo/passes/parkpass/faqs/

 

[hetkind]

You know well that you're paying for that, just not at the gate. I pay at the gate in Texas and I help pay for your "free accesss" in other states every April 15. Texas retained all public lands when it because a state, so there is pay for use. You can get a year pass at the TP&W - $60 for one year, $75 for two cards (family) and you can bring as many guests as fit in a non-commercial vehicle. No money, no parks - pretty simple I think.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/parkinfo/passes/parkpass/faqs/

Now my property is bordered on two sides by National Forest, it is like my property never ends, I can walk for hours upon hours and never see a gate, fence or improved trail. While I was in Texas, many of my friends who didn't have property would buy a deer lease, just to have access to land. And ALL the National Forest land in Tennessee was created long after statehood.

Anyhow, I enjoyed living in NE Texas, the three years in Amarillo was hard duty for a variety of reasons...

Howard

 

[december45]

Remember to check the property taxes for a given area. I believe that "Comal" county is among the lowest if not the lowest... watch for assessments for water etc. they can be brutal, this is where a good realestate guy who knows the ins and outs can be of help. We at one time looked at a place near austin for sale, between property tax and assessments it was a huge deal breaker. Most counties are right in the 2% range and go up from there.... thats nearly $2000.00 per year on a $100k property, and could be more.. so check every thing out, there can be big differences between county taxes and some code enforcements... i dont think building codes in Comal county are very tough if there are any at all/.

 

[carap]

Just to stir you all up a bit. Texas ***** and Kansas blows. Boomer Sooner baby.

 

[tez929rr]

Just to stir you all up a bit. Texas ***** and Kansas blows. Boomer Sooner baby.

And between is a big smelly void?

 

[s.a.steel]

The only reason Texas doesn't float out into the Gulf is because Oklahoma ***** so much.

Seriously, though, I live in Comal County and love it here. Pretty much half between San Antonio and Austin. Building codes in the county are lax. Schools are great, too.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Just to stir you all up a bit. Texas ***** and Kansas blows. Boomer Sooner baby.

Texas Jr, what are you doing out after curfew?





I want to echo a post up there. The further out you get from the city the better your price will be. Definitely read the fine print for taxes.

$175k is around where we're at right now and we're in the city on 1/3ac and 1750sqft. The thing that held us back from getting on land up here was the commute time for my husband. I guess I have an easier commute no matter the location since my little shop is just up the stairs

 

[BlackSheepSpeedShop]

Property taxes are high, but no state income tax!!!!!!

 

[grog]

bastrop, elgin might fit your needs.

Grog

 

[99SVT]

175K for 2-5 acres w shop, including a house? Maybe a mobile home.

No place in the hill country is that cheap.

I live in La Grange... won't get that around here either.

 

[oldnndway]

Considering the triangle you are going to be working take a look at the Brenham area.
Seems like it would be near equadistant between the three areas and is beautiful country, rolling hills with lots of woods and water.

 

[BlackSheepSpeedShop]

Don't want to argue but a search on realtor.com says there are 5 just in La Grange. If he has the whole area between those cities to work with he will find something. If you read is post he said he would be okay with room to build a shop, not the post that you quoted that said with shop. Not trying to make anyone upset but the properties are out there for sure.