Future Relocation-possibly Austin?

[luckytxn 2,265]

Probably went downtown somewhere.... no good Mexican food there

I'm a freaking immigrant I'm not Philadelphian, I just live here and hate tourists

Well you are taken to their ways and outlooks well. Good job.

[luckytxn 2,265]

Kinda surprised we have no one weighing in from the Woodlands area yet.

[Fandango 1,440]

Best thing to do would be to contact a realtor® from that area to send you a relocation packet. Most times, it will be filled with all sorts of helpful information about the area. I have a packet that I send to all my potential out of town customers, and I'm constantly updating it to add as much info for the area as possible. I know for a fact that when I refer my local customers here to other agents in other areas, they do the same for them. So I know I'm not the only one who does it, lol.

[TBoneTX 47,533]

I did almost hit the Mayor of Missouri City with a golf gall

Such gall -- but, from what I hear, he deserves it, frequently & often, si man. Actually, Stafford is probably superior even to Sugar Land, si man.

[natty bumppo 297]

Listen dude. We live in the area and know that the NW is also congestion land. Also vividly remember the constant sirens.

further down 290 does get congested. i live a little further out and avoid from 1960 to 610 whenever possible. it does help that i don't need to drive that stretch of road to get to/from work.

as for sirens ... i can't remember the last time i heard one ... guess i live in a quiet area ....

[TBoneTX 47,533]

it does help that i don't need to drive that stretch of road to get to/from work.

And that's probably among the chief reasons why you appreciate the NW area so much, si man! There's a lot to be said for quietude, too. I live just half a mile from Hwy. 6, and sometimes at night only the breeze or some whacko nocturnal bird is audible, shhh man.

[The_Dude 1,142]

If you want to know about the neighborhood, and not just the glossy parts that a realtor who hopes you'll buy from them, contact the local police department. Usually, it will be the Community Relations department who do this. The police department that I work and virtually all the ones around us will do that. They will give you all the police data as well as a more detailed history of the specific neighborhood that you are looking at.

[TBoneTX 47,533]

contact the local police department. Usually, it will be the Community Relations department who do this.

Excellent idea, si man. In fact, in the past, I have done exactly this before out-of-town visits in order to settle upon the cheapest possible motel that's not in an unsafe 'hood. Without exception, every local "puerco department" has been understanding and considerably helpful, si man.

[Fandango 1,440]

If you want to know about the neighborhood, and not just the glossy parts that a realtor who hopes you'll buy from them, contact the local police department. Usually, it will be the Community Relations department who do this. The police department that I work and virtually all the ones around us will do that. They will give you all the police data as well as a more detailed history of the specific neighborhood that you are looking at.

Not to sound defensive, but at least speaking for myself and the realtors I have worked with for my customers' relocations, it's not some glossy 'fluff piece' about the area. My packets come with VERY detailed information, both the good and the bad, about the area...complete with all sorts of resources - ie relevant phone numbers/websites for local police, sex offender info, etc. It would do no one any justice to just send the pros about an area....no area is without its cons, and no potential customer would appreciate feeling 'sandbagged'.

I know there are unscrupulous people who work in the re industry who can give it a bad name, but myself and those whom I have worked with have all been really diligent in the responsibility of helping people settle into a home. We know this affects lives, and it's not about the quick $$.

ETA: not to say that I think contacting the police is a bad idea. In fact, it's a great one.

Edited April 14, 2010 by Happy Bunny

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Not to sound defensive, but at least speaking for myself and the realtors I have worked with for my customers' relocations, it's not some glossy 'fluff piece' about the area.

All the materials I've seen from realtors have been fluff pieces. Maybe they do it right down in Florida. Up here they lie out their back sides every second you talk to them.

[Fandango 1,440]

All the materials I've seen from realtors have been fluff pieces. Maybe they do it right down in Florida. Up here they lie out their back sides every second you talk to them.

I put myself in every buyer's shoes and think 'what would I want to know about moving into this area' A realtor who glossed over my concerns/need to know just to sell a specific house would never get my return biz or referrals. I see it as being in it for the long haul...developing relationships built on trust, and being able to look at myself in the mirror for doing the right thing. I believe in my colleagues feeling the same, as they act the same.

I'm NOT talking about putting together marketing materials for a certain house/development. Of course, those would focus more on the positives

I will admit that I work for an exceptionally reputable company with ridiculously high standards. And our relocation network is held to the same standards. Perhaps we're not the norm, *shrug*.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I'm NOT talking about putting together marketing materials for a certain house/development. Of course, those would focus more on the positives

Sometimes, they will flat out lie. A common 'scam' I see in this area is lying in the promotional materials as to what town a development is in. A new home development near me is advertised as being in Monroe when it is actually in Jamesburg. As you could guess, Monroe is FTW and Jamesburg is ghetto

[Fandango 1,440]

Sometimes, they will flat out lie. A common 'scam' I see in this area is lying in the promotional materials as to what town a development is in. A new home development near me is advertised as being in Monroe when it is actually in Jamesburg. As you could guess, Monroe is FTW and Jamesburg is ghetto

I don't get that....wouldn't that be easily noticeable when the peeps drive to the house? ####### is the point?

[Otto 83]

Perhaps we're not the norm, *shrug*.

I'm a Realtor too (not in Texas) and a majority of relocation packages I've seen are really nothing special - mostly a collection of other resources for the client to investigate (not that that's a bad thing at all). We can't, for example, tell you which are 'good' or 'bad' neighborhoods but we can give you resources to look up crime rates by area.

As a private individual - I can tell you that Austin is a good place to live, work and raise a family. There are good schools here (not all, of course) - lots of employers in Technology and other specialty areas. Things that buffer us from most major economic fluctuations (not immune of course).

Housing is good here - lots of inventory currently so bargains abound - but there was never a real 'bubble' to burst here. Renters enjoy a fairly good selection of single-family, duplex and apartment options too.

Its a fun town - lots to do - very green-oriented. Its the Capitol so there is that (for what that's worth). The weather is OK - usually - very hot in summer so be prepared for that.

My 2-cents

Edited April 14, 2010 by Otto und Karin

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I don't get that....wouldn't that be easily noticeable when the peeps drive to the house? ####### is the point?

You may not know if you drive there. It's right on the border.

But you will know if you google map it. That's how I know.