What is the better city in Texas for rasing children,Plano, Austin, or San Antonio? We can afford a 200K home.

Question

We could spend more, maybe 300k, for the right area. Are there any smaller towns near the bigger cities that might be better?

Answer 1

San Antonio its calmer than Austin and bigger than Plano.....plus i live in San Antonio and i love it. plus real estate is very good here.

Answer 2

Plano high schools have a big drug problem, though this is never talked about much. Plano is also more concerned with what you are wearing than anything else. Its a great place to raise a future Greek. Austin would give you lots to do, but its probably most expensive. If you are a liberal I would suggest Austin for sure. Its a great place to raise little liberals. San Antonio is great. There is a lot of new construction in a variety of price ranges and because of this, lots of new schools being built. You have lots of history around there with all the missions (not just the Alamo). Its not far to get away from the city in any of these towns if you enjoy the outdoors. My vote is San Antonio.

Answer 3

Austin is a beautiful town. If you are the earthy, liberal type, this is the place for you. It is full of potheads, though (personally, I find that an attribute, but you are specifically interested in raising children), and the housing is a bit expensive as Texas goes (but still cheaper than east or west coast. Note to Sherry K: Round Rock and Georgetown are north of Austin, not south.

Plano is too close to Dallas, 'nuff said. The people in Plano have that snooty Dallas aire about them. It is OK I guess if you are a rich white republican.

San Antonio is a pretty cool town, though not as pretty and "hip" as Austin, the people here are pretty diverse culturally. It has decent schools, a low crime rate, and you could buy a NICE (I mean really nice) house here for $200k. If you go the full $300k, you could live in a palace here.

Answer 4

Plano: Upper-middle-class city, not a bad place, but you won't get a great home for 200K. Great homes in children-friendly neighborhoods with access to good schools will run closer to 300K. Also, too close to Dallas; it has the urban traffic problems its counterpart does. If one is to live in the Dallas/Plano area, I'd actually recommend Rockwall County, Denton, Grapevine, or Arlington--good cities with cheaper housing, taxes that aren't outrageous, and that are clean. Stay away from Irving and Mesquite!

Austin: WOW! The one adjective that can describe Austin--in a positive way, of course. Beautiful city, great historic sites, great culture, wonderful bars and pubs with live music and eclectic merchandise (for the grown-ups, though,) two great colleges (UT and St. Edward's). Oh, and of course, the schools are great. Live in NW or W. Austin, Pflugerville, Round Rock, Georgetown, or San Marcos. There's one catch, though: housing prices are comparable to those in Plano.

San Antonio: Best deal! The friendliest city of the three, plus all the amenities of Austin. Plus, it's also the closest to Houston, which can be a tremendous asset if you need it (I know you're not looking to locate there, though.) (BTW, the three major college there are UTSA, St. Mary's, and Trinity.) As another person said, $200K buys a nice home; I'm not sure about the mansion at $300K, but that will still buy you a great home. Do steer clear of the west and south sides of the city inside I-410.

To summarize, go with San Antone!

Best of luck and enjoy Texas!

Answer 5

Plano is consistently made up of the upper, upper class. If you have the money to pay the taxes your fine. It's just about all richie neighbor hoods. Austin, exciting, expensive, property hard to get. Gosh a hut cost a fortune. Ohhh I just loved San Antonio. Sooo many things to do. Sea world, Glass bottom boats up in New Brunsfield, tubing on the San Jacinto river - The river walk, not far away from the coast, many many restaurants, and the people are just sooo friendly.

Answer 6

Myself, I say none of the above.

If you prefer a more technically-involved environment (and easy access to one of the best colleges in the country), Lubbock is the only choice. Land itself is dirt-cheap, so you can readily afford a veritable mansion for $200k, as opposed to a 1500-foot crackerbox like you'll manage in Austin or San Antonio.

If you prefer a more casual, established, and traditional environment for your children (ie - true neighbors instead of a 'hood'), you can't beat Amarillo, particularly in the Paramount district. There's also a major Texas A&M campus in Canyon (about 25 miles south), so the kids can be 'away for college', but still come visit on the weekends.

Also, the weather is much more inviting in the panhandle, particularly in Amarillo (over the Caprock); milder summers and delightful winters. I mainly grew up between Amarillo (where my grandparents lived) and Lubbock (where my divorced dad was stationed @ Reese) and personally prefer Amarillo, but Lubbock has a great deal to offer as well. Both are big enough to offer most everything your heart could desire, but without the 'crampedness' of super-metros like the three cities you named (which also means much better prices for real estate and lower utility bills).

Answer 7

San Antonio is a crap hole with a crime rate that rivals NY. I would definately go to Austin. The city has top notch social services buses, parks, schools. San Antonio has butt. I have never lived in Plano and cannot vouch for it. But I think you and your kids will be much happier in Austin. Just learn to avoid traffic.

Answer 8

The Plano area is very nice, but I'm partial to Austin. I don't recommend San Antonio.

Answer 9

San Antonio is probably your best bet. It is way too hot is Austin and Plano. Good Luck finding a house!

Answer 10

Austin