After an exceptionally hot, dry summer, the rain has finally come to Central Texas. Just how much rain will it take to alleviate the current drought conditions? Considering this is the worst drought Central Texas has experienced since the 1950s, the answer to that is difficult to quantify. Don't expect any let up in the current water restrictions.

According to the Lower Colorado River Authority, year to date the area rainfall is 8 to 12 inches below normal. However, this is the second year of lower than normal rainfall, making it closer to 16 to 20 inches below normal. There are five levels of drought, and a good portion of Travis County has been at the highest "exceptional" level for many months.

According to the Associated Press, drought conditions in Central Texas are improving, especially as the rain keeps coming. Williamson and Burnet Counties, and even parts of northern Travis County are now considered to be in a moderate drought. However, the southern half of Travis County and all of Hays County are now considered to be in a severe drought, upgraded from exceptional drought. Just in the last year of this two year drought, it is estimated that the drought has caused more than $3.6 billion in crop and livestock losses.

What isn't changing significantly, even with all the recent rain, are the lake levels. The National Weather Service says it will take "several periods of sustained heavy, soaking rains to begin refilling lakes Buchanan and Travis." While that kind of rainfall gets the lake levels and local water supplies back to where they are supposed to be, it brings other consequences as well. Just ask Atlanta what it's like to go from drought conditions to catastrophic flooding.

From the drought in Texas to the floods in Georgia, it's difficult these days to find a part of the country not experiencing some kind of unusual weather. According to the National Weather Service, September saw above-average temperatures for most of the country. That is hardly the case in October, as Colorado to Minnesota are seeing early snow. There is more heavy rain forecasted in the south, something places like Atlanta doesn't need. California has gone from wildfires to the danger of mudslides as that state braces for storms. And, then there is a heat wave in Florida.

Much of this crazy weather from coast to coast can be attributed to the climate phenomenon known as El Niño, which affects weather patterns around the globe. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, we are in the midst of an El Niño pattern that will have both a positive and negative impact for the next several months. On the positive side, the hurricane season has been milder and the dry southwest will get some much needed rain. "El Niño's negative impacts have included damaging winter storms in California and increased storminess across the southern United States." Starting to sound familiar, isn't it?


Ki graduated from college in Austin, and couldn't leave. He created a website to provide information on the Austin real estate market to future buyers. Anyone can search for homes in the Austin MLS on his site. His site also provides a search for Austin commercial real estate.

Austin is well known for the South By Southwest Music and Media Conference and Festival each spring and the Austin City Limits Music Festival each fall. But music isn't the only thing putting Austin on the map. Austin also hosts the Texas Book Festival and the Austin Film Festival and Conference every year.

Started in 1994, the Austin Film Festival is all about the creative process of screenwriting and film making. The annual film festival and conference held in October highlights local organizations and businesses that work in all elements of the film industry.

This year's festival features films starring actors like George Clooney and Meg Ryan. The conference and festival bring many big names from the film industry to Austin, but the event stays true the capital city's laid back feeling. There are no red carpets and little paparazzi at the eight day event.

The conference itself offers panels, lectures and roundtable discussion on all aspects of the film and screenwriting industry, and encourages budding film writers to take part. The festival is a series of screening of all types of films: shorts, documentaries, animation, independent and premieres. Unknowns in the film industry rub elbows with the bigwigs and many have had their work move into prominence due to this film festival.

The film festival is also a series of parties with different themes at many different downtown venues. Austin restaurants, bars, shops and hotels benefit from the festival patrons. The awards at this year's festival will go to industry greats like Ron Howard.

The Texas Book Festival, also going on this October in Austin, was started in 1995 by Laura Bush. The former first lady has always been a literacy advocate and started the ball rolling on the Texas festival to honor Texas writers and promote the love of reading.

The two-day event has the unique venue of the Texas State Capital buildings and grounds. Hopefully, the weather gods will smile down on Austin with more blue skies and sunny fall weather in the forecast for the last weekend in October. Nearly 50,000 people will fill the marbled halls and hallowed chambers of the state house to listen to lectures and panels. Other downtown venues also get involved, like the historical Paramount Theater and the Austin Children's Museum hosting special events for children's authors.

The festival not only celebrates literature, but also addresses some of the issues faced by the book industry. One of this year's lectures, "Are Books Dead?," addresses the future of books and the changing ways we will read them. This year will feature over 200 authors, like Margaret Atwood, Jane Smiley, Harold Evans, Gail Collins and Buzz Aldrin. The festival is free and open to the public, with lots of opportunites for book signings.

SXSW and ACL might bring the national camera crews and the big names in music, but they aren't the only festivals promoting the arts in this unique capital city.


Ki works, and lives, in Austin Texas. His website has thorough descriptions of Austin Texas real estate. It also has a map based search of the Austin MLS along with a blog covering news and events in Austin real estate.

The South First Street area has become a vibrant community lately, especially for pedestrians and bicyclists, since it is so densely packed with new establishments and businesses. The area is very unique and quirky; many of the businesses cater to the music industry and other artistic types.

There are a number of interesting clubs and restaurants as well, most of which offer live music on a regular basis. Two such venues are Jovita's and Freddie's Place, both delightful locations with shady trees with well known as well as new musical acts which usually perform early in the evening, to the satisfaction of families with children and the slightly older crowd that prefers to be back home at a reasonable hour.

Jovita's has had a number of very well known local acts play the spot recently, including the Marshall Ford Swing Band and the Cornell Hurd Band. The crowd is usually dancing to the catchy tunes, and it's worth the visit just to watch the boot-scooting and vintage clothing worn by many of the dancers, most of which are early to middle aged.

Freddie's has an outdoor stage under the trees, and patrons can have a full meal, while accompanied by their dogs (which are allowed on the patio area), or just sit up front with a frosty drink and listen to the musical acts, many of which are newcomers but very enjoyable and professional. Both of these fine eateries are on the east side of 1st just north of Live Oak and Mary Street. Bouldin Creek meanders through the neighborhood too, presenting a lovely and peaceful sight.

Traveling south, one gets to La Reyna and La Mexicana, a well-known tex-mex joint and Mexican food bakery, respectively, and both have great food and other products as well, including jewelry at La Mexicana as well as convenience store fare. Across the street, very interesting vintage clothing can be found at Flashback, which is currently having a clearance sale and all of the items are very reasonably priced. Amelia's and New Bohemia are also vintage and retro shops, a few blocks south on the east side of 1st. Adjacent to Amelia's, End of an Ear can be found, with various types of music on CD, record, tape, etc., and occasionally live music as well.

Just north of End of an Ear and its small strip center, Sugar Mama's offers cupcakes and other bakery items and sweets for the hungry strollers, and their confections are out of this world.Another vintage clothing and curios shop called Secret Oktober is a few doors down from Sugar Mama's too. There are also numerous coffee shops, including Bouldin, Once Over, and Somnio's, and all three have a laid back atmosphere and outdoor tables under the trees.

Farther north on 1st, but within walking distance, is an Austin legend, El Mercado, which offers a varied Mexican Food menu and has been in different locations over the years, with this site being in operation for almost ten years itself. Another great Mexican food spot, Polvo's, is a few blocks down, just south of the intersection of 1st and Mary on the west side of street, and their food is outstanding as are their drinks, especially the margaritas.

One of the most interesting locations is the South First Trailer Park Eatery, which is a large lot on which various food vendors operate out of airstream trailers and stands, with the emphasis on hand held food such as wraps, burritos, and deserts, also popcorn. This site also offers free movies on a regular basis, most of which are family oriented, and can be watched under the stars with one's own refreshments, which are allowed due to the BYOB policy. This week, the Back to the Future series has been shown, to the sure approval of the neighborhood kids and kids at heart.

There are many old yet restored homes in the area, and they are reasonably priced, many being fixer-uppers. Those near the creek are especially appealing, and many are already in perfect shape, ready to move in. But the real estate prices in the area reflect the appeal of the area and far outpace the average prices in the Austin real estate market. For new residents who prefer not to cook, the Soup Peddler offers delivery of different homemade, gourmet soups on a daily basis, and deliver on bicycle to neighborhood patrons, and has received rave reviews from diners.



Ki works in Central Austin. He maintains a website focused on Austin real estate. The site allows future owners to search for Austin homes for sale. He also writes entries on his blog covering Austin tx real estate.

During the Texas Revolution, around the year 1812, Santiago Del Valle made his way to central Texas and settled with his family on a large piece of land granted to him by the Mexican government in the area now known as Del Valle. Del Valle is 7 miles southeast of Austin and the community is currently unincorporated.

The community is near the Austin Bergstrom International Airport, and is situated near the intersection of U.S. Highway 183 and Highway 71, on which Del Valle is actually located. Del Valle is also very near the communities of Lockhart to the south and Bastrop to the east, and the terrain is gently rolling farmland with plenty of shade trees as well as rivers and creeks.

Del Valle has its own school district, the Del Valle Independent School District, a small post office, and a few other businesses, including restaurants and hotels and motels, which are numerous due to the town's proximity to the new airport as well as nearby state parks and other tourist attractions.

Del Valle also boasts many sports related activities and events, and there is a local golf course as well as a baseball complex, among other facilities. With its rural atmosphere, many local residents enjoy the outdoors, for sporting events or even eating outside and picnicking in the many local parks and greenbelts.

Del Valle is considered a growing community, and there are many inexpensive homes available, most with plenty of acreage to raise a family, livestock or pets, or even grow your own fruits and vegetables, since the town is on the southeastern side of Travis County which has good soil and lots of water.

Currently, there are many available homes in the $100,000 range in the community, and most have all the modern amenities, as well as access to U.S. 183 and 71, which makes travel to Austin, San Antonio, and even south Texas very convenient and speedy. There are also many mobile homes parks and empty lots with green grass as far as you can see on which one can build a home and eventually settle into the sunset years.

Some of the local eateries around Del Valle include a Thai restaurant called Little Thailand, a barbecue spot called Elroy Sausage Company, and an old-timey saloon called Water Hole Saloon. All offer above average food and refreshing beverages, according to visitors to the Del Valle area.

A local church that hosts many events is the Methodist Church, called Haynie Chapel United Methodist Church, and the church promotes the spiritual life as well as actively promoting social events and get-togethers for residents and their guests, with regular prayer meetings, worship services, and study groups.

Del Valle is the location of the Travis County Correctional Complex, which is a large, local employer of correctional officers, social workers, medical staff, and many other professionals, as well as the home of a youth program, a military-style boot camp, and many other facilities intended to teach and encourage healthy living and life skills for the young, old, and in between.

Del Valle is a promising location for those who want to see the stars at night without the distraction of city lights, and hear the birds chirp and the roosters crow. The lifestyle is laid-back and the cost of living is inexpensive, so consider the Del Valle area when visiting the southeastern part of Travis County, and you'll be glad you did!


Ki lives in the Austin area. He created a website for future homeowners owners to search for Austin homes. He has worked in the Austin Texas real estate market for almost 10 years. His site also has a blog with updated statistics on Austin real estate.

Clarksville, which is a historic neighborhood in central-west Austin, has a hidden jewel few people know about: the "Dog Park", as it has been known for years. Clarksville is a very eclectic community in the central Austin real estate market, in fact some would say eccentric, but very unique, and the residents love their pets.

Between 9th Street and 10th Street, and a few blocks east of West Lynn, there is a beautiful, green park, shaded by huge, old trees with green leafy canopies covering most of the park, and many of the locals regularly bring their children and dogs for a run through the park, or to chase Frisbees or sticks, or just play or relax.

The Dog Park also has a small pool with water just over waist high, and treehouses and other structures for kids as well as dogs to climb. Many a summer afternoon, moms with their young or teenage children make the trek from Clarksville to the Whole Foods Market, or even the Fresh Plus grocery store, with fresh fruit and bakery goods, and climb into the trees or lay a blanket down under the shade of the foliage and while away the day, watching other dogs and dog owners go through the ritual of the daily exercise and potty run.

The memory of a cold, crisp apple or pear, eaten with your child or pet, as one daydreams or even falls asleep, are the memories that keep families in the Clarksville area for generation after generation, since these activities seem to remind the locals of the past, when life was simpler and slower.

There is also a baseball field in the park, and other recreational equipment and facilities, including a basketball goal, and trails for hiking, or running with a partner or pet.

After a few hours of sunshine and exercise, the soda fountain at Nau's Pharmacy is the perfect place to have a frosty milkshake or home made cheeseburger, and it's a short walk from the park to Nau's, or even Cipollina's West Austin Bistro, which is an Italian Deli adjacent to Fresh Plus.

While walking to Whole Foods, which is a few blocks east at the corner of Lamar and West 6th Street, the sidewalk traverses various eclectic shops, including a liquor store and smoke shop with a wooden Indian standing guard at the door called Wiggy's, along with a card shop and gift shop, and eventually the sidewalk meanders all the way to 6th, where cold ice cream is waiting at Amy's, to cool off the kids, as well as adults and sometimes even dogs.

While in the area, a stop in at Waterloo Records and Video is sure to provide entertainment for the evening, and the entire walk between West Lynn and 6th is so well kept and brightly lit that the pedestrian feels they are in a movie set, with neon over every doorway, trees and plants on every corner, and friendly people all around.If you prefer reading to TV or movies, stop in at Book People and discover every kind of reading material as well as jewelry, snacks, and lots of other neat stuff.

So for a complete day or fun, start at the Clarksville Dog Park, take a brisk hike to Lamar for a snack or drink, and get a book, movie or some music for the evening. Later, you might consider a hearty meal or cold, refreshing libation at the many other restaurants and clubs in the area, and be sure to bring your dog, or your kids, or just go by yourself!!Donn's Depot usually has live music and little or no cover, and it's another longlasting Clarksville establishment, at 5th and West Lynn.

Ki moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas. After graduation, he stayed to work with Austin real estate. He maintains a website where buyers can search for Austin homes for sale. His site also provides a blog with news and statistics on Austin Texas real estate.

Hutto, Texas is a small community located seven miles east of Round Rock and northeast of Austin, Texas. The current population of Hutto is estimated at around 17k residents, and Hutto has been a very fast-growing city since the construction of State Highway 130, also called the Trans-Texas Corridor.

In the census of 2000, the population of Hutto was just over thousand people, but the recently built toll road has dramatically increased the population and the city is expected to continue expanding in the next few decades, as the highway nears completion.

Hutto was founded in the year 1876 when the International Great Northern Railroad passed through land owned by James Emory Hutto, for whom the city is named. Shortly thereafter, James Hutto sold fifty acres of local land to the New York Land Company for a town site. At the time, Hutto was a wealthy Williamson County landowner and cattleman, but a few years later, he relocated to Waco and entered the hardware business. At roughly the same time, numerous Swedish and German immigrants traveled to the area to begin new lives in the ranching and farming industries, which were becoming very successful in the Hutto area.

In 1915, a circus train stopped in at the Hutto train station and a hippopotamus escaped to nearby Cottonwood Creek, where it caused a commotion as local residents and railroad as well as circus employees tried to recapture the Hippo. The story caused a local legend to emerge, and eventually the Hippo became the mascot for the Hutto High School and its sports teams, as well as various other local businesses.

There are many activities in Hutto for the sports enthusiast as well as the gourmet diner, and some of the popular restaurants in Hutto include Mario's Mexican Restaurant and El Poblanito's, another Tex-Mex eatery. If the diner prefers a national chain, Chili's is sure to please, and there is a popular barbecue joint called Fat Thompson's as well.As for sports, the aptly named Hippo Stadium is home for the local Bulldogs, and there are many other sports-related facilities as well. The Hutto real estate market is also extremely affordable. It offers a much cheaper alternative than the nearby Pflugerville and Austin real estate markets.

Hutto also has a family-owned general store called Common Spirits which offers a variety of spirits and tobacco products, as well as basic amenities and grocery items at a reasonable price. The store is located on Front Street, and is a local favorite. As the city grows, there are more and more national brand stores and restaurants, but there is still plenty of local charm and family owned venues as well.

The new state toll road is expected to eventually spur the population growth to over 30k residents by 2010. The new toll road is the biggest transportation project currently underway in the entire United States, and the toll road connects the area to metropolitan Austin, and to other major thoroughfares leading to San Antonio and Houston, as well as nearby communities such as Pflugerville and Bastrop, as well as Bryan and college Station to the north.

One of the largest employers in the Hutto area is the T. Don Hutto Correctional Facility in nearby Taylor, Texas, which is just a few miles east of Hutto itself, and a family detention center that houses immigrants and their families. Hutto is also very well represented in the technology industry, with Agisca Technologies as well as Cypress Semiconductor, both of which are situated in or around Hutto.

Hutto is a very centrally located community, with access to many metropolitan areas, but a small town atmosphere and scenic rolling hillsides with parks, rivers and access to many local lakes and rivers.

Ki stayed in Austin after graduating from the University of Texas. He began working in Austin real estate. To aid buyers, he created a website escapesomewhere.com where they can search the Austin MLS. His site also provides information on neighboring communities like Pflugerville.

The small city of Blanco, Texas is frequently referred to as both the Gateway to the Hill Country and the Lavender Capital of Texas, and with such colorful descriptions, the town is sure to be a pleasant place to visit or settle down. Blanco is 45 miles west of Austin and about 45 miles northwest of San Antonio, so its rural charm is complimented by close proximity to a couple of the most populous and historic cities in Texas.

Blanco, which is located on the Blanco River in an area of the Hill Country called the Devil's Backbone due to its nearly mountainous terrain, was established around the year 1854 when Captain James Callahan camped in the valley near the Blanco River and decided to make his home there. A few years later, Callahan and his troop of around 100 men were initiated into the State armed forces as Texas Rangers and Callahan and his company laid out the town and sold lots for homes to be built.

Shortly thereafter, another settler, Joseph Bird, settled in nearby Round Mountain, which was called Bird Town after his arrival, and many other settlers bought lots and began raising families, including Hugh McLauren, Billy Trainer, and E.C. Hinds. The same year, the first church was built and opened for worship, called the First Methodist Church, and shortly thereafter, the Missionary Baptist Church began services in nearby Round Mountain. Afterward, a school was built and other houses of worship were organized, and the little town began to grow.

Blanco was originally called Pittsburgh, and the name was changed to Blanco around the time of Callahan`s arrival. The new name was derived from the Spanish word for white, which was how the limestone riverbed appeared during times of drought when the light-colored limestone could be seen from the banks of the river. After a big flood in the mid-1800's, the town center was moved across the river and a few miles downstream, and renamed Blanco.

In its early years, many Blanco residents were cotton growers, but after the boll weevil took its toll on the cotton crops, the residents found other ways to support themselves, including cattle ranching and raising Angora goats to produce the fine mohair which was an important fiber crop at the time, along with growing and cutting cedar trees and dairy farming. Another source of income was hog raising, and numerous head of sheep were herded to the area from Missouri and Pennsylvania for wool production.

Many of these endeavors continue in the Blanco area today, and the tourist industry is also a large part of the Blanco economy, with many bed and breakfast inns providing visitors with a quiet, rural place to stay while exploring the Texas Hill Country and all its attractions. The population of Blanco in the 2000 census was about 1,500 occupants, and the area of the town is 1.7 miles, .1 mile of which is water, mostly the waters of the Blanco River.

Blanco is home to 576 households, 47% of which are married couples, and the population is 88% white, with a smattering of different ethnicities as well. The median age of residents is 39 years and there is a larger percentage of women in Blanco than men, at 88 men for every 100 women. The median income for a household in Blanco is about $31,000, and 32% of the households have children under the age of 18.

The Blanco real estate market, with homes in the mid 100's, is fairly affordable compared to the Austin real estate market (with an average price of around 200k). But it is fairly similar to the San Antonio market which is considered one of the most affordable real estate markets of the large Texas cities.

Some of the attractions in Blanco today are the Blanco Classic Car Show, which has been held for over 20 years in mid-May, and the Blanco Lavender Festival, which is held every year in mid-June and which features live music, lavender farming, and various foods, beverages, and other activities.

Some of the notable bed and breakfast inns include the Paradise Lofts on Main, the Grape Creek Inn, and the Blair House Bed and Breakfast, among others. There are also many local restaurants as well as national chain restaurants and fast-food eateries, and there are many parks and nature-related activities, as well as close proximity to the Hill Country vineyards in the area.

So for a peaceful and scenic visit to the Texas Hill Country, come on over to Blanco, and enjoy the scent of the lavenders as well as the rural charm of central Texas!


Ki is a realtor working in the Austin real estate market. He helps future owners find the perfect property with a website that includes a searchable database of the Austin MLS. His site has information on Austin real estate and the nearby town of Blanco Texas.

Austin, Texas, is widely known as the "Live Music Capitol of the World", and proudly so. But excellent live music isn't the only thing Austin has to offer. Here are just five of the many reasons to visit the coolest city in Texas.

1. Live Music
From dive bars and clubs to honky-tonks and Austin City Limits and South by Southwest (SXSW, to those in the know), this town has it all when it comes to music. Country, jazz, hip hop, rock, punk, emo, pop and everything else under the sun can be found here, and talented, up-and-coming bands are a dime a dozen. Whether attending a sold out concert at Stubbs or heading over to Auditorium Shores for the summer-long "Blues on the Green" series, you can't go wrong when it comes to good music in Austin.

2. The Capitol
Being the capitol of the great state of Texas is something we take very seriously in Austin. A walk around the beautiful capitol grounds the towering state capitol modeled after the national capitol building in Washington, D.C. will show you a glimpse of the grandeur and heritage we Texans hold so dear. You'll likely also notice our state flag flying high with the national color another thing we Texans take pride in: being the only state which can fly its flag alongside or above the national flag. From the capitol, take stroll down Congress Avenue for incredible views, great food and fun shopping.

3. Sixth Street
Being home to the University of Texas and its 60,000+ students, as well as thousands of young professionals (Austin regularly makes the top ten in national listings of the best cities for young professionals) makes Austin a great place to cut loose and have a good time. Sixth Street is Austin's famous bar district, home to college bars, restaurants, tattoo shops and other tourist-focused businesses. In recent years, the area around Second Street, also known as the Warehouse District, has become Sixth Street's high-class counterpart. Lined with bistros, wine bars, tapas bars and other establishments catering to the mid-20s to mid-40s crowd, the Warehouse District offers a slightly more "mature" place to kick back.

4. Restaurants
Austinites don't do anything halfway. They work hard, play hard, and eat well. From country fare to five star French cuisine, and bar-be-que to sushi, Austin has it all in terms of restaurant options. While many of the top restaurants are downtown near the capitol, Sixth Street and the Warehouse District, you don't have to go downtown to get a good meal. In fact, some of the best food in Austin can be found in unexpected, out-of-the-way places. Whatever you're in the mood far, you won't have to go far to find it in Austin.

5. Shopping
In addition to food, Austin takes shopping seriously. With a huge community emphasis on shopping locally, you can find everything from the freshest produce and the hippest one-of-a-kind clothes. South Congress Avenue has become one of the coolest shopping destinations in the city, and is worth checking out whether or not you're in the mood to shop. Likewise, South Austin is home to a huge community of artists, craftsman, designers and other creative types making incredibly unique pieces that scream, "Austin original!"

Whatever you're in the mood for a day in the park or a night on the town "Austin, Texas, has what you're looking for, and more.


Ki has worked with central Texas real estate market for almost 10 years. He has sold to a variety of buyers. His site offers information on Austin Texas real estate and along with a graphical Austin home search. It also contains a blog with updated statistics and analysis on Austin real estate.

It may seem a little crazy to go hiking in the hot Texas summer, but if you can stand the heat the summer months can be a perfect time to visit an iconic Austin spot without any crowds. Even though it is 780 feet above sea level, the climb up to the top of Mount Bonnell is not a serious hike, especially with the stone steps along the way.

Mount Bonnell, like so many favorite Austin spots, is full of history as well as legends. The peak is named in honor of George W. Bonnell, a Texas publisher and Commissioner on Indian Affairs under Sam Houston. The peak and surrounding park land off FM 2222, which is actually called Covert Park, was donated to the city in 1939, one hundred years after Bonnell arrived in Austin. That's the history part; the legends and folklore are much more whimsical.

The legend goes that a young woman jumped off the peak to escape the Indians who had killed her finance, which is why Mount Bonnell is also known as "Antonette's Leap." Another legend has it that Golden Nell and her husband Beau leaped off the peak to avoid being captured and tortured.

Romance is often in the air at Mount Bonnell. It is said that if a couple climbs the long stairway to the top once they will fall in love, twice they will become engaged and if they make that climb a third time they will get married. Going at sunset or to see the stars above the city lights is a popular Austin date. It is a romantic spot that has seen many Austin couples get engaged.

A tourist attraction since the 1850s, Mount Bonnell has a pavilion at the top with picnic tables, making it a popular spot to pack a cooler and bring the camera for tourists and locals alike. The views of lakes, hills and cityscapes are amazing. The rugged Hill Country views to the west and the manicured lawns below the peak show the diversity of the Austin landscape at its best.

Hiking around the pavilion can allow visitors to take in different views, including the downtown skyline. For anyone wanting to show an out-of-towner just what Austin has to offer, this is the perfect spot.

If a someone is looking for a tougher hike, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area out towards Fredericksburg offers challenging hikes, along with a nice drive through the Hill Country. Shade is sparse on this granite dome, so hikers may want to wait until summer is over. McKinney Falls State Park is a little closer to Austin and offers climbs, as well as cool water for hikers more interested in nature than the view.



Ki worked on 6th street in college. Today he has a business focused on Austin Texas real estate in downtown Austin. He also has a website, which encourages buyers to search the Austin MLS. He also also had a blog with updates and news on Austin real estate.

The neighborhood of Brentwood in north central Austin was originally a cotton farm until about 75 years ago, when the City of Austin annexed the land and land was purchased to build a school, Brentwood Elementary, which opened in the early 1950s. Brentwood is the name used to refer to the area of Austin between Lamar, Justin Lane, Burnet Road and 45th Street, and the school is in the middle of the neighborhood. There is also a tree-lined street called Arroyo Seco which runs through the middle of Brentwood and divides the neighborhood in half, forming what are jokingly referred to as Northern Brentwood and Baja Brentwood.

The median household size is smaller than average in Brentwood than most in Central Texas, at 1.9 people per household on average, and the demographics of the Brentwood neighborhood suggest a professional population of the age group most likely to be employed, with 45% of the residents being between the ages of 25 and 44; in addition, 50% of the homes in Brentwood are occupied by a single adult, many of whom are professionals in the high tech industry or U.T. grad students and professors.

There is a smaller percentage of school age children in Brentwood than most neighborhoods in Austin, and most of the residents of the neighborhood are slightly older than average, with 86% of the residents being over the age of eighteen, yet only 17% reporting being over the age of 65.

74% of the residents in Brentwood report Caucasian ancestry, with about 20% reporting ethnicity including both Hispanic and Caucasian roots, with the remaining population being comprised of a variety of ethnic backgrounds, so Brentwood has a fairly diverse population as well.
Students who attend school in Brentwood go to Brentwood Elementary, Lamar Middle School, or McCallum High School, and 95% of those who are employed in Brentwood work within Travis County. The median family income in Brentwood is around $47,000, and the residents are well-educated, with 57% having a college degree and 28% currently reporting working on their graduate degrees.

Since the University of Texas is in close proximity to the neighborhood, there are numerous housing opportunities for students, professionals, and young families, with a plethora of new condominium projects and apartment complexes as well as many single family homes. The average price of a home in Brentwood was about $170,000 in 2003, with the higher end of home prices being around $385,000. This is roughly about average for the Austin real estate market. Home values have risen dramatically in the area since the closure of Mueller Airport, since the flight paths of planes travelling to and from the field are no longer directly over the homes in the area, eliminating a great deal of the noise.

Brentwood is a very scenic area with a creek meandering through most of the neighborhood,along Arroyo Seco,and the neighborhood is known for old-fashioned hamburger joints and taverns, as well as the farmer's market, which has been in operation since 1947. At one point, the Stallion, Frisco Shop, and Threadgill's all offered a down-home chicken fried steak or juicy burger with home made fries in or very near the neighborhood, for a workingman's price.

There is a large, peaceful park in the neighborhood, Brentwood Park, which included nine acres of green space along with tennis courts, hike and bike trails, soccer fields, a baseball diamond and a playscape. There is also a festival called the Violet Crown Festival which is held on the lawn in Brentwood Park every year, and the neighborhood takes pride on its lights and decorations during the holiday season, especially on Arroyo Seco.

There are many churches and institutions, as well as city and state facilities in Brentwood, with choices of Faith Lutheran, Austin Bible, and Crestview Methodist Church for churchgoers, among many others, and some of the facilities in the neighborhood include the Texas School for the Blind, the Texas Department of Health, and the Austin Community Gardens, where residents can grow their own fresh produce.

For dining out, residents and visitors can choose between the Korea Garden, Fonda San Miguel, Phil's Icehouse, the Omelettry, and Jalisco, all of which are in or very near the Brentwood area, as are quite a few other restaurants and clubs, as well as fast food joints.

Brentwood offers something for everyone, and with its scenic beauty and history, yet urban, hip reputation, it is the perfect place to just visit or move in and settle down!


Ki works as a real estate agent in Austin Texas. His site is filled with information on the Austin real estate market. It also provides information on neighborhoods like Brentwood Austin along with a search of the Austin MLS.

Perhaps it's all those years of summer vacations from school, or maybe the heat just makes it harder to focus on work. Whatever it is, there seems to be an inherent need to have some fun during the summer months. Here are some ideas for having an entertaining Austin summer without blowing the budget:

Restaurants
There is something about a sultry summer night that makes people want to find a fun restaurant with a patio and order some chips and salsa. Fortunately, Austin is neither lacking in great restaurants or great deals on eating out. Whether it's the free nacho car offerings at Chuy's happy hours or the $2.99 meal deal at Bill Miller Bar-B-Q, cheap food and drinks abound in Austin. Some great patio spots that offer terrific food and prices is Doc's Motorworks on Congress Avenue and El Arroyo on Fifth Street.

There are also some upscale options that are budget friendly. The trendy French restaurant Aquarelle on Rio Grande offers half priced dishes off the bar menu in its wine bar or on the patio. Enjoying a nice glass of white wine and a plate of mussels makes feeling cosmopolitan a great bargain. Or, head to the up and coming Olivia on South Lamar on Sundays and Mondays for discounted food and drinks from the bar menu. McCormick & Schmick's offers incredible happy hour deals every day of the week and Sullivan's Steakhouse is the place to go on Thursdays for half-priced bar entrees and cigars along with $5 martinis.

Entertainment
The summer months also offer some cheap and interesting places for watching movies. Deep Eddy Pool has Splash Party Movie Nights on Saturdays at dusk throughout the summer. Many of the city's libraries offer free movies throughout the summer and Alamo Drafthouse has a free
Kids Camp movie every weekday at 11 a.m.

There is also the Zilker Hillside Theater, which is presenting The Music Man this summer. Shows run July 3 through August 15, Thursday through Sunday starting at dusk. Also, there is nothing as American as a beer and hot dog at a summer baseball game. The local minor league team, The Round Rock Express is a great family outing that won't break the bank.

Outdoors
The Austin area has an abundance of swimming holes that offer a chance to cool off and commune with nature on the cheap. From the centrally located Deep Eddy and Barton Springs Pool to Hamilton Pool and Blue Hole in the Hill Country, there are enough places to try a new one each week of the summer. For the kids there are free splash pads in Butler Park, The Hill Country Galleria and Brushy Creek Lake Park in Cedar Park.

Family Fun
For some fun family mini-vacations, there is Schlitterbahn Water Park in New Branfels, as well as Sea World in San Antonio. While these are not necessarily cheap outings, they do offer a vast array of entertainment for the ticket price. Consider that it is far cheaper than airline flights and hotels and probably just as much fun as a big vacation.


Escapesomewhere Real Estate is a small real estate company in Central Texas. His site has information on Austin Texas real estate. It also provides a free graphical search of the Austin MLS and a blog covering market updates for the Austin real estate market.

Austin is a big, beautiful city; there is no doubt about that. But, there are several small towns within 50 miles of Austin that are filled with charm and beauty. Whether you want to get out of the city for a weekend or move to a smaller town.

Smithville is a small town in Bastrop County, about 41 miles from Austin. Its population is just at 5,000. It is mostly famous for the 1998 movie "Hope Floats" that starred Sandra Bullock. Smithville is most proud of its recreation center. The center has a large gym, basketball court and has events for the entire community throughout the year.

Smithville also has many family owned restaurants, grills and antique shops. Visitors can always find something interesting while visiting.

Coupland is east of Austin on Highway 95, between Elgin and Taylor. This small town is most famous for its dancehall. The dancehall also has an Inn and a restaurant. There is always something going on here, and the band is always live. They have featured such acts a Kevin Fowler, Moe Bandy even George Strait's band has played there.

Coupland's last population was about 150. If you want to get out of the city, this is the place to visit.

Lexington is about 50 miles east of Austin, in Lee County. Its population is just under 1,200. This small German community was named after Lexington Massachusetts. The community has bed and breakfasts and each year, the first weekend in May, they have a "Homecoming" celebration. The celebration begins on the first Friday in May and runs through Sunday. The town holds a parade, food booths, arts and crafts and a BBQ cook off.

Lexington has a heritage center showcasing two log cabins that were built in the 1850's. They have pioneer furnishings, and are open for tours.

Lexington is also home of "Texas Monthly's" number one BBQ joint in Texas, Snows BBQ. It made the top spot in the magazine last summer and is open on the weekends.

Bastrop is a town south east of Austin. Their is a lake called lake bastrop. Over the last several years Bastrop has been slowly growing. With cheaper prices the Bastrop real estate market is becoming an alternative the sky high prices scene in Austin.

Giddings is just 18 miles south of Lexington, on highway 77 and is the county seat of Lee County. This little community's population is just under 6,000. The city has bed and breakfasts, hotels, antique shops. They also have the Lee County Junior Livestock and Rodeo each year at the fair grounds.

Dime Box is also located in Lee County, with a population of just 400. Dime Box received its name by a resident in 1877 when locals would use a wooden box to forward and receive mail. They would leave a dime in the box for payment.

This small town has a winding road through downtown, covered with trees. The community is so small, everything is within walking distance. Residents like to keep the German and Czech heritage alive with the Dime Box Heritage Museum.

There are not any hotels in the small town, but there are small towns nearby that have places to stay. Take time and visit a small town near Austin.


Ki loves to bike the Austin hill country. He has worked with Austin real estate for almost a decade. His website has a search of Austin MLS listings. Along with information about Bastrop real estate and Austin real estate.

Sun City is a retirement community located in Georgetown. It is not the normal retirement home or community. This community offers its residents small town charm, but just minutes from Austin. Sun City was also recently named one of the nations top retirement communities by Retirement Places Rated, a guidebook for seniors wanting to relocate upon retirement.

Its location is excellent, and has extremely affordable cost of living and tax advantages. Currently Sun City has about 5,500 homes and plans to expand to 7,500 homes by 2012-2013.

Most of the homes in Sun City range in price beginning around $100,000- up to $500,000. The sizes vary, but average size is between 1300 square feet to 2800 square feet.

Sun City has many amenities for active seniors to enjoy upon their retirement; tennis courts, three championship golf courses, swimming pools, miles of walking trails and much more.

Sun City also has a community center for residents. The Village Center spans an amazing 86,000 square feet, and is home to many indoor amenities such as art classes, a woodshop which is equipped with all the tools and machinery needed to build something simple or something more complex.

There is also a 5,000 square foot open air legacy pavilion, called Legacy Hills Pavilion. This pavilion over looks Berry Creek Lake and is where many neighborhood gatherings happen. There are many hiking trails in the area and the views and scenery make it very popular.

There is also a computer lab and over 30 clubs. Residents can play dominos, crochet, play bingo or just sit back and visit with other residents. The community also has its own lifestyle director to help residents adjust to their new life, whether they just moved to Sun City or if they have been here for awhile and just never had time for activities.

Sun City also has its own restaurant, Sparky's. It is perfect for residents who are too busy to cook or just want to grab a quick bite to eat without having to drive far.

For residents who are concerned with health issues and transportation the community has nearby medical facilities such as Scott & White Medical Clinic and Georgetown Hospital. Transportation is provided by CARTS, and provides curb side service on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The community also has many parks for residents to enjoy, with plenty of places to sit and have a picnic or just enjoy the Texas scenery.

Sun City is for adults age 55 and over, and is an alternative to living in a retirement home or living alone in a neighborhood. Sun City gives its residents the security they need, while living an active lifestyle.
For seniors who are not sure if Sun City is right for them, they also have a two night weekend getaway. Potential residents can visit the community and see if it is something they would enjoy, without the pressure to move in.

Ki's office is in Central Austin. He also has a website devoted to Austin real estate. There is a search of Austin homes for sale as well as information on the Sun City Texas real estate.

What makes a neighborhood walkable? Streets and roads that are accessible for everyone; and have wheelchair ramps, lots of benches with shade and sidewalks on all streets.

Walkable neighborhoods have well designed streets that everyone can use, including bicyclists, pedestrians of all ages and abilities, people getting on and off transit vehicles.

Another thing to look for in walkable neighborhoods are well connected streets that improve traffic and provide many routes to any destination.

Austin has many walkable neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are easy to get around in, and have many amenities that pedestrians can access very easily.

Downtown Austin is our number one walkable neighborhood. Downtown scored a 92 out of a possible 100. The neighborhood has grocery stores such as Whole Foods, several convenient stores. There are also many restaurants, coffee shops, entertainment and parks for citizens to enjoy.

University Of Texas and West University both came in at second, with a score of 87. The University Of Texas is walkable for the students who live on or near campus. Living here makes it easy for students and visitors to be car free and still be able to get around campus and surrounding areas easily.
West University is a neighborhood just west of UT. Students, professors and many others make their home in this small Heritage neighborhood. It is just a short walk to the university, and the streets are lined with trees. Most of the homes in this neighborhood date back to the 1910's and 1920's, making it a nice scenic walk.

North University came in with a score of 83. This neighborhood is in central Austin. Residents have many places to walk in this old neighborhood. One of the most famous places is Trudy's Restaurant, Spider House Cafe and JP's Java, along with the 37th street lighting spectacular during Christmas.

Old West Austin and Bouldin Creek also scored a walkable score of 83. Old West Austin neighborhood has lots of history and plenty of landmarks. The streets are lined with shade trees and the neighborhood has Bed and Breakfast's for visitors. Old West Austin was named one of the 10 best neighborhoods in Austin in 2007. This neighborhood is enjoyable, safe and desirable. Residents of this neighborhood participate in keeping this neighborhood strong and preserving its roots. Chain stores are basically nonexistent in Old West Austin; instead visitors can find specialty shops, restaurants and schools.

Bouldin Creek is a neighborhood that is filled with apartments, homes and mom and pop shops. Running through the heart of the neighborhood is South First Street; with a melting pot of businesses and restaurants.

Austin is full of neighborhoods with shade trees covering the streets and sidewalks, restaurants, bakeries and tattoo shops. That is what makes Austin, Austin!

Next time you are in one of these neighborhoods, find a place to park your car and take time to walk through the streets and look at the yards, trees, homes and businesses that make each neighborhood unique.


At no charge, buyers can search the Austin MLS on Ki's website. The site provides a lot of detail on Austin Texas real estate. Ki started working in real estate as a hobby, and eventually quit his advertising job in Austin, Texas, because real estate was more interesting and fulfilling. He keeps buyers updated on his blog on Austin real estate with statistics and market reports.

South by Southwest; it is an Austin thing! It all started back in 1987 as "Austin Battle of the Bands, SXSW." Austin has been the home of this festival that showcases musicians, film makers and media from all over the country. SXSW is one of the largest music festivals in the United States. This festival is the highest revenue producing special event in Austin, pumping an estimated $110 million last year.

Beginning on March 13, 2009, Downtown Austin will be flooded with musicians and film makers from all over the world. There will be over eighty stages for performers to show their talents. It is estimated that there will be over 1,800 musical acts from all genres; most of the conferences will take place at the Austin Convention Center.

In 1994 South by Southwest added film and interactive conferences and since then has become one of the world's premier film festivals, focusing on new directing talent.

Although the convention center will be hosting most of the conference, there will be many venues within walking distance.

South by Southwest helps the Austin economy by bringing in such a large amount of revenue. Much of this revenue is from visitors booking hotel rooms, eating in Austin's restaurants and spending money on souvenirs and the convention itself.

For visitors who would rather not stay in hotels, Austin has several neighborhoods around the downtown area that have rental homes available for the SXSW festival.

Travis Heights is a historical neighborhood is tucked between Interstate 35 and South Congress Avenue and is one of the most sought out neighborhoods for professionals who work downtown. Most of the homes were built in the 1920's and many of these older homes have carriage houses and detached garages that have been turned into apartments. It is also ideal for renters who want easy access to the festival.

Hyde Park is a neighborhood that is located in central Austin. The neighborhood was developed in 1974. There approximately 2,000 homes in the neighborhood, which is within 38th Street, 51st Street, Guadeloupe, Duval, and Red River. This neighborhood has many amenities and is a historic neighborhood. Visitors to SXSW may be able to find families renting rooms or homes for the festival.

Austin has many neighborhoods within walking distance of downtown. Many homes are available for rent by the night or by the week. There are charming arts and crafts homes that were built in the mid 1920's that have been completely updated and are fully furnished with modern day style. Many of these homes are pet friendly too.

There are several restaurants within walking distance from these neighborhoods as well, making everything very accessible for the conference.

These neighborhoods are within walking distance from downtown. Whether you decide to take in the night life during SXSW or just decide to sit on the front porch and listen to all the music, Austin has something for everyone.

Visitors for this years South by Southwest conference can enjoy the downtown life, Austin style.


Ki created a website, which allows anyone looking for Austin real estate to search for free. They can investigate homes in the Austin MLS based on self-selected criteria. His office is located in Central Austin. His site provides updated statistics on Austin Texas real estate and Round Rock Texas real estate.

Just 45 minutes from Austin, nestled in the heart of Texas, is the Horseshoe Bay Resort. The resort is a "members only" resort, but guests of Horseshoe Bay Marriott and The Waters at Horseshoe Bay receive a temporary membership allowing visitors access to all the wonderful amenities during their stay.

Horseshoe Bay is conveniently located in the center of the Texas Golden Triangle, where two-thirds of the states wealthiest people reside. The resort is on Lake LBJ, in the middle of the Texas hill country.

There are two hotels at the resort, The Marriott, which boasts 350 rooms, including 117 suites and villas which have beautiful views of the lake. The Marriott has many wonderful amenities and has something for everyone.

Another luxurious place to stay at Horseshoe Bay is The Waters at Horseshoe Bay. These luxurious condominiums have one, two or three bedroom floor plans available. The Waters at Horseshoe Bay has made sure that its visitors have everything they need; including two flat screen high-definition televisions, Apple I-pod docking stations and to top it off, fully furnished balcony and a gourmet kitchen, nothing is left out.

There are so many things to do at Horseshoe Bay. From the four swimming pools, twelve adult tennis courts; and even three USTA-sponsored kids' tennis courts, to the seven dining facilities, there is something for everyone.

If golfing is your game, Horseshoe Bay has that covered! It was named "One of America's Best Golf Resorts," by Golf Magazine. This resort has three championship Robert Trent Jones, Sr. golf courses, and to top it off, all three have been featured in "50 Best Courses in Texas." The resort even has an 18 hole miniature course, it is designed like a regulation course, but scaled down, and is complete with water hazards and bunkers.

For visitors who have kids, Horseshoe Resort has something just for them. There is a kids' facility that is called "Kids Club." Parents can enroll the kiddos in this program, complete with counselors and an action packed fun filled journey, which is sure to satisfy every kid who said they were "bored!"

Horseshoe Bay has many restaurants, grills and bars to keep its guests happy and content. From casual dinning for visitors who like hamburgers, Slick Rock Bar & Grill is the place to be. If visitors get hungry while playing a round of golf, they can stop in at the Cap Rock Grill & Bar. Its location is on the 18th hole Apple Rock Golf Course, making it easily accessible for hungry golfers.

Whether it is burgers or fine cuisine, Horseshoe Bay has everything you can imagine, all set in beautiful scenery.

Horseshoe Bay even has its own airport, for those visitors who just want to pop in for a round or two of golf. The next time you are looking for the perfect vacation, whether it is for the entire family, or just a quiet romantic weekend getaway, come discover Horseshoe Bay Resort.


Homes are searchable on Ki's website. He furnishes a free search on available homes in the Austin MLS. His site has information on Austin real estate and Horseshoe Bay real estate

Two lovely neighborhoods can be found in Austin just north of 35th Street and west of MoPac Blvd., called jointly the Highland Park-West Balcones neighborhood, as they are usually considered to be one residential area now. The other two boundaries are Mount Bonnell Road and R.R. 2222, with Bull Creek Road providing the boundary between 45th St. and Hancock Road. The neighborhood is home to about 1,750 residences, and the MoPac Expressway runs through about two miles of the eastern portion of the neighborhood.

This neighborhood, which is really a combined neighborhood made up of the residences of both Highland Park and West Balcones, boasts three well known attractions, all of which are located in the neighborhood: Bright Leaf State Natural Area, Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve, and Mount Bonnell, all of which are interesting from a historical as well as recreational standpoint.

The Bright Leaf State Natural Area is a scenic 217 acre park that was donated to the City of Austin in 1995 by Georgia Lucas, although the area was donated with the stipulation that the park remain minimally developed, as it has. Lucas' former residence can be found among the many trails, and is called the Lucas Conference Center. Two main entranced to the park exist, one on R.R. 2222 and Creek Mountain Rd., but the entrance is usually gated, as the park is officially a no-access park. The other entrance is located at Crestway and Monte Vista, and that entrance leads to the conference center.

On the second Saturday and Sunday of each month, guided tours can be arranged at Bright Leaf, and many of the trails lead to neighboring residential areas, but most are gated and all will be gated in the future.
Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve is located at 3505 West 35th Street, next to Laguna Gloria Art Museum, and the park contains 35 acres of landscaped grounds, with the Mayfield-Gutsch House and Gardens at its center. The Nature Center is named for Allison Mayfield, who purchased the property in 1901, and was Texas Secretary of State from 1894-1896. The park is open to the public, and peacocks roam the grounds among picnic trees, lily ponds, streams, and trails.

Mount Bonnell, in Covert Park, is a 780 feet observation point located near Mount Bonnell Road and Balcones Drive, and from Mount Bonnell visitors can get breathtaking views of Cat Mountain, Lake Austin, and the Loop 360 Bridge. Admission the Mount Bonnell is free, but there is a curfew between the hours of 9:00pm and 4:00am.

Another attraction in the Highland Park West Balcones Area is Westfield Drive, which was Austin's first Parade of Homes in September of 1953, and the street has many lovely and historic homes. The Frisco Shop, one of the oldest restaurants in Austin, which finally recently closed its doors, opened the same year as the parade of homes near the border of the Highland Park Neighborhood on nearby Burnet Road.

The only Austin Parks and Recreation Dept. official park in the neighborhood is Perry Playground Park, which is next to Highland Park Elementary School, and behind the park is the old quarry. This park contains various playground equipment, a baseball field, a soccer field, basketball hoops, a nature area and numerous trails, and picnic tables, and the park includes a geological area with a pavilion since the park was originally a rock quarry. The park also includes the Perry Park Learning Center, a facility built in 1988 by the local eagle scouts. At one time, the quarry was a working rock quarry called Sneed's Quarry, and remnants of the quarry can be found in and around the park.

Today, this area is very accessible to downtown and large metropolitan freeways, and is replete with shops, restaurants, and places to live, so be sure to visit this area when in Austin!


Ki developed a website to serve Austin real estate investors. He lives in Central Austin. His site lets people search the Austin MLS it also has statistics on the Austin neighborhood Highland Park West.

Bastrop is a wonderful "little" city to live in. Nestled in the middle of the "Lost Pines" it makes a beautiful place to live and it is convenient to Austin- Bergstrom Airport, Austin and is growing by leaps and bounds! Since 2000, the population has jumped by more than 42% and the cost of living in Bastrop is nearly 22% lower than the rest of the country; no wonder people are flocking to Bastrop.

Since Bastrop is growing so quickly, so is the economy. Jobs have increased by nearly 3.0% and if you have noticed, there are new shopping centers and business's popping up virtually on every corner! One of those businesses is "Burleson Crossing." It is a shopping center that will span about 900,000 square feet and will include businesses such as Lowe's, Best Buy, Kohl's, Petco and IBC Bank.

Bastrop is also called the "Most historic small town in Texas." Bastrop is nestled by the Colorado River; the historic district down town has many shops and restaurants and the near by neighborhoods contain more than 130 historical sites.

Some of the more popular sites in Bastrop include The Bastrop Opera House; which was built in 1889. It is still in business and hosts a number of productions which include children's theatre, arts and crafts. If you are interested in seeing a production at the Bastrop Opera House, or for more information on what productions are scheduled, you can contact them at 512-303-6283.

Another popular site is the Bastrop County Historical Society Museum. It is located at 702 Main Street in down town Bastrop. The house was built in around 1850 and the museum was established in 1952. Inside visitors can see documents and artifacts relating to the history of the Little Colony of Stephen F. Austin, furniture and artifacts dating back to the 1800's, saddles and such. It is a very interesting tour and worth the visit. For more information on museum, you can contact them at 512-303-0057.

Along with the popular historical district, Bastrop also has two state parks near by. Bastrop State Park, which is located at 3005 Highway 21 and Buescher State Park, which is located near Bastrop in Smithville. Both parks offer fishing, camping, swimming and many other activities for the entire family to do.

Bastrop offers plenty of space for new families. The neighborhoods and newly developed communities offer residents many different choices in finding that perfect place to live; by buying an already built home or purchasing land to build your dream home on. Many of the sites offer residents up to an acre to build on, giving families plenty of room to expand.

Purchasing acreage to build on is an option in Bastrop as well. There are many outlying communities near Bastrop with open space available; some without homes and many with homes already built. The choice is unlimited.

Bastrop is a wonderful community and is growing. It has the small town atmosphere and big city amenities. Next time you're heading out that way, stop and visit, who knows, you may find your dream home!


Ki enjoys sharing his passion for Austin real estate with future homebuyers. One way he distributes information is through his website, which offers a free search of the Austin MLS. His site also has a search and statistics on the Bastrop real estate market.

Sunset Valley is the name of a small city southwest of Austin which was incorporated in 1954. The city and its residents value quiet, peaceful, safe living, and are proud of the quality of life offered by the small community, along with its unique attractions and amenities. The population is small, with just over 360 residents, and the population has a slightly higher percentage of women than men, with roughly 47% of the residents being male while 53% is female. The average age of the residents is 46, which is somewhat older than the median age in Texas, which is about 32 years. The estimated median income in Sunset Valley is about $77,000, and the average home price for houses and condos is about $220,000, which is almost twice the average for Texas in general.

Sunset Valley is comprised of about 84% white or non-Hispanic, and about 12% Hispanic, with a small percentage of other ethnicities, and the city covers an area of 1.38 square miles. The population density is very low, with about 265 people per square mile, and most of the residents are married, with 64% reporting being wed, as well as educated, with 97% reporting at least a high school education, and over 50% reporting a college degree. There is a very small percentage of unemployment, less than 2%, and nearly 24% of the residents have an advanced degree, most being professionals. The average travel time to work from Sunset Valley is 19.6 minutes, since many of the residents commute to Austin and other surrounding communities, and the city is easily accessible from Austin since it is situated directly on Highway 71 West and is just 7 miles from Austin as well as very close to Highway 290 West.

The most popular occupation for male residents in Sunset Valley is public administration, and females in the area report numerous positions being held in the educational system. The crime rate is very low in Sunset Valley, and the city demographics include a household size of 2.5 people on average, with 75% of the residents living with their families, a slightly higher rate than Texas in general.

Sunset Valley is surrounded on all sides by Austin itself; in fact, it is an independent city within the city of Austin, and since it is southwest of central Austin, it is also very close in proximity to Lake Travis and the hill country. 27% of the households in Sunset Valley include children under the age of 18, and 63% are married couples living together. There are many single-family homes in Sunset Valley, along with numerous apartment complexes, hotels, and other types of lodging.

There is an elementary school in Sunset Valley on Jones Road, Sunset Valley Elementary, as well as a public high school named Crockett, among many private schools in or around the community. There are many churches too, and a popular farmer's market which is also located on Jones Road, in the parking lot of the Tony Burger Center, which is a local athletic facility which hosts various basketball, volleyball, drill team, and other sporting events along with musical and other activities.

All available Austin real estate is listed on Ki's website. Potential residents can search the Austin MLS for free and read about Sunset Valley real estate.

Cascade Caverns is the only cavern in Texas that has a 100 foot underground waterfall, and it is in our own back yard! Located in the hill country, in a little town named Boerne, take exit #543 off of Interstate Highway 10 to Cascade Caverns Road, just minutes from San Antonio.

This cavern is an amazing place to visit. The cavern is about 140 feet deep and a half mile long. On the amazing hour long tour visitors will see amazing rooms, rock formations, and glistening water dropping from the ceiling of the cave. The cave even has a rain forest!

The caverns are open daily and the temperature in the cavern is a cool 68 degrees year round! The cavern is a part of a 105 acre park full of wildlife and beautiful sites. The park is equipped with bar-b-que pits and tables. Bring the family and make a day out of it.

You can reach the cavern by calling them a 830-755-8080 for more information.

Long Horn Cavern State Park

Located in Burnet Texas, this cavern is an awesome site and a beautiful place to visit. Long Horn cavern is one of the few caverns that were formed by rivers. There are tours available daily for the cavern. The tour takes visitors into the caves to see all the wonders that the river carved out. There are various rocks and other strange formations to see.

There are also special tours available and are by reservations only, and are recommended for the serious spelunkers only. There are requirements for this tour. You can contact them at 512-756-4680 for more information and hours and rates.

The Caverns of Sonora

This cavern is a little further away from Austin, but is definitely worth the drive. The caverns are located in Sonora, which is located on Interstate 10, about half way between San Antonio and Big Bend National Park.

There are tours available as well as specialized tours for the more adventurous cave goers.

They also have underground classroom tours, where visitors get to see first hand how to dig for fossils and other interesting topics.

Visitors can also pan for gems such as fossils, emeralds, and the best part is that each panning bag is guaranteed to have some type of specimens inside, you can't lose!

For more information on the caverns and for rates and availability on the tours, give them a call at 325-387-3105.

Texas is filled with some of the most spectacular caves and caverns. As summer approaches and the temperatures begin to soar, we want to find some sort of vacation spot that is cool and fun. The caves and caverns of Texas could be the next vacation you and your family take. There is always something to discover and see. There have been approximately 130 caves discovered in this area, and possibly many more that have not been discovered.

Ki lives, and works, in Austin, Texas. His site provides potential homebuyers a free search of the Austin MLS. He also provides detailed information about Austin real estate and a mortgage rates chart.