When You Buy A House, You First Buy The Location
You can always change or remodel a house but you can never change your location where you bought your house.
It's also true with choosing a big lot over a smaller one. If you can afford a larger lot, go for it. You cannot make a small lot larger but a big lot can be halved to make two smaller lots.
I was checking on Austin, Texas for Austin New Homes. Why would I want to buy a house there (if ever)? I found my answer at http://www.bestaustinbuilders.com. (When I hear 'Texas', all I imagine is heat and a twang. But I see that can be overcome.)
The first that I learned is Austin, Texas is the "live music capital of the world." So if you love live music, you'll love Austin. A city full of life and energy, it is a home for the young at heart. A home to a complex group of people like musicians, entrepreneurs, businessmen, politicians and students blend into the Austin landscape.
In 1846, Austin became the state capital of Texas as the state was admitted as the 28th; the largest city in the state of Texas and the 16th most populous city in the USA.
Located in Central Texas Hill Country, the city is around 230 miles from Mexico. It is 192 miles from Dallas to its north, 79 miles from San Antonio to its south, and 162 miles from Houston to its southeast.
Austin is a city that is steeped in the campus culture. There’s music, restaurants, barbeques and technology, all seamlessly blended into the Austin way of life. It’s a city that pulsates to every beat. It’s a city that rocks, jives and lives life to the fullest.
Attractions:Blanton Museum of Art is undoubtedly the largest university art museum with over 17,000 exhibits that range from priceless antiques to contemporary works of art. They include American, Latin American, and European art work from across the ages.
Austin City Limits is one of the most popular live music programs airing on public television. It started out primarily hosting country acts, but it now hosts musicians from every genre. Some of the more famous performers at Austin City Limits include Tracy Chapman, the Pixies, Sheryl Crow, BB King, and Hank Williams Jr.
Texas State Capitol was completed in 1888, this grand, red-granite edifice, built in the renaissance style holds pride of place as the nation's largest state capitol. The Capitol can be seen from any part of the city and is named to the National Register of Historic Places.
Austin Museum of Art at Laguna Gloria. If you want to dwell deep into the life and times of 20th centaury artists, then, this place is a must-see for you. Housed in a quaint 1916 villa, the museum showcases Austin artists like Robert Rauschenberg, Chuck Close, and Ed Ruscha. Past exhibits include the art of Dr. Seuss and the photography of Annie Leibovitz.
Barton Springs Pool is a swimming pool that is fed by a natural spring. The water maintains a year-round temperature of about 68 degrees, and bubbles up at the rate of 27 million gallons a day. The pool is surrounded by lovely pecan trees and is a great place to relax, rejuvenate your body and soul.
O. Henry Museum dedicated to the famous 19th century short-story writer William Sydney Porter, who lived in Austin and took the nom de plume, O. Henry. The museum houses memorabilia that gives us a better idea of his lives and times.
Bats of Congress . The Avenue Bridge is home to over a million-and-a-half free-tail bats between March and November each year. These bats come out in the darkness to catch insects nightly. It's an awe-inspiring sight with the sky filled with these dark creatures and the ominous sounds of flapping wings. You can find a large number of them flying around in search of food at around 8:30pm.
Zilker Botanical Garden is situated on 31 acres within the Zilker Metropolitan Park. These lovely gardens are located on the Colorado River and include attractions like a rose garden, a cacti and succulent garden, a xeriscape garden, and the Tanaguchi Oriental Garden. The garden hosts the Zilker Garden Festival in early April, each year.
Town Lake Metropolitan Park is a popular destination for hikers, joggers, cyclists, and nature lovers. This park is a vast expanse of lovely gardens and tall trees. Located along the Colorado River from Tom Miller Dam to US Highway 183, the park has a pool that is in great demand during holidays. The park also features outdoor concerts on its southern shore, including Austin's annual July Fourth Pops Concert.
One of the buying factors to consider is the accessibility of shopping malls, grocery stores and markets. In Austin, I think that's no problem at all...
Arboretum at Great Hills is one of the hippest shopping destinations in Texas, Arboretum is an upscale, open–air shopping hub which features some hot brand names like Banana Republic, Express, Pottery Barn, The Sharper Image, and Tommy Bahama. Arboretum is a place to hang out for the whole day and shop at leisure. The center includes a playground, restaurants, park areas, and a movie theater is also located nearby.
Barton Creek Square Mall is the city’s largest mall and you can find almost anything and everything you need, right here. The mall looks stunning with a beautiful a wood and tiles interior. The mall houses some very fine brands including Eddie Bauer, Sephora, Crabtree & Evelyn, Williams-Sonoma, Coach, Sigrid Olsen, and Talbots. Anchor stores in the mall include Dillard's, Sears, JCPenney, Macy's, and Nordstrom.
Lakeline Mall is a great place to shop till you drop (also). With 150-plus stores, you are surely spoilt for choice in this place. Anchors like Macy's, JCPenney, Sears, and Dillard's and a host of other branded outlets like Bombay Company, Victoria's Secret, T.J. Maxx, Old Navy, American Eagle Outfitters and Charlotte Russe keep shopper’s happy for hours. A nine-screen theater and several restaurants are available for those who want to just relax and unwind, especially for husbands who are waiting for their wives who are shopping.
Highland Mall has a stylish and sophisticated appeal to it. The anchor stores include Macy's and separate Dillard's venues for men and women. Gap, J. Crew, Wet Seal, and Banana Republic, Bath & Body Works, Aveda, B. Dalton, Discovery Channel Store, and Sunglass Hut are some of the popular chain stores that are housed in the Highland Mall. An upper-level food court offers you delicacies from all parts of the globe. Could they have bagoong from the Philippines?
Renaissance Market. If you want to collect trinkets to take back home as a souvenir, then, head right to the Renaissance Market. Over 90 vendors hawk goods they've created themselves including crafts and artwork of myriad colors and designs. The vendors are licensed by a board, so you don’t have to worry about the quality of the goods, sold over here. You can find everything from jewelry and apparels to candles and pottery, here. As Filipinos are great makers of such, maybe I can establish some business in the craft world in Austin.
Austin Farmers' Market. If you want to bite into a fresh, juicy apple or buy some home-grown veggies for dinner, then, head to this downtown market. Supplies come from farms within 150 miles of the city, and include vegetables, fruits, honey, cut flowers, breads and plenty of other stuff. The farm also hosts special activities for kids, live music, cooking demonstrations, etc.
Round Rock Premium Outlets. If you are a die-hard bargain hunter (as a Filipino, yes, I am!), then, this place is paradise for you. You get the best deals on designer brands like Calvin Klein, Burberry, BCBG Max Azria, Cole Haan, Coach, Swarovski, and Calphalon, right here. At any time of the day, you will see a large number of people raiding the shelves of quality goods at reduced prices.
SoCo, or South Congress Avenue. Sure enough, the bats at Congress Avenue Bridge will thrill you…but SoCo offers you much much, more. The Avenue is now a trendy shopping hotspot with boutiques, galleries, restaurants, thrift stores, coffee shops and music clubs.
West Sixth Street is well-known for its rich and vibrant nightlife; it has numerous shops that offers art, antiques, specialty items, and many trinkets. There are several restaurants and cafes that are crowded for most part of the day. Finding a place to park could be a problem during peak shopping hours, though.
Hospitals and schools are everywhere. If you are just for a visit, there are hotels everywhere as well...why not go for an ocular inspection? :)
*This is a paid post.*
