on the corner of Plantation and Oak Alley -- but it was about 20 years ago (1982-1985.) However, our 24-year-old daughter and her boyfriend are renting a house a few blocks north on Harper's Ferry. I've got a call into her right now -- I'll let you know what she has to say. There may be some who have more familiarity than I but I'll tell you what my impressions are anyway. :)
Most of the homes were built in the 80s during the building boom so they went up quickly and perhaps cheaply. They were full of young families back then and some were rentals. Over the years, this neighborhood has gone from the outskirts of Austin to relatively close in. There are major shopping centers (groceries, restaurants, drugstores, vets and dentists, etc.) to the north (Brodie and William Cannon, Brodie and U.S. 290, William Cannon and Mopac (Loop 1) to the west and all along William Cannon to IH 35 to the east. It's also not far from some public swimming pools and libraries, though none within walking distance. In fact, except for a couple of small shopping centers (convenience stores, etc.) nothing would be within walking distance. Brodie Lane would probably be your main arterial north where it T's into 290. From there, you'd either go west to Mopac or east to northern arterials Lamar, S. First, Congress, or the interstate. You could also go east-west along William Cannon (lots of lights) or Davis Lane (which is south.) I know there's a bus that runs east-west along William Cannon but that's a couple of miles north. Here's the Capital Metro site if you're interested in checking into bus routes:
http://www.capmetro.org/The neighborhoods look to me to be in transition from new and inexpensive to established and desirable. There are many nice trees and well-kept homes but there are still some homes that need remodeling and/or updating. There are also some rentals but the rent is on the moderate side so generally good tenants. My sense is that it is a working class, somewhat mixed neighborhood -- not a lot of minorities, being that it's Southwest Austin, but more than some other neighborhoods.
I haven't been to the park for years. When I lived there, it was literally just a green expanse and maybe some benches. I don't think there was even a playscape then because if there had been, I would have taken my children, who were all under five at the time. You can find out more about the park here:
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/parkmaps/downloads/longview.pdf It looks like there's more there now.
I can say that we have no reservations about our daughter living in the area. She and her boyfriend are looking for a house to buy and they're looking in that area, as well as others. This is one of the less expensive neighborhoods in a relatively expensive part of the city. The homes are probably about 1200-1500 square feet. The lots are good-sized compared to newer neighborhoods.
My husband is a remodeling contractor so we wouldn't be deterred by a home that needs work but that's something you'd definitely want to find out about. The home is likely at an age when it's time for the roof to be repaired, HVAC, water heater, and appliances replaced, if that hasn't already been done. If the price is right, though, this could be a great place to live -- I would expect that prices in this neighborhood will only increase. There are no signs that I'm aware of that there is any decline going on, though there was a little decline in the past. I've driven through these neighborhoods many times over the years and on recent trips, I was impressed with them.
Good luck and let me know if you have any more questions! :hi:
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