Sunday, December 30, 2012

Where is the best place to live in Round Rock with exmplary elementary schools and lots of trees and kids?

Q. I'm moving to Round Rock asap and trying to decide between three or four areas but my favorite is Eagle Ridge due to the value, does anyone have an opinion on it? I thought about teravista but to be honest it seems overpriced compared to places like Eagle Ridge and Townsend.

A. So there are 3 key areas of Round Rock. There is West, East and other. The best value for your money, with exemplary elementary schools and designer homes that aren't overpriced is Eagle Ridge Subdivision with Waterbrook being the 2nd. . It's clean, safe, pretty, has a lake in the back with a park/playground, and it is very close to the Round Rock Outlets, shopping/restaurants, HEB and easy access to IH35, the main highway. There are great families and kids there and they can walk to school if needed without issues due to the proximity of the school and very safe neighborhood.
Eagle Ridge is a subdivision where you can get a 2300 sq foot home, single story, with rounded walls, high ceilings, hardwood floors for an ASKING price of 169k. However, you also have extremely LOW taxes, so only 3500 versus 6k to 9k in other comparable neighborhoods. Obviously if you spend any amount of money you can find a great neighborhood but the trick really is to get the BEST neighborhood, schools and large roomy home for the least amount. You don�t want to go into a poor area that isn�t holding its value. Last year, the homes in Eagle Ridge went for 200k, now they are asking 169, that�s a HUGE deal if you couple it with the government incentive program for homebuyers.
As it stands, too many people focus JUST on price and not on VALUE. If you look at a home price 169, you will see around 73$ per square foot for a 4 bedroom. First, they don�t make a lot of 4 bedrooms that are 1 story. Second, when you talk about upgrades like solid hardwoods, large 18� tile and designer paint, you are really speaking about upgrades/features found in master plan community homes. The subdivisions above have homes built by Plantation Homes, with split floor plans which are GREAT (Mom/Dad on one side, kids down the other side), with large spacious kitchens with skylights (which save you TONS on electricity due to the available light in Texas).
What you don�t want to do, is go and buy a 180-200k home (or more) when you could spend 169k and spend the extra money to fix up the home, cars, kids, lifestyle. It�s better to have extra money in the bank than it is to be house poor. Don�t forget that there are MANY hidden fees, such as homeowners (HOA fees), that can run 300-600 per year on average. In these two subdivisions, you are talking 100-120 a year for HOAs and the taxes are the lowest in Round Rock, so you have on your monthly payment as well.
Good luck in house hunting and finding the perfect home in Round Rock.


Why are boys more likely to be diagnosed with ADD?
Q. "read the book "the war on boys" to see just how sick these feminists can be."

@John. Yes, I've read that book. What has been done to boys is heinous. I've asked this question to raise some awareness on the topic.
@ River and Munk. Those are some great points. This is certainly a multi-dimensional problem. The money to be made and discipline are certainly major factors.
I wonder how common the diagnoses would be if fathers were in the picture to discipline their sons, and if drug companies didn't make as much money from this?

A. First of all, I would like to say that I agree with the fact that ADD/ADHD are probably the most overused answer when it comes to diagnosing problems in children's behavior.
I agree that the school system is quick to ferry this diagnosis along.
I agree that the DOE is corrupt as all hell, and run by a tyrannical union mob.
HOWEVER:
I am sick and tired of hearing about how "boys are naturally crazy" and that the "school system needs to provide an outlet".
BS, I say.
Step 1, boys need a father. AKA discipline
Step 2, boys need chores. Mow the lawn, wash the car, clean the bedroom, scrub the toilets.
Step 3, boys need hobbies. The school system is not in charge of providing hobbies.
Step 4, stop eating junk-food.
For all these kids with ADD/ADHD badges, how many of them are fat tubs? Most that I've met. Amazing how you can be labelled "hyperactive", yet can't move fast enough to get out of your own way.
How many don't have dads? More than half of the ones I've met.
Lack of discipline and manners, combined with lack of interest should not be confused with a mental disorder for inability to pay attention.
Real ADD/ADHD does exist, just like legitimate Welfare cases exist. But we all know the truth in the math.


Homeowners, how much (roughly) did you spend on decorating your home?
Q. I just bought my first home and its a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 level home, 1700 sq ft. I was wondering how much should I expect to pay to decorate it and make it look nice. Just a rough estimate. I only am buying new funriture for the living room and dining room. I am also going to buy new kitchen accessories and bathroom accessories. Just a rough estimate. Think back to when you bought your home about how much did you spend?

A. Actually, I just purchased new livingroom and diningroom furniture last month. For the lr, we bought a sofa, loveseat and chaise for less than $900. The endtables and coffee tables were on sale for $220. Lamps were $50 for 2. Drapes I bought at JC Penney's outlet for $20. The diningroom table and 4 chairs were $350. I had gone to the Salvation Army and found a Bassett china cabinet for only $100. It matches wonderfully. So it really depends on where you are, what you are looking for, and what type of stores are around you. Places like Ikea you might get some great bargains. Big Lots has furniture, look in clearance stores, discontinued items, closeouts, also check newspapers for model home sales. Alot of times you can get good prices and furnish a whole house. I have lived in my home for 20 yrs. and this is the second time I've bought new. Once my kids grew up and moved out on their own, I could remodel the way I want to. Congratulations on your new home. May God bless you and your new home with peace and happiness.


What are some good ideas for an Orlando vacation? I have 2 kids (ages 9 and 7).?
Q. We've never been to Orlando before but are looking at visiting for a week or so in June. I know about the theme parks in Orlando and about some other attractions, but does anybody have any good information on ideas where to take 2 boys, ages 9 and 7? Also looking for any good tips on lodging...if you have any idea about homeowners who rent out apartments on a weekly basis, I'd be grateful for any information you can share.

A. WDW (Walt Disney World) consists of 47-sq. miles, larger than most cities. Just doing its 4-major parks will encompass almost your entire stay, especially considering the summer crowds. You won't have much time for ancillary activities, plus it'll be difficult to even squeeze in Seaworld, Universal, or IOA (Islands of Adventure). Fortunately, you're considering a week's stay, you'll need every bit of it. The 1st challenge is to decide on where you want your vacation to center around. If you're considering a WDW vacation, then here are just a few suggestions, especially for young boys, outside its major parks...

> Water parks: Disney has 2. Typhoon Lagoon is better suited for them. It'll be hot, and kids are all about the water. Purchase passes to include a water park option. This will be cheaper than buying passes separately.

> Dinner shows: Medieval Times, in Kissimmee. Again, your boys will gravitate to this more so than the more "romantic" Arabian Nights, or the corny Hoop-Dee-Do, etc.

> Downtown Disney: Good to kill a few hrs and stroll around for free. Shops, restaurants, some activities. Disney Quest is an interactive arcade, not cheap, but it has interactive games/simulators that cannot be duplicated @ home (there's even classic games in their original arcade format for Mom & Dad).

> WDW's Ft. Wilderness/Wilderness Lodge outdoor activities: The Fort is the campground. The Lodge is the lodge. Both resorts offer outdoor activities (e.g. Fishing, Jet-Skiing, horsebacking, etc.) for a fee of course.

> Gatorland, Orlando: Perfect 1/2-day attraction. Affordable. It's not exactly a "refined" attraction, but that's part of the appeal. The largest gators in captivity are there. Enough shows, swamp walk, gator nuggets, and other animals to keep the boys interested. They can take a picture holding a real gator (don't worry, only like a 3-footer w/jaws taped). You can also opt for a package that includes an airboat tour @ East Lake Toho.

> I-Drive (International Drive, Orlando): I-Drive is the #2 resort destination in Central FL. It's tourist-central on steroids. If you won't be driving, you can always board the I-Ride Trolley along it's 7-mile route. Simply get off to do the outlets, restaurants, or smaller attractions (e.g. Ripley's, Wonder Works, Titantic, etc.). Even the largest McDonald's in the world is there.

.........................

Lodging:

Advise that you do not rent from any individual directly. Bona-fide vacation home rentals are typically done via professional property mgmt companies.

Most Disney experts will advise that you stay on Disney property. Sounds like you're looking for accommodations that have good size, full kitchen, separate bedrooms, etc. Here's my #1 recommendation for your particular group...

...Disney's Ft. Wilderness: You get everything that I just mentioned, plus...
> Rustic setting.
> Log home style.
> Extra Magic Hours.
> Free transportation from/to OIA (Orl International Airport).
> Free transportation w/in WDW (no need to rent, no parking fees, no worries).
> Overall, the Disney "Magic".

Yes, you can always rent a villa/condo/time-share/home, etc., outside of Disney, for considerably less. However, make sure you factor in the extra cost of renting a car, parking, gas, commute times, loss of certain perks, and overall inconvenience. Don't get me wrong, plenty of people are very happy staying outside of Disney. The choice is yours, but I normally advise Disney "rookies" to stay on property.





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