Comments on: The Joys of Downsizing to a Smaller, Better Located Austin Home http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2010/07/23/the-joys-of-downsizing-to-a-smaller-better-located-home/ Austin Real Estate Blog Fri, 11 May 2012 17:13:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Steve Crossland, Austin REALTOR http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2010/07/23/the-joys-of-downsizing-to-a-smaller-better-located-home/#comment-127260 Steve Crossland, Austin REALTOR Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:18:31 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1906#comment-127260 Hi Scott, thanks for your comments.. Kelly, opening a bakery sounds awesome. Let us know how that goes! Sara - yes, I've been contemplating a skylight, but it's way down the list of things needed at this point. Steve Hi Scott, thanks for your comments..

Kelly, opening a bakery sounds awesome. Let us know how that goes!

Sara – yes, I’ve been contemplating a skylight, but it’s way down the list of things needed at this point.

Steve

]]> By: scott http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2010/07/23/the-joys-of-downsizing-to-a-smaller-better-located-home/#comment-127255 scott Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:18:25 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1906#comment-127255 I think, Steve, you and Sylvia are part of a larger trend...I've not been on your blog for a long spell, but was a frequent poster against Austin sprawl, and the ways we could amelieorate the same....I thought, and still do, that that sprawl was destroying the "golden goose" that attracted so many folks to Austin in the first place. The Centrifical force pushing growth out reminded me of that amusement ride, the cyclone...was actually named the Texas round-up, ironically, at our local carnivals growing up....just a push push push in all directions outward. The open question was, would Austin ever develop a dymanic urban residential core, with the requisite city services and business services that would attract a critical mass of residents? Seems like this may happen now, per a confluence of several things...First, the era of the cookie-cutter suburban mega-house is spent...the boomer families that created that phenom have very much begun the "empty nest" syndrome, and no longer need or are willing to spend time maintaining such space, let alone the huge expenses they entail. There are far fewer families just behind that boom to purchase those houses, and many of them are hurting economically, so surely there will be a surfeit of supply per megamanses for years to come. ..commercial real estate has also hit rock bottom, and the crazy funding for outlying strip-malls and big box stores that seemed to pop out of nowhere overnight is largely gone....as it stands, there is a huge overhang just to lease what has been built already in sprawlville.. This all leads to the revitalization of central urban areas, in Austin, and all over the USA. It will not supercede suburban and outlying life, but will take FAR more share of the same than it once had....many young people today, as you have mentioned, Steve, will be renters by choice/necessity in the next decade. They will also be far more inclined to live in-city, per those same preferences. Healthy boomers will be making the same transitions you are, in many cases, and moving to decent central areas.... I am absolutely certain that Austin's city center will be the most vibrant and growth-orientated section of the entire metro in the next decade, and I greatly look forward to seeing it grow, adding whatever input I can to the same! I think, Steve, you and Sylvia are part of a larger trend…I’ve not been on your blog for a long spell, but was a frequent poster against Austin sprawl, and the ways we could amelieorate the same….I thought, and still do, that that sprawl was destroying the “golden goose” that attracted so many folks to Austin in the first place. The Centrifical force pushing growth out reminded me of that amusement ride, the cyclone…was actually named the Texas round-up, ironically, at our local carnivals growing up….just a push push push in all directions outward.
The open question was, would Austin ever develop a dymanic urban residential core, with the requisite city services and business services that would attract a critical mass of residents? Seems like this may happen now, per a confluence of several things…First, the era of the cookie-cutter suburban mega-house is spent…the boomer families that created that phenom have very much begun the “empty nest” syndrome, and no longer need or are willing to spend time maintaining such space, let alone the huge expenses they entail.
There are far fewer families just behind that boom to purchase those houses, and many of them are hurting economically, so surely there will be a surfeit of supply per megamanses for years to come. ..commercial real estate has also hit rock bottom, and the crazy funding for outlying strip-malls and big box stores that seemed to pop out of nowhere overnight is largely gone….as it stands, there is a huge overhang just to lease what has been built already in sprawlville..
This all leads to the revitalization of central urban areas, in Austin, and all over the USA.
It will not supercede suburban and outlying life, but will take FAR more share of the same than it once had….many young people today, as you have mentioned, Steve, will be renters by choice/necessity in the next decade. They will also be far more inclined to live in-city, per those same preferences. Healthy boomers will be making the same transitions you are, in many cases, and moving to decent central areas….
I am absolutely certain that Austin’s city center will be the most vibrant and growth-orientated section of the entire metro in the next decade, and I greatly look forward to seeing it grow, adding whatever input I can to the same!

]]> By: Steve Crossland, Austin REALTOR http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2010/07/23/the-joys-of-downsizing-to-a-smaller-better-located-home/#comment-127207 Steve Crossland, Austin REALTOR Thu, 19 Aug 2010 05:45:14 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1906#comment-127207 > Retiring in 5 years? Well, "retire" as in work for fun instead of necessity. I don't think we could sit around doing nothing for long. > I hope you’ll keep blogging .. Thanks, I'm trying. Have had a dry spell lately. Just so busy it's hard to sit down and write. Garreth, yours is one of the better real estate blogs in Austin. You put a lot of thought and effort into your topics. I hope my readers will click over and have a look. http://garreth.featuredblog.com/ Steve > Retiring in 5 years?
Well, “retire” as in work for fun instead of necessity. I don’t think we could sit around doing nothing for long.

> I hope you’ll keep blogging ..

Thanks, I’m trying. Have had a dry spell lately. Just so busy it’s hard to sit down and write.
Garreth, yours is one of the better real estate blogs in Austin. You put a lot of thought and effort into your topics. I hope my readers will click over and have a look.
http://garreth.featuredblog.com/

Steve

]]> By: Garreth Wilcock http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2010/07/23/the-joys-of-downsizing-to-a-smaller-better-located-home/#comment-127200 Garreth Wilcock Thu, 19 Aug 2010 01:03:40 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1906#comment-127200 Retiring in 5 years? I like how everyone picks up on the downsizing theme, but retiring? I hope you'll keep blogging - your blog has been an inspiration to me since I got into the real estate business. Retiring in 5 years? I like how everyone picks up on the downsizing theme, but retiring? I hope you’ll keep blogging – your blog has been an inspiration to me since I got into the real estate business.

]]> By: Kelly http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2010/07/23/the-joys-of-downsizing-to-a-smaller-better-located-home/#comment-127103 Kelly Tue, 17 Aug 2010 21:56:57 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1906#comment-127103 Congratulations Steve and Sylvia! I just e-mailed Sylvia before I visited here so I didn't know your udpate. So happy to hear you've made the move and (I hope) have made the sale on your other home. We've always lived in small homes and I think it is so much nicer not having so much sq. footage to clean. While we can't walk to much aside from the local park, marina or the teeny-tiny store - we're still enjoying our new "ranch" life. We've had to adjust to shopping once a week instead of daily and we cook nearly all of our meals at home now. We hope to help create more of a small city communitiy here as the years progress - who knows we may open a bakery! We know it will be an adventure and love hearing about yours too! Congratulations Steve and Sylvia! I just e-mailed Sylvia before I visited here so I didn’t know your udpate. So happy to hear you’ve made the move and (I hope) have made the sale on your other home. We’ve always lived in small homes and I think it is so much nicer not having so much sq. footage to clean. While we can’t walk to much aside from the local park, marina or the teeny-tiny store – we’re still enjoying our new “ranch” life. We’ve had to adjust to shopping once a week instead of daily and we cook nearly all of our meals at home now. We hope to help create more of a small city communitiy here as the years progress – who knows we may open a bakery! We know it will be an adventure and love hearing about yours too!

]]> By: Sara http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2010/07/23/the-joys-of-downsizing-to-a-smaller-better-located-home/#comment-126147 Sara Mon, 09 Aug 2010 01:44:53 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1906#comment-126147 My husband raised out ceiling on a 1977 ranch. It was very difficult as the 30 yr old wood was very hard--think petrified. In hind sight I would have left the furdowns(?) and put a large skylight in the center surrounded by cans. My husband raised out ceiling on a 1977 ranch. It was very difficult as the 30 yr old wood was very hard–think petrified. In hind sight I would have left the furdowns(?) and put a large skylight in the center surrounded by cans.

]]> By: sylvia http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2010/07/23/the-joys-of-downsizing-to-a-smaller-better-located-home/#comment-126002 sylvia Sat, 07 Aug 2010 12:51:33 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1906#comment-126002 The hardest thing for me to adjust to is the size issue. Since we moved from a 3300 square foot house to an 1800 + square footer, we have had to "let go" of a lot of stuff. Our office is currently the 4th bedroom which we have had to tear apart again after we moved in so we could access the phone lines (we had a lot of trouble with ATT and the phone move), so now we have our laptops, printer, etc set up in the formal dining room. It is a pretty crazy set up. I hope to have the office set up again by Monday.... The nicest thing about the house, aside from the great location, is the view to the backyard to all the trees and wildlife. There are large windows in the back of the house that I always keep open so we can enjoy the view. Luckily the house faces south and the back is to the north, so we never have direct sunlight coming into the house. These large windows with the nice view and the vaulted ceilings in the main living area and master bedroom really helps to offset the low ceilings everywhere else. Sylvia The hardest thing for me to adjust to is the size issue. Since we moved from a 3300 square foot house to an 1800 + square footer, we have had to “let go” of a lot of stuff. Our office is currently the 4th bedroom which we have had to tear apart again after we moved in so we could access the phone lines (we had a lot of trouble with ATT and the phone move), so now we have our laptops, printer, etc set up in the formal dining room. It is a pretty crazy set up. I hope to have the office set up again by Monday….

The nicest thing about the house, aside from the great location, is the view to the backyard to all the trees and wildlife. There are large windows in the back of the house that I always keep open so we can enjoy the view. Luckily the house faces south and the back is to the north, so we never have direct sunlight coming into the house. These large windows with the nice view and the vaulted ceilings in the main living area and master bedroom really helps to offset the low ceilings everywhere else.
Sylvia

]]> By: Steve Crossland, Austin REALTOR http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2010/07/23/the-joys-of-downsizing-to-a-smaller-better-located-home/#comment-125667 Steve Crossland, Austin REALTOR Wed, 04 Aug 2010 21:21:24 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1906#comment-125667 > How do you reconcile with the dreaded ceiling height? The living and master bedrooms have vaulted ceilings, very nice. The other rooms are low, but that's the way it is. Kitchen is super low with the old drop-down lights. Steve > How do you reconcile with the dreaded ceiling height?

The living and master bedrooms have vaulted ceilings, very nice. The other rooms are low, but that’s the way it is. Kitchen is super low with the old drop-down lights.

Steve

]]> By: Peter http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2010/07/23/the-joys-of-downsizing-to-a-smaller-better-located-home/#comment-125583 Peter Wed, 04 Aug 2010 05:42:43 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1906#comment-125583 Great post and insight. Thanks.. Your current lifestyle gives me the goosebumps about Central Austin. Although the 'new' house itself appears a lot of work. How do you reconcile with the dreaded ceiling height? That is one of the few luxuries in life i am unwilling to forego (we are stuck here in faint vibe NW Austin). Maybe you could post pictures from then and now for your next blog entry. Best wishes to you and keep up the good work. You should really get the title "Austin's Realtor". Great post and insight. Thanks..

Your current lifestyle gives me the goosebumps about Central Austin. Although the ‘new’ house itself appears a lot of work. How do you reconcile with the dreaded ceiling height? That is one of the few luxuries in life i am unwilling to forego (we are stuck here in faint vibe NW Austin). Maybe you could post pictures from then and now for your next blog entry.

Best wishes to you and keep up the good work. You should really get the title “Austin’s Realtor”.

]]> By: edward http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2010/07/23/the-joys-of-downsizing-to-a-smaller-better-located-home/#comment-125410 edward Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:14:36 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1906#comment-125410 Many thanks for the responses Steve and Mike. In absolutely no way am I suggesting that the city of Austin restrict access to the park system. It just seems odd (unfair?) that some residents of “Austin” do not contribute their share for the upkeep of parks all “Austinites” enjoy. Many thanks for the responses Steve and Mike. In absolutely no way am I suggesting that the city of Austin restrict access to the park system. It just seems odd (unfair?) that some residents of “Austin” do not contribute their share for the upkeep of parks all “Austinites” enjoy.

]]> By: Julia http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2010/07/23/the-joys-of-downsizing-to-a-smaller-better-located-home/#comment-125234 Julia Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:05:03 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1906#comment-125234 I was so shocked when I read this entry!! I never would have expected you and your family to do something like this (not that I know you personally, just from what I've read on your blog). I am delighted that you are sharing the benefits of smaller houses, urban living, etc. Too many people think that bigger houses are better without considering the bigger costs to remodel, to heat, to cool, to furnish, to clean and to mow! I am so glad you are happy and love your home even though it is not perfect! Thanks for blogging about it and sharing your good experience!!! PS - I also live in town with no HOA. Very nice to not ever have to worry about an HOA pestering me. IMO, the City of Austin laws seem plenty good enough in enforcing upkeep. I was so shocked when I read this entry!! I never would have expected you and your family to do something like this (not that I know you personally, just from what I’ve read on your blog). I am delighted that you are sharing the benefits of smaller houses, urban living, etc. Too many people think that bigger houses are better without considering the bigger costs to remodel, to heat, to cool, to furnish, to clean and to mow!

I am so glad you are happy and love your home even though it is not perfect! Thanks for blogging about it and sharing your good experience!!!

PS – I also live in town with no HOA. Very nice to not ever have to worry about an HOA pestering me. IMO, the City of Austin laws seem plenty good enough in enforcing upkeep.

]]> By: Steve Crossland, Austin REALTOR http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2010/07/23/the-joys-of-downsizing-to-a-smaller-better-located-home/#comment-125153 Steve Crossland, Austin REALTOR Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:04:35 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1906#comment-125153 > I often hear criticisms of Westlake residents enjoying the parks of Austin Seems like an odd thing to often hear. I've lived in Austin for 25 years and haven't heard that. But we do in fact live in the City Limits of Austin portion of Westlake, as described above. To your larger point, the public facilities of any community are free and open to whomever wants to use them, unless restricted in some way. Libraries would be an example, where you have to show proof of residency to have the previledge. If the City of Austin wanted to limit public park use, it would be difficult or impossible to accomplish, unless entrance gates were set up and ID required. Thanks! Steve > I often hear criticisms of Westlake residents enjoying the parks of Austin

Seems like an odd thing to often hear. I’ve lived in Austin for 25 years and haven’t heard that. But we do in fact live in the City Limits of Austin portion of Westlake, as described above.

To your larger point, the public facilities of any community are free and open to whomever wants to use them, unless restricted in some way. Libraries would be an example, where you have to show proof of residency to have the previledge. If the City of Austin wanted to limit public park use, it would be difficult or impossible to accomplish, unless entrance gates were set up and ID required.

Thanks!
Steve

]]> By: M1EK http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2010/07/23/the-joys-of-downsizing-to-a-smaller-better-located-home/#comment-125126 M1EK Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:57:03 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1906#comment-125126 edward, since Steve is in the CoA as he responded to me, he's contributing to those parks. Westlake residents don't, of course. edward, since Steve is in the CoA as he responded to me, he’s contributing to those parks. Westlake residents don’t, of course.

]]> By: edward http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2010/07/23/the-joys-of-downsizing-to-a-smaller-better-located-home/#comment-125120 edward Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:03:33 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1906#comment-125120 Steve, so glad your family is enjoying the benefits of living closer to your children’s school and a more urban setting. Question for you. I often hear criticisms of Westlake residents enjoying the parks of Austin (namely the Town Lake / Lady Bird Lake Trail, Zilker Park) without paying for them. I do not know if such criticism is warranted. Would you please help me understand the distribution of Westlake property taxes and how the residents of Westlake help contribute to the upkeep of the Austin parks Westlake residents frequently use. Many thanks. Steve, so glad your family is enjoying the benefits of living closer to your children’s school and a more urban setting.

Question for you. I often hear criticisms of Westlake residents enjoying the parks of Austin (namely the Town Lake / Lady Bird Lake Trail, Zilker Park) without paying for them. I do not know if such criticism is warranted. Would you please help me understand the distribution of Westlake property taxes and how the residents of Westlake help contribute to the upkeep of the Austin parks Westlake residents frequently use. Many thanks.

]]> By: M1EK http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2010/07/23/the-joys-of-downsizing-to-a-smaller-better-located-home/#comment-124853 M1EK Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:38:05 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1906#comment-124853 Re-read; I was short on sleep that morning. The #30 is certainly not safe at the existing 40 minute or the proposed 30 minute headways (the new 'high' frequency). To be sure, the Red Line operating cost debacle is likely to put the kibosh on bus service increases in the 2020 plan (which didn't budget as much operating cost as is being planned for the Red Line or as little fare revenue). Re-read; I was short on sleep that morning. The #30 is certainly not safe at the existing 40 minute or the proposed 30 minute headways (the new ‘high’ frequency). To be sure, the Red Line operating cost debacle is likely to put the kibosh on bus service increases in the 2020 plan (which didn’t budget as much operating cost as is being planned for the Red Line or as little fare revenue).

]]> By: Steve Crossland, Austin REALTOR http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2010/07/23/the-joys-of-downsizing-to-a-smaller-better-located-home/#comment-124706 Steve Crossland, Austin REALTOR Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:47:54 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1906#comment-124706 > did you sell the previous property..? It's under contract, being sold. Steve > did you sell the previous property..?

It’s under contract, being sold.
Steve

]]> By: M1EK http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2010/07/23/the-joys-of-downsizing-to-a-smaller-better-located-home/#comment-124705 M1EK Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:29:08 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1906#comment-124705 Sorry, read JMVC's comment too quickly after too little sleep thanks to baby. The frequency improvements for #30 in the long-range plan are to bring it up to every 30 minutes from every 40; a change hard to notice. This level of frequency is clearly endangered by future Red Line operating cost increases. Sorry, read JMVC’s comment too quickly after too little sleep thanks to baby. The frequency improvements for #30 in the long-range plan are to bring it up to every 30 minutes from every 40; a change hard to notice. This level of frequency is clearly endangered by future Red Line operating cost increases.

]]> By: M1EK http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2010/07/23/the-joys-of-downsizing-to-a-smaller-better-located-home/#comment-124702 M1EK Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:01:31 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1906#comment-124702 You would think so, but CM is cutting the #9, and the West Austin parts of the #21 and #22. Leaving a larger number of total riders completely in the lurch. The assumption that #29 riders will just take the #30 is wishful thinking along the lines of the plans to serve the riders of those other lost routes with 'flexible' service that will quickly prove useless. (and remember that you're talking to the guy who called the Red Line correctly, unlike JMVC). So you're pretty close to my office then - we should do lunch sometime. I'm in one of those buildings at the corner of 360 and Westbank. You would think so, but CM is cutting the #9, and the West Austin parts of the #21 and #22. Leaving a larger number of total riders completely in the lurch. The assumption that #29 riders will just take the #30 is wishful thinking along the lines of the plans to serve the riders of those other lost routes with ‘flexible’ service that will quickly prove useless. (and remember that you’re talking to the guy who called the Red Line correctly, unlike JMVC).

So you’re pretty close to my office then – we should do lunch sometime. I’m in one of those buildings at the corner of 360 and Westbank.

]]> By: Brian http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2010/07/23/the-joys-of-downsizing-to-a-smaller-better-located-home/#comment-124699 Brian Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:28:08 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1906#comment-124699 May have missed it - did you sell the previous property or are you renting it out? How long had you been planning the change? May have missed it – did you sell the previous property or are you renting it out?

How long had you been planning the change?

]]> By: Steve Crossland, Austin REALTOR http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2010/07/23/the-joys-of-downsizing-to-a-smaller-better-located-home/#comment-124541 Steve Crossland, Austin REALTOR Sun, 25 Jul 2010 04:42:16 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1906#comment-124541 Hi JMVC - yes, I've rode the #30 twice now, just this evening for the second time actually. It was over 50% capacity northbound when we got on at Walsh Tarlton, and nearly full by Barton Springs Rd. after more people got on at Spyglass and Zilker. The southbound later had only 1 rider when we got on at Zilker around 8PM. It seems to be a well used bus route. Would seem an odd one to delete. Steve Hi JMVC – yes, I’ve rode the #30 twice now, just this evening for the second time actually. It was over 50% capacity northbound when we got on at Walsh Tarlton, and nearly full by Barton Springs Rd. after more people got on at Spyglass and Zilker. The southbound later had only 1 rider when we got on at Zilker around 8PM.

It seems to be a well used bus route. Would seem an odd one to delete.

Steve

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