It has come time for you to find the place to call home. When working with a Texas custom home builder, they will tell you that this is one of the most exciting and important decisions of your life. Of course, it is also a challenging one. Texas is incredibly diverse, offering a wide range of cities and towns that cater to different preferences. In Central Texas, alone, there is a considerable shift when you cross the threshold of Austin into Cedar Park. It is up to you to determine where will be the most suitable location for you and your family in the Lone Star State.
Whether you were born and raised in Texas or are considering making the big move, you need to have a good sense of where you are intending to settle down. This way, you get the most out of the space. If you don’t do your research, you run the risk of having to move again all too soon. Here are some factors that everyone should consider before committing to a location for their custom home.
Neighborhood Size
How large or small a neighborhood is can directly impact your sense of community. That is to say, when homes are in closer proximity to one another, you have a greater ability to build relationships with your neighbors. This is a good option for anyone who is interested in participating in community gatherings and other local events. On the flip side, if a communal atmosphere is not one of your priorities as a homeowner, you might prefer to be surrounded by land. With a decreased population density comes decreases in road congestion and noise.
Texas custom home builders can work with you whether you want to be in a suburban or rural area. You just have to know what type of location is going to bring your family the greatest peace. Think about how much privacy and personal space you need.
Affordability
Working with a Texas custom home builder to construct your dream home can get quite expensive. There are so many different elements that go into perfecting each room, from your bathrooms to your kitchen to your office space. But beyond budgeting for the house itself, you need to be considerate of the cost of living in your chosen area. By stretching your budget too thin during your build, you could put yourself under financial stress in the future. And no one wants to worry about acquiring unnecessary debt.
When you opt for a location that has an affordable cost of living, you have the opportunity to allocate more of your funds to other wants and needs. This could include your hobbies, investments, and leisure activities. In any case, being considerate of affordability gives you more freedom in your financial choices in the long term.
Lifestyle and Culture
Texas is a huge state, coming in at approximately 268,596 square miles. Therefore, you can’t possibly say that every single city or town is going to be the same. Each one comes with its own opportunities for careers, education, and personal enrichment. You might also have very different options for dining, shopping, and entertainment depending on where you end up. The Lone Star State has something for everyone, but it is up to you to research and find the space where you can feel the greatest sense of home. Texas custom home builders believe that your quality of life is just as important as your house itself.
Photo by August de Richelieu on Pexels
Local Climate
There is a common saying in Texas that “if you don’t like the weather, wait ten seconds.” Still, for those planning to pack up and move to a new city, it is important that you look into what the climate of your chosen area is like. You want to live somewhere that has a climate that aligns with your preferences, such as the typically dry summers of Central Texas. But living in Texas at large is great for the fact that we truly do have all four seasons, although winters are relatively mild compared to the North.
With that in mind, Texas custom home builders are capable of working on your dream house year-round. Here at Bat City Builders, we believe that there is no wrong time to start a project in the Greater Austin area. You should, however, try to fit it into your schedule before the holiday season. And be aware of the February ice storms that could be lurking around the corner!
Walkability and Transportation
Texas custom home builders find that when the area you live in is walkable, you are able to promote both your physical and mental well-being. You can soak in some Vitamin D as you head to your easily accessible local amenities. For example, having a grocery store right around the corner from where you live makes running in to get a few things extremely simple. It also allows you to get out and about without the need for a car. When you have the ability to walk instead of drive short distances, you actively contribute to the reduction of traffic congestion and pollution.
It may be the case that you are planning to commute to your place of work or your university. If so, you want to ensure that you have convenient transportation links to get there. For those interested in taking public transportation instead of driving every day, this includes access to buses and trains. In the Austin area, we have CapMetro serving as the regional transportation provider. Since 1985, it has provided residents and visitors with the best transit options for their busy lives.
Safety
Any Texas custom home builder will tell you that safety should be one of your top priorities as a property owner. Already, builders are known to take safety precautions while constructing your home. They minimize the physical hazards and risks that come with construction, and ensure that you will be protected from within for years to come. But you could also find yourself becoming a victim of property crime later on down the line if you don’t take precautions in your own right. This might mean setting up a smart security system. Ask your builder to help you get this in order before you part ways. Regardless, it is important to look for areas that have a relatively low crime rate with safety-conscious communities.
