So as a Mueller resident, I'm somewhat of an advocate for living here. I drank the green kool-aid in 2007 and moved in early 2008. I wax lyrical about the parks, the strong community, the different types of houses, and the upcoming Garden Homes and Mueller House.
Am I biased? Sure I am. I rarely talk about the neighborhood schools, and some of the other things that people don't like when they research a move here:
- The houses are close together. That's right, they sure are. By design. There are certainly lots of homes in Texas, and lots of space for big lots. You can even get a large lot closer to Downtown than here for a similar price. Like I said, I drank the kool-aid and support the idea that not everyone wants a large yard, the world's population (and Austin's) is getting bigger, and not everyone likes to commute. So, I'm all about small yards. Our last home was a few miles North on a third of an acre. I hated yard work.
- It's East of I35. That's right. A wonderful diverse area of non-homogenous housing that happens to be East of a road I don't much care for. Some people say that crime is rampant, zombies roam the streets, and that East Austin is a horrible place to live. Me, I don't hold that view at all. You can check crime statistics for yourself and make your own decision.
- The schools are dreadful. I haven't met a parent of a child at Maplewood who doesn't think it's a great school. East Austin is working at improving its schools, and there's an active community here supporting that effort.
So what's my point? I think it's an unreal neighborhood, as do another 649 families who have moved here. Perhaps they are early adopters, perhaps they're crazy. The neighborhood isn't for everyone. As a tribute to the area, I've taken a few photos and fiddled around with HDR processing to show off some of the sights.
Garreth Wilcock doesn't actually drink kool-aid. He represents buyers and sellers at the Mueller redevelopment in Austin. 512 215 4785
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