Why I Love Cedar Park, Texas

The secret is out.  Cedar Park consistently has been voted as one of the best cities to raise a family. With top schools, easy commute to Austin, parks and affordable housing.. of course it is!  But let me tell you something... there is way more to Cedar Park than any demographic report can pinpoint.  As a resident of Cedar Park I am almost afraid of sharing just how great this community is. Let's face it, the more people who move here the worse the traffic is getting!   

I am embarrassed to admit that when I first moved to Central Texas in 2005 I did not choose Cedar Park for my own home.  My first impression was no cute little downtown, and frankly - there really wasn't a town feel at all.  Everything looked very 80's and cookie cutter.  Oh, how my generic criteria list failed me.  Let me share with you the top 5 reasons why I love Cedar Park and will never leave this amazing community.

1. People.  Yes, this is Texas, the friendly state.  Yes, everyone knows Austin has cool people.  Eclectic people, talented people, friendly and smart people.  Cedar Park has the BEST people by far.  I have never seen a population more committed to their community.  School events are overflowing with donations and volunteers.  My trash man brings my garbage bin up to my garage door every Thursday.  You will have more sincere conversations with strangers at a Schlotskys in this town than you can keep track of. 

2. Activities.  Movies in the park, festivals, community orchestras, concerts and sporting events.  You don't need to leave Cedar Park to experience any of these things.  Hiking, golf, kayaking... what do you want to do?  It's all here.  Lake Austin and Lake Travis are just down the road.  Twin Lakes YMCA is one of the best I have ever seen.  My children went canoeing and fishing every day last summer at day camp... about 5 minutes from their home.  Can your Y beat that?  

3. Schools.  I can, and will, write many blogs about Leander ISD and many other school posts.  As a mother to four children and a Realtor I truly understand the importance of good schools.  Every family has different needs they are looking for a district to fulfill.  For me, the underlying philosophy and extracurricular choices of this district are beyond compare.  But more on that...

4. Commute.  Unless you are blessed to work in Cedar Park, you most likely will have to commute to somewhere.  If you want to escape the high prices of Austin and still have a minimal commute, this is the place to be.  Many tech jobs in under ten minutes.  Zilker Park on a Saturday, 20 minutes tops.  Lightrail may not have a Cedar Park address - but it's here folks! Austin and Cedar Park are very much intertwined.   

My kids are in many activities and I don't have to deal with evening traffic jams. Karate, dance, gymnastics, music lessons, school events, mall shopping, groceries and dinner - no worries.  It's all within a 2 to 3 mile radius from my home.   We even have a Sprouts now!  Want to take a class at the community college?  Austin Community College is right here.  

5. Housing.  There are many options in Cedar Park for every budget.  Everything from stately homes with hill country views to affordable rentals.  This is truly a town with a home for any taste.  Equestrian, fly in community, new construction, mature tree's.  Community pools, golf lots, greenbelt lots... what do you want?  

It's very hard to sum up how much I love the lifestyle this little city has to offer. My children ride their bikes to school, surrounded by hundreds of other kiddos who do the same.  After school the streets are flooded with children playing, joggers jogging and a whole lot of dog walking.  All of this amongst the backdrop of the hill country and gorgeous sunsets.  I live about 3 minutes from the 620/Austin congestion.... and yet I feel like I have escaped into my beautiful small town every evening.