Things to do
Round Rock is full of things to do. For one, you can enjoy the Round Rock Premium Outlets. If you are into locally grown produce, you can also peruse the local farmers' market. If shopping isn’t your thing, you can watch baseball at the Round Rock Express or Dell Diamond.
In the summer, Kalahari Resorts, one of America's biggest waterparks, is the perfect place to cool off. Additionally, for outdoorsy folks, Round Rock boasts 2,270 acres of trails.
Round Rock is close enough to all that Austin has to offer but far enough away to relax and enjoy a slower pace of life. It has accessibility to the Hill Country, Lake Travis, and the Texas coast for the median price of $355,000. Interestingly, there's a wide range of home prices in Round Rock from $20,000 to $1.5M
Communities
There are various types of Round Rock communities, including golf course communities and master-planned communities that have pools and parks. The great thing about master-planned communities is that they have neighborhood events, including cinema under the stars, concerts, and holiday gatherings.
If you want new construction in a planned community, there are plenty of options. Some are currently under construction, and there are plans for future developments. The starting price for new construction is around $200,000.
Cost of Living
In Round Rock, the cost of living is about 3% lower than the national average. Property taxes are roughly 3.3%, and utility rates are one of the lowest in the region.
The Economy and Job Market
There are plenty of job opportunities in Round Rock. In fact, as analyzed by the Texas Workforce Commission, Texas has a 2.4% unemployment rate.
Major employers include Dell Technologies, Sears, Round Rock ISD, Emerson, and healthcare systems, including Baylor Scott &White and St. David's HealthCare.
Schools
Round Rock ISD has some of the top-rated schools in the area. It has 55 schools and serves over 50,000 students. If public school isn't for you, there are magnet schools, private education, and homeschooling. Texas has an estimated 350,000 homeschooled students each year.
For higher education, Round Rock is close to South University, The University of Texas, Texas State University, and Austin Community College, to name a few.
Public Transportation is Limited
Round Rock transit partnered with Austin public transit system, the Capital Metro, which provides bus services to and within the Round Rock area. However, it doesn't serve the entire region, so you'll need a car.
Traffic
The primary source of backups is coming from I35, and you'll see that play out if you're commuting to and from downtown Austin. Traffic is the price to pay for the expansion.
Weather
It is hot! However, winter, fall, and spring are gorgeous. In the spring, temperatures average 75-85 degrees and only 60 degrees in the winter. Nice weather means that outdoor activities can happen for the majority of the year.
Lack of Culture
There's a notable lack of nightlife that you would expect in the world's live music capital. Luckily, Round Rock is not too far away from Austin.
Whether you're looking for your first home, buying a bigger house, or downsizing, Round Rock has something for everyone.