Does anybody live in New Braunfels or Bulvedre in Texas? We are looking to possibly move there for a couple of years. We are still fired up for Florida move, but the kids seem to be taking a little bit more time to orient themselves and that would put us about 90 minutes away in case of emergency.
We like New Braunfels a lot, but I was hoping to learn more about Bulvedre.
I support the move. I have no insight into those cities. I just saw that they’re near San Antonio where one of my brothers lives, which gives me a place to stay if you have a book signing near your new digs. ‘Cause it’s all about me. ?
If that’s the case then you should move to Toronto! It’s the fourth largest city in North America, good transit system, theatres, shopping, on a lake…and very convenient for me to also attend signings and appearances.
I would suggest Victoria – nice weather, great gardens, water activities, beautiful views, hiking and we have a wool store that is fantastic the Bee Hive
Does Toronto have good colleges?
University of Toronto is highly respected around the world. Also Ryerson University (my son goes there) and York University both of which have great reputations.
Bulverde is very small. You would do your grocery and other shopping along 281, which is often congested. Maybe you are used to that in Austin and it wouldn’t bother you as much. New Braunfels is a growing town with easy access to San Marcos (outlet mall) or San Antonio. There is Wurstfest and the Comal County Fair to enjoy in the fall. Summer is all about Schlitterbahn. I would also look in the Cibolo/Schertz area just south of NB.
I don’t know what the Andrews family would think, but the presence of Schlitterbahn would be a big plus for me.
I heard Toronto is a beautiful city, but I moved away from the northern lower peninsula of Michigan to get away from the cold and snow. Toronto is going in the wrong direction, temperature-wise.
Oops, that was supposed to be a reply to Margaret.
It does get cold during the winter, I cannot lie….my dream when I retire is to be a “snowbird” and spend some time in warmer climates during the worst of the winter months. Other than that I do love my city and my down filed jacket.
Or you could decide to move into San Antonio….where you could learn the ultimate test for “Are you really from San Antonio?” Which is: “How do you pronounce Huisache?”
Some simple fill-in-the-blanks…Huisache is one of the older bits of the Alamo city, with (when I lived there, anyway) huge old trees, and huge old houses.
As for how it’s pronounced?…Wee-satch.
Welcome to Bexar (say Bear) County.
Another area you might take a look at…Boerne. Although I’ve seen fossilized bones with higher water tables than Boerne, Texas. All depends on what the legion of realtors has on their listing books…..
Move to New Zealand, we are middle earth
I’d love to, but the only way that would work would be if we got permission or citizenship there. I don’t know that we would qualify, since we are not exactly skilled workers or rather we are skilled but not in the area NZ needs.
They are strict. I knew a couple years ago that tried to go. They would take her, I forget what she did, but they didn’t want him and he was a Navy pilot.
They’re pretty picky about pilots due to the high winds, but at least now days if she could go he would be able to go on a partnership visa with hers. Over time they could make things into more permanent. It’s a process and they make you work a bit for it, but there are a lot of options.
Come to Australia then, you won an award here so surely you would qualify.
Also if you want to live in a tropical climate there is Queensland or if you prefer cold and damp then Melbourne is for you.
I think you’d be surprised at how loose the definition of skilled worker is down here at the moment, just say you’re a barista and you’re in…..
Yes, would love to have you come here 🙂 I’m sure we could find a way to make it work for you all
Family is all important. But when they decide to move they will just move. It’s as it should be. Find the house that seems like home.
If its only for a couple of years (or less) why not rent something on Riverwalk right in San Antonio? Its really lovely, plenty of things to do and see. Think of it as an extended vacation before permanent move.
I want to move to San Antonio!!!
I visited the river walk once for a wedding and it was gorgeous! Seems like a neat area.
Don’t come to dallas. It’s gross.
I would move to Fort Worth anytime. But Dallas isn’t my style.
Agreed – but I live in the FW of DFW now.
Glad IA is staying in TX little longer, although going to FLA for signings would be an adventure.
I moved to Fort Worth for school over 10 years ago (I can’t believe it’s been that long already). Been to Dallas. Not impressed. Reminds me a lot of St. Louis or Chicago. Fort Worth on the other hand, wonderful even though I remember what the 7th Street corridor was like before the booming construction. 🙂
I don’t live in that area but when I was visiting recently we toured Natural Bridge Caverns and I can’t recommend it enough if you are into beautiful, creepy underworld caves!
Don’t move! We haven’t become best friends yet!
But seriously, I have never before heard of Bulvedre but New Braunfels is okay. I lived outside San Marcos in Lockhart, Fentress and Reedville growing up. It was great for a tomboy explorer like me, but I don’t know how I would like it now.
If you are looking for a very small town, try Comfort. It’s about 45 miles northwest of San Antonio and I have never visited a more peaceful place. The people are very friendly and not “nosy” at all. (If you visit and want to stay over, Camp Comfort B&B is an excellent place.)
No knowledge of town whatsoever but a peaceful small town named comfort with people who aren’t nosy and with a camp comfort b&b …. sounds like a setup for a horror novel.
Or a creepy sci-fi film
Or an episode of the next season of twin peaks…….. is Comfort, Texas per chance near Midnight, Texas?
Or Dancer, TX?
You guys must be city folks – or you watch too many horror movies.
Comfort has a gourmet pizza place, a small town market and a feed and seed among other things. About as normal as most places. I grew up in a small town barely larger than Comfort. It felt like home, almost. Of course, unlike home, Comfort has beautiful trees.
Google the place. It’s gorgeous.
A friend grew up in New Braunfels and always has lovely things to say about it.
I don’t know anything about either of those places but maybe you could go stay in each for about three to four days when nothing is going on and just see if you like the vibe.
Also I don’t know where to get the information but some where I am sure you can get an idea if they are growing or dying communities. I would think if one is not doing well as a community you may not want to buy property that you can’t get rid of down the road.
Good Luck on your decision
Excellent suggestion.
Please tell me you guys and gals in Texas are doing okay with Hurricane Harvey hitting you all? In my thoughts and prayers ??
Thank you,
Several cities on the coast (and along the path of Harvey) are passing out sand bags to residents and businesses since they are expecting a pretty good storm to come through. Several have had voluntary evacuations and I’m sure that will change by tomorrow night. South Padre Island (where we’ve stayed for spring break in a camper) has requested all RV’s and high profile vehicles to move inland and is clearing the beaches. In the Austin area, it has settled down some, but we are expecting 100% rain all weekend. San Antonio could get as much as 15 inches and Houston 20 inches by the time this is done.
Thanks Brad. To all the BDH who live in South and Southeast Texas, stay safe. DFW is on the northern end of what you’ll get. We may or may not get any rain from Harvey. But I’m keeping my eyes on the weather just in case.
I heard Austin is going to get hit with rain from Harvey. Be safe Ilona, Gordon, and kids.
I thought Harvey was a large invisible rabbit. Now I find out it’s a crazy storm. Thanks for thoughts and prayers. I like anything Ilona and Gordon write and old black and white movies.
Come to the UK, we would make you very welcome ?
I understand your concerns regarding your daughters, it is hard to leave them behind without worrying about them but it’s hard to convince them a move to Florida is right for them at this time.
Is there a necessity to move now? Moving is stressful, go and spend a few days at the places you’ve picked you may find the grass is greener where you are rather than having a huge upheaval and not being happy. Especially if it is your intention to settle in Florida eventually.
Best of luck to you both whatever you decide ?
I would also love to see them in the UK, however I suspect that Ilona’s sinuses would not be happy with our damp British weather – I remember she had problems with them in winter when they lived in Portland.
I would love to see them in the UK too but changing continents may be a move too far.
Although given the really low pound now if they did want to consider it now would be a good time.
I hope they are happy, wherever they decide to move to.
Kid 1 is in college. She may not want to move. Kid 2 just graduated from high school this spring. She may have plans.
We are staying put ATM partly for the same reason – not sure where kids are going to end up. I agree with the suggestion to spend a few days in each place. You need a little vacation anyway.
Ms. Kim has it right. I believe now you can get all the way to the zoo along the Riverwalk.
I live on the east coast. I understand the desire to move from the city and the desire to wait until the fledglings fly. So my advice is to rent for now. Pull out sofas do usually pull out and futons do fold out. if your present home/ house is too big for empty nesters even with college kids returning yearly for the next few years then find an apartment or something else pet friendly and put present too large house on the real estate market. Then put the sale proceeds into a bank or credit union savings account until you find a new ‘home’ in invest in. Small towns/ communities have their pluses and minuses. Sometimes you do not have a choice because you must move due to job or family eldercare or you are allergic to the chemicals sprayed on the local farms money crops. Otherwise I suggest living in chosen community for 12 months before you make decision about buying a home in that community. Also remember that one level homes are easier if you know that you and or your SO will have joint pain issues within next decade which make stairs difficult. As do broken bones due to slipping on the icy steps or tripping over dog while walking down driveway to get morning newspaper… Mother did both although she swears dog deliberately tripped her but we figure was not dog’s fault as she had drugged dog for excessive night time barking the night before and dog could not stand up much less walk she was so sedated. karma gets you every time some people say. If you must have multi level home then functional bathrooms are good to have on each level.
Good luck with your presently approaching hurricane Harvey.
This is good advice – I know a few people who have built their dream homes for their retirement at their summer lake properties and then regretted it later. One couple tore down their cottage and built a gorgeous house with a pottery studio for her, it cost $900,000 to build. When the husband couldn’t stand to live there anymore they listed it for $975,000 but of course nobody was interested at that price. It was for sale for 2 1/2 years and eventually they took $675,000 for it.
I second that that is great advice Lynn -I too will keep this in mind for my next move. I moved across country from FL to CA and was bone-tired for 2weeks afterwards , plus it took forever to unpack everything. I also suggest finding good professional movers to pack, drive, and unpack the truck. Less stressful and lowers the risk of any potential moving mishaps. And insure everything during the move if you can.
Lynn, thank you for the advice, but none of that will work for us.
We have too many animals for a rental. Our present house is not too large, it’s too small for what we need, and it cannot be put on the market while we are in it. We do not like one level homes. We hate apartments. Nor would I ever rent for 12 months, even if I could somehow find a place that would take us and all of our pets. For the amount of room we would need and the damages we would have to pay after we were done with the house, it would cost us at a minimum of $30,000 to rent for a year.
This is great advice for someone older without pets or children, however. 🙂
We had a place in Temple for a while. We looked and looked and finally narrowed it down. Temple was more affordable than the Hill Country, but still rolling and pretty. Busy little city with a small University there, great medical, and good access to city (Austin) when you need a fix. It’s sort of a sister city to Killeen, which is a big military base. Not sure whether that ‘s a plus or a minus. 🙂 Jobs and family pulled us away, but we still have a farm there in Oenaville. I love the names around there.
Note that San Antonio, New Braunfels, Leon Valley, Schertz, San Marcos, and Bulverde are prone to flooding. All of these areas are near rivers and while they are beautiful, there has been in an increase in flooding. Many areas flood repeatedly, some severely.
See:
http://www.bestplaces.net/city/texas/bulverde
Depending on what you want, here are some hints about San Antonio suburbs.
http://www.movoto.com/guide/san-antonio-tx/best-places-to-live-in-san-antonio-suburbs/
There is also Gruene. Now a tourist town.
http://www.touringtexas.com/gruene/
Kelley described it very well! I live at Canyon Lake so I’m right between the two, and I have family in both locations. If you need any other details please feel free to ask!
How about Manchaca, TX just south of Austin? I know a house for sale there!
I don’t really have anything to add as far as Texas towns go. I’ve been to San Antonio and thought it was lovely. I just wanted to pop in and say be safe with the hurricane approaching.
I went to High School at William Taft on Culebra in San Antonio. We lived at the far corner of town where 1604 meets 410. My mom contracted at the Lackland Medical Center and my dad was still in the Navy but taught trauma surgery at BAMC. We used to go to church in Castroville which had some cute boutique stores and this great Alsatian restaurant. I’ve also lived in Huntsville, near Houston, which I don’t recommend due to its proximity to Houston and that although Sam Houston State is there, its still tiny. Waco is great because its easy to get to other places, has good schools and is big without being too big. I’m in Abilene now, and like it although it does flood some. They’re working on it. We have some good schools here too. I don’t think you can really go wrong with Texas.
I’m watching storm updates right now. I hope everyone gets through OK.
Ditto to Fahiya- to everyone in the storm/flood path, get to safe shelters/high ground areas and please stay safe this weekend.
Bulverde and New Braunfelsl are both nice places to live and the home prices are better than Austin area. The nearness of San Antonio is a plus. Check out 46, there are a lot of nice subdivisions long that route.
Hope you guys are ok.
Not sure if you guys are near Hurricane Harvey but if you or your family are I hope you stay safe.
I live in central Massachusetts. Whenever people think of our fair state, they think of Boston. But this state has so much more. First, having lived all over theUS sand in Germany, when we left three military with a child to educate, it was a no-brainer to move here. Also, if you go out to central or western Mass, you will find some of the most beautiful towns and rolling green hills. Friends from Australia once visited me and were overwhelmed by the verdant landscape. We have gorgeous hiking and although we can have a Noreaster, we are the least disaster prone region of the USA. Museums and art abound, as well as being only an hour from the ocean and an hour to the mountains.
I love Massachusetts. Western section is one of those hideaway pockets that few think about especially the Berkshire area.
This s a totally random comment from someone who lives in Australia, but New Braunfels is where one of the vets from Vet Ranch (Dr Wendy) practices. Your animals would be in good hands. Well, my opinion based on me watching her on YouTube, so perhaps needs to be researched more thoroughly. ??
Whenever you chose to live, I hope it suits you better.
We lived in San Antonio for 19 years and spent time in both Bulverde and New Braunfels. Ilona, if you are allergic to cedar ( I seem to remember you writing about it but it may have been an Innkeeper reference), you might want to take a look around Bulverde to assess the preponderance of cedar–I think they are on fairly rocky soil there which would result in copious amounts of the stuff. Not sure if NB will be any better but they do have the river and I think more water.
When I’m house hunting, I like to visit the local fire stations and ask the fire fighters / first responders “What kind of calls do you run in this neighborhood?” Usually they will tell you candidly “We get a few medical calls on that street.” Or, “We just ran another gun shot call there last night.” Good things to know.
I also ask them what kind of car they prefer to extricate car crash victims from, since they see the worst first. Their idea of a ‘safe car’ is the one that protects the occupants from a wide varity of impacts, not just the head-on government standard.
Good luck with everything. I pray you a smooth and uneventful move.
What clever ideas! Whatever made you think of doing that, Regina?
This may seem crazy– but if you are looking for a bit-off-the-beaten-path, yet not too far from Texas (kids), a big city (several close by), good weather, a chance to buy an affordable place that’s large enough for animals…and an artist-friendly culture: have you thought of New Mexico? Taos or Angel Fire, for example, or closer to TX like Cloudcroft or Ruidoso? Taos may seem crazy expensive but believe me it’s not, we were just there this summer and you can buy a place with 5 acres just out of town for less than 300K.
I would not recommend NM for people with middle-to-high school age kids, but for someone trying to get away from it all yet not be too far away, New Mexico is really lovely, and up north its greener than Austin. I grew up there. My Air Force husband wants us to move back when he retires– he’s from FL originally — but as we have late elementary and soon to be middle school kids, no way. Forget it. But I told him that I’d consider it once the kids are away to college.
Another place you may wish to consider is the outskirts of Colorado Springs. Yes, Focus on the Family is HQd there, which is definitely not my thing and may not be yours– but the weather is very nice , there’s the Olympic Training Center near by (counterbalances FoF), homes are big and affordable, there is a lot of military retired presence which may or may not be useful/interesting for Gordon (as a former Army guy). Denver is only 60 mins away– and the Austin area is a short airplane trip or day car trip away. My in-laws live in Fort Worth so C-Springs and other Colorado locations are definitely in the post-AF retirement mix for us.
Of course right now we’re living in La Paz, Bolivia, and struggling a bit to breathe (our house is about 10,900 feet, and it only goes UP from here).
My BFF lives in Bulverde. I contacted her and she would love to talk about the area with you and Gordon.
I live in Bulverde and my children attended through high school (Smithson Valley). Ask me anything! Although I will warn you I am known to be brutally honest 🙂
That’s a good thing for those seeking information, surely. 🙂
I lived in San Marcos for a couple of years in elementary school in the early 90s. I remember enjoying the time there, and we took a couple of trips to New Braunfels for Schlitterbahn, but the barbecue out of Lockhart and Luling made the biggest impact on my memory. Well, that and the swimming pig at the San Marcos Springs Aquaria. (No idea if there’s one still there now.) Everything I can remember about the Hill Country is a fond memory, but I don’t know much about how the region is for adults.
In looking at Texas, you have to pay particular attention to who they voted for in their elections. If you are liberal, Austin. Definitely. If you wind up in a Red District, it will be solidly Red. That means, heavy, HEAVY conservative ideology infusing everything. School, social interaction, etc… If you are looking for more Liberal friends, if you follow the ideologies in the books that you write it sounds like you may be Liberal in your views, you will have a much smoother time in Austin.
I grew up in Vidor and have friends all over Texas. Even in the big cities like Dallas-Fort Worth, the conservativism is very strongly rooted. In Austin it is MUCH more Liberal.