15 Things to Know Before Moving to Cedar Park, TX
The shining star of Texas is Cedar Park! Cedar Park is a thriving Austin suburb known for its excellent schools, IT industries, the H-E-B Center, and mouth-watering eateries. While still enjoying the peace and safety of Austin, residents in Cedar Park, TX have easy access to all the city has to offer.
In 1887, Cedar Park was incorporated as a city. The town’s name was changed from Running Brushy to Cedartown in honor of the local cedar trees. The incorporation took place in 1973, and since then, it has been a pleasant location to live.
Let’s check out fifteen things to know before moving to Cedar Park, TX!
1. The cost of living is 6% higher than the national average
Compared to other major cities in Texas, living comfortably in Cedar Park does not require a high budget. With an index of 106, the cost of living is higher than the US average.
An annual income of $86,039 would be required to sustain a family of four in Travis County, as per the Economic Policy Institute. The average selling price per square foot in Cedar Park is $234, while the median home price is $480,000.
2. Live in Anderson Mill West, Shenandoah, or Bella Vista
There are a lot of great communities in Cedar Park, and they all have something special to offer.
Five parks and other schools, including Cypress Creek Elementary School, are near Anderson Mill West. The median price per square foot for the many homes on the market is $268. These homes range from ranch-style to smaller lots. This area is perfect for families and retirees looking for peace and quiet in a tiny Cedar Park community.
Located in the heart of Cedar Park is the small area of Shenandoah. Homes range in price from $300/sq. ft. to less than $320,000 for 1,076 sq. ft. Thanks to its convenient location near Lakeline Mall, Route 183, and big-box retailers like Walmart and Sam’s Club, this Cedar Park community is a favorite with drivers.
Just off Anderson Mill Road lies the small neighborhood of Bella Vista. Houses range in price from $266/sq. ft. to $650,000 for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom abode. You may walk to several parks from your home in this more rural portion of Cedar Park. Less than a mile away is Deer Creek Elementary School, and nearby communities provide a variety of small shops to visit.
3. The crime rate is lower than the national average
You will feel completely secure calling Cedar Park home. There are 1,382 crimes committed for every 100,000 persons, as reported by the FBI. Comparatively, this is below the state average by 48.6% and the national average by 41.1%.
This area has a lower-than-average property crime rate of 1,281 crimes per 100,000 people and a violent crime rate of 100 per 100,000 people.
4. Cedar Park has a humid subtropical climate
The climate of Cedar Park is humid subtropical, just like the rest of Central Texas. Cedar Park experiences hot and muggy summers and chilly, windy winters. A particularly wet spring and fall can see as much as 3.9 inches in May alone.
Summertime highs reach 88 degrees, while wintertime lows hover around 67 degrees. Cedar Park is enjoyable year-round, but October is often considered to be the ideal month to visit. Warm, but not oppressive, sunshine and less rainfall make this a great time to visit.
Hurricanes and snowstorms are hardly common occurrences in the city. On most days, you can expect bright or partly overcast skies and over ten hours of daylight in the region.
5. Eat in places like Soto Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Blue Corn Harvest Bar & Grill, or C.R. Surf & Turf Restaurant
Cedar Park’s top restaurants provide delicious cuisine for every kind of foodie. The area is home to some of Austin’s best Tex-Mex and barbecue joints, as well as several romantic spots to have a couple’s dinner.
Serious diners and those with refined palates will enjoy Soto Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar. Nigiri and chirashi are just two of the many varieties of sushi available.
Serving steaks and seafood, C.R. Surf & Turf Restaurant first opened its doors in 2005. Seafood platters featuring chicken, scallops, flatiron steaks, and catfish are available for order.
Cedar Park is home to one of the several Blue Corn Harvest Bar & Grill locations in the area. Quesadillas, enchiladas, and burritos are some of the famous Tex-Mex foods that you can find at this restaurant. A wonderful spot for adults and couples alike, the restaurant uses only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients in all of its meals and has an extensive cocktail and margarita menu.
6. CoreSlab Structures and Cedar Park Regional Medical Center are major employers in Cedar Park
When it comes to the economy and labor, Cedar Park is rock solid. 71% of working-age persons have jobs, and the average person earns $48,000. Around Austin, workers can expect an average yearly salary of $60,260 and a median hourly wage of $22.55.
A number of well-known internet businesses have offices close to Cedar Park, including Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Indeed. Among Cedar Park’s most prominent employers are CoreSlab Structures and Cedar Park Regional Medical Center.
7. Leander Independent School District and Round Rock Independent School District both serve the city
Most Cedar Park kids attend schools in the Leander Independent School District. Round Rock Independent School District is home to some kids from the city’s southern and eastern neighborhoods.
With a graduation percentage of 97%, the Leander district ranks among the top 5% of Texas school districts. Before starting middle school at Cedar Park, your child has a lot of options for elementary schools. The student-run newspaper and championship football teams are just two of the many outstanding extracurriculars offered by Cedar Park High School.
8. Attend nearby University of Texas or Austin Community College
While there are no major universities located directly in Cedar Park itself, the city is within close proximity to several excellent higher education options in the greater Austin area.
The University of Texas at Austin is one of the top public universities in the country and the flagship institution of the University of Texas system. UT Austin is located around 15 miles south of Cedar Park and offers over 170 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across a wide range of disciplines. It is especially well-known for business, engineering, natural sciences, and law programs.
Austin Community College is a large community college system with several campuses located throughout Austin and the surrounding suburbs. The college has a campus in Austin as well. ACC offers associate’s degrees and certificates in many career-oriented fields like healthcare, technology, and skilled trades.
9. Enjoy the nightlife at Capitol City Comedy Club or The Moody Center
You can’t beat the retail and nightlife options in Cedar Park if you call it home. Visit Austin if you’re looking for top-notch live performances. With 250 venues, it boasts a renowned music culture. Every night, you can hear live musicians playing covers of all your favorite songs, from country to rock to blues to jazz to hip hop.
If you’re a fan of stand-up comedy, you should visit Capitol City Comedy Club to see some talented performers or Cinemark to see the newest Hollywood blockbuster. Cedar Park is conveniently located near a wide variety of exciting venues, such as the Moody Center with its 15,000 seats and Friend’s Bar on East Sixth Street with its more intimate seating.
10. Shop at The Parke on Frontage Road
You can’t go wrong with a little retail therapy at The Parke on Frontage Road. Even the most devoted shopper is sure to be satisfied by this retail mecca’s 30 businesses and restaurants. For all your athletic needs, check out Dick’s, and for more affordable designer apparel, check out Nordstrom Rack.
Visit Michaels for some craft items, and then stop by Marshall. From footwear to housewares to children’s playthings, Marshall has something for everyone. Red Robin has the burgers and Marble Slab Creamery has the cones if you’re hungry.
11. Explore Brushy Creek Lake Park or nearby Lake Travis
More than 40 parks and 31 miles of trails make up the more than 1,000 acres of communal land that the Cedar Park crew tends to. Whether you and the kids prefer swimming or bicycling, there is a park that is ideal for your outdoor activity preferences. Brushy Creek Lake Park is a great place to have a picnic with the kids. The playground and periodic water park are worth checking out after you spread out a blanket and eat.
Get out of Cedar Park and explore the rest of the state’s stunning landscapes. Only ten miles separate Cedar Park and the picturesque Lake Travis. Recreational boating, swimming, and fishing are all possible on this 62-mile lake. Mark McKinney Falls State Park as your campsite. The distance from the city center is only 40 minutes away by car. More than 80 campsites, including both RV locations with full hookups and more secluded hike-in sites, are available on this 641-acre property.
12. Take in the culture at The Williamson Museum or the Texas Toy Museum
There are plenty of cultural activities for Cedar Park families to enjoy. The Williamson Museum is only one of many excellent cultural institutions in the area that cater to a wide range of interests. If you are interested in learning more about the history of the Georgetown region, you should check out this free organization.
Just next door in Austin you’ll find the Texas Toy Museum and the Museum of Weird, two museums that cater to youngsters as young as infants.
13. There’s not much traffic in Cedar Park
When it comes to traffic, Cedar Park is pretty light. City centers and their smaller side streets have the busiest flows of traffic.
There is usually no traffic on the surface roadways, though. You won’t have to fight as much rush-hour traffic as you would in the city. There is less congestion on town streets because of the freeway that passes through Cedar Park.
14. Check out the Cedar Park Center
Cedar Park Center is a large indoor arena and entertainment venue located off NJ Anderson Blvd, with over 7,500 seats. It hosts major concerts, sporting events, family shows like Disney on Ice, and conferences.
Luxury suites with food and beverage service are available for rent, and the arena concourse has several concession stands selling snacks, meals, beer, and wine.
15. Check out the art at Cedar Park Sculpture Garden and Twelve Stones Art Gallery
Cedar Park, Texas has a vibrant local art scene for a suburb of Austin. Some of these artistic spots include:
Twelve Stones Art Gallery – This contemporary art gallery located downtown represents emerging local artists. It has rotating exhibits in various mediums like paintings, metalwork, ceramics, textiles, and photography.
Cedar Park Sculpture Trail/Garden- This half-mile outdoor trail winds through the center of Cedar Park and features larger-than-life sculptures from regional artists. The sculptures rotate each year and range from abstract shapes to intricate designs. It’s free, open year-round, and a unique way to experience public art.
With interactive public art displays, galleries for local artists, DIY studios, cinemas that embrace art, and more, Cedar Park has diverse options for art lovers to explore.
In Conclusion
Cedar Park, TX shines as a thriving suburb of Austin, offering excellent schools, a lower crime rate, and a rich dining scene.
Despite a higher-than-average cost of living, this community provides a sense of security, diverse neighborhoods, and access to cultural attractions, making it a desirable location for those seeking suburban tranquility within reach of a vibrant city like Austin.
