Pros and Cons of Living in Georgetown Texas

Georgetown is the 7th fastest growing city in the United States and is located just 30miles from Downtown Austin. Let's talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Pros

Don't let this small-town fool you, Georgetown is loaded with fun things to do. You can explore 40 parks, Lake Georgetown, and many trails. Garey Park is one of the largest municipal parks in central Texas. It offers pavilions, a splash pad, fishing, equestrian amenities, an event center, and more.

San Gabriel Park is another popular park, which has exercise equipment, a playscape, disc golf, baseball field, basketball court, a volleyball court, and so much more. If you are wanting to cool off from the Texas heat, I encourage you to visit Blue Hole Park.

If you are wanting to explore something other than nature, Georgetown has one of the most beautiful town squares you have ever seen. So much so that it was voted the best town square in all of Texas. Here you'll find rows of local shops and restaurants.

When it comes to food, some local favorites are Gumbo's North, 600 Degrees, Burger University, and Monument Cafe, which was featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.

If you are a coffee lover, Georgetown has options. Just Love Coffee Cafe, Galaxy Bakery and Coffeehouse, 309 Coffee, and Lamppost.

For the festival goers, you will be happy to know that Georgetown hosts an annual Red Poppy Festival, Wine and Music Festival, Music on the Square Summer Concerts, and 2nd Saturday Market Days on The Square.

If you're up for a little caving adventure, you can check out Inner Space Cavern. This cave is about three miles from downtown Georgetown, and it's one of the best-preserved caves in Texas.

The temperature inside stays at about 72 degrees all year round and is the perfect place to see prehistoric animal bones.

Affordability

As of December 2020, the median home price in Georgetown is around $242,500. Your dollar can go a long way in this charming city.

With $240,000, you can be in a master plan community that is rich in history or even a new construction community. There are starter homes, townhomes, move-up homes, and luxury homes. There's a lot of flexibility when it comes to housing options.

The medium household income is $70,000 and the cost of living in Georgetown is about 9% lower than the national average. Property taxes are roughly 1.8-2.3%. This city is also ranked number 3, by safehome.org, for being one of the safest cities in Texas. What’s more, Georgetown takes pride in being a community where neighbors become like family.

Schools

Georgetown ISD is comprised of 19 schools, is rated B+ by niche.com, and serves 12,000 students. These schools provide pre-AP and AP coursework, college career help, military readiness, and career technical courses. There are also charter schools and private schools to choose from and Georgetown is home to one of the oldest universities in Texas.

The culture and people

The history in Georgetown is rich and is infused into the city, which is most likely why around 80,000 proudly call Georgetown home. Not surprisingly, this city has grown by 7.2% since 2019 and is still growing.

Despite rapid growth, Georgetown maintains its small-town feel and has a generous spirit. The people of Georgetown are warm and friendly that makes you feel like you are home.

Cons

Georgetown doesn't have many employers. Airborne Inc., St David's hospital, and Southwestern University are the top three employers in the area. Unfortunately, outside those three, there aren’t many options.

So, if you are looking for a larger company to work for or you are in a tech field, you'll most likely be commuting to Round Rock or Austin. This may not be a problem, though, since many companies are giving options to work from home.

Minimal Transportation

The only transportation they currently have go is geo transit, which serves only four fixed routes. There are plans to expand, but for now, you primarily need a car to move around.

Traffic

When traveling toward downtown Austin, you will quickly find yourself in traffic. During rush hour, a 30-minute trip can double or triple rapidly. The source of all the disruption is IH-35. This interstate is always under construction, and at some point, we'll all be able to see the fruits of the transit development expansion. Until then, locals understand why Austin was named one of the most traffic-congested cities in the world.

Luckily, there are ways to avoid this Zen-breaker. Whenever possible, avoid rush hour and use the toll road. As a bonus to using the toll road, the speed limit is 85.

A slower pace of life

You won't find high-rise buildings, Segway’s, or the hustle and bustle of people on the move. It also isn’t possible to step outside and walk to modern conveniences. Instead, you will find a more balanced life, one of relaxation and reflection. That's not to say you won't have fun on a night out because Georgetown has some great date night activities.

If you're thinking about making a move or relocating to the Austin area, give a call, shoot a text, or send an email.