re: Why does a big home 20 mi from downtown Austin cost as much as one 20 mi from..

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Exactly, my wife grew up in Pompton Plains and when we would drive from Hoboken to Pompton Plains during evening rush hour it took at least an hour and a half

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Yep, that is what I was told as well. At least on weekdays in the mornings and afternoons. During non-peak times you're looking at 45 minutes. Right now google maps has it at a 45 minute commute. The cousin usually takes public transportation to get to work and he said it takes a while but at least he doesn't have to drive. He drives if its the middle of the day, later at night, or the weekend.

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Thats racist blah blah blacks are smart blah blah

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To the others crying about the 5% comment, it was in reference to the population of the area, not the schools themselves. As Donald would say, I love the blacks, they're loyal voters. It just seems statistically that if a school district has a large percentage of blacks then it is terrible. Not all white school districts are good but you can get a ballpark idea of how decent a school system is by looking at race and income demographics. Feel free to show me a school district where the population it draws from is mostly black yet the schools are decent. I'd love to see it, the best example I've seen in Zachary, LA. They've done a great job over there.

As far as some of you finding schools with some blacks in it that are good. We have Baton Rouge Magnet High School here in Baton Rouge. However, it wouldn't be a fair comparison since those schools are selective enrollment that draw the best students from the district. It's not like East Baton Rouge Parish schools are "good" although there are some areas where the neighbohood schools are decent. The fact remains that a school district that draws from a 50%+ black populace is not a good one. Fact.

Asians are awesome though. I consider it a plus if an area has a lot of Asians. As far as hispanics it all depends on income levels.

Yes, the taxes are higher. So are the wages especially if you're anywhere in finance. I think Austin is a great town, FWIW. I'd love to move there and don't get the hate for Round Rock. I just think the prices for suburban living in NYC are overstated.