Elgin, TX (said with a hard "g", like "Helga") is an idealistic slice of American small-town life -- not to mention the state's brick and sausage capital!
An industrious and authentically Texan town, Elgin is a suburban cousin of the City of Austin, home to local workers and Austinian commuters alike
Elgin, TX (said with a hard "g", like "Helga") is an idealistic slice of American small-town life -- not to mention the state's brick and sausage capital!
An industrious and authentically Texan town, Elgin is a suburban cousin of the City of Austin, home to local workers and Austinian commuters alike. Its population of more than nine thousand (by the 2010 census) are a wholesome and welcoming community of many socioeconomic backgrounds, and its central roads have shopping and food fare for every taste. Visitors and new residents will find a rich and vibrant culture, built upon a true Texas town and infused with a lively dose of southern art and music.
Elgin offers that perfect blend of southern heritage and the liveliness of a living town. That said, there are a few factors to consider when moving to Elgin, especially in choosing where in or near town to live. Because the Bastrop/Travis county line runs through Elgin, new residents should make a point to identify which county-specific factors apply to them -- taxes and county ordinances are of particular note here. Depending on the decisions of Bastrop and Travis county officials, sales tax rates and other small factors may vary slightly between either side.
Specific parts of the town may also offer drastically different property values, and thus, some areas may be better suited to new residents in different stages of their careers and family lives. The community is, of course, well integrated and by no means broken apart by these differences, but while culturally united, Elgin does have its more and less expensive areas to cater to its residents' diverse needs and tastes.
That said, Elgin does boast excellent amenities for its residents, including diverse job opportunities (both locally and by commute), an independent school system, and a score of cultural events and festivals.
McDade: An affordable and spacious area of Elgin, McDade offers both a distinct community and reasonable rates for new or short-term homeowners. Potential residents will find a great deal of affordable land and individual houses with present, yet well spaced neighbors, making it ideal for setting up a prefabricated home to start a new life, or building a quiet refuge to retire to.
County Line Road: Between the lovely County Line Subdivision, the comfortable Crescent Village Apartments community, as well as a multitude of independent residences, County Line Road is a residential hub of Elgin. It skirts downtown on its west, combining reasonable property values with comfortable small-town living. Homes here are just a block or two away from Elgin's elementary and high schools, as well as various ponds, parks, and other delightful green space attractions.
Central Elgin: The center of Elgin features the best of both small town style and city-center energy. Rentals and properties here will tend to cost more than elsewhere in Elgin, but feature walking and cycling access to most of the town's most interesting businesses and attractions. Those with a taste for an active lifestyle, including foot or bicycle commutes and downtown recreation, may feel quite at home here.
Residents of Elgin will find a wealth of Texan culture and comfortable amenities at their fingertips. Its downtown streets are dotted with shops, restaurants, and attractions for every taste, and are a frequent destination for those in and around the town. Its proximity to Austin and wealth of local businesses make for a strong economy and relatively healthy job market, not only contributing financially to the town's well-being but ensuring that its social community encompasses every strata of wealth and walk of life.
The town boasts several beautiful parks and venues, as well as enough events and festivals to put them to use. Elgin hosts the yearly Hogeye BBQ, music, and art festival, a true taste of Texan culture. Its holiday events are frequent and lighthearted, from its People's Patriotic independence day parade, to a trick-or-treat trail through the memorial part, to a fantastic Holiday on the Tracks Christmas festival. Elgin even holds an event to reunite current and past residents -- the Purple 'n' White Jubilee is hosted every five years as a community reunion, strengthening the town's family-like sense of unity and friendship.
Elgin may not be the only community nestled in the distant horizons of Austin, but without a doubt, it is among the most vibrant and welcoming, with a unique character and culture all its own.
