Lived in s. Austin for 30 yrs. Retired in 2017, got married, and the wife and I decided to get out of the old house (built in '64)...too old a house and the uptick in homelessness and crime going on in the neighborhood, we didn't feel safe there anymore (several incidences at our house) so started looking to resettle outside of Austin but close enough to visit the grandkids in Steiner Ranch. We looked out at Georgetown (Sun City), Leander, Liberty Hill, Cedar Park, considered Marble Falls (too far), Dripping Springs, looked at a home out west of Oak Hill near the Sweetwater subdivision, briefly considered Kyle/Buda area but didn't want to contend with I35. In the end, we liked the feel of Bastrop. Sold the Austin home in 2021 and settled there/here. We like it! Small town feel but has everything we need here. We travel quite a bit, and the 20 minute drive to the airport is very convenient. When we go to N. Austin, we exit off Hiway71 at the airport and take the 183 tollway. Can be where your work area is from where we live in Bastrop (west side, New Colony subdivision) in about 35 minutes with moderate traffic. The 130 tollway would be an alternative route also. Don't know much about the school system. But, for us, Bastrop is the ideal spot. Homes out here are still somewhat affordable. I would suggest you and your wife come scope out the area. You may like it as well.