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Productive Habits to Start the New Year

We all know that the new year is a time when many of us pin a list of resolutions or goals that we hope to accomplish in the next 365 days. Most of us are probably also familiar that a great deal of those resolutions fizzle out by the end of February. 

 

Sometimes achieving a goal is all about developing good, consistent habits to set you on the right track for meeting that goal. On average, it takes around 66 days to develop a behavior into a new habit … here are a few you might want to consider trying on for size. 

 

Healthy Habits in 2023

 

Exercising and eating healthy are some of the most common resolutions people set for themselves in the new year. One of the best healthy habits you can adopt is drinking more water. Drinking water helps curb food cravings, ease digestion, hydrate your muscles, and transport nutrients throughout the body. 

 

It’s also an incredibly easy habit to pick up! Buy a new water bottle and keep it by your keys before you head out the door in the morning. Keep it by your desk while you work and before you know it, you’ll be sipping H2O 24/7.

 

We hear it often: “Exercise more!” Easier said than done, right? Well, maybe not. Mental tricks can help you develop a good exercise routine. Set a reminder on your phone to do 2 minutes of exercise three days a week during a time when you know you’re generally not too busy (everybody can squeeze in 2 minutes). Increase it to 5 minutes the next week. Then 10… 20…40… working up to one hour. Before you know it, the habit is set.

 

Don’t pigeonhole yourself into one workout either, or you risk getting bored easily. Take a class at the Kyle recreation center for a week. If you live in Crosswinds, hit the treadmill in the Crosswinds gym the next week, walk on a trail, or swim laps in the pool during the warmer months. Pretty soon, regular exercise will be second nature. 

 

Strengthen Your Mind

 

Put your Kyle Library card to good use in 2023 and make reading for pleasure a weekly habit. Not only will regular reading increase your knowledge of the world around you as well as broaden your vocabulary, but it will strengthen your memory and ability to effectively communicate with others. 

 

And speaking of communication, a great new habit to work on in the new year is the art of listening. As Forbes points out, being a good listener can help reinforce bonds in both your personal and professional relationships. It might sound easy, but active listening can be tricky for a lot of people. 

 

A few tips to keep in mind include trying to maintain good eye contact, don’t interrupt but instead focusing on what the person is saying, and waiting for the speaker to pause. Consciously trying to understand and visualize what the other person is saying can also help make you a better listener.

 

There is going to be a lot happening in Kyle in 2023, and adopting a few good habits at the start of the year can help you make the most of it. If you’d like to learn more about finding a home in a community that encourages an active lifestyle, reach out to the Crosswinds team.

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Ways to Give Back this Holiday Season

While the holidays are a time of cheerful winter decorations, festive traditions, and shopping for that perfect gift for the ones we love, it’s also a time of great need for those who don’t have access to basic necessities and resources.

 

Whether offering your time, donating food, toys, and necessities, or making a financial contribution, there are many ways to give to the less fortunate in Hays County and make a difference in your community. 

 

SAFE Holidays 

 

SAFE is dedicated to “serving the survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and exploitation, and domestic violence” in the greater Austin area. Many of the people served by the organization are women and children with nowhere else to turn. With programs ranging from counseling to emergency shelter and housing assistance, SAFE has been the beginning of a better future for countless individuals. 

 

Ways to give this season: 

 

  • Sponsor a SAFE wishlist to purchase gifts for adults and children in the program.
  • Stock the shelves and provide much-needed items for SAFE’s shelters. 
  • Volunteer your time with the organization.
  • Make a monetary donation that will help SAFE to continue fulfilling its mission. 

 

Toys for Tots

 

Toys for Tots is a program that’s dear to the U.S. Marine Corps and has been brightening the Christmas season for millions of children since 1947. Right here in the Austin area, the program provides over 40,000 toys for more than 34,000 children! Every fall, Marines, organizations, businesses, and other volunteers gather new, unwrapped toys to distribute throughout Burnet, LLano, Blanco, Hays, Travis, Williamson, Bastrop, and Caldwell Counties.

 

How to help:

 

  • Buy a toy online or drop one off at a recognized Toys for Tots location.
  • Volunteer your business to be a drop site.
  • Volunteer to help wrap and distribute the toys to those 34,000 children.

 

Operation Turkey

 

Operation Turkey is a 3-day series of events aimed to ensure everyone in the Austin area has a warm meal to enjoy on Thanksgiving. The program started on 6th street in Austin and has now spread to six more states, pulling in around 30,000 volunteers along the way. This year the three events include a Gumbo Cookoff Fundraiser (Nov 20), Turkey Tailgate (Nov 23), and Operation Turkey distribution (Nov 24).

Get involved:

 

  • Volunteer your time at one of the three events.
  • Get your organization or business involved in fundraising for the program.
  • Make a financial donation to help Operation Turkey provide Thanksgiving meals.

 

Central Texas Food Bank

 

The Central Texas Food Bank provides free groceries for thousands of families and individuals throughout the year, but the holiday season is often one where it sees the highest demand. Accomplishing the food bank’s goal of providing healthy and nutritious food to those in need wouldn’t be possible without volunteer and financial community support. 

 

Make an impact:

 

  • Volunteer at one of their mobile pantries.
  • Volunteer in the food warehouse, community kitchen, or garden.
  • Donate food or offer a monetary gift.

 

The holiday season is a great time to be a resident of Kyle, with festive cheer, generosity, and fun throughout the end of the year. To learn more about all Kyle has to offer and how you can find a home here, contact the team at Crosswinds today. Crosswinds is a master-planned community that offers families beautiful homes and great amenities. Visit our website to learn more.

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Tesla Chooses Texas: Austin Gigafactory Underway

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced that the company is building its largest auto assembly plant in Austin. The 2,100-acre site will be located in Travis County near Austin-Bergstrom Airport. Here’s what you need to know about the Tesla Austin Gigafactory.

About the Tesla Austin Gigafactory

Tesla’s Austin Gigafactory will build the new Cybertruck pickup. It’s also the second manufacturing site of the Model Y small SUV. The eastern markets will get their vehicles from this plant. Musk has described the plant as an “ecological paradise” that will have a boardwalk along with a public biking and hiking trail.

The company receive more than $60 million in tax breaks from the local school district and the county over a 10-year period. It’s not surprising that Tesla chose Texas. Musk has his SpaceX rocket company in Brownsville and McGregor.

Tesla plans to invest $1.1 billion in the new Austin Gigafactory that will employ at least 5,000 people. Employees will receive a minimum wage of $15 per hour as well as health insurance, paid leave, and other benefits.

About the Tesla Cybertruck

The company describes the all-electric Cybertruck as having “better utility than a truck and with more performance than a sports car.” The Cybertruck Tri-Motor all-wheel drive can accelerate 0 to 60 mph in an impressive 2.9 seconds and yield 500 miles on an electric charge.

It’ll have an exterior shell made for durability and passenger protection. This exoskeleton is designed for strength and endurance. The exoskeleton will contain ultra-hard 30X cold-rolled stainless-steel structural skin and Tesla armor glass.

Tesla promises this exoskeleton will minimize dents, damage, and long-term corrosion while providing maximum passenger protection. It has a towing capacity of over 14,000 pounds. An adaptive air suspension can raise and lower the suspension by four inches.

The Cybertruck will feature up to 3,500 pounds of payload capacity and adjustable air suspension. Tesla has engineered the Cybertruck with 100 cubic feet of exterior, lockable storage. It seats six passengers comfortably with storage under the second-row seats. Storage also includes a frunk and sail pillars. According to the company website, the Cybertruck will enter production in late 2021. It’ll be exciting times for Tesla Texas!

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Amazon Leasing Space in Kyle

What do Buda, Pflugerville, and Round Rock have in common? They’re part of Amazon’s growth in Central Texas. And Kyle is the latest addition to Amazon businesses in Texas. Amazon is attracted to these central Texas cities for their young populations. They want to build where they know these populations will keep the company busy for a long time.

Amazon in Kyle

The city of Kyle has announced Amazon is leasing a facility in Kyle Crossing Business Park. The 307,840 square-foot facility will be a sortation center that houses more than 200 people.

The 40-acre business park is located west of Interstate 35 and 20 miles south of Austin. A sortation center is where employees organize all the boxes by the final destination. They consolidate these orders on trucks to speed delivery.

Amazon’s Order Fulfillment Process

Amazon describes how an item you order makes its way to you. It starts with filling the order at a fulfillment center like the one in Pflugerville that will support 1,000 jobs. Once your product gets picked, it lands on a conveyor for packing.

While traveling on the conveyor, a computer scans and tracks its status and weighs the packed box. After receiving a label, the box goes to a waiting trailer based on the shipping method, delivery speed, and location.

An Amazon trailer truck transports orders from fulfillment centers to sortation centers like the one coming to Kyle. These trucks can hold more than 2,000 boxes. Associates will distribute the package by location and delivery speed.

At this point, the package could land on another truck or an airplane. Eventually, the boxes make their way to a delivery station like the ones in Round Rock and Buda. From here, they’ll go out for delivery. The Round Rock location could potentially employ 700 to 900 associates. Kyle residents are excited to welcome Amazon!

To stay on top Kyle news, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Things to Do That Are Social Distance-Friendly and Support Kyle Businesses

Texas is slowly reopening businesses but still asks everyone to do our part to stop the spread by staying home, keeping our distance, and wear masks. Even with these restrictions, you can still support local Kyle businesses during this time. Here’s a list of things you can do that are social distance-friendly and support Kyle businesses.

 

Stay Healthy and Strong

Many local gyms have switched to online workouts and coaching. CrossFit Hays has been posting workouts and motivation on its Facebook page. They’ve been scheduling live workouts on Zoom and Twitch. Orangetheory Fitness Kyle has live sessions with their coaches and they’ve been posting at-home workouts.

Soul Yoga PC is holding online yoga classes. They suggest a donation of $5 to $10 for class. They’re also sharing links to yoga videos. TAG’s World Gymnastics has inspirational posts and videos of incredible gymnastic performances. They’re offering private sessions for $10 for a 30-minute conditioning lesson. Want healthy meals? Weusi Wellness has free curbside pickups. Their Facebook page lists the current menu.

 

Order a Delicious Meal

Per Gov. Abbott’s Phase One to Open Texas protocols, restaurants can open at 25 percent capacity starting on May 1. You can continue ordering curbside pickup and delivery from many local restaurants. Even EVO Entertainment is serving up food and cocktails like the Fiesta Boozy Magonada. Craving pies and casseroles? The Texas Pie Company is your go-to source.

Yearning for Texas food? Get your Tex-Mex fix at Garcia’s Restaurant. For BBQ, call Milt’s Pit BBQ or order online. Be sure to visit their Facebook page to verify they haven’t sold out for the day. Vietnamese restaurant Pho Thaison offers online ordering, curbside pick-up, and delivery.

Are you in need of grocery items? Ilario’s has four DIY hearty home packages. You can order the basics or an Italian kit. Want a home meal replacement that you can heat at home? Hays City Store can help. Or you can order from the menu. While the theater’s reopening is up in the air, you can enjoy food from Sylver Spoon by ordering takeout or delivery.

 

Play Old-Fashioned Board and Card Games

Many families are taking a break from electronics by playing board and card games or doing jigsaw puzzles. You can order games online or from Kyle Walmart and Target for pick up.

 

Get Fresh Air at the City Park

Kyle city parks are open. Although city crews regularly sanitize amenities, they encourage visitors to bring their own hand sanitizer and practice social distancing. 

 

Take Online Classes

Is there something you’ve been wanting to learn? Perhaps, how to bake and decorate a cake? A new programming language? Maybe earn professional certification in your field or a new field. You can find a wealth of free classes online. 

Don’t forget Kyle Public Library. They have ebooks and audiobooks that you can download. You can explore your family history, learn a foreign language through Duolingo, and read accurate resources related to history and science. Many of these resources require a login to access. It’s free for Kyle residents.

 

Go Golfing

Yes, there’s something you can do outside of your home. Plum Creek Golf Course is open. You can schedule your tee time online. The golf course is following CDC social distancing guidelines. 

Unless you live with your playing partner, they ask everyone to ride their golf carts alone. All carts are disinfected before and after each use. On the putting green. the cup has a spacer to prevent the ball from going into the hole. It allows you to pick up the ball without touching anything.

For more ideas, connect with our Crosswinds community team on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Want to look at new homes in Kyle? You can safely tour the homes virtually on the Crosswinds website. 

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Things to Do for Valentine’s Day in Kyle

Do you feel it? With Valentine’s Day approaching, love is in the air. Whether you’re looking for date night ideas or just fun things to do in Kyle, one or two of these is bound to catch your eye.

TAKE TWO-STEP LESSONS

Indy Brewing (3913 Todd Lane, #607, Austin, Texas 78744) and its Beer My Valentine party is a short 30-minute drive from Kyle. A ticket gets you a Beer My Valentine kit that includes two Indy draft beers, a bouquet of flowers, and small assortment of chocolates. Get your ticket.

LEARN HOW TO MAKE A LOVE POTION

Eureka! Austin (200 E. 6th St., Austin, Texas 78701) celebrates Valentine’s or Galentine’s with an interactive cocktail class. Held on Tuesday, Feb. 11, guests will learn how to make Eureka’s Love Potion and enjoy appetizers. Believe it or not, this Austin spot is only 30 minutes from Kyle! Buy your ticket.

ATTEND THE HAYS COUNTY VALENTINES FESTIVAL

Gemstone Palace (1101 Bunton Creek Rd., Ste 200, Kyle, Texas 78640) is hosting a Valentine’s festival on Sunday, February 9 from 11 am to 5 pm. It’s a free event where kids can do arts and crafts. Valentine’s Mini pics will be provided for no charge with a donation to the Hays County Food Bank.

HEAD TO A DISCO BASH

Cedar Street Courtyard (208 West 4th St., Suite c, Austin, Texas 78701) will have three DJs at one time at its Valentine’s Day Silent Disco Bash (208 West 4th St., Suite c, Austin, Texas 78701). The event runs from Feb. 14 at 9pm to Feb. 15 at 2 am. Attendees where three-channel headphones and can switch to listen to different DJs. Cedar Street Courtyard is just 22 miles from Kyle, Texas. Order your tickets before they sell out.

GO ON A GLASS-BOTTOM BOAT CRUISE

Here’s something unique for everyone of all ages. Texas State University’s Meadow Center for Water and the Environment (201 San Marcos Springs Dr., San Marcos, Texas 78666) offers glass-bottom boat tours every day on Spring Lake. Enjoy stunning underwater views, complimentary drinks, and a memorable experience.

The boat tours last anywhere from 25 minutes to 45 minutes. They run continuously 30 minutes after opening and 30 minutes before closing. The only time they don’t go out is when there’s lightning, strong winds, or other severe weather conditions. The center offers various opportunities to explore Spring Lake including group tours, scuba diving, paddling tours, and more.

They also hold Boy Scout and Girl Scout badge days. Visit Meadow Center’s website for events and more information.

EXPLORE WONDER WORLD CAVE AND ADVENTURE PARK

Known as the first show cave in Texas, Wonder World Park (1000 Prospect St., San Marcos, Texas 78666) visitors can explore the earthquake-formed Balcones Fault Line Cave. More than 100 years old, you’ll find something for everyone with its attractions like the cave tour, train ride, anti-gravity house, and observation tower.

BROWSE 218 CO-OP GALLERY

218 Co-Op Gallery (218 N. Guadalupe, San Marcos, Texas 78666) in San Marcos’ historic downtown courthouse square is a place to see, experience, and buy hand-crafted pieces from local artists. You can browse sculptures, photography, silver jewelry, mixed media, furniture, and ceramics. The gallery building itself is something else with its vintage brick and plaster walls that provide a warm backdrop.

SEE OLD AND NEW MOVIES

EVO Entertainment Kyle (3200 Kyle Crossing, Kyle, Texas 78640) is more than a movie theater. It has billiards, an arcade, bowling, and a bar and grill. Happy hour with drafts, spirits, and wine runs Monday through Friday until 6 pm. In addition to seeing the latest movies, Flashback Cinema gives you a chance to watch classic movies and those you’ve missed.

DRINK FRESH BEER FROM A BREWERY

Kyle has two breweries nearby. Middleton Brewing (101 Oakwood Loop, San Marcos, Texas, 78666) holds music and events such as sports watching events, trivia nights, live music, and open mic nights. Food trucks are available on site. They’re celebrating their 8th Anniversary on the most appropriate date: February 8 from noon to 11 pm. Come check out the unveiling of the Wimberley Boot.

On the same weekend, they have live music with Tex Porter Duo and Chuck Shaw. On February 11 is Cabaret Nights at Middleton’s. It’s your chance to see and hear music up-close and personal with Chick Morgan and Nancy Williams. Chef John Sanderson will serve hors d’oeuvres. Only 50 tickets are available.

Located south of south Austin, Two Wheel Brewing Co. (535 South Loop 4, Buda, Texas, 78610) has a taproom with 12 brews on tap consisting of large and small-batch brews and brewery-exclusive beers. They offer live music, food trucks, and tours.

Two Wheel has monthly Taco Tuesday and weekly Friday night small-batch beer releases. The brewery has washer pits, board games, and tours on Saturdays. Check their website for upcoming events.

EXPLORE A SMALL HISTORIC TEXAS TOWN

Buda is redeveloping its historic site known as Buda Mill and Grain Co. (306 Main St., Suite 102, Buda, Texas 78610) to provide more than 27,000 sq. ft. of restaurants, retail, and offices. You can shop in boutiques, eat fine foods, savor wine, do yoga, and browse a fine art gallery.

Our Crosswinds Kyle team loves our community. If you’d like to learn more about things happening in our Kyle community, please connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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What’s 30 Minutes From Kyle, TX?

Kyle, Texas residents love living here for its small-town living and Austin’s big-city assets are just a 30-minute drive away. When you choose a neighborhood like Crosswinds community in Kyle, you’ll have many things to do inside the community. It has hike and bike trails that mingle within the community. The Windy Point Amenity Center features a large pool with a splash pad, grilling areas, a playground, and plenty of shady spots.

What’s close to Kyle? Check out these useful and fun places within 30 minutes from Kyle.

AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (AUS)

One of the more challenging things about small-town living is the lack of a nearby airport. Even medium-sized cities don’t always have a conveniently-located airport within 30 minutes. And those airports don’t always have many destinations.

Austin-Bergstrom offers many nonstop flights in the U.S. and Canada. It has international nonstop flights to London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Paris. Many preferred airlines fly out of ABIA. Best of all, it’s just 25 minutes from Kyle.

FRANK ERWIN CENTER

The multi-purpose entertainment facility in downtown Austin has all the big music acts as well as first-class theater and all the sporting events you’d want. Owned and operated by the University of Texas at Austin, Frank Erwin Center serves as the home base for Texas Longhorns basketball teams. Visit the website to see what’s coming.

Cool facts. Its first event was the UT men’s basketball game against Oklahoma University. The first concert and sold out concert was Lawrence Welk in 1978. The fastest sellout ever? It only took 47 minutes for Garth Brooks’ concert to do that in 1992. And the highest-grossing event took place in 2013 with Paul McCartney as the headliner.

SOUTH CONGRESS AKA SOCO

You’ve probably heard “Keep Austin weird.” South Congress, affectionally known as SoCo, is partly responsible for that in a good way. It’s a famous shopping district with funky shops, restaurants, and music venues. They encourage you to “come dine, shop, and rock!” On its interactive website, you can stroll SoCo and see the insides of the stores. It’s also the place to go for information about parking, specials, and events.

EAST AUSTIN

Another popular district in Austin is the eclectic East Austin that’s two miles from downtown. Like SoCo, it has bars, shops, restaurants, and things to do. You’ll find old. You’ll find new. You’ll find East Austin has a rich history. If you’re into history, you might like the historic walking tour.

BROKEN SPOKE

This Austin institution and dance hall has been voted “Best Dancehall in Texas.” Some country music’s legends Bob Wills, Ernest Tubb, Roy Acuff, and Tex Ritter have played there. Even Food Network lists it as one of the top places to eat. Food Network stars Bobby Flay and Giada DeLaurentis have two-stepped at Broken Spoke.

Show up anytime Wednesday through Saturday from 8 to 9 pm for dance lessons. Live music plays every night. The calendar lists upcoming events. If you go, be sure to try their famous chicken fried steak.

ST. ELMO BREWING CO.

Open Tuesday through Sunday, St. Elmo Brewing Co. serves all types of beer in their beer hall and beer garden. They also serve coffee, housemade mineral water, and soda. Visit their website for a virtual tour of this charming brewery. Then, check their Facebook page for upcoming events including weekly Tuesday Trivia and Grassy Thursdays. And come hungry as they have an onsite food truck serving Asian food.

CHEERS!

Want to get the scoop on all things Kyle? Connect with Crosswinds on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Exciting Things Are Coming in Uptown Kyle!

The Domain in Austin is a popular destination with more than 100 upscale and mainstream restaurants and retail stores. You’ll find a bit of everything including department stores, a Class A office space, and four hotels. Now, Kyle plans to get its own extraordinary version of the Domain.

KYLE’S VERSION OF THE DOMAIN

Like the Domain, Uptown Kyle will have a variety of retail stores, restaurants, and office spaces. The City of Kyle plans to take it a step further by adding a hotel convention center and police headquarters. They want it to be a place to work, live, and play. Hence, the plans include a soccer complex, Heroes Memorial Park, and Central Park.

The cool thing is that the Domain’s phase II designer is behind the plans. The Uptown development is located at Kohlers Crossing and FM 1626, which is four miles from downtown Kyle. This is next to the Hays CISD Performing Arts Center. Occupying this area is 8,000 square feet of retail and a 6,000-square-foot amenity and wellness center.

The City of Kyle wants the Uptown development to reflect Kyle values. The first project is the memorial park that expects to open on September 11, 2021. It will honor veterans, first responders, and other heroes who have lost their lives while serving the community.

FUNDING FOR UPTOWN KYLE DEVELOPMENT

 

The parks, office complex, hotel convention center, and police headquarters are all land that has been donated to the City of Kyle. Funding comes from multiple sources including a $1.5 million-dollar donation from Texas Disposal Systems. TDS is the City of Kyle’s waste management company and the sponsor of Heroes Memorial Park. The approved landscape architect for the park is Austin firm Nudge Design.

If the funds do not cover the memorial, it may become part of a bond proposal that includes the new police headquarters. As of this writing, the cost of the new police headquarters is an estimated $30 million. PGAL Inc. of Houston will serve as the architect for the 64,000-square-foot headquarters.

Additional funds may come from a 2.7-million-dollar settlement from Kinder Morgan, a Permian pipeline company. Overseeing the project is Momark Development of Austin. Now that Council has approved the Uptown plans, Momark will search for a building of the hotel convention center and office space.

Council expects Uptown to create tax revenues and provide amenities for the city.

Stay on top of Uptown Kyle and other City of Kyle news by connecting with Crosswinds on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Uptown Kyle is just five miles from new homes in Kyle’s Crosswinds community.

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What to Look for in a New Home in Kyle, TX

One of the most fun things about looking for a new home in Kyle, Texas, is browsing the model homes to pick up ideas of the right home for you. You most likely have some thoughts of what you’d like. As you browse a Kyle builder’s floor plans, select a few floor plans that may work for you. Some builders will allow you to make tweaks. Just ask.

It’s all too easy to click your way through many floor plans and not be able to decide. There’s no substitute for seeing them in person. Streamline the process by asking yourself these five questions.

WHAT DO YOU WANT OUT OF YOUR HOME?

Do you want a home with room to grow for a family? Is it just you? One other person? Roommates? A family has very different needs than someone with three roommates. Roommates often prefer their own bathrooms. Or at least one bathroom they can share without entering another person’s bedroom.

Do you want to host parties and entertain? If yes, think about floor space especially in the living and formal rooms. The way these are designed can make a party feel spacious or cramped.

You may or may not have a picture of what your life will be like in five or 10 years. Do you plan to grow your family? Do you have kids, furry or human? How old are the kids? The younger they are, the more likely they’ll make messes. Or is retirement in the near future?

These questions will help you figure out how long you plan to stay in your home. And what kind of changes you may need.

WHAT KIND OF LOT DO I WANT?

Do you want a place with minimal lawn care requirements? Or do you want a full-blown backyard with room for a playground and a pool? Or just a nice covered patio for grilling and visiting?

Warm weather season in Texas tends to last longer than the average. It can be an ideal place for a swimming pool. You may not want to do pool upkeep or hire someone to do it. In that case, Kyle has lots of wonderful places to swim, kayak, and fish nearby. A few neighborhoods like Crosswinds have a community swimming pool. You get the best of both worlds. No pool to upkeep, but one close enough that you can walk to it.

Answering this question will help you determine what kind of lot you want. Also, think about if you prefer to live in a cul-de-sac, in the middle of the street, or on the end. Lots can be flat, hilly, narrow and wide, or deep and shallow.

HOW MUCH STORAGE SPACE DO YOU NEED?

Are you big on decorating for the holidays? Some families use rooms and the attic for storing their holiday decorations. A big backyard could support a large shed for storing yard supplies and holiday decorations.

Do you have a special collection? A large library of books? Some families keep multiple sets of dishes. One for every day, china for special occasions, and special china for the holidays. In this case, you’ll want a kitchen with lots of cabinet space and perhaps a buffet for storing dishes and trays.

WHAT DO I WISH MY CURRENT OR PAST HOMES HAD?

We’ve all found ourselves wishing we had this or that. Or not have certain things. Make a note of those wishes. Use the list to help you find a floor plan that closely matches the wish list. Some home builders have floor plans with options. A plan could offer three options for the master bath, another for the study, and one for an optional covered patio.

Some new home builders will accommodate making changes. For instance, a family asked for built-in shelves in the game room. They also asked to remove a wall to open up space. It’s important to make sure the changes don’t affect the home’s integrity. Ask about that. Builders should be thinking of such things, but it helps to double-check.

Remember, you can always change the color of the walls, the flooring, and other elements. It’s harder to change the number and size of the rooms. That would turn into a major project. Do you want your bedroom to be on the first floor of a two-story home? Do you want an open floor plan? Lots of windows?

HOW WILL THE MORNING AND EVENING SUN AFFECT THE HOME?

You’ve probably been in homes where the sun just filled up a room. This warms up the room and could potentially make it harder to see at certain times of the day. Study the floor plan and its windows. One couple’s bedroom generally stays unchanged all day. The sun doesn’t glare in the room. And nighttime lightning is barely noticeable. One of the owners is sensitive to light, so this helps with sleep.

The more windows you have, the more it will affect your energy bills for heating and cooling. Narrow down the homes or floor plans you like. Then, see if the sun shines brightly in the right places. The builder can let you know where the windows face ensuring you optimize those great views and block unwanted views.

Shopping for a new home in Kyle has a lot of variables. The answers to these five big questions will help. Remember that changes can add to the home’s price tag. If you can’t do everything, make a list of your must-haves and nice-to-haves. Prioritize the list. Verify that your potential home has the items on the top of the list and work your way down.

You can browse builders homes and floor plans in the Crosswinds community in Kyle, Texas. To learn more about the community, contact us or connect with our team on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Looking for Things Do for Spring Break Near Kyle, Texas?

Whether you take a staycation or vacation during spring break, you have lots of great options in or near Kyle, Texas. Hays CISD spring break is the week of March 16 to 20. Here are a variety of things to see and do during spring break and other times of the year.

TEXAS STATE PRESENTS

Texas State Presents (430 Moon St., San Marcos, Texas 78666) features live entertainment from the College of Fine Arts and Communication at Texas State University in San Marcos. You’ll find a mixture of events from guest artists and the symphony to dance companies and theater. Only a 20-minute drive from Kyle, Texas, it’s an unbeatable option to enjoy the arts at affordable prices. Visit the website to see what’s coming up.

TEXAS INDIE FEST

Held from March 17 through the 21, Texas Indie Fest is a free four-day showcase of budding independent musical artists from all over the world. This year has more than 40 electric and acoustic acts at three venues in Austin. You can also catch the event on Fish Creek Radio. Visit the website for the lineup.

SPRING BREAK CAMP WITH SAN MARCOS PARKS AND RECREATION

San Marcos’ Parks and Recreation Spring Break Camp is for kids ages 5 to 11, They play games, make crafts, and take field trips including one out of town. Field trips include San Marcos Discovery Center, bowling, Starplex Theater, Children’s Playscape, and Inflatable Wonderland in San Antonio. View the itinerary on the website.

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB SPRING BREAK CAMP

Boys and Girls Club of South Central Texas’ Spring Break Camp in San Marcos serves pre-K through sixth grade. Their options include character and leadership, fine arts, academic enrichment, and sports and recreation.

ALL-STAR SPORTS SPRING BREAK CAMP

Kids who love sports may be interested in All-Star Sports Spring Break Camp. Held at SoccerZone in South Austin, it’s about a 20-minute trip from Kyle. They offer half- and full-day options for children ages 5 to 13 with the full-day option serving lunch.

DINOSAUR VALLEY STATE PARK

This is one of those places everyone in Texas should visit at some point in their lives. Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose is a little over a three-hour drive from Kyle. Just the perfect distance for a weekend getaway or a short spring break vacation. You may just get the chance to put your feet in dinosaur footprints in the Paluxy riverbed. You can also camp, picnic, hike, bike, swim, and fish. Guided tours are available.

Fifteen minutes from the park is Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. It’s an endangered species research and conservation center with more than 1,000 mammals representing 50 species. They offer guided and self-guided tours. It’s a 7.2-mile scenic drive in which you can drive in your own car or ride in their tour vehicles.

CORPUS CHRISTI

Drive three hours south and you’ll reach the coastal city of Corpus Christi in South Texas. If beaches, boating, birdwatching, and of fun is your thing, this is the place to be.

Not into beaches? Corpus Christi has unique museums like the U.S.S. Lexington, Texas State Aquarium, and South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. The Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau has everything you need to plan a spring break trip based on your interests.

More things to do near Kyle, Texas:

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