Tag: Crosswinds

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Area Attractions Lifestyle

The Uber Kyle $3.14 Program is Getting Even Better

Kyle Texas Uber

It’s no wonder that Kyle, TX is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country.

 

Kyle is a wonderful place to call home. For starters, there’s the weather, the people, and the location. Kyle is perfectly situated 22 miles from Austin and about 55 from San Antonio, blending small-town living and urban convenience in a way that offers residents the best of both worlds.

 

But what sets Kyle even further ahead is how the community and city leaders care. They take action to address real issues that residents face in their day-to-day lives. The leaders and the community at large do real work to make life better for everyone, and it shows. 

 

One example of this is the recently expanded Uber Kyle $3.14 program. It addresses a problem many Americans face:

 

It’s hard and expensive to get around these days, especially if you’re in a wheelchair. Access to public transportation is limited in most towns and cities, and that causes tons of problems for people who need rides. 

 

The need is especially acute when it comes to wheelchair accessible ride services. There simply aren’t many affordable options for people who need to get around town and enjoy their lives.

 

But things are different in Kyle, TX because people care and are willing to take action. The Uber Kyle $3.14 program is providing solutions for residents.  

What Exactly is the Uber Kyle $3.14 Program, and How Does it Help?

The Uber Kyle $3.14 program is a partnership with the Uber rideshare platform. Each month, riders in Kyle are issued a voucher that is valid for 10 one-way trips through the city’s mobile app.

 

For just $3.14, you can take a trip to anywhere that begins and ends within Kyle city limits. On top of that, the Uber Kyle $3.14 program also subsidizes rides for up to $10 per ride after you pay the first $3.14. However, you’ll be responsible for anything over the initial $13.14.

 

The program also provides one round-trip from Kyle to the Austin Veterans Administration for $3.14, as well as two one-way trips to and from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport per person, per month for 31.4% of the ride cost. 

 

But the Uber Kyle program is expanding even more. Recently, during the Kyle City Council meeting on Feb. 15, 2022 council members received an update on the Uber $3.14 program regarding the expansion and improvement of wheelchair accessible vehicle services. 

 

The Uber Kyle $3.14 program provides an affordable way to get around town on your schedule. With the expansion of wheelchair accessible ride services, the program is only becoming more helpful for Kyle residents.

 

There’s no wonder that Kyle is one of the fastest growing cities in Texas. There is plenty of beautiful space to enjoy, and a ride to get there at a great price. 

Looking For A New Home In Kyle, TX?

If you’re searching for the perfect home near Austin or San Antonio, reach out to the team at Crosswinds. Our community offers you the pleasures of rural living with the convenience of living in a major city. Not only can you take advantage of the Uber $3.14 program, but you can soak up all other benefits that come with it. 

Reach out to the Crosswinds team today to find out more!

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Homeowner Tips Lifestyle

How to Get to Know your Neighbors

Neighbors in Kyle, TX

Becoming friends with your neighbors is one of the best things about living in a master-planned community. Great neighbors can keep an eye on your home and surroundings, they can lend a helping hand, and they can make community events so much more fun!

Whether you’ve never met the family next door, or you spend time with your neighbors daily, here are some tips to help you get connected to the people around your community!

  1. Connect with Your Neighborhood Online

It sounds like meeting neighbors online defeats the purpose, but it can be a powerful way to meet and cultivate your relationships with people in your community. Some neighborhoods meet on NextDoor or establish a private Facebook group where they can report problems, ask questions, notify items delivered to the wrong house, and lost pets. Many people also use it to ask for local vendor recommendations. 

Many master-planned communities also have a homeowner’s association (HOA). Sometimes they have a website, an email newsletter, or both. Depending on your community, a HOA often plans community resident events which is a great way to meet others in your community. Talk to your HOA to find out what resources they offer!

  1. Create a Social Committee

Some HOAs have a lifestyle director or a committee to oversee neighbor parties and gatherings. Neighborhoods may hold a variety of events that target different groups such as families, women only, kids, or adults only. If your neighborhood doesn’t have an organization that coordinates planning events, consider taking charge and creating one, or move to a community that already has lifestyle programming in place. Having resident events often leads to great friends, which would be a wonderful way to improve the quality of life for you and your family. 

  1. Provide a Neighborhood Directory

Before creating and distributing a neighborhood directory, send a survey to your residents. Give them the opportunity to share information for the direction and to give you permission for publishing their information. If you have a private Facebook page, you can upload the directory to the page for neighbors to access. Be sure to email it as not everyone may be active on Facebook or whatever social network you use.

As you collect information for the directory, add an item about babysitters, or similar services. Parents of young kids will appreciate having access to qualified babysitters right in their neighborhood. Add a question about pets’ names and descriptions as well as the names and ages of kids (if permitted to publish). If a pet without an ID tag ever gets lost, the neighbors can refer to the directory to see if they can identify the owner.

A good directory sorts the entries in two ways: alphabetically and by street address. This comes in handy because you may not know their name, but you know where they live. 

You may not be able to choose your neighbors, but you have many choices when it comes to where to live and what type of community you want to raise your family in. And you never know—your new neighbors could be your child’s best friends for life.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move to a community with year-round lifestyle events for residents? Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Area Attractions Events

Austin’s New Live Entertainment Venue: Moody Center

Moody Center Austin

Kyle residents have another exciting venue to add to their list of places to go for events in Austin! This new venue will host amazing concert experiences as well as the University of Texas at Austin’s basketball games. Located on the University of Texas campus at 2001 Robert Dedman Drive Austin, TX 78712, Moody Center is slated to open in April. 

About Moody Center

Austin is called the Live Music Capital of the World for a reason. And Moody Center will help reinforce that with its immersive seating, luxurious amenities, and communal layouts. The venue has been privately financed by Oak View Group, Live National Entertainment / C3 Presents (the company behind the Austin City Limits music festival), the University of Texas at Austin, Dell, and actor Matthew McConaughey. 

The center is 530,000 square feet and seats 15,000 people. It features 44 suites, four club spaces, and 2,000 club seats. As part of his role as Minister of Culture at UT, McConaughey is personally overseeing the project. The center has been designed to easily host basketball games and live music concerts. It will have an indoor and outdoor layout that’s influenced by the flow and communal culture of Austin. 

Two options are available with the premium suites, one of which is the Porch Suites. They’re located on the baselines and corners of the venue for basketball and look directly onto the stage for concerts. Porch Suite seating comes out 10 feet into the arena to help attendees feel more connected to the live event.

The other is the Sideline Suites. These suites are a private, enclosed area located closest to the mid-court for the University of Texas basketball games and closest to the stage for live concerts.

Another luxurious amenity the Moody Center will offer is the Annual Concert Memberships. This gives members priority access to purchase lower-level tickets for all concerts and shows at the center. Members will gain inclusive access to private clubs along with culinary offerings and private bars.

The arena is named after the Moody Foundation, which provided a grant to UT. It promises to provide state-of-the-art amenities and top-notch hospitality for everyone.

Upcoming Events


The venue already has an impressive list of popular entertainers on their lineup. One of the first bands set to play at the Moody Center is Bon Jovi. They plan to stop in Austin on April 23. Other April performers include John Mayer, Justin Bieber, and George Strait.

The iHeartCountry Festival, the Who, Eagles, and Dave Matthews Band will be playing in May, Jimmy Buffet will appear at Moody in June, and Swedish House Mafia will play in August. Talk about a lineup!

To be the first to know about upcoming events and show announcements, sign up for the Moody Center newsletter or follow them on social media.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking for a new home that’s close to all the action? Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team. 

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Area Attractions Education Family Fun

Spring Break in Kyle, Texas

Corpus Christi Spring Break


Hays ISD spring break is right around the corner — the week of March 14 to 18! As a resident of Kyle, Texas, your family has several options of fun things to do for spring break without going too far. Here are some ideas for relaxation and renewal for everyone to enjoy during spring break this year.

Kyle Spring Break Camp

If you have a child who is interested in Kyle Spring Break Camp, be sure to register now as registration closes on March 9 or when all spots are filled. The camp is an outdoor camp at the Mary-Kyle Hartson Square Park (101 S. Burleson St., Kyle, TX 78640). 

The camp will be a week full of fun games, recreational activities, and more! Campers will need to bring a water bottle and lunch every day. The youth camp is for kids in 2nd through 5th grades while teen camp is for those in 6th through 9th grades.

Spring Break Camp with San Marcos Parks and Recreation

Need something to keep kids ages 5 to 11 busy? They might like to go to San Marcos Parks and Recreation Spring Break Camp at Dunbar Recreation Center (801 MLK Dr., San Marcos, TX 78666) where they play games, make crafts, and take field trips. View the daily schedule to see what a typical day is like at camp.

All-Star Sports Spring Break Camp

Do you know children who love sports? Then, they might like All-Star Sports Spring Break Camp. Held at SoccerZone in South Austin (9501 Menchaca Road, Austin TX 78748), it’s about a 20-minute trip from Kyle. They offer half- and full-day options for kids ages 5 to 13. Campers who attend the full-day camp will be served lunch. Camp activities include many sports, arts and crafts, bounce house, splash day, and more.

Corpus Christi

For those wanting something more than a staycation, you might want to go to the coastal city of Corpus Christi that’s just three hours south of Kyle. It’s the perfect place for families who enjoy beaches, boating, or birdwatching.

Even if you’re not into these nature activities, Corpus Christi has unique museums like the Texas State Aquarium, U.S.S. Lexington, and South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. For more information, check out the Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau website for more ideas.

Dinosaur Valley State Park and Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

Here’s a great vacation option as it’s a place that everyone who lives in Texas should visit at least once. A little over a three-hour drive from Kyle, Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose makes a memorable spring break vacation or weekend getaway. The park has dinosaur tracks where you can learn about the history of our world, and you are sure to be able to capture unforgettable photos. Visitors can hike, bike, swim, fish, camp, and picnic. Guided tours are also available.

Another option to explore while you’re in Glen Rose is Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. This is 15 minutes from the dinosaur park. This endangered species research and conservation center has more than 1,000 mammals representing 50 species. They offer guided and self-guided tours. The public guided tour is a 2-hour, 7.2-mile scenic tour where you can drive in your own car or ride in their tour vehicles.

Enjoy your spring break!

More Things to Do in Kyle

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle builders or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Homeowner Tips

What to look for when buying a new house

What to Look for When Buying a New House

When you’re shopping for a new house, it can be easy to fall down the rabbit hole as you search house after house and study floor plan after floor plan. There are so many things to consider, such as location, school zones, community amenities, and home builders.

Before you even look at houses and floor plans, a good place to start is with how much home you can afford. This can help you narrow down your search and determine your priorities. 

You can work with a real estate agent to help you determine how much you can afford to pay for a home, or try a home affordability calculator that can help you estimate your monthly payments. Be sure you leave plenty of breathing room for property taxes, homeowner association (HOA) fees, and unexpected expenses. It’s also a good move to get pre-approved for a loan up to a specific amount. The lender will look at your income, debts, and credit history.

Once you have a number in mind, then you can work through these tips.

1. Determine the Top Features You Want in a Neighborhood

To help you figure out the general location, start with what you’d like in a neighborhood. Do you want to live in a walkable neighborhood? What about safety? Do you want to be in a preferred school district or near specific schools?

Does anyone regularly commute to work or extracurriculars? That could be a factor in location. What about proximity to grocery stores, services, other retailers, and leisure activities?

2. Prioritize Your Top Home Features

Every homebuyer has their own priorities for what they want in a home. Some want a giant backyard while others would rather have a front porch. You can change a lot of things about a home, but one thing you can’t change is the amount of land. 

Another thing to think about is how many bedrooms and bathrooms you need—especially if you have children or expect frequent guests. Does someone work from home? They may want a floor plan with a home office. Do you often entertain big groups? Some floor plans are more conducive to large gatherings than others. What about smart home capabilities? This could play a factor in your decision. 

To avoid spending more than you want, create a list of “must-haves” and “nice to haves” to help you with your decisions. 

3. Plan for the Future

If you may want to have children in the future, consider a home with room to grow. While a two-bedroom may be all you need now, you may not want to move when you have children. Or perhaps, a parent or other relative will be living with you. If you’re thinking about adding a furry family member, a front and backyard may be a top priority. 

  1. Think about Maintenance and Upkeep

The newer the home, the less maintenance you will have. When you’re the first owner of a new home, you don’t have to consider the home’s maintenance history, as everything is in tip-top shape. But an older home will most likely need regular repairs and updates. Yards and flower beds also need regular upkeep. Consider if you want a smaller yard that just needs to be mowed every once in a while, or if you’d rather get to enjoy seasonal flower gardens and greenery, with a bit more upkeep?

Remember, you can update and change a lot of things both on the exterior and in the interior of a home, but the costs of changes can add up quickly. It’s easy to change the paint color, but not so easy to change the floor plan. 

Looking for a new home in Kyle? Crosswinds is a new master-planned community offering family-friendly amenities with beautiful homes from the area’s top builders. Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team to start the journey to finding your dream home.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Area Attractions

Kyle Local: Buff City Soaps

New Buff City Soaps in Kyle

A popular soap makery has arrived in Kyle! Buff City Soaps (5401 Farm to Market 1626, Suite 310 Kyle, TX 78640) has officially opened, offering their famous line of handmade soaps and products crafted with the highest quality ingredients.

What Can You Find at Buff City Soaps in Kyle?

We’re excited to welcome Buff City Soap to Kyle. They call their store a “Makery” because all their products are created in their shops by hand.

Kyle residents and visitors will be happy to have a place in the community where you can buy soaps free of harsh chemicals and detergents. Every day, local artisans craft the brand’s delightfully-scented, plant-based soaps. Guests can also customize the scent and ingredients used in the process to create their own soap.

You’ll find many other things besides soap. They have everything from bath bombs and shower fizzies to face products and body butter, all of which make great gifts for a friend or for yourself. You can explore their products by category—they also have products for men, kids, and laundry.

Scents Worth Checking out

Go to the scents page of Buff City’s website to check out their scents with creative names and descriptions! 99 Pomlems, described as “99 problems and soap ain’t one,” features notes of lemon, pomegranate, and cream. For those days when you want to conquer your day, you might like Ferocious Beast with its cedarwood and campfire beer scents, with notes of citrus, lavender, white musk, cedarwood, and amber.

You’ll even find “Love Potion,” which blends roses and young love with notes of damask rose, peach, apple blossom, and Italian bergamot. And how could you not want to try the Unicorn with scents of fruit and magic containing notes of apple mango, passionfruit, and exotic florals?

We don’t know about you, but we’re ready to relax and smell great, too! For their latest news and specials, visit the Buff City Soap — Kyle Facebook page.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Area Attractions

Kyle Local: Plum Creek Golf Course

Kyle Local: Golf

Golfers love the Kyle and the Austin, Texas, area because the weather is great for golfing almost year-round. Kyle is fortunate to have a golf course with spectacular views at Plum Creek Golf Course (4301 Benner, Kyle, TX 78640). Here’s what you’ll want to know about the Kyle golf course.

About Plum Creek Golf Course

The designers created a championship golf course in which no two fairways touch. It gives you the experience of playing your own private golf course. All 18 holes take you through a setting that reflects what makes the Hill Country memorable with its rolling hills, live oaks, and sparkling lakes. Check out the images showing the golf course to see what each hole looks like.

The course underwent a major renovation in 2012 to add a practice facility that includes 3 acres of short-game scoring areas, an acre of practice tee surface, multiple chipping greens, bunkers, uneven lie practice areas, and target greens. You have a wealth of opportunities for improving your golf game. And plenty of golf instruction is available if you’d like a helping hand from a pro. 

If you need any golf supplies, accessories, or attire, the pro shop is stocked to the gills with everything you want to enjoy golfing. This facility is also the home of the Texas State Bobcat men’s and women’s golf teams.

Other Things to Do at Plum Creek Golf Course

There’s nothing like a delicious meal after playing 18 holes or practicing your swings. Just head right over to Glenn’s Bar and Grill restaurant on the course for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or drinks. It’s named for Glenn Evans who helped open Plum Creek Golf Course.

The restaurant underwent renovations in 2018 to add multiple beers on tap, more high-definition TVs, and brand-new furniture. Do you love to watch the big game on a big screen? Glenn’s has a 100″ projector that delivers an unbeatable game-viewing experience.

Have a celebration coming up? You can host an event, banquet, or wedding, at the facilities. The Plum Creek staff will take care of all the details including dining options. The facility is also accessible and they have rooms that can support 100 or 220 people, depending on the room you choose.

Visit the Plum Creek Golf Course Facebook page for upcoming events and updates.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Family Fun Lifestyle

Water Safety 101: How to Stay Safe by the Pool this Summer

With summer in full swing, there’s no better way to cool off than with a dip in the pool! That being said, it’s essential to brush up on your water safety skills so your little ones can stay out of harm’s way. Get the most out of summer at our master-planned community in Kyle with these pool safety tips.

water safety, pool safety tips, child water safety, safety around water, crosswinds, master-planned community in kyle, kyle, tx

Stay Nearby at All Times

The first and most important child water safety tip is to have someone who knows how to swim within reach at all times! Keeping a close eye on your child means that you will be able to react quickly if anything were to happen. Watching from the sidelines is never fun, so feel free to join your little ones in the pool! Being in the water together will provide plenty of fun and allow you to keep a close eye on everyone.

Fence Off Pool Area

If your young ones want to play outside, but you’re worried about them accidentally falling in the water, a great way to ease the worrying is to fence off your pool area. It’s also important to be sure the fence cannot be opened by little hands. This will not only prevent any accidents from happening, but it will also allow you to relax while the kids spend some time in the yard!

Enroll in Swim Lessons

Finally, the best way to ensure safety around water is to learn how to swim! Be sure every member of your family achieves the skills of water competency, which include being able to enter the water, get a breath, stay afloat, change position, swim a distance then get out of the water safely. If your child knows the basics of swimming, the chance of an accident happening in the water is significantly lower. Don’t wait, be sure to sign up for swim lessons near Crosswinds today!

By practicing these pool safety tips, you and your family will be able to enjoy summertime in Kyle, TX, while staying safe around the water! If you want to learn more about the amenities offered at Crosswinds, visit our blog. Ready to spend your summer days at Crosswinds? Contact us today! You can also connect with our master-planned community in Kyle on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Image via GettyImages. Creative number 954786086.

Categories
Area Attractions Events Family Fun

Summer Events You Can’t Miss Near Crosswinds

As we step into summer, get ready for plenty of opportunities to spend time with family and friends in Kyle, Texas! Whether you’re looking for an action-packed adventure or a leisurely day on the lake, these summer events near our master-planned community in Kyle are sure to be a blast.

kyle, texas, crosswinds, master-planned community in kyle, kyle's independence day fireworks show, movies on the square, kyle pie in the sky hot air balloon festival, kyle pie in the sky

Movies on the Square

Nothing says summertime quite like a movie under the stars! The Kyle Parks and Recreation Department is proud to present the 18th year of Movies on the Square, a popular Kyle, TX event. For the 2019 summer, the event has been relocated to Mary Kyle Hartson City Square Park. There are four Movies on the Square scheduled between June and August, with the first taking place on Friday, June 21. The featured film will be Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation. Check out the full list of summer events by visiting the City of Kyle Parks & Recreation website. Each movie will begin at sundown, and we recommend bringing a blanket, lawn chairs and snacks.

Kyle’s Independence Day Fireworks Show

Looking for something to do on the Fourth of July that’s guaranteed fun for the whole family? Join the city of Kyle for a celebration of America’s birthday with Kyle’s Independence Day Fireworks Show! The free pre-show celebration starts at 6:00pm at the Plum Creek Golf Course Clubhouse and includes live music from local artists, hot dogs and cold drinks. The firework show will begin after sundown, around 9:30pm, so be sure to find a spot early. If you can see the tall water tower next to the Hays CISD PAC on Kohler’s Crossing, you’ll be able to see the fireworks!

Kyle Pie in the Sky Hot Air Balloon Festival

It’s almost hot air balloon time in Kyle, Texas! Join us from August 30 – September 1 in the Pie Capital of Texas™ for a pie-themed, family-friendly hot air balloon festival. The annual Kyle Pie in the Sky Hot Air Balloon Festival will feature more than 20 hot air balloons along with live music, children’s activities, pie eating contests, tethered rides and so much more. The three-day Kyle Pie in the Sky festival is a great community event that provides fun for the whole family. Make your Labor Day weekend unforgettable with this summer event!

We hope these summer events inspire you to get out and enjoy the wonderful Kyle, Texas, community! If you’re interested in learning more about our master-planned community with ready to move-in custom built homes in Kyle, then contact Crosswinds today. You can also connect with our master-planned community on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Image via GettyImages. Creative number 471216740.

Categories
Family Fun Lifestyle

Have a Sun-Sational Summer with these Sun Protection Tips

School is officially out, and summer is just around the corner, which means more time for all kinds of fun outdoor activities! To keep your family safe from the sun this summer, make sure you’re aware of a few sun protection tips and common misconceptions. At Crosswinds, we know that the sun in Kyle, TX, can get intense, so here are our best skin care tips for a safe summer!

sun protection tips, sun safety, protect your skin from the sun, skin care tips, crosswinds, master-planned community in kyle, kyle, tx

Apply, Apply, Apply

One of the most important, and obvious, sun protection tips is to wear sunscreen. If you want to ensure your kids are protected, you need to apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before heading out in the sun. While applying, remember to cover easily forgotten spots such as the tops of feet, ears, hands and the backs of knees! An SPF, or sun protection factor, indicates a sunscreen’s effectiveness at preventing sunburn. It’s important to know when you need to re-apply sunscreen because you need to apply it more than once a day!

Sun Protection Tips Beyond Sunscreen

Sunscreen is everyone’s go-to when it comes to sun safety, and it’s a great way to protect you from the sun’s harmful rays! There are also other effective ways to protect your skin from the sun. The CDC recommends getting a shirt with tightly woven fabric to keep your loved ones safe from the dangers of skin cancer. Additionally, wearing sunglasses and a hat can protect your eyes, face, scalp, ears and neck. Another great tip is to always be on the lookout for a shady spot!

Common Misconceptions

The most damaging time to be outside is between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, or during midday. Most people spend a portion of this time outdoors, especially those with children, which means you should always be thinking about how to protect yourself from the sun. If it’s a cloudy summer day, sun safety is even more important. Indirect sunlight can often be more dangerous than direct. Don’t be fooled by these common misconceptions, and if you’re ever in doubt, apply some sunscreen!

We hope these sun protection tips help you take better care of your loved ones this summer! If you are interested in learning more about outdoor activities in Kyle, TX or our master-planned community, contact Crosswinds today. You can also connect with our master-planned community in Kyle on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Image via GettyImages. Creative number 1001653442.