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Amenities Blog Family Fun Kyle Texas Lifestyle

Navigating the Neighborhood

Maybe we’re a bit biased, but we strongly believe that Kyle, specifically the Crosswinds community, is the best place to call home in the Texas Hill Country. The city offers convenience to larger metros such as Austin and San Antonio but has a vibrant character all its own. It’s big enough that there’s always something going on, yet small enough that it isn’t tangled up in the hustle and bustle of a big city.

 

If you’re new to the neighborhood, here are a few things to know for navigating your new home turf. 

 

Amenities Overview

 

The Crosswinds master-planned community was designed to offer residents not only exceptional homes but resort-style amenities that appeal to every lifestyle. 

 

Residents can soak up the sun and cool off poolside during the summer months, burn off some energy on the pickleball court, or gather for a cookout at one of the grill/picnic areas. There’s also a dog park for pet owners and an extensive trail system that residents can enjoy for biking or just a leisurely stroll. 

 

Schools

 

Children in the Crosswinds community and Kyle are zoned for Hays CISD. From elementary all the way up through high school, the schools offer an amazing curriculum of educational and extra-curricular activities ranging from sports to music and theater.

 

Located within the Hays CISD for Crosswinds families are:

  • Plfuger Elementary – student/teacher ratio 15:1
  • Chapa Middle School – student/teacher ratio 13:1
  • Lehman High School – student/teacher ratio 16:1

 

Kyle also happens to be near several community and four-year colleges and universities, including: 

  • Austin Community College (ACC) Hays Campus
  • Texas State University
  • UT at Austin
  • St. Edwards University
  • San Antonio College
  • Huston-Tillotson University

 

Access to Austin

 

A major draw for many people moving to Kyle is its close proximity to Austin. Considering that it’s just 21 miles to downtown Austin, 25 miles to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and an hour to San Antonio, Kyle is an ideal spot for those looking for the convenience of a larger city without the busyness of living in one.

 

Kyle at a Glance

 

Kyle may be one of the most popular spots to call home in Austin, but this small Texas city has a long history stretching back to the 19th century. 

 

The area was settled in 1880, but it wasn’t until 1960 that its population cracked 1,000 people. Even then, Kyle was still a pretty sleepy town until the new millennium, when its population really began to grow between 2000 and 2010. 

 

Today, Kyle enjoys a growing economy, affordable cost of living, low crime rate, and plenty of leisure and shopping options. Walking trails like the Plum Creek Trail system offer residents an ideal way to enjoy nature, and the Pie In The Sky Hot Air Balloon Festival draws thousands of people each year. 

It’s this combination of convenience, affordability, and lifestyle that makes Crosswinds such an appealing place to call home. If you’re interested in all that Crosswinds has to offer and want to learn more about moving to Kyle and our available inventory of homes, reach out to us today.

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Area Attractions

Drone Company Chooses Kyle, TX for Winter Training Site

To no one’s surprise, the city of Kyle is attracting more and more businesses in 2022. Companies love the favorable regulatory environment in Texas, the weather, the people, the cost of living, and the beautiful, historical towns and cities.

Ranitzo is yet another company that discovered Kyle as the ideal location to conduct business. Ranitzo is an Iowa-based drone developer that’s on the cutting edge of the agricultural drone industry, and they recently chose Kyle Texas’ Public Safety Training Center for their winter training operations.

Rantizo’s agricultural drones are the future of large-scale farming and land management in the U.S. These drones are designed to spray liquid or dry solutions onto crops, such as fertilizers, crop seeds, insects, and more. Because this is a newer concept, the technology is still in its developmental stages. Agriculture drone companies are still in the process of overcoming regulatory, technological, and training obstacles to bring drone tech to the forefront of farming, and moving their training program to Kyle is a great step forward for Rantizo.

The Public Safety Training Center in Kyle is a perfect option for Rantizo. Although the training center is best known for its tactical driving school and drone training for law enforcement, the administration at the training center is looking to land more commercial training programs with the successful launch of Rantizo’s winter training program.

Why Kyle is the perfect location:

There are 3 major reasons that a drone developer like Rantizo chose Kyle.

First, it solves the problem of drone complications with cold weather. Drones don’t like the cold. Cold temperatures reduce chemical activity in the Lipo batteries used in drones, and in extreme cold conditions, drones might shut down mid-flight. Considering that each of Rantizo’s T30 drones retail at over $50,000, that’s something they want to avoid.

Rantizo’s HQ in Iowa has temps that are consistently below zero during winter. Training in those temps is impossible (not to mention unpleasant for trainees and trainers alike). But for a majority of the winter months in Kyle, TX have highs in the 60’s and lows in the 40’s. Drone trainers don’t have to worry about fatal shutdowns or reduced battery life, which increases efficiency and  

Second, Kyle, TX already has flight envelopes in place at the training center and clear regulatory guidelines for drone flight. You can’t just fly drones anywhere…the FAA determines what is safe and what isn’t, and they’ve cleared Kyle’s facility for flight training. This solves a big problem for Rantizo.

Third is Kyle itself. The city is located close to two international airports, making it easy for company travel. Plus, it’s a fun city to visit or live in. Kyle is growing and with an average age of 32, it has great offerings for young to middle-aged employees during downtime between training sessions. 

More Growth To Come for Kyle

Like we mentioned above, Kyle is growing fast. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Kyle, TX grew from 39,857 to 42,706, and its median household income grew from $74,826 to $79,348.

We can only expect this trend to continue as companies like Rantizo take advantage of the incentives and benefits that Kyle offers. 

What will drive the growth trend even further is the fact that it’s also relatively easy to get people to relocate to the Austin, TX area. Its beautiful landscapes, perfect weather, and cost of living are all attractive to employees, and this is especially true in Kyle.

If you’re relocating to the Austin area like so many others these days, it’s worth taking a look at Crosswinds in Kyle, TX. Our community has beautiful, affordable homes with vibrant amenities and lifestyles that are built around your needs and wants.

Reach out to Crosswinds today to find out more about how to take advantage of this unique opportunity for you and your family.  

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Education

Six Tips to Get Ready for Back to School in Kyle, Texas

Parents and guardians of students attending Hays Consolidated Independent School District (HCISD) will be celebrating on August 15 when school starts. No doubt, they will be a few sleepy kids dragging after changing their sleeping schedule for the summer.

Whether or not your family is excited about school, it’s always hard to change your routine and leave the dog days of summer behind. You can ease the transition and avoid scrambling at the last minute with these six tips.

  1. Check registration and related paperwork

You may already have already completed the required school district paperwork. The due dates vary based on district and schools. Ensure you register your child or contact the school.

Visit Hays CISD’s registration page for information about registration for new and returning students. Like most schools, HCISD requires proof of address, immunization records, and other documents.

If your student has medical needs, then contact the school nurse to ask about the process to make sure the child can receive treatment or medicine at school.

  1. Access online accounts

HCISD requires parents and guardians to register for the school year online as covered in No. 1. The district has a parent self-serve portal (PSS) for checking the student’s academics, contact information, attendance, and transportation information.

You can also sign up to receive notifications about missing assignments or absences and alerts from the principal, school, and district. Verify you can access your account and that all the information is current.

  1. Update your calendar

Review the Hays CISD calendar, so you can enter all the important dates into yours. If you haven’t already, you might create a family calendar that everyone can see every day. Better yet, set up a private online calendar that everyone in the family can access on their devices and computers.

  1. Pick up school supplies

If you haven’t shopped for supplies yet, you’re in luck! Texas Tax-Free Weekend is August 9 – 11. And many retailers hold sales on clothes and school supplies before, during, and after tax-free weekend. You might find more savings opportunities online at RetailMeNot, Rakuten (formerly Ebates), and Honey.

Some schools and PTAs sell school supplies where you just pay one fee for the entire packet. This can be cheaper than shopping because they get bulk discounts. Treat your kids to one cool or colorful school item of their choice to get them excited about school.

  1. Kick-start bedtime routines

The fact is that kids’ sleeping schedules fall off track in the summer. It takes three weeks to create a new habit. The first day of school will go better if students start their school bedtime routine at least a week before school starts.

Start small. Put them to bed 15 minutes earlier for a few days. Then move it back another 15 minutes until they return to their school bedtime. Do the same with wake-up time. Wake them 15 minutes earlier for a few days and so on.

  1. Designate a study space

Creating a study area to help the kids make it a habit to study in that area without any distractions. Stock the space with pens, pencils, crayons, markers, scissors, and other supplies. This prevents “I don’t have what I need” syndrome.

About Hays CISD for Kyle, Texas Residents

Students living in the Crosswinds community attend the following Hays CISD exemplary schools:

The district serves 18,000 students on 22 campuses. Residents have excellent post-secondary options in Austin Community College and its nearby ACC Hays Campus, Texas State University, University of Texas at Austin, St. Edwards University, Hutson-Tillotson University, San Antonio College, Trinity University, and University of Texas at San Antonio.

Be sure to take pictures on the first day of school. It’s amazing how much kids grow in a school year when you compare the first day and last day pictures. If you follow these tips, you’ll have a great first day of school in the growing Hays ISD in Kyle!

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Education Uncategorized

Crosswinds Schools in Hays School District

Crosswinds understands that when it comes to your children, their education is top of mind. Lucky for you and your little ones, our new homes in Kyle, TX feed into some excellent schools in Hays CISD. Not only is the teaching and curriculum second to none, Hays CISD offers some of the most exceptional extracurricular opportunities in central Texas with award-winning programs, including band, choir, visual and theatrical arts and athletic programs. Here are some things to know about the amazing schools our master-planned community in Kyle feeds into.

Hays CISD, Crosswinds schools, master-planned community in Kyle, Pfluger Elementary School, Chapa Middle School, Lehman High School

Pfluger Elementary School

Plfuger Elementary School’s mission is to encourage students to take educational risks and be accountable to themselves and others. You know how fantastic the school is if your child currently attends Pfluger Elementary School. If your child is about to start kindergarten or you just moved to Crosswinds, you’ll instantly fall in love with this school. Pfluger supports kindergarten through fifth grade.

Chapa Middle School

The grades of 6, 7 and 8 make up a transitional time in a child’s life. Review the electives offered at Chapa Middle School to help your child discover a new activity they’ll love in middle school. At Chapa, there is an emphasis on building pride through Character, Opportunity, Unity, Generosity, Accountability and Relationships.

Lehman High School

Home of the Lobos, Lehman High School is a 6A school serving students in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12. Hays CISD has plans to open a new high school for the 2019 – 2020 school year, and the district has said class sizes at Lehman High School will be the smallest of all three Hays CISD high schools. This reduction in class size will give the students better chances to learn while continuing to provide award-winning programs in music, theater, athletics and more.

When it comes to your children, Crosswinds knows that their education is of the utmost importance, which means the schools Crosswinds feeds into are important. If you’d like to learn more about our community and our new homes in Kyle, TX, contact Crosswinds today.

Image via Getty Images. Creative number 858667816.

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Area Attractions

What Will the Hays Logistics Center Bring to Kyle?

Already one of the fastest growing suburbs in the state of Texas, Kyle is about to get even bigger. A new development sitting west of I-35, the Hays Logistics Center, might be the key to Kyle’s long-term future. When officials broke ground on the new 108-acre lot, they knew it was a step in the right direction. Now, as the first of two 200,000 square-foot buildings sets to open this winter, that dream is about to turn into reality.

What Will the Hays Logistics Center Bring to Kyle?

(Image via haysfreepress.com)

Why does Kyle need the Hays Logistics Center?

Approximately 85 percent of Kyle residents commute outside the city, which is not an ideal situation. With that knowledge, the city began pooling resources to make a place where residents can enjoy a high quality of life while working within the city they call home. The development is one part of the city’s strategic economic development plan, which aims at creating high paying jobs in Kyle. The availability of rentable space enhances the ability of the city to attract employers.

How did it happen?

The new center would not have been possible without the triple freeport tax exemption. This tax means a business does not have to pay an inventory tax on qualified freeport goods that leave the state within a 175-day period. A vote by the Hays CISD back in 2017 paved the way for this tax exemption and the development.

Kyle, a place to call home.

Viewed as a turning point in the city, the Hays Logistics Center is scheduled to house Alsco. The uniform and workwear services company has already started hiring for their Kyle location and is one of the first companies to set up shop at the center. With so much invested in the center by the city and its partners, there are sure to be even more companies that look to call Kyle home.

In Kyle, family comes first, and that’s why this development means so much. The ability to live and work in the city of Kyle extends benefits to both employer and employee. With all that’s going on, there’s little wonder why Kyle, TX is Austin’s next in-demand suburb. This is the perfect time to make the move to Kyle, and Crosswinds has plenty of available beautiful new homes starting from the $200s. Contact us today to schedule a tour of our master-planned community, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to get a glimpse at the Crosswinds lifestyle.

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Education

Education Highlight: Crosswinds Schools

Hays CISD
(Image via hayscisd.net)

Crosswinds understands that when it comes to your children, their education is top of mind. Lucky for you and your kiddos, our new homes in Kyle, TX feed into some excellent schools in Hays CISD. Here are some things to know about the educational opportunities near our master-planned community.

About Hays CISD

Located in North Central Hays County, the Hays Consolidated Independent School District has 23 campuses that serve roughly 20,000 students. They have two high schools, six middle schools and 13 elementary schools, as well as an alternative high school for students seeking a non-traditional educational setting. Hays CISD offers exceptional extracurricular opportunities with award-winning programs, including band, choir, visual and theatrical arts and athletic programs. The district also features a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center.

The Crosswinds Schools

Two Hays CISD elementary schools serve Crosswinds: Pfluger Elementary School and Science Hall Elementary School. Both of the elementary schools serve students kindergarten through fifth grade. For grades sixth through eighth, students will be able to attend Chapa Middle School, and for high school, students will be able to attend Lehman High School.

Secondary Education Opportunities

For any older children getting ready to leave the nest and pursue secondary education, our new homes in Kyle, TX are also near some excellent 2-year and 4-year colleges. Austin Community College Hays Campus, Texas State University, University of Texas at Austin and St. Edwards University are all located a short drive away from our community. Even if your child isn’t quite ready for college, it’s never too early to start planning for the future!

When it comes to your children, Crosswinds knows that their education is of the utmost importance. That’s why we’re building our master-planned community in Hays CISD. If you’d like to learn more about our community and our new homes in Kyle, TX, contact Crosswinds today.