The magnet that is Austin, Texas has a very powerful attraction on high technology companies. This fact was proven again in late July 2020. Texas Governor, Greg Abbott announced that the “Tesla Gigafactory” would build its latest manufacturing facility, which will cost $1 billion and employ more than 5,000 workers, about 15-minutes east of downtown Austin. Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of Tesla, promised to make the new factory “an ecological paradise.” In speaking with CNBC, he said, ““We’re... View Article
The canine companions of the families who live in MorningStar are some very lucky dogs! With luscious landscapes, walking trails, resort-style amenities, this planned-community, located north of Austin in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, is a perfect environment for dogs and their owners. While neighborhoods are definitely dog-friendly, the Texas summer heat can cause any dog to get a little hot under the collar. This means that pet owners should be aware of the various ways to keep these furry... View Article
Sometimes when you’re stressed or bored or both, the playful part of your brain says, “let’s do silly things”. If you’re lucky, these silly things are inspired. Such was the case with five, otherwise sane women – wives and mothers – who all live in the same neighborhood of MorningStar, a charming community, just north of Austin. These women and their families loved spending time together for block parties, swimming parties and just hanging out together. Then came COVID –... View Article
Those summer days have always been “hazy and lazy” for kids. However, this year it is reasonable to add the term “crazy” for parents! Needing to entertain kids of all ages who are home for the summer has become an even greater challenge for parents who are most likely working from home as well. The kids who live at MorningStar, a planned community located just north of Austin, are social-distancing just like those in other families and will, most likely,... View Article
In a previous post, we pointed out the new realities of working at home. Residents of MorningStar have taken advantage of living in the beautiful, safe surroundings of this planned community and set up home offices and even digital distance-learning for their children. As social distancing tactics are implemented to reduce the possibility of infection from this virus, the entire family is pretty much stuck at home most days. However, there are still times when someone must venture out to... View Article
Working from home, or telecommuting, has been gaining popularity among non-industrial workers for several decades. However, the recent pandemic of the coronavirus has supercharged that trend, especially in technology centers such as Austin. This has resulted in many upscale suburban communities such as MorningStar realizing a dramatic increase in residents who are (happily) working from home. CNN reports that Facebook, Google, Twitter and Amazon have implemented remote working policies for many of their employees around the globe. Google parent company... View Article
For the second consecutive year, Austin topped the list as the hottest U.S. job market in 2019, according to a Wall Street Journal. Nashville jumped to the number two spot from seventh. Both cities anchor metropolitan areas of around two million people. According to a recent article, the Journal worked with Moody’s Analytics to assess the labor market in 381 metro areas. Each region was ranked on five metrics: the unemployment rate, labor-force participation rate, job growth, labor-force growth and... View Article
One of the best parts of living in MorningStar is its location – smack-dab in the middle of the beautiful Texas Hill Country. There is something magical about the natural light, the terrain and the climate of this area, just north of Austin. While it may get a little toasty in the summer, the fall, winter and spring are mild and usually sunny. This climate encourages some residents to put in a garden in the backyard, even in the winter.... View Article
When the Gershwin brothers were writing their classic song about the languid pursuits of “summertime,” they could have been talking about the relaxation and fun-in-the-sun at the MorningStar community, located just north of highway 29 on the new Kauffman loop, near Austin. The fish are indeed jumpin’ in the fishing pond but the cotton has been replaced with the lush greenery of nature trails and the fresh air of the Texas Hill Country. For many reasons, summertime is the perfect... View Article
It’s a scene from an earlier, less hurried, time. Some kids are splashing in the cool water of the pool while others are experiencing the thrill of catching the “big one” in the fishing pond. For all the peace, quiet and safe surroundings, this could be a hundred years ago, but Jaime and Robert Sladek know it’s 2019, and just another day in MorningStar! As one of the early homeowners in this planned community just north of Austin, the Sladek... View Article