Buyers moving to the area between Austin and San Antonio often narrow their search to a few cities along I-35, such as New Braunfels, San Marcos, and Seguin, Texas. On paper, these towns can look similar. In practice, they offer very different day-to-day lives.
Yitzchak Pierson, a Broker Associate with eXp Realty who helps relocating buyers across the I-35 Corridor, went through this choice himself. When he moved to the area, he was deciding between San Marcos, Kyle, and New Braunfels. Today he guides clients through the same decision by starting with lifestyle rather than listings.
Start With How You Want to Live
Pierson says the most useful questions are not about square footage. They are about daily routines.
“I try to ask my clients questions to learn more about their lifestyle, what’s important to them,” he says. That includes commute times, school districts, how much driving each person is comfortable with, and what the household wants to do on weekends.
He also pays attention to what clients say informally while touring homes. “Listening, reading between the lines,” he says, often reveals priorities buyers do not state directly.
How the Towns Differ
Pierson points to a few key differences buyers should understand.
Price tends to rise the closer a town is to Austin. “Kyle, the closer you get to Austin, cost of living goes up and the price of homes go up,” he says. “For some people, they’re priced out of those areas.”
San Marcos has a distinct character because of its university. “San Marcos is more of a college town, so there’s restaurants and bars and dining, but there’s a big student population, so 45,000 students,” Pierson says. That can be a good fit for some buyers, but he notes it “may not be where someone wants to raise their family or retire necessarily.”
New Braunfels appeals to buyers looking for outdoor access, established neighborhoods, and a small-town feel, along with a range of new construction options.
A Couple From Arizona Who Found the Right Fit
Pierson describes a couple who relocated from Arizona. The husband was retired military and drove concrete trucks, so he spent his days on the road and could find work anywhere in the area. His wife was transferring to a new Costco opening nearby.
Pierson showed them homes in San Marcos, Seguin, and New Braunfels. The couple said they were fine with a 20 to 45 minute drive. But as he spent time with them, Pierson noticed the wife did not like driving much and wanted to be close to home.
“We ended up finding them new construction, got them a great deal, and she’s only five minutes from work,” he says. Her husband found a job at a local concrete company and still drives throughout the region.
Two Families Who Wanted a Slower Pace
Pierson also helped two related families move from Round Rock, north of Austin. They felt the pace of life there had become too fast and wanted a place where their children could play outside and make friends in the neighborhood.
Both families wanted resale homes in established neighborhoods with large trees. One also wanted river access. Pierson helped each family buy in New Braunfels, and today their children, who are cousins, spend time together at Landa Park and on the river.
The takeaway for buyers is that the right town depends on how each person in the household spends their day. A careful conversation up front can save months of second-guessing later. Buyers can learn more about Pierson’s background and approach on his About Me page.
Yitzchak Pierson is a Broker Associate with eXp Realty in New Braunfels, Texas, serving buyers, sellers, and investors across the I-35 Corridor, including Canyon Lake, San Marcos, and Seguin. He has been named Best Real Estate Agent in New Braunfels three years in a row and hosts the YouTube channel Living in New Braunfels.
This article is based on information provided by the expert source cited above. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or real estate advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult qualified professionals before making any real estate or financial decisions.
