Established in 1982 on the north side of Austin, the Wells Branch neighborhood boasts a quiet, serene environment. It gives residents easy access to downtown and several major area employers, as Wells Branch Road runs right through it, and is one of the main roads that connects MoPac and I-35. The subdivision is bordered by MoPac to the west, I-35 to the east, Wells Branch Parkway to the south, and Grand Avenue Parkway to the north.

Those living in the neighborhood are required to pay dues to the Wells Branch Municipal Utility District (MUD). Yearly fees go toward conveniences like trash and recycling services, as well as events held throughout the year. The active neighborhood association hosts parades, holiday celebrations, exercise lessons, youth programs, and more. During the summer season, MUD has summer camps and an early-evening concert series.

Homes in Wells Branch are a wide range of one- and two-story homes, many with brick exteriors. For the most part, homes are moderately sized and have large backyards with decks or patios that take advantage of the outdoors. From January 2009 to June 2010, home sizes ranged from 950 to 3,267 square feet and ranged in price from $95,000 to $267,000.

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In 2001, what started as an idea at the smoky 6th street club Casino El Camino, quickly gained steam among like-minded women of Austin, and the roller derby was reborn. Though many of those who started up the comeback hadn’t skated for decades, the gung ho spirit spawned one of Austin’s favorite new events.

The original roller derby league, under the name Bad Girl Good Woman (BGGW), had their first bout at Skate World in 2001 to 400 fans. By the end of the first season, they were skating to a fan base of 1300. BGGW was guided by four She-E-Os (derby talk for CEOs), but after one player had a serious injury in 2003, 80% of the BGGW broke off from the league to start their own. The new league, now known as the Texas Rollergirls, ran a democratic organization with each player having a say in decisions. The original Bad Girl Good Woman players regrouped as TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls, resulting in Austin being the proud owner of two separate Roller Derby Leagues.

Though the rules in each league vary slightly, both are based on the roller skating endurance race created by promoter Leo Seltzer in the 1930s. There are four 10 minute periods with two teams racing around the track with flashy outfits, tough-girl names, and tons of attitude and antics, which sometimes include impromptu pillow fights and spanking line penalties. In keeping with the punk attitude of the event, rock and roll bands play during every half time. The main difference between the two leagues is the track itself. The Texas Rollergirls race on flat tracks with audience members lined up inches away from the track, which can result in many rollergirl/audience member collisions. The TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls purchased an original roller derby banked track used in the 70s and 80s, making them the first all-girl league to ever skate on a banked track (the original roller derbies were coed.)

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When looking for a new home, one of the most important steps you need to take is profiling the type of neighborhood in which you wish to live. By having a clear idea of the type of neighborhood that is right for you, you will be better able to communicate your needs to your real estate agent. Or, even if you aren’t using a real estate agent, determining the type of neighborhood in which you want to live will help you narrow down your choices so you can perform a better focused search.

As you try to determine the type of neighborhood you are interested in, there are several questions you should ask yourself. For example, if you have children or if you are planning to have children sometime soon, you will certainly want to consider the school system that serves the neighborhood in which you are considering living. Furthermore, you will likely want to move to a neighborhood that is close to parks and community centers. Even if you don’t have children, however, these features may be desirable.

As you attempt to determine the type of neighborhood that is right for you, you will also want to consider the type of home in which you want to live. After all, some neighborhoods focus more on single-family homes, while others tend to be home to more townhomes, apartments or co-ops. By having a clear idea of the type of home in which you wish to live, you can significantly reduce your neighborhood options.

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