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Moving to Santa Rita Ranch with kids: a parent's checklist

Abbey Rockey, REALTOR® · October 5, 2026

Santa Rita Ranch draws a lot of families because so much of daily life is built into the neighborhood: schools, pools, parks, and trails. Before you pick a home, here's the checklist I walk parents through.

1. Confirm school zoning for the exact address

Santa Rita Ranch is served by two school districts, Liberty Hill ISD and Georgetown ISD, and both have campuses inside the community. Which district a home is in depends on its exact address. Both districts are growing, and growing districts open new campuses and redraw attendance zones, so the school a neighbor's kids attend isn't always the school a home down the street is zoned for.

• Confirm which district the address is in, then look up its zoned campuses with that district before you make an offer.
• Ask whether any new campuses are planned nearby, since zones may shift when they open.
• If walking or biking to school matters to you, check the actual route, not just the distance.

2. Compare the all-in tax rate, not just the price

Like many master-planned communities in Williamson County, parts of Santa Rita Ranch sit in a Municipal Utility District (MUD). A MUD helps pay for roads, water, and drainage, and it adds to your property tax rate. Two homes at the same price can have noticeably different monthly payments because of this.

When you compare homes, ask for the total tax rate and estimate the monthly cost. It's one of the most overlooked numbers for buyers moving from areas without MUDs.

3. Pick the section that fits your routine

Santa Rita Ranch is large, so where you live inside it matters. Think about what your family will use every day:

• Walking distance to a pool or park for summer afternoons
• Backing to a greenbelt or open space for more privacy
• Quick access to SH 29 if one parent commutes toward Georgetown or I-35
• A quieter street or cul-de-sac if you have little ones who like to ride bikes

4. Time your move around the school year

If you want the kids settled before the first day of school, work backward. A resale home can often close in 30 to 45 days. A new build may take several months if it isn't already finished, while a move-in-ready new home can close on a similar timeline to resale. I usually recommend starting your search at least three to four months before you need to move.

5. Budget for move-in costs on a new build

New homes don't always come with things families expect, like window coverings, a backyard fence, or upgraded landscaping. Ask the builder what's included, and set aside money for what isn't. Builder incentives can sometimes be applied to closing costs or upgrades instead.

6. Bring your own agent to the first model visit

The sales rep at a model home works for the builder. Many builders require your agent to be with you, or registered, on your very first visit. Your own agent puts someone on your side for the contract, inspections, and final walkthrough. Builders often offer to pay buyer-agent compensation, but it depends on the builder's offer and the agreement you sign with your agent, so ask about it up front.

This article is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. School zoning, tax rates, HOA dues, and builder incentives change; verify current details for any specific property.