Anyone from Austin?

[Nailbunny]

So the wife and I are tired of Kansas City and are looking to move to Austin (long story why, but I went there a while back and loved it). Anyway, she's moving down there first, getting an apartment and getting settled while I deal with selling the house and all that fun stuff here in KC.

So, the question is - what are the "good" areas of Austin to live in? We're both artists, so we're hoping to find something kind of artsy (prefer to NOT live in an apt complex). We're not familiar with Austin enough to know what areas are nice and what areas to avoid, so maybe some fellow ATers can help us out.

Update: I think we're going to check out S Congress area and Hyde Park areas first. Hyde Park seems pricey though. Also found a place that might be cool on a horse ranch south of Austin.

Now does anyone have any job leads for a web designer? It would be nice to have a job when I get down there, but it seems that a lot of companies won't even talk to out of towners.

 

[Ryan]

I've only been around the areas near the AMD campus, and near Texas A&M, but I thought those were beautiful areas. I loved the place Sorry I couldn't add more.

 

[imported_Lucifer]

I've only been to Austin once. I went there to check out the Culinary school of Austin. It seemed like a nice place. Sorry I can't help though.

If it were San Antonio, I would probably be able to help.

 

[ElFenix]

78704.

oh, and pizza boy... texas a&m is 100 or so miles from austin

 

[Mermaidman]

Best city in Texas!

WHen I was there (long ago), east of I-35 and southeast were the 'bad areas.' Out west is the toniest. Far north and south were the new subdivisions. FOr hippies like you and your wife, I suggest just north or west of the University, or downtown if you can afford it.

Hope you're not allergic to mountain cedar . . .

 

[quakefiend420]

i lived there for a couple of years...may be going back soon

downtown is where it's at imho, close to everything...and if you find the right place you will be within walking distance of a lot of neat stuff...shich is cool, since parking is a bitch

however living downtown will be pricey

 

[Montano]

6th Street :beer:

 

[kinev]

Originally posted by: Ryan
I've only been around the areas near the AMD campus, and near Texas A&M, but I thought those were beautiful areas. I loved the place Sorry I couldn't add more.

BLASPHEMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Xyclone]

I live in So Cal, and there's no way I would live in that Republican-filled conservative state.

 

[hdeck]

i live there, but i'm a student so i doubt i could help much. my cousin and her husband live in northwest austin last i checked, and they are enjoying it.

 

[kinev]

Originally posted by: Xyclone
I live in So Cal, and there's no way I would live in that Republican-filled conservative state.

Well, then you are not familiar with Austin. "San Fran of the South"

 

[Gibsons]

Just north and west of campus or even downtown if you can afford it.

A little cheaper might be "south," an area near Congress and South 1st, just south of the river.

 

[Nailbunny]

Thanks all for the help and keep it coming.

We looked around downtown but places there are a bit steep. We kind of thought around the University might be good. Are there any areas to absolutely stay away from?

And you Mermaidman ...Hippies?? Hippies?? Thanks for the laugh. We're not hippies though - we use soap.

Xyclone - as was mentioned, you've obviously never been to Austin. I couldn't live in CA - too many damn people and way to expensive (and not worth it).

 

[swimscubasteve]

Best city in Texas but the bar is set low

 

[mwtgg]

Originally posted by: Xyclone
I live in So Cal, and there's no way I would live in that Republican-filled conservative state.

Oh shut the hell up. Way to characterize an entire state, dumbass.

 

[Babbles]

I'm from DFW but have visited there plenty of times. . . freaking awesome city. I had to move to Pennsylvania for a job, but one day I want to move back on down there.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Hyde Park.

 

[lizardboy]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Hyde Park.

If you can afford it, this is the best area - just north of the UT campus going up to about 51st Street. If you want a new place, either go South of the river or up somewhere North of Parmer Lane. Up in Round Rock there are a ton of new homes at rock bottom prices following the dot-com bubble bursting and Dell layoffs.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions, I've been in Austin for about 3 years now.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: lizardboy

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Hyde Park.

If you can afford it, this is the best area - just north of the UT campus going up to about 51st Street. If you want a new place, either go South of the river or up somewhere North of Parmer Lane. Up in Round Rock there are a ton of new homes at rock bottom prices following the dot-com bubble bursting and Dell layoffs.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions, I've been in Austin for about 3 years now.

I don't think Hyde Park is too expensive. You can get a crappy looking house (to a Round Rock suburbanite), throw in some paint and elbow grease, and you have something great, in an urban neighborhood (a rarity in modern America). No homeowners' associations either so you can (and people do) have bamboo forests in their yards.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Xyclone
I live in So Cal, and there's no way I would live in that Republican-filled conservative state.

we don't want stuck up artificial assholes such as yourself here anyway.

 

[lizardboy]

Originally posted by: Xyclone
I live in So Cal, and there's no way I would live in that Republican-filled conservative state.

Quoted for stupidity. I love it when people spout off and show their absolute ignorance...they don't call it The People's Republic of Austin for no good reason.

 

[Oil]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: Xyclone
I live in So Cal, and there's no way I would live in that Republican-filled conservative state.

we don't want stuck up artificial assholes such as yourself here anyway.

:thumbsup:

 

[imported_Lucifer]

Texas owns

 

[microAmp]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman
Best city in Texas!

WHen I was there (long ago), east of I-35 and southeast were the 'bad areas.' Out west is the toniest. Far north and south were the new subdivisions. FOr hippies like you and your wife, I suggest just north or west of the University, or downtown if you can afford it.

Hope you're not allergic to mountain cedar . . .

Pretty much on the nose here except cedar, it's pretty much any kind of crap. If you have allergies, good luck.

Only other bad thing about Austin area, 1 highway without a stop light.

 

[Mani]

Been here for almost 4 years and it's a very cool city.