are we crazy? (rental house in central austin) (sales, neighborhoods)
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And where will you be working? Barton Hills, Travis Heights, and Bouldin might all be good fits, they are just south of the river. We commute north everyday on I-35 with few problems (Oltorf to St. Johns every morning in about 15 minutes.)
Is that Oltorf to St. Johns during rush hour? Everything I've heard suggests that crossing any bridges in rush hour is not a pleasant experience. I'd love to hear to the contrary.
Those neighborhoods were ruled out early due to what we heard about commute, especially about north/south commutes crossing the river.
I don't have a job lined up, but I'm a software guy, so I think that makes up north a strong possibility. I'd love to work downtown though.
We are raising our children bilingual French/English and there is a little private French school in the North Burnet / North Austin area. As of now, that is what is pinning us down geographically. We will be transporting them daily during A.M. rush-hour.
Is that Oltorf to St. Johns during rush hour? Everything I've heard suggests that crossing any bridges in rush hour is not a pleasant experience. I'd love to hear to the contrary.
Those neighborhoods were ruled out early due to what we heard about commute, especially about north/south commutes crossing the river.
I don't have a job lined up, but I'm a software guy, so I think that makes up north a strong possibility. I'd love to work downtown though.
We are raising our children bilingual French/English and there is a little private French school in the North Burnet / North Austin area. As of now, that is what is pinning us down geographically. We will be transporting them daily during A.M. rush-hour.
I would look in Northwest Hills and the Arboretum to see if you find anything you like there. Walkability isn't as strong near many of the single family homes, but they're nice neighborhoods if you can find a rental there. There are also some nice neighborhoods in the north central area (I'm assuming you've already checked those out and aren't finding rentals based on your earlier posts.)
Is that Oltorf to St. Johns during rush hour? Everything I've heard suggests that crossing any bridges in rush hour is not a pleasant experience. I'd love to hear to the contrary.
Those neighborhoods were ruled out early due to what we heard about commute, especially about north/south commutes crossing the river.
I don't have a job lined up, but I'm a software guy, so I think that makes up north a strong possibility. I'd love to work downtown though.
We are raising our children bilingual French/English and there is a little private French school in the North Burnet / North Austin area. As of now, that is what is pinning us down geographically. We will be transporting them daily during A.M. rush-hour.
Yes, pulled out of my driveway at 8:09 this morning and arrived up north at 8:21! Little congestion this morning but I've done that drive at 8 am every day for almost 8 years. 12 minutes is fast, 20 minutes is slow (which is why I nearly choked to hear it can take 20 minutes to get from the back of Steiner to the main road!) It is roughly 8 miles but both Oltorf and St. Johns are still central Austin, if I had to start south of William Cannon and go north of 183, it would take much much longer! And the afternoon-evening commute is always longer (I have alternative routes).
I second NW Hills and the Arboretum area, you will find big houses with yards to rent in that area. Walkability is not great, although NW Hills and Highland Hills close to MoPac and Far West can be quite walkable (library, community center, groceries, etc. on Far West). And definitely look at Allandale! You need to work with a realtor who is familiar with the area and who knows which houses for sale might take a renter!
I guess it depends on your definition of walkability. I live in Brentwood (north of 2222, so the part that most people confuse with Crestview), and I regularly walk to my neighborhood grocer, dry cleaner's, pizzeria. I am also within 0.5 mile walking distance to Blackstar Co-op (brewpub), Thunderbird Coffee, Threadgill's and a great little family owned Mexican restaurant that starts serving breakfast tacos at 6:30am daily. Within 1 mile walking (a little longer of a stroll but I do these once a week or so), I have access to another coffee shop (this one I prefer) and a farmer's market (and other stuff along Burnet Rd). We have neighborhood yoga at Brentwood Park that I can walk to. Weekdays between 5 to 7pm, all the sidewalks in the 'hood are filled with people walking their dogs, strollers, jogging, leisurely walking, etc. Woodrow, the thoroughfare that runs down the heart of the neighborhood, has bike lanes, and I can bike to lots of restaurants a little south on Burnet as well as Central Market.
I think it's the best compromise between having the privacy and quietness of a single family home and some walkable/bikable destinations. Single family homes are not dense developments, so you won't be right next door to a Starbucks (but who wants that anyway?) like you would be in a condo/mixed development type. I don't walk to work (I have great bus access from my house), but I do some kind of walking almost everyday after work.
I would look in Northwest Hills and the Arboretum to see if you find anything you like there. Walkability isn't as strong near many of the single family homes, but they're nice neighborhoods if you can find a rental there. There are also some nice neighborhoods in the north central area (I'm assuming you've already checked those out and aren't finding rentals based on your earlier posts.)
Well no, end haven't really looked into any of the neighborhood you mentioned... We started out wanting close-in north side walkability... Our initial research led us to our initial candidates. All alternates welcome!
I'll have to read up on your suggestions more... The close-in requirement isn't a hard requirement, but we want a single family home in an almost urban setting...
I guess it depends on your definition of walkability. I live in Brentwood (north of 2222, so the part that most people confuse with Crestview), and I regularly walk to my neighborhood grocer, dry cleaner's, pizzeria. I am also within 0.5 mile walking distance to Blackstar Co-op (brewpub), Thunderbird Coffee, Threadgill's and a great little family owned Mexican restaurant that starts serving breakfast tacos at 6:30am daily. Within 1 mile walking (a little longer of a stroll but I do these once a week or so), I have access to another coffee shop (this one I prefer) and a farmer's market (and other stuff along Burnet Rd). We have neighborhood yoga at Brentwood Park that I can walk to. Weekdays between 5 to 7pm, all the sidewalks in the 'hood are filled with people walking their dogs, strollers, jogging, leisurely walking, etc. Woodrow, the thoroughfare that runs down the heart of the neighborhood, has bike lanes, and I can bike to lots of restaurants a little south on Burnet as well as Central Market.
I think it's the best compromise between having the privacy and quietness of a single family home and some walkable/bikable destinations. Single family homes are not dense developments, so you won't be right next door to a Starbucks (but who wants that anyway?) like you would be in a condo/mixed development type. I don't walk to work (I have great bus access from my house), but I do some kind of walking almost everyday after work.
Thanks for this post! We'll definitely reconsider Brentwood (as well as Allandale).
Maybe just less of the stereotypical suburbs 'n' strip malls...
And to answer your question, no (but my wife has...)
I hear ya!
If it helps, my siblings always marvel at how few chain stores they see in central Austin, I didn't really see it before but I guess our level of local, independent stores is quite high. Must admit I take it for granted.
If you can compromise on sq footage and number of bedrooms, you should be to find what you are looking for, good luck!
To the OP, there's a 3-2-2 plus office (or 4-2-2) in Brentwood currently being advertised on Craigslist: + Office/Den or 4-2-2 House, WEEKEND SPECIAL (http://austin.craigslist.org/apa/2354710689.html - broken link)
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