What's the deal with rentals in Austin? (Corpus Christi, Spring: apartment complex, condos)

[Screenial]

I've been crusin the rentals in Austin on Craig's List lately. I don't get it. Wonderful new condos with marble entryways, a view of the lake, garden bathtub, etc, etc, only $850 a month?! And it seems like all the rentals accept pets?! Are these for real? Is there a glut of over-building of rentals?Are they in bad neighborhoods? Where I live in California, NO PLACE accepts pets, in the rare instance they do, it's a huge deposit. Why is there so many inexpensive rentals in Austin, and why do so many places accept pets?

[Ellen K]

We love our dogs around here.....in some ways you could say this is dog heaven! We have leash free parks all over the place and many apartments have dog parks within the apartment complex.

[AustinTraveler]

You would probably have a more difficult time finding a place that doesn't allow pets rather than allows them! Austinites just love their pets.

For a super nice two bedroom/two bath apartment with an attached garage, we paid $1,200 when we first moved here almost two years ago. So, I can imagine you can get something less expensive with no problem. Honestly, renting in Austin is great, especially when you consider the high property tax. We bought a house and are glad cause it has appreciated greatly but renting is definitely an option to consider.

[Trainwreck20]

To tell you the truth, I think the 'upper end' apartments/condos/townhomes were overbuilt quite a bit in the hey-day of the tech boom. NOBODY built low-end or middle range apartments for quite a long period of time. I think those units are having trouble keeping full unless they price low, since the typical person who would rent a luxury condo can relatively easily afford a home. Yes, the home costs more, but between appreciation and being able to write the property tax/interest off the federal income tax, it is really a pretty good deal.

Regarding pets....sooooo many people have them, that it is probably necessary to rent the place out.

[Screenial]

I figured there must be some overbuilding of rental condos. The Austin Craig's List literally has 3 times more rentals than the other areas I'm looking at. It does seem like renting would almost be a better way to go, given the property taxes. I normally wouldn't think of renting a condo with a dog ( we have a very well mannered Siberian Husky), but if there are plenty of dog friendly places to walk her, it wouldn't seem so bad.
My husband will be leaving the Marine Corps. after nine years in Feb. We are going to put our house on the market here in Cali. in late Oct./early Nov., if our house sells quickly we will rent until he gets out. So far as I look at rentals here, about 10% of the rentals available here take dogs and usually the places are over-priced. We tried to take our dog with us to the swap-meet a couple weeks ago, no dogs allowed. It's too hot right now to leave the dog in the car, poor girl just stays home all time.

[Trainwreck20]

There are quite a few good dog places around town. I know that Bull Creek Park has a regular rotation of 'dog days'. I know from a friend that they go to the 'Boxer Day' one Saturaday of the month. The dogs can play in the creek, although I am not sure if it is a leash-free park or not.

Pease Park (sort of downtown area) has a large leash-free area with a little water in Shoal Creek (water being very good for the heat). Sometimes an issue here, since some dogs shouldn't be leash free.....

Below Barton Springs Pool is a great little creek area for dogs. I am not sure if it is leash free, but most of the dogs are.

I am surprised most of the condos don't at least require ~$100-250 for a pet deposit. Not a whole lot, but most apartments do, I am surprised the condos don't.

[bumpy_1954]

I just picked up a free newspaper - 12 ciy 'leashless' parks for dog lovers and you can take them swimming! I did hear, however, that leashless where it is not allowed is hefty fine....

[NOTAM]

if i had known that Austin was THAT dog friendly, me being the biggest dog lover and owner in the world, i just MIGHT have considered moving there...but oh well...its still a city and too liberal for me, so i probably made a good choice not to..i am moving this month to Corpus Christi area (south)..for an RN job

[Screenial]

Originally Posted by bumpy_1954

I just picked up a free newspaper - 12 ciy 'leashless' parks for dog lovers and you can take them swimming! I did hear, however, that leashless where it is not allowed is hefty fine....

Amazing! The city has gone to the dogs! I'm liking this town more and more every day

[Spookmeister]

Some downtown eateries have taken it a step further by allowing pets to accompany their owners into the establishments! They have special patio/outdoor sitting for those with pets.