apartments in austin under 1k (Houston, Dallas: real estate, 2013, apartment complexes)

[semidevil]

I have an interview in Austin and in trying to determine reasonable salary, Im trying to gauge what my minimum expectations should be for rent cost.

Right now, I'm asking for a low to mid 50k salary, and with that, if I spend 1000 for rent, that puts me with a couple hundred to spare per month. not a lot, but at least I'm not going negative. Ofcourse, the lower rent the better so I can fund my savings even more.

My question is, what would a $1000 rent give me in the Austin area? Right now, I'm looking for a 1 bedroom, or even a studio. size wise, even anything under 400sqft will work. I want a place in a safe area. While all places have their fair share of crimes, I'm looking for the one that is on the lesser end. Somehwere where a female can feel safe and comfortable. I prefer to have a 'nice' apartment, - meaning updated, fully functional equipment, and is not broken here and there. The bonus would be if it was in an urban area, with a modern look, but not fully required.

no need to consider kids, school or anything. this will be for 2 adults

Should $1000 be my budget? higher? can I get away with going lower?

[mark311]

$1000 per month sounds alright since you are willing to live in such a small apartment. $1200 would give you a little more breathing room. My experience around here lately has been that apartment complexes in the Austin area will definitely raise your rent (maybe considerably) after your initial lease is up. So when you find a place for $985 per month that has all your wants on a 12 month lease, be prepared for the rent to go up around $100-$150 on the lease the following year. This might not happen, but it has been pretty common the past few years around here. I've pasted a couple examples so you can check out pricing.

Walking distance to the Domain with places just under $1000 on 12 month leases (very safe area as long as you don't wander off too far in the wrong direction):
Apartment For Rent - Austin TX - IMT at The Domain

Arboretum Area still within walking distance to a few things and a very safe area (some car break-ins in the non-gated places around there, but very little real crime):
Arboretum Austin Apartments | Marquis at Great Hills Austin, TX 78759


The main question at this point is in what part of Austin is the possible workplace located? You might want to factor in apartment pricing that is within close proximity to where you'll be working. Being stuck in traffic for an hour could happen in the Austin area, but I know a lot of people that only have 15 minute commutes as well. Even the nicest areas of Austin will still have property crime (car break-ins), but generally very little "real" crime.

[Atxroads]

As always, where your office is located is key. Work backwards from there. No sense living at Arboretum/Domain if you work in South Austin.

"But I won't mind the congestion". You will.

[riaelise]

At 50k and above, you can have MANY options available to you, even if you have to go above 1k per month.

[Piper TJ]

I'm in what you're describing right now. Playing geographical bachelor for a while until the fam makes it out here.

1/1 560sf. 2nd floor with patio and walk in closet. W/D hookups, fireplace.

I work south of UT and live off of IH35 near Tech Ridge = 10 mile commute. From what I have observed- a lot of apts around here in that range. The community is gated and I am pleasantly pleased how my neighbors keep to themselves.

My lease, two months ago, was mid-$700s. Two weeks after I moved, I looked and saw they were into the low $800s. The board in the rental office has been showing 96+ % occupancy.

You didn't ask but based on your salary I'll put it out there. Utilities have been running < $100 a month. I don't have cable and work pretty standard hours. I brought 2 cats with me so I don't let the temps get out of hand w/ the A/C- 78 setting in the AM, 74 when I return.

[texxas]

Where are you going to work?! If you want to live central in a new place like you want, it is going to be closer to 2 thousand. I know someone who lives in a studio apartment the Gables above Luke's Locker on Lamar and pays over $1,700! It's a big studio though.

If you want to stay centrally located you're going to have to go with something older. One thousand dollars is a lot but wont get you that far if you are central. But again, where are you going to work? Most apartments up north are both new and nice (and cheap!), but if you are going to be working off of Slaughter, you DEFINITELY WOULD NOT WANT TO LIVE UP NORTH. I live 4 miles from downtown and sometimes it can take 20-30 minutes to get there in gridlock traffic.

I know people who live in 2 bedrooms on lamar and total rent is 2600. Prices here are crazy.

[petro]

Originally Posted by semidevil

Right now, I'm asking for a low to mid 50k salary, and with that, if I spend 1000 for rent, that puts me with a couple hundred to spare per month.

Why would you only have "a couple hundred to spare per month," if you're making $50k or more? You're monthly take-home pay for a 50k salary would be around $3,050. So, assuming $1,000 per month for rent, you'd have more than $2,000 left over.

[semidevil]

Originally Posted by petro

Why would you only have "a couple hundred to spare per month," if you're making $50k or more? You're monthly take-home pay for a 50k salary would be around $3,050. So, assuming $1,000 per month for rent, you'd have more than $2,000 left over.

haha. true. I also estimating my other costs, car, insurance, internet, groceries etc etc.

[registered user]

Unless you are paying a huge amount for a car payment you will have no problem making ends meet with a 50K income and $1000 rent. My apt rent is $850 and is 1/1, on the first floor, attached garage and in a nice area.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by petro

Why would you only have "a couple hundred to spare per month," if you're making $50k or more? You're monthly take-home pay for a 50k salary would be around $3,050. So, assuming $1,000 per month for rent, you'd have more than $2,000 left over.

Spending over 30% of your income on housing (and utilities) has traditionally been considered to be really high. However it is becoming more and more common in Austin. Sadly this probably means that people are not saving or putting away much money for their retirement years.

Austin

Austin renters now spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing, more than renters in any other big Texas city.

Rising costs
There is ample evidence backing residents’ concerns about affordability. The typical property-tax bill rose 38 percent between 2000 and 2010, even adjusting for inflation, according to a 2012 American-Statesman analysis. The average Austin rent now stands at just above $1,000 a month, the highest it has ever been. It rose 50 percent from 2004 to 2013, according to Capitol Market Research, even as the median income rose just 9 percent over that span, according to the Texas A&M Real Estate Center.


Historically, affordability has been one of Austin’s central appeals. Even slackers have been able to make it here. In the 15-year span from 1985 to 2000, Austin renters spent just more than 20 percent of their after-tax income on housing. That made Austin the cheapest among Texas’ big cities, according to Zillow Real Estate Research. The Texas capital was below the national average.


Now, housing takes 30 percent of Austin renters’ income, more than the national average and more than in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. That is also above the “red line” that experts say is more than a household should be paying for both housing and utilities.