Considering moving from Boston. 34/male single. (Austin, West: condos, loan, house prices)

[rkd80]

Hi everyone,

Figured I would post here as I always prefer live feedback rather than websites. Super brief bio:

Been living in Boston all my life, all my friends and family are here. As much as I love the rich history of Boston and the culture and the fact that everyone I know and love are here - certain things are starting to get frustrating.

- Winter. Sick of it.
- Cost of living. Rising and rising. While our tax burden is not the worst in the nation, leaves much to be desired.
- House prices. We are basically being pushed out further and further into the burbs. This is starting to impact commute as most major highways are jammed morning and evening.
- Regulations. They are everywhere and pertain to everything. Fees, compliance, etc, etc. Non - stop.

Now that I am single again, after yet another failed relationship I figured maybe I can just take the plunge and brave it. Sure I would love to meet someone here and THEN move to Austin, but time is precious.

I work in the software space, which as some of you know is a huge industry here in Boston and no shortage of jobs. My specific role would be int he development/consulting space.

I have some properties here that I am going to sell so my budget will be around 300-350k. Can that money buy a decent 2 bedroom condo, around 1000 sq ft? I am aware that property taxes are high, but I'll take 0% income tax any day.

I'd love a neighborhood that is a 10-15 minute drive to where "it is happening" and no more than 10-15 minutes from where the tech jobs are. Not sure if such an area exists, but here in Mass. there are two very distinct locations.

Thank you for reading and for your feedback in advance

[Return2Paradise]

Originally Posted by rkd80

- Winter. Sick of it.
- Cost of living. Rising and rising. While our tax burden is not the worst in the nation, leaves much to be desired.
- House prices. We are basically being pushed out further and further into the burbs. This is starting to impact commute as most major highways are jammed morning and evening.

Things heard from a large number of Austinites:

- Summer. Sick of it.
- Cost of living. Rising and rising. While our property tax burden is not the worst in the nation, leaves much to be desired.
- House prices. We are basically being pushed out further and further into the burbs. This has already impacted commute as all major highways are jammed morning and evening.

[vlan1]

If you are worried about rising house prices , ATX is one of the worst in the state of TX. The housing market here is cut throat and fast moving.

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by Return2Paradise

Things heard from a large number of Austinites:

- Summer. Sick of it.
- Cost of living. Rising and rising. While our property tax burden is not the worst in the nation, leaves much to be desired.
- House prices. We are basically being pushed out further and further into the burbs. This is starting to impact commute as most major highways are jammed morning and evening.

Ha! exactly. Austin is not utopia, our weather is not perfect, and our cost of living is not low. OP, no you cannot get a downtown condo 2/2 1000 sq feet for $300-350K.

[Jimmyp25]

Expect going against 10-15 other buyers when you are looking for a house less than 225

[G0DDESS]

Boston sucks, get out as quickly as possible. Good decision.

[Aquitaine]

You can get a 1000 square foot condo for $300-$350, but not right downtown. It won't be terribly far out though. West Campus has a number of them, and they'll pop up from time to time in Hyde Park or Brentwood or Crestview - condos that size are just not built terribly often.

[palaverer]

Originally Posted by rkd80

Can that money buy a decent 2 bedroom condo, around 1000 sq ft?

Yes. The question is where.

[centralaustinite]

Plus this: Been living in Boston all my life, all my friends and family are here. As much as I love the rich history of Boston and the culture and the fact that everyone I know and love are here - certain things are starting to get frustrating.

I think you are completely underestimating the value of the things that you will be giving up. Folks from New England seem to have the hardest time adjusting (New Yorkers are different, they either hate TX conceptually and won't set foot here or they adjust enthusiastically). The US is still more regional that people realize, Austin has no resemblance to Boston historically and it remains distinct. Have you ever visited Austin?

[AustinDude360]

Originally Posted by rkd80

Hi everyone,

Figured I would post here as I always prefer live feedback rather than websites. Super brief bio:

Been living in Boston all my life, all my friends and family are here. As much as I love the rich history of Boston and the culture and the fact that everyone I know and love are here - certain things are starting to get frustrating.

- Winter. Sick of it.
- Cost of living. Rising and rising. While our tax burden is not the worst in the nation, leaves much to be desired.
- House prices. We are basically being pushed out further and further into the burbs. This is starting to impact commute as most major highways are jammed morning and evening.
- Regulations. They are everywhere and pertain to everything. Fees, compliance, etc, etc. Non - stop.

Now that I am single again, after yet another failed relationship I figured maybe I can just take the plunge and brave it. Sure I would love to meet someone here and THEN move to Austin, but time is precious.

I work in the software space, which as some of you know is a huge industry here in Boston and no shortage of jobs. My specific role would be int he development/consulting space.

I have some properties here that I am going to sell so my budget will be around 300-350k. Can that money buy a decent 2 bedroom condo, around 1000 sq ft? I am aware that property taxes are high, but I'll take 0% income tax any day.

I'd love a neighborhood that is a 10-15 minute drive to where "it is happening" and no more than 10-15 minutes from where the tech jobs are. Not sure if such an area exists, but here in Mass. there are two very distinct locations.

Thank you for reading and for your feedback in advance

If you can find a job up north or on the 360 you could afford what you like near the Domain or Lakeline area (commute wouldn't be too bad and Domain and Lakeline area could be considered "happening" for some). If you are looking at downtown...no way unless you are good with buying a fixer upper and taking out a 203K loan for rehab costs. A condo might work though just be prepared to make some strong offers.