North Lamar/Rundberg? What neighborhoods should this transplant avoid????i'm not from california btw

[df175]

It might seem hard to believe, but there's a lot less racism in Austin and Texas generally than in the East Coast cities, especially when referring to lower income areas. Around Rundberg you will definitely be a minority as a white ("angelo") guy to the point that you feel self-conscious about it, but people here don't have the kind of nasty identity-politics lurking under the surface you see elsewhere. The welfare system in Texas is very meager and thus there's both less resentment and less fecklessness. People have to work to survive. Just be sure to leave the "M*******" attitudes, if you have them, behind.

[Denver303TJC]

Originally Posted by BuckJustice

[b]

So I'd like to keep my rent and bills around $1,000 a month or less. My own apartment. No roommates. This is very important to me.

My new workplace is near some place called Tech Ridge, up north, near Pflugerville. But hey, I like to go downtown on the weekends, tear it up, have a good time etc.

So here's the caveat: no car. I said it, I know you'll tell me I need it but my license is suspended for the time being, nevermind my insurance rates, which would bankrupt me.
So I will live and breathe the 801. The end of the line for the 801 is where my work is at, downtown is , well south of there, and I will live near the 801 as well, within a 30 minute ride to work.

Hi, I also don't have a car right now (am looking though), so I can relate to being carless in Austin. That's smart to live near the 801, plus the 801 runs til around midnight on weekends, AFAIK, so you can zip into downtown for $1.75 each way (but, it'll take the bus over an hour to get there). I currently live near the Apple-plex on Parmer and pay about $935 per month for my own 1 BR in a decent gated community. I'm also North Austin, but on the western side of it. I think what you're saying is definitely doable, I'd recommend looking for an apt finder, they know of good places which are close to where you'll be working (I assume they will, at least). I went through one and they found me my place in minutes, then I went and looked at it and signed the lease.

Bottom line, it's possible for you to live and work in Austin carless based on the rent you mentioned.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by atxsnail

i'd recommend looking also at the Highland neighborhood, just east of Crestview. The Austin Garden Apartments on Lamar are extremely close to the Crestview Station stop (801/Red Line) and fit your sub 1k budget. There are probably other apartments nearby that fit your description as well. None will win any awards, but you'll be closer to downtown with better transit access. The bike infrastructure is much better there as well.

Another advantage of being a little closer in on Lamar is that it gets Night Owl service (so buses till 3AM).

Night Owl Service - Capital Metro - Austin Public Transit

[BuckJustice]

Originally Posted by df175

It might seem hard to believe, but there's a lot less racism in Austin and Texas generally than in the East Coast cities, especially when referring to lower income areas. Around Rundberg you will definitely be a minority as a white ("angelo") guy to the point that you feel self-conscious about it, but people here don't have the kind of nasty identity-politics lurking under the surface you see elsewhere. The welfare system in Texas is very meager and thus there's both less resentment and less fecklessness. People have to work to survive. Just be sure to leave the "M*******" attitudes, if you have them, behind.

Hey, I believe it. For it's liberal reputation, Boston is a fairly racist place. Consider that it's one of the worst areas of the country. I don't have the clearest view if it, since I've been here forever, but outsiders and friends that move always say it.

About the welfare system.... The welfare state in Massachusetts, and the lack of one in Texas, makes it impossible to compare neighborhood incomes!
I compared "poor" areas of Austin ($40,000 yr household income) to some areas in Lowell, MA where I was originally going to move. The average household income in areas of Lowell is like <$10,000! So many people are in the dole in Massachusetts that I can't imagine being in a "ghetto" area where people actually work!

I want to spend up to a month looking for just the right place, but I keep hearing that it's difficult to rent a room or sublet out there. How would I find that without paying $600/wk or more? Why is it hard to find a room or sublet? Is a month an unnecessarily long time to be looking for an apt anyways?

[Lafemmenikita1]

You'll find one in an afternoon with the right apartment locator!