New college grad from Michigan

[ashbeeigh]

I've continually pointed people in the direction of apartments under $800 (including mine st $777). It's doable l, you just have to know how to find them. They won't be luxuouious, but they are livable. I know I already said roommate situation. Sticking to it, but will also suggest looking in San Antonio for employment as well, although we don't know the field op is going into. With that salary it sounds like social services or something more blue collar. Both SA and Austin have jobs in that field.

[94buickcentury]

Originally Posted by Clever nickname here

$800 a month? You best be planning to have a couple of roommates.

Unless you have a teaching certificate moving into Austin, without a job, where you are going to be competing with 10K newly minted UT grads, that don't want to leave Austin, every year is a bold choice.

Have you considered Asheville, NC or Greenville, SC?

Asheville, NC is liberal, but rent is high. One would have to look outside of Buncombe County and consider neighboring Haywood County which is nowhere liberal.

Greenville, SC rent is cheaper, but it isn't as liberal as Asheville.

In terms of employment, Greenville would be better as Asheville is totally dependent on the tourism industry, lacking variance in other industries.

[Bermanj8]

Thank you for all your replies. $800 a month is just an estimate, and I did specify that I want to live in the OUTER areas of Austin, not in Austin. Meaning, areas that are further away and cheaper to live in. I have decided not to pursue Austin for many reasons.

Also, "Clever Nickname here", its funny you say that. NC is my first choice, and seems to be the place I keep going back to. I am thinking about the triangle, either Raleigh or Durham

[Bermanj8]

Wow, now I really know what it feels like to enter the world as a young professional straight out of college. I get treated like an idiot even though I SPECIFICALLY said I am not sure how much I will be making, so my $800 figure for rent is an ESTIMATE. Also, I also specifically asked what neighborhoods OUTSIDE of Austin would be the best to move to; meaning this post was asking bout areas that are further away from Austin and cheaper to live in.

Thank you to all of the posters who responded to my question, which is completely valid.

$800 a month is just an estimate. I have decided not to pursue Austin for many reasons.

Also, "Clever Nickname here", its funny you say that. NC is my first choice, and seems to be the place I keep going back to. I am thinking about the triangle, either Raleigh or Durham

[DashRiprock]

When you say "around $800" and immediately follow up with "even cheaper is always great", I don't think it's unfair to assume $800 is your upper limit. What people are trying to tell you is that "around $800" is not going to get you what it seems you want. Maybe "around $1000" is more realistic. Or not. I don't know, fortunately I haven't had to rent in a long time.

30-40 minutes outside of "downtown" Austin with traffic is north Austin, and not even that far north Austin. Maybe even close-in south Austin off Lamar. Traffic is horrible here during rush hours, in a bad way. It's not like you drive 30 miles in 40 minutes. It's more like you drive 10 miles in 45 minutes, bumper to bumper dodging construction cones the whole way. Double or triple what the realtor/apartment folks say when they say something is "just 20 minutes to downtown!".

"Outside" the city limits can mean a lot of things, but I can't think of any town where around $800/month is doable that would have anything less than an hour commute in traffic, on a good day. And those areas will most definitely not be "liberal" and may or may not have easy access to the outdoor activities you're interested in.

Best of luck to you.

[Nacho_Friend]

Originally Posted by Bermanj8

Thank you for all your replies. $800 a month is just an estimate, and I did specify that I want to live in the OUTER areas of Austin, not in Austin.

Figure out where you are going to work. Draw a circle with a 10 mile radius. That's roughly 30 minutes for at least 7 hours of every day. 15 miles is 45 minutes. Today. Next year commute time won't be 3x miles. It will be worse and even worse the year after that.