Where should a bi-racial, bi-sexual, 23 yr old virgo live? (Houston: rental car, apartments)

[datimmyp]

Howdy Y'all! (I'm not from Texas but I still say it!!)

I currently live in Denver, Colorado and have so for the last ten years or so. I graduated from Colorado State University a year ago and have since been working as a trainer for my favorite computer company. I'm looking at my masters in film at UT and am transferring with my company to Austin in the next two months!! I'm currently in the city checking things out and need help in deciding where to look for housing. It's an amazingly brilliant city (I've fallen in LOVE with Austin this week) but my two concerns are this--- I'm pretty liberal (as the city seems to be) and I want to be close to work (183 and the 1) but also close to campus. Where would be the best AFFORDABLE place to live. How are the neighborhoods set up? I was thinking either 24th/Guadeloupe area or is by the Highland Mall nice? Should I look at roommates with college kids or get a lower end place on my own.... Ha. I don't know much so thanks!

p.s. anyone have any questions about Denver vs. Austin I can help as well!

[mikey1984]

Austin is nice a town but a seriously overrated burb! The liberal mumble jumbo has gotten quite old. It is no more liberal down here than other larger Texas cities. Outside the new high rise boom, Austin is a typical medium size town. It does have above average dining options.

[twange]

Originally Posted by mikey1984

Austin is nice a town but a seriously overrated burb! The liberal mumble jumbo has gotten quite old. It is no more liberal down here than other larger Texas cities. Outside the new high rise boom, Austin is a typical medium size town. It does have above average dining options.

Sorry, beg to differ. That's not really what she asked for either. Sounds to me like she's coming to school here and needed info on places to live. There's plenty of threads on here about what people don't like about Austin.

Anyway, to the original poster, the area you described living in is obviously right in the college-crowd wheelhouse, just make sure that's what you want. That vibe might get old 183/MoPac Loop 1 is a bit aways from 24th etc... I would make sure traffic isn't horrible, or getting to your job might suck. I'm sure someone will chime in here. Maybe check out renting a place in the Hyde Park neighborhood. There seems to be a lot of college folks there, but it's a great area full of charm and fairly close to things. Also, if you can afford it(seeing that you'll be a student, maybe not), you might want to check into living around the Triangle - where N. Lamar and Guadalupe meet around E. 45th:

Triangle Austin - Austin Shopping, Apartments, Restaurants - Austin, Texas

[datimmyp]

thanks twange... i'm glad someone answered the question being asked. i am getting old...but do most people hang out downtown at night by taking a taxi? or is the whole 4th/6th street thing an exaggeration? or do people don't mind taxi's? denver is such a driving town i'm not used to being "close" to the nightlife. i do have decent money (looking at 600-900 a month) nothing bling bling but enough. i'll have to drive around tomorrow and look in that neighborhood...so thanks! anymore thoughts? oh and I'm a male...haha.. sorry i came off 'feminine' ....haha... not that it makes a difference!

SIDE-NOTE--- i heard the GLBT community is quite integrated and doesn't really have a "gayhetto" and i've looked at other threads but haven't heard a definite answer...thanks y'all! this has been helpful!

[geoquiz3000]

Welcome to Austin! I think twange's advice about Hyde Park is good--if you look in the area going north from UT toward North Loop/53rd you'll find rents start out pretty high (probably above your range) nearest the university (aka "North University") and into Hyde Park, which is more or less the part from around 38th to 45th between Red River and Guadalupe.

The area just north of Hyde Park between 45th street and Northloop (and then on up to Koenig) may be up your alley, it's and very mixed with rental houses, small apartment buildings and variety of incomes. It's eclectic with a few coffee houses, vintage clothing shops, etc scattered around. it's very central (now) and puts you near major roads you could take up to work (the 1 is called "Loop 1" or more commonly "Mopac" here in Austin) like Koenig Lane/2222, Burnet Road/Anderson Lane, etc.

The Triangle development twange mentioned is on the western side of this area (Lamar/Guadalupe/ 45th/51st). It's new with some services, shops, restaurants, etc. on lower levels with apartments on the upper floors--this might appeal to the precise, refined, perfectionistic tendencies of a Virgo.

I've written some about the lack of one big gay area in town--it's pretty cool everywhere you go here. I think you'd be fine wherever you choose to live.

There are fun places to get together w/friends for happy hours or meals in the Hyde Park-Triangle-North Campus area but for going out "on the town" it's pretty much downtown (6th/4th)... cabs aren't too expensive but of course the further out you live the more expensive to get home (I'm guessing around $10 or $15 to Hyde Park).

The area right around Highland Mall is okay but not sure of too much rental there. There will eventually be redevelopment of that whole area I'm guessing since the mall seems to be dying and it's mostly acres of parking lots.

[twange]

Originally Posted by datimmyp

thanks twange... i'm glad someone answered the question being asked. i am getting old...but do most people hang out downtown at night by taking a taxi? or is the whole 4th/6th street thing an exaggeration? or do people don't mind taxi's? denver is such a driving town i'm not used to being "close" to the nightlife. i do have decent money (looking at 600-900 a month) nothing bling bling but enough. i'll have to drive around tomorrow and look in that neighborhood...so thanks! anymore thoughts? oh and I'm a male...haha.. sorry i came off 'feminine' ....haha... not that it makes a difference!

SIDE-NOTE--- i heard the GLBT community is quite integrated and doesn't really have a "gayhetto" and i've looked at other threads but haven't heard a definite answer...thanks y'all! this has been helpful!

Oh my! Apologies are all on me Not sure why I assigned the feminine to you...but like you said, who cares?

Anyway, I can't really speak to the taxi thing as we often take a bus when we go downtown. If it's not a weekend, sometimes we drive as well. Depending on where you're at, the buses are pretty decent. There are a few late nighters called the Night Owl, that run until 3am or so, and the 'Dillos are vintage trolley-type things that are sort of limited, but free. There's one that makes a nice loop(Gold) - good way to see some areas for free without having to watch out for bad drivers. Taxi's are great though when you're out drinking, or you just need to get someplace quick or get home ASAP. We've done it a few times. BTW, there's a few different areas to hang out, other than downtown. Check out S. Congress and S. 1st, N. and S. Lamar while you're in town.

Links:

Schedules and Maps - Riding Capital Metro - Capital Metro Transit - Austin, TexasCapital Metro Transit - Austin, Texas
Austin Neighborhoods | Small Planet Guide
The Austin Chronicle: SoCo Guide


As far as the gay/lesbian scene, I'm glad you already brought that up. Yea, your right, that seems to be the vibe here: integration. Not really "gayborhoods" per say. My Uncle-in-law and his partner have been here for years and love it. I think a lot of that depends on what part of your life you are in, how comfortable you are with yourself and your lifestyle and whether or not you need to be around a lot of other folks that have the same orientation. For younger folks, or the newly "out" type, a more public and explicit scene might be important, especially for dating, pride etc...If you're older, you probably don't give sh*t what anyone thinks and simply want to live in a neighborhood that you like. Everyone's different about that. I'll admit, my knowledge on this is limited to what other folks tell me and what I "see".

I'm sure if artsyguy sees this thread, he'll chime in

Now, hopefully you're not still looking on this forum, but out enjoying Austin!

[atxcio]

You should check out the Far West / NW Hills area. It's not as close to UT as Hyde Park, but it's a very nice neighborhood (hills and trees) and the UT Shuttle runs through it. You could take the bus to school or downtown. And driving to work at 183/Mopac (1) will only be about 5 minutes! Depending on what side of 183 & Mopac you are working at, you could even take the back way up Mesa drive. You would never have to sit in traffic to get to work.

I'm not sure where around Highland Mall you were looking, but some of those areas are not so good.

[datimmyp]

Oh don't worry twange, we just left the Rio (which was started in my hometown of Fort Collins!) and I've been updating my cousins on the the forum via my iphone (i get separation anxiety without it! ha!). So if anyone saw a 6'6 blonde guy from Houston (my older cousin), a 6'4 blonde skinny girl that looks like Paris Hilton, from Baylor (my younger cousin) or me- the 6' foot out of place short (er) dark featured guy with red streaks having frozen strawberry margs @ the Rio. you saw us! I definitely see what you mean about downtown really is the place to go-go out.

and twange I actually am not the biggest fan of the gay hubs of cities (weho, castro, boys town, etc) I find them all a little too much for me. I like going out to regular bars/restaurants with my straight/bi/gay/whatev friends and just enjoy being with people. my only thing is the dating scene...which if it's anything like Denver is almost impossible to meet people out without going to the gay bars. sigh. but again, i get the college town vibe here that i did in Fort Collins, which will mean there will be a plethora of boys and girls to break my heart..

so i'm gonna def check out Hyde Park and the Triangle tomorrow as well as jolt to mt benel before my flight home. I'm not as concerned about the drive as i am about enjoying the neighborhood. I'm used to 20-30 min drives currently, so anything less then that is great. Another question to throw out... do most people stay in their own neighborhood (soco, downtown, campus, north, etc) or is there quite a lot of "oh let's go to so-and-so's by Barton Creek? k...time to sleep! thanks y'all!

[brokedownbillybob]

Start with I 35 and Highway 71/Ben White any neighborhood to the 4 directions and you will easily adjust to the drive to work and the University straight up 35 or out to 1 and 183 up and down 71 --as 35 runs North/South and 71 runs East/West
About $600/mth for a 2 bdr duplex in a mid or upper lower range neighborhood, but Walmart/Walgreens/HEB/Airport/Kinko's/Enterprise Rental Cars/Taco Bell and McD's all nearby...as well as Dollar Stores or a straight commute to New Braunfels or San Antonio by 35 South for river fun, business or out-of-town weekend getaways. Convenience by location, hun.