Can I buy this condo? (Austin, Lubbock: apartments, rentals, house)

[apple_lemon]

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

I will move to Austin next month and I am looking for buying a place to stay. My husband will work in UT and we hope the place is close to UT or has bus directly go to UT.

I found a place in here: 2124 Burton Dr, austin, 78741. The price is cheap and is close to UT shuttle. But I want to make sure if this is a safe place. Currently I am living in Seattle and this is a very safe place but I don't know about Austin. Please give suggestions.

The condo I mentioned is cheap and can be a settle down place for us. But we also are looking for a place, which is safe has good condition. I didn't find this one yet. I am looking for a place which is close to UT or UT shuttle or bus and have a safe community. My husband and I both graduated from the same university recently and most of our time were living on compus.

Please give your suggestions. Thanks very much.

PS: If the condo is not good for me, I need to rent a place. Does anyone have good idea where is a good place for the people who are working in UT?

Also, if someone who drove from Seattle to Austin before, please give us some Tips of driving plan.

Thanks very much.

[atxcio]

I can't compare it to Seattle, since I'm not sure how bad it is there. Burton Drive has a lot of apartment buildings, a mix of students and lower-income renters. I'm not sure if the area is still in decline, but it was when I last visited that specific area a few years ago. But it is very close to downtown. Except for the students, it's somewhat of a hispanic area. Visit first, go to the local grocery store, and see if it's an area that you are comfortable with.

Areas just north of UT (intramural fields shuttle) and around the Far West Shuttle are nicer, but I'm sure they are more expensive. Perhaps maybe the downturn will enable you to make a lowball offer and get a deal...

[apple_lemon]

Thanks for your reply. I decide not to buy this condo even though it is very cheap. I want to buy house or condo in a safe place.

I will look for a place which you mentioned. It is a little bit scared for moving to a total new place.

Best wishes,

[WillysB]

It's more a Tacoma like area. Atxcio's suggested area would work better for you. Check the SmallPlanet Guide for some help with apartments.

For the drive, I took I-90 east to Billings, Montana then south on I-25 into New Mexico. ALTERNATELY, you could take I-82/84 south to Salt Lake and then I-80 to Cheyenne, Wyoming then I-25 south. I preferred the I-90 route.

Soon as you get into New Mexico you'll be in Raton, NM. Depending on your schedule this might be a good overnite spot. From Raton, take U.S. 87/64 (south or east) to Dalhart, Texas. 64 drops off but 385 continues on down to I-40 to Amarillo. From there take I-27 south to Lubbock where it ends.

From Lubbock you have options...
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Option 1 > Lamesa, Big Springs, San Angelo, Brady, Llano, Austin
This will give you a south approach to Austin, Hwy 71 from Llano.

Option 2 > Snyder, Sweetwater, Winters, Coleman, Brownwood, Lampasas, Austin
This will give you a north approach to Austin, Hwy 183 from Lampasas.
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These will be Texas 'state highways' and are good for traveling. You may encounter some tractors but be patient, you'll get a chance to pass.

Once you're approaching about a hundred miles from Austin you'll be in the Texas Hill Country, the terrain Austin is noted for. Warning, there are trees but they're short and no Pine. Sorry.

At Austin, You can take the Mopac, Hwy 1 to go north/south in Austin. I'd say steer clear of I-35. Or you can just drop off the hiway and take the scenic route thru Austin, which I'd prefer. From this point, Atxcio or someone else would have better directions for you.

Before you leave you should send off for the Texas Travel Guide.. it's FREE ! ! ! Two hundred glossy pages of places and things about Texas and includes an excellent map of Texas to help plan your trip. There's a link over on the right side to order. It's ......FREE.....

Have a safe journey and Welcome home.

BTW, you'll see the gesture of the fist with index and little finger extended and thumb on the two middle fingers. It has a completely different meaning in Texas and is the sign for

'Hook 'em Horns'

The University of Texas. I first saw that gesture at a Cotton Bowl game in 1958.

[apple_lemon]

Thanks so much! It is really helpful. We are looking forward to enjoying the sunshine in Austin. I hope can meet some friends who also move from Seattle to Austin or graduated from University of Washington.

Best regards,

Elly