Moving to Austin - what Zipcodes or areas to avoid? (Spring: section 8, homes)

[passionatearts]

Austin is overall a really safe city, but we've got a few bad areas. The worst of them are probably East St. Johns (area around Reagan High School), East Rundberg, East Riverside (not a high violence area but very high theft area), and Dove Springs. I would also avoid walking alone around the part of downtown bounded by E 6th St, E 10th St, Trinity St, and Red River St. That area is really dirty and full of homeless people and shady characters.

There are a few good areas east of I35. The Cherrywood/French Place neighborhood (between Manor Road, E 38th 1/2 St, Airport Blvd, and I35) is every bit as nice as Hyde Park and less expensive, too.

[S6Sputnik]

There are a lot of students who live in the area of Farwest and Mopac!! zip is 78731

[llkltk]

Originally Posted by passionatearts

Austin is overall a really safe city, but we've got a few bad areas. The worst of them are probably East St. Johns (area around Reagan High School), East Rundberg, East Riverside (not a high violence area but very high theft area), and Dove Springs. I would also avoid walking alone around the part of downtown bounded by E 6th St, E 10th St, Trinity St, and Red River St. That area is really dirty and full of homeless people and shady characters.

There are a few good areas east of I35. The Cherrywood/French Place neighborhood (between Manor Road, E 38th 1/2 St, Airport Blvd, and I35) is every bit as nice as Hyde Park and less expensive, too.

I lived in Hyde Park and had a friend that lived in French Place. Yes, there are some homes that are renovated, but there is a sketchy element as well. Drug deals go down in French Place. I prefer Hyde Park.

[homeinatx]

"I lived in Hyde Park and had a friend that lived in French Place. Yes, there are some homes that are renovated, but there is a sketchy element as well. Drug deals go down in French Place. I prefer Hyde Park."

When last were you in French Place? There are by now very few unrenovated houses left. It is probably the neighborhood in Austin with the highest concentration of PhDs. It has basically become THE neighborhood for incoming UT faculty. I agree that Hyde Park is nicer - it has older and bigger houses, but it is a lot more expensive, and I would bet good money that more drug deals go down in Westlake than in French Place!

[Danbo1957]

I've never considered French Place dangerous; though, I never go there, because there ain't much there.

"and I would bet good money that more drug deals go down in Westlake than in French Place!"

- please, don't be silly.

[TexasHorseLady]

If you never go there, how do you know there ain't much there?

[passionatearts]

Originally Posted by llkltk

I lived in Hyde Park and had a friend that lived in French Place. Yes, there are some homes that are renovated, but there is a sketchy element as well. Drug deals go down in French Place. I prefer Hyde Park.

Have you been to French Place lately? There's really nothing sketchy about the neighborhood these days. Maybe 15 years ago it was like how you described it, but these days, it's pretty gentrified.

[senormatt]

Originally Posted by jacksonian

Everyone keeps saying that 78704 is much safer than 78702, but according to this data composed from last year, there was actually slightly more overall crime in 78704 (11,357 offenses) than 78702 (10,301 offenses):
http://malford.ci.austin.tx.us/police/zipcode/zipcode/zip_2008.pdf (broken link)

78704 had higher burglary (+27%), theft (+61%), and motor theft (+7%) reports.
78702 had higher murder (2 offenses), robbery (+52%), and aggravated assault (+62%) reports.
They were tied for number of rape (14 offenses) reports.

While you read these statistics you need to remember the fact that around twice as many people live in 78704 than 78702. Taking that into account you can see why everyone is saying that 78704 is 'safer'.


Source: City of Austin Population and Households by ZIP Code

[jacksonian]

Originally Posted by senormatt

While you read these statistics you need to remember the fact that around twice as many people live in 78704 than 78702. Taking that into account you can see why everyone is saying that 78704 is 'safer'.


Source: City of Austin Population and Households by ZIP Code

That does make a big difference. It also seems that 78704 is larger in area than 78702 as well. Thanks for the link - that data is very helpful.

[Danbo1957]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

If you never go there, how do you know there ain't much there?

I have been there............ and I saw that there is nothing there............ so I haven't gone back there.