need personalized response about moving to austin (Alamo, Howe: apartments, coop)

[electric_lady]

I am going to take austin-steve's advice here and tell you all about me in hopes that I can get some really good responses.
Thank you in advance.
About me:
23 year old female, graduate of Michigan State University with degrees in sociology and Spanish. I am leaving Michigan because there are no jobs here. (for more info on that, check out the MI forum). Music is my main passion, one of the many aspects that has attracted me to Austin. A few Austin bands I love are the Flatlanders, The Sword, SRV, Scott H. Biram, and more. I love classic and outlaw country (major Waylon Jennings fan). So, I love all kinds of music. I also love the out of doors. Absolutely love being outside, hiking, camping, swimming, fishing, etc.
I am considering going to graduate school, though this will not happen in the next few years I'm sure. I have visited Austin once, and only for two days. I hope to come back again soon to decide whether it's the place for me or not. But when I was there before, I really loved it.

What I am looking for in Austin:
I would like to live in an area that I can commute largely without a car. I want to be able to walk/ride a bike/bus to work, to nightlife, shopping, parks, etc. I will want to live in a youthful area, in hopes that I can make some friends upon arriving. I would also like the area to be relatively safe. I would like to find a co-op type house with many bedrooms and different people living there. That would help me cut costs, and meet people. I realize that where I live is directly related to how much money I am making. That is the unknown for now. I will be coming down with a little bit of cash, but will need to find employment right away. If even just a job waiting tables or something to make money while looking for a career. Ideally, I would like to write for a newspaper, or at least freelance for the Chronicle or something (I worked at the daily newspaper at MSU), but I realize there aren't many journalism jobs available there (I have heard this from a friend who interned at the Statesman). I would also consider a job in the non-profit sector, or really anything where I can use my brain.

My questions:
Based on what I have told you, where do you think I might be most happy living? What kind of job opportunities are there? What are the main industries in Austin? What is the quality of life like there? I know Austin isn't conservative, but I have a few highly visible tattoos, would this hurt my job outlook? What's there to do around the area with regards to the out of doors?


Any help would be greatly appreciated.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[austin-steve]

As far as co-ops, most are near the UT campus. Many have residents that are not students (our Niece lives in one and told me all about it).

Other than coo-ops, from what you've said, I think you should check out the areas north of campus where a good mix of people live. Lots of students, grad students, professors, young professionals, and even slackers living in the ratty older apartments, and some left-over old people who've been there forever. This is generally know as "North Campus" and "Hyde Park". You can hop on a bus and get just about anywhere, or ride a bike.

I don't think your tatoos will matter much in Austin. Maybe if you apply for a job at Dillards or Nordstroms, but not waitressing or in the music industry. Austin's pretty tatted out for the most part.

I can't help you on the job questions since I've been self employed most of my life. We have many service sector and high tech jobs though.

You'll find a full array of ourdoot activities in Austin.

Good luck with your move.
Steve

[electric_lady]

thanks steve, i appreciate it!

[electric_lady]

any more suggestions? especially for co-ops?

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by electric_lady

any more suggestions? especially for co-ops?

http://www.austincooperatives.coop/

I dont know much about the coops. However a friend of mine did just move to one near campus. He is quite poor so it must not be that expensive

Campus, Central or downtown austin are going to be your best bets.

[gigi927]

I googled "austin co-op living" and got this link:

http://www.sasona.org/ (this is a non-student coop housing for 17 members)

then I went to craigslist Austin and in the housing section did a search for co-op and found this info on another coop situation.

http://austin.craigslist.org/apa/274641770.html

Hope this helps!

[electric_lady]

austin97 and gigi927, thanks for your response, i will check this out and let you know how it goes.

[js63]

Check out the ICC co-ops.

http://www.iccaustin.coop/index2.htm (broken link)

I lived in New Guild from 1990-1992. That's the middle picture on that first page. It's three blocks west of the UT campus, two blocks from The Drag. The co-op just to the north of it was the model for the co-op is Sarah Bird's novel "Alamo House." The opening scenes of "Slacker" took place a block north of New Guild.

There are other co-ops with specific focuses--vegetarian houses, clothing-optional houses, etc.

The majority of my Austin friends are people I met in the co-op. I didn't enjoy the mandatory chores or meetings at all, but other than that it was fine.

If you like music, the outdoors, and tattoos, you'll do fine, but yes, it is a crappy place if you want a journalism job, which is why I've been trying to leave. It's a better city if you're technically inclined. You can always find work waiting tables, working in a grocery like Whole Foods, or temping, especially if you have a lot of computer skills. I've been looking for a good job in Austin for five years, but my skills are very limited and specific.