Advice on neighborhoods for two 30-year-old DINKs ;) (Austin, West: apartment, condo)

[neodorian]

My girlfriend just got a job interview in Austin and since it is one of the cities we have considered moving to, I'm starting the research. I've been off and on the city-data forums over the past year checking out possible cities but now that the interviews are lining up I've got to get into real research mode.

A little on us:

I'll be 32 in July, she will be 31 in November. We have no kids and no plans for any in the next few years at least. She would be working at a university and I work in video production and a/v tech as well as some basic IT stuff. We like walkable neighborhoods where we can get to things like groceries, shops, beer stores, pubs, and restaurants without taking the car every time. I also look forward to checking out Austin's well-known music scene as I love live music. Schools and churches aren't important as we have no kids and aren't religious.

Any pointers in the directions of decent, fun neighborhoods that are at least somewhat walkable and not ridiculously expensive? I don't need a luxury condo, just a one or two bedroom apartment that allows dogs (got one cute little mutt) and doesn't cost too much over a grand a month.

Thanks!

[verybadgnome]

West Anderson Lane, Mueller, South Congress, and of course Downtown are the ones that come to mind first for me.

Check out this site for a good idea of how walkable a particular address is:

Get Your Walk Score - A Walkability Score For Any Address

[txgolfer130]

Get your map out and check out all the places on Lamar Blvd. starting from Manchaca Rd. up to 38th street. It will meet most but not all of your requirements.

[neodorian]

Thanks, that's what I was looking for. Once I have an idea of the neighborhood layout I can start looking around on craigslist.