Moving to Austin in Sept; need lots of info! (Houston: apartment complexes, low crime)

[KWPN]

I'll be moving from NW Houston to Austin the end of August/first of September. I've got a bunch of friends there, but I kind of want a more broad range of opinions, info, etc.

I'm going to be transferring to ACC then onto UT to complete my Business major, so I'd like to be close (within 20 minutes) of an ACC campus. I think I really like the NW area of Austin.

I'll need a one bedroom/one bath apartment around $700-$800/month. Safety is a big want in an apartment (as safe as you can get, I do realize that stuff happens), would prefer newer/updated apartment.

Need info on best utility companies... I don't want a lot of t.v, but I do need fast Internet. I've got AT&T for my iPhone cell plan, and will keep my Houston number.

Not a big drinker/partier, so info on that isn't needed, but other activities, etc. greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

OH, and what is the employment situation there like?
I'll most likely look for office type position either at a hospital/doc office/vet clinic/etc. I've got vast experience in that area, and I enjoy business things (hence my major).

[TexasHorseLady]

Thing is, not all ACC campuses have the same courses. You'll need to zero in on which one(s) you'll likely be attending based on the courses you're going to need.

[KWPN]

Very true, I'm okay with traveling to some campuses if one class or so isnt offered near me. I'm doing distance learning classes at my current campus, and its just 30 minutes from me. More for flexibility of my schedule.

[CptnRn]

I'm going to suggest an option that might not be immediately obvious. I have managed construction projects all over the city while my main office is in the CBD, so I have a pretty good feeling for what the commute is during different times of the day from different parts of town. If it were me in your position, I would look very closely at OakHill area of SW Austin. The commute from there into downtown Austin is almost always better (less traffic) then from NW Austin. I can usually get in or out of downtown to the CBD in 15 minutes when its not rush hour.

That part of Austin has very low crime rates. There are numerous relatively new apartment complexes along South Loop 1, which has excellent access into downtown. There is an express bus into DownTown from the free parking lot at William Cannon & Hwy 71. ACC has a campus in Oak Hill at 7748 Highway 290 W and a second one nearby at 1820 W Stassney Ln.

Mass transit from NW Austin might be better for going to UT when that time comes, as the express from OakHill would require that you transfer somewhere in the CBD to get to UT. And if they ever complete the commuter rail from NW that they have been talking about it could be a big plus.

[KWPN]

CptnRn, thank you for the info, but I really would rather do North and NorthWest Austin. I'm used to dealing with traffic in Houston, and the majority of my friends are up that way as well as the barn I'll be boarding my horse at.

[TexasHorseLady]

Oh! Where are you boarding your horse? (Useful information.)