What part of city to live in? (Austin, Clarksville: apartments, rent)

[msc]

Hi,

I'm planning on relocating to Austin and need some advice.

I'm 51, single, female, would like to live somewhere accessible by bike or walking to shops, library, coffeehouse, grocery, bike trails, etc. I'm not looking for anything fancy or expensive, but someplace where I can get to know my neighbors also.

I'm not sure where I'll be working, but would like to be not far from access to main roads.

I've also thought about the coops in Austin. Any thoughts on them?

I appreciate any help you can give me!

Thanks!

[sanmiguel]

Hyde Park

[CptnRn]

I don't disagree that Hyde Park has a lot of the things you said you would like. But it is just north of the university area and CBD, which could be a plus for finding coops that you might like.

http://www.city-data.com/neighborhoo...Austin-TX.html

However it is relatively expensive for what you get and take a look at the age distribution.



I'm significantly further to the right on that graph then you are, and I admit I could be comfortable living in that area if I didn't care about being closer to people my own age. That could even be a positive factor in one's longevity. The area has a lot of advantages including lots of jobs in the health industries with all of the hospital and medical offices in the area.

For the lifestyle you seek, it would probably be a good idea to figure out where you will be working first, then find housing that can minimize your commute and provide you as much of the other amenities that you are looking for. I'm not going to mislead you and pretend like there are a lot of walkable neighborhoods in Austin. It is a lot easier to get around if you have a car, but a bicycle can extend your range significantly.

Best wishes... R

[TexasHorseLady]

Depending on your price range, you might also look in the general Barton Hills area.

[G Grasshopper]

This website might be helpful in determining walkability, although the things you want to walk to may be different from what the website considers. Austin is not all that walkable a town, I think, although I'm sure there are places that may meet your criteria. You would have to research that pretty carefully.

www.walkscore.com

[Danbo1957]

Look at South Austin: between the Lake, S. Congress Avenue, S. Lamar, and Oltorf; also Clarksville.

[ROnelson]

Rolling Wood would be a good short bike trip downtown. Tell us your price range and i am sure you will get better information..

[msc]

Thanks for the info. I'm looking at rent up to $600, if possible.

[brubaker]

The only thing I found when faced with a similar set of parameters...was this place.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rl...37801217605052

And I have to admit I was spoiled from living in a house and didn't end up moving, even after the 100 app fee.

But...it's close to the library (right next door!) and Gold's Gym and a Bus Stop that will take you right downtown (where you can bike all day long) on 1 bus (unlike where I'm at now where it takes 1 1/2 hours to get downtown by bus! and there's no sidewalk leading anywhere but around in circles of my own personal suburban hell! ) It's a few seconds away from iH-35...etc etc
BUT it's pretty seedy by my tastes and the only stores and coffeeshops nearby are going to be Big Lots! ® and such.

Under $600 *and* centrally located might be a problem.
Maybe some of the realtors and Apartment Locators that visit this site can help ya more.

Hope that was of some use,
b

[AustinTraveler]

Try the Kensington Apartments in Allandale. There are other complexes in the Allandale area but I don't remember the names. Allandale is about 10 minutes north of downtown and you could walk/bike to shopping, etc. and be right on the bus line. I think you'll have to budget more than $600 a month for an apartment though. That's really very low for Austin.