General info. (Austin, Anderson Mill, West: apartment complexes, health insurance, how much)

[divyakumar]

Hi
I am currently an international student at Oregon state university and am going to join a company in Austin,TX staring April. It is located at Via Fortuna.

I have come questions listed below. ( these are not all and i will put more as and when they arise in my mind!! )

1. Depending on my company's location, where should i prefer to stay?
2. where are most of the working Indian populations stay in austin?
3. I am a single student and i plan to spend the least in housing ( OK with sharing apt. with some one ,just need a room of my own!!) so what could be my expense in housing?
4. I have 401(k) plan and health insurance form my employer so what could be my federal income tax?
5. I am 24yo, so do i need to have 401(k) plan. I mean is it good to sign for that considering my age? What could be the advantage and disadvantage of signing it. I feel if i dont sign, i can get more money in hand.!
6.I want to buy a car there ( after i reach there) and i dont have a any driving record. So , would you suggest me to buy a new car or should i buy a second hand and then look for new later ?
7.In either case,for how much can i get a car and how much will be in insurance for car?
8.Where can i get best deals on cars?
9. How much would i be needing to live a comfortable life at austin?
10.Any other general advise that you can offer me.

thanks a lot and looking for a response.

-divyakumar (dk)

[Trainwreck20]

1. Depending on my company's location, where should i prefer to stay?

Assuming they are on Via Fortuna, there are a variety of options. This is right off the corner of MoPac/360, so lots of access. Anyway, there is some apt complex right next to there, but I am not sure of the name. You could walk to work to any of the buildings on that road easily. Not the cheapest apt., but would be very convenient. If you want to live further away for a little less money, look south down MoPac, around the DAvis Ln Exit, and there are several complexes there, too. Again, I pay no attn to the name . You would need a car, but the drive is very short (5 or 6 miles).

2. where are most of the working Indian populations stay in austin?

Not really a central area that I know of, but most of the Indian residents seem to be in the hi-tech areas. For that area of Austin, that would be the SW area of Austin in Circle C, Villages of Western Oak, or the areas off of William Cannon.

3. I am a single student and i plan to spend the least in housing ( OK with sharing apt. with some one ,just need a room of my own!!) so what could be my expense in housing?

Have not rented in forever, but I know people at some apts off of David and MoPac and can ask them.

4. I have 401(k) plan and health insurance form my employer so what could be my federal income tax?

Most young single people end up paying in the low 20s, percentage wise. Putting a lot into 401k would reduce that, of course. Depends on how much they are paying you, of course.

5. I am 24yo, so do i need to have 401(k) plan. I mean is it good to sign for that considering my age? What could be the advantage and disadvantage of signing it. I feel if i dont sign, i can get more money in hand.!

Definitely sign up, but decide how much to put in. Most companies match contributions at least a little (Free money) and it is pre-tax.

6.I want to buy a car there ( after i reach there) and i dont have a any driving record. So , would you suggest me to buy a new car or should i buy a second hand and then look for new later ?

Used cars are almost always the way to go if you are looking strictly from an economical standpoint.

7.In either case,for how much can i get a car and how much will be in insurance for car?

Lot of variables, but a nice used car can usually be gotten for 6k or so. Insurance will vary wildly based on all sorts of things. For <25 year old male, it will be steep, probably, and based on your coverage.

8.Where can i get best deals on cars?

Depends on you level of comfort, from Craigs list to CarMAx and everything in between. I personally would avoid dealers, but that is just me.

9. How much would i be needing to live a comfortable life at austin?

Depends on comfort level, but a single person can easily make it on 40k (without a lot of frills but still saving).

10.Any other general advise that you can offer me.

Probably, but it is late.....good night

[hound 109]

Agree with Trainwreck to definitely participate in the company 401K up to the company match %.

I would add that all areas feeding into Westwood HS have a significant Indian population. So basically the area up 183 between Loop 360 & Anderson Mill Rd. Dozens to hundreds of nice apartment complexes & for the most part a nice area.

My kid's school has about 20% Indian population. (33% is total Asian population, but most are Indian).

[chickenfry]

you need to get connected with other's in the indian community here in austin. can you ask people in the company to help connect you with others there? If i were moving to india and had all the questions you have, i would want someone with my own life experiences to help me.