Possibly moving to Austin for a new job.

[CptnRn]

I did not say everything East of I-35 has a lot of problems. But that certainly is true of the area south of the river until you get all the way down to Slaughter Lane.

Where are all these "very nice areas" in East Austin, South of the river? Please name a few.

Funny all of the areas TexasHorseLady named are on the West side of South Austin. Isn't that interesting?

[JMABirdUNC]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

I did not say everything East of I-35 has a lot of problems. But that certainly is true of the area south of the river until you get all the way down to Slaughter Lane.

Where are all these "very nice areas" in East Austin, South of the river? Please name a few.

Funny all of the areas TexasHorseLady named are on the West side of South Austin. Isn't that interesting?

In your opinion, what are your recommendations for apartments west of I-35 in Austin that don't have traffic problems?

[love roses]

Personally, if I lived in East Austin, I'd look right near the Lake or some of the places immediately near 35. But, West of 35 is where I'd look for apartments. East is fine for renting a house or getting one of those condos.

[kittymama]

I wouldn't count out east of I-35 either. I live southwest of I-35. I went to the IRS office yesterday for fingerprinting b/c I might "possibly" get a job there as well. It's 2 miles from my house. I would LOVE to be able to walk to that job. Just walk the sidewalk along Stassney...and then there's no sidewalk on the access road. So if I get the job and choose to walk (which I would hate to have to buy a car for a commute that is 2 freaking miles!), I will have to walk a lot longer to walk BEHIND the building on Frederich and Teri Rd. Now, I like where I live and I'm not moving over that (b/c I've applied to other jobs too). BUT...living in that neighborhood just east would be almost as convenient as the one I live in AND you could walk easily to that job. One thing that I think Austin could use work on is sidewalk access. There are LOTS of places that are not that far away in distance and the climate is desirable. Why should anyone be FORCED to drive or wait a long time for the bus?

[TexasHorseLady]

When I lived in Austin in a couple of areas where I could walk to a lot of places, there were no sidewalks, either. Guess what? I walked anyway! No problem, and that was with a small child.

Sidewalks make it easier for someone in a wheel chair or such, but we were actually designed for walking on the earth. So if you like an area that has no sidewalks but things are still nearby, don't let that stop you!

[kittymama]

I'm fine with no sidewalks in some places. But along the access road to I-35 is dangerous if there is not sufficient space off the road to walk. For instance, there aren't sidewalks along South Congress either. A lot of that is fine because there is plenty of grass and parking lots. But there are places where you get to a bridge and it is hard to go because there is lots of traffic.

[JMABirdUNC]

Originally Posted by kittymama

I wouldn't count out east of I-35 either. I live southwest of I-35. I went to the IRS office yesterday for fingerprinting b/c I might "possibly" get a job there as well.

Tax Examiner position? I had my fingerprint session on the 14th... I was talking to two girls who were returning after being furloughed, and they told me that if you made it to the fingerprint session and you had a clean background check, then you basically have the job; take that for what you will. They also said that if the demand for tax examiners is larger than expected before the start date of February 2010, then they will call you earlier.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

Funny all of the areas TexasHorseLady named are on the West side of South Austin. Isn't that interesting?

Not all that funny. Two different points, really.

First, I informed the OP that some folks have a bias against anything east of I35 and that any blanket "don't look east of I35" should be taken with a grain of salt because it IS blanket and not entirely accurate and he should do his own homework on that one. Which is true.

Then, looking at his specific requirements, and ease of access to both work and clubs and throwing in price range, I recommended a specific area and a couple of apartment communities that would fit those specific criteria with a straight shoot to both.

See? Not 'funny' at all - quite reasonable, in fact.

[JMABirdUNC]

I also forgot to ask... what is the average cost of living in regards to location in and around Austin?