Trying to decide between Austin or Houston (Katy, West: apartment complexes, rentals)

[Suzie85]

Right now I'm living in the New Orleans suburbs and I'm in need of a change. And while I LOVE New Orleans (love the history, the buildings, the parks, the festivals, etc), the cajun cuisine and jazz culture is starting to get old. NOLA is very insular, very few bands and limited-release movies come here and the city is just now starting to get its act together when it comes to national theater.

I grew up in Katy and really miss living in Texas. My original plan was a move to Austin. Growing up, I heard lots about Austin's unique personality, how it was the San Francisco of the South. As a 25 year-old liberal, geeky, tattooed Democrat...the city appeals to me. On the other hand, I'm not a hipster. I dress conservatively and I'm a big fan of good ole fashioned manners. I'll be visit next month to get a feel of the vibe.

On the Austin boards, someone did recommend that I check out Houston, specifically the Montrose area. I have family in Waller, so depending on the traffic, Houston may or may not be closer. I'll be transferring with my current job at Barnes and Noble, so a job is no problem. However, money is an isue. I work a job that I love, but I have to make alot of sacrifices financially.

-How do the cities compare when it comes to cost of living?
-If I'm looking for rent under $600, what areas closest to downtown should I consider? Won't need a big space, a studio would even be fine. (And I can't room with a stranger because I have a small parrot.)
-I heard the Galleria is a walkable neighborhood which is very appealing to me. What's the vibe there?
-What are the differences between Montrose, Medical, and Galleria when it comes to things like restaurants, bars, parks, walkability, and general style?
-Any advice on apartment hunting? I usually live in homes converted into multi-family rentals, so dealing with apartment complexes has me unnerved especially since most craigslist ads won't give an address, only a phone number for an apartment locator service.

I'm sort of prejudiced against Houston in general, but I've heard that its changed in the eight years I've been gone. While Austin's reputation appeals to me, I do like that Houston has more to offer when it comes to things like museums, theater, ballet, etc....the big city stuff you can't find in college towns.

[DJboutit]

Austin Housing is about 25% to 35% more you can get a nice 2000sqft to 2500sqft home in Houston for $200k to $350k maybe even a remodeled one Willowbend Westbury Maplewood on the south west side close to the loop. In Austin I do not think you can find a good deal like this this close in to town

[chris_ut]

Originally Posted by DJboutit

Austin Housing is about 25% to 35% more you can get a nice 2000sqft to 2500sqft home in Houston for $200k to $350k maybe even a remodeled one Willowbend Westbury Maplewood on the south west side close to the loop. In Austin I do not think you can find a good deal like this this close in to town

OP said she was looking for an apartment with a budget of $600 not a 300k house.

I think you would like it better in Austin.

[TurtleCreek80]

Both (Austin and city center Houston) are great. Your lifestyle will probably dictate which one is a better fit. Austin is a compact city, highly educated, very tight job market (in case you want to change inthe future). It's also very outdoorsey and super casual. There aren't too many places where shorts & flip flops aren't appropriate. If you like hiking, running, water sports, and just being outdoors in general, Austin is a better fit.

Houston's strength comes in the arts- fabulous museums, theatre, opera, etc. It also offers many pro sports teams, a gazillion restaurants, many ethnic neighborhoods (Chinatown, Koreatown, little Africa, etc). It is a major "national" city in every sense of the word.

My hunch would be that you could find a $600 apartment in Montrose easier than in central Austin. I may be wrong, but the people I know who live in downtown Austin or SoCo pay significantly more than that.

[DJboutit]

$600 will get you a decent garage apt her in Houston in the the Heights & Montrose area

[NTT]

You can look up at HAR.com for a suitable Houston apartment with your price range.

If you can, stay north of downtown Houston. Hurricane season is approaching.

[statisticsnerd]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

little Africa,

Are you talking about the Third Ward?? lol

[modster]

Austin is nice, the hill country is certainly beautiful, but rentals will cost you more there. I am not that big a fan of it personally. I tend to think it is over rated with too many of the shortcomings of a small town and too many problems of the big city and few of the positives of either.

It shouldn't be a problem avoiding the big complexes. $600 a month will be challenging, but do-able. Unfortunately there is not an efficient method for finding the more off-beat little places like garage apartments, etc. It often takes driving around and calling off signs, in fact with most it will take that. You can try craigslist, backpage.com, google the Rice off campus site, and I would pick up an inner loop Greensheet (they have different zones).

Montrose & Heights would probably be your first choice areas. I would expand the search to include some in the Binz area (South of 59, east of Main, north of Hermann Park) and I would also include some in 77023, Eastwood, Broadmoor, Lawndale, Eastlawn, Dissen Heights, those areas over there. Fewer amenities but cheaper and still right by downtown.

So does the Parrot make a lot of noise?

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by statisticsnerd

Are you talking about the Third Ward?? lol

I only lived in Houston one summer in college- more than a few years ago- so I didn't know/remember the neighborhood. Houston still has a ton of African immigrants, right? Mostly Nigerian? I always had the nicest cab drivers who were Nigerian and had been doctors and professionals in their homeland. It always stuck with me how much people around the world dream of living in the "land of the free" to sacrifice a prestigious life in another country to immigrate here.

[Suzie85]

Originally Posted by modster

Montrose & Heights would probably be your first choice areas. I would expand the search to include some in the Binz area (South of 59, east of Main, north of Hermann Park) and I would also include some in 77023, Eastwood, Broadmoor, Lawndale, Eastlawn, Dissen Heights, those areas over there. Fewer amenities but cheaper and still right by downtown.

So does the Parrot make a lot of noise?

Thanks for the neighborhood and websites suggestions. Atleast between my family in Waller and their friends in the city, I've got a great resource in them for trying to find a place from here in Louisiana.

The parrot is a quaker parrot. She's quiet unless she's scared or wants attention. She's kinda loud for her small size (only slightly bigger than a cockatiel.) I've never had a neighbor complain about her, but its hard finding people who aren't afraid of birds (which is silly cause she's in a cage and can't even fly) or who won't get pissed if she has a mini-fit while I'm at work.

Currently, I'll be moving at the end of July/early August? Will I run into alot of problem competing with university students? I'm debating asking for an extension on my current lease and maybe moving later in the fall or early winter.