Young guy relocating to SA, need some ideas on neighborhoods (Austin: apartment complex, homes) - City-Data Forum

darkknight22 · 03-11-2011, 10:08 PM

Hello, first time poster.

Currently living in Tampa, FL, but I'd say I spend most of my time either here or in Orlando. Just accepted a position at Rackspace Hosting off Wurzbach and I10. When I flew out for the interview this week (spent less than 24 hrs on the ground) that was my first time in TX let alone SA. I've moved around a bit and like to consider myself well traveled, just never made it to Texas before. Loved what I saw and now need some advice on where I should be looking for housing.

I'm single, 25, and pretty social. I don't know anyone out here so I'd like to move to an area that I can find others. I know some people may cry Austin would be a better pick, well I'm not going to commute over an hr to get to work

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Price range is $800-$1100 looking for 1bdr/1 or 1.5ba. I'm open to town homes with garages or apartments. The idea of living downtown is cool to me but from what I've been reading it's hit or miss and I don't know what traffic is like at 8am?

Also a big fan of apartments that are different, like lots of brick in a converted building, idk, just things that are creative, you get the point.

Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated. Going to be out there in 3 weeks so it'll be pretty quick. Thanks!!!

Oh and PS, touristy doesn't bother me. Spent my college years in Orlando, so I can handle whatever SA can put out.

ashbeeigh · 03-11-2011, 10:20 PM

To get that vibe you're going to have to go for the Mahncke Park, Alta Vista, Woodlawn, Monte Vista type neighborhood. You'll be able to get that type of building with that vibe. The drive will be in the 20-25 minute range. You'll be coming from the downtown area and it shouldn't be too bad. Check CL with those names and you'll be fine. You'll find people with you're same taste in that area too. Lavaca, King William and Southtown could be another bet too, although they're hit and miss on CL, but check it out too. The commute could be a bit longer from there since they're south instead of north. Google map it if you like it.

Although, you might be able to find some town homes in the medical center area. I'm not 100% sure about the character. Check on the above mentioned neighborhoods first before you search for the town homes (although they would be in the 78229 zip code). And welcome to SA!

darkknight22 · 03-11-2011, 10:24 PM

Much appreciated. I'm a pretty laid back guy so I'm not terribly picky, but I figure if I'm going to do it once, might as well shoot for it right the first time. 20 minutes is fine by me as long as I'm not sitting in a parking lot on the freeway.

eastontracks · 03-11-2011, 10:28 PM

what type of nightlife are you into? i would probably recommend the medical center area which is close, or also the de zavala/vance jackson area off of I10. those areas are nice. de zavala might have a few more of the college student mix crowd to it.

darkknight22 · 03-11-2011, 10:50 PM

I like going out and meeting people, be it at bars, or wherever. College age is my age group. Not necessarily a requirement but definitely a perk to be close by.

BenjaminNicholas · 03-12-2011, 12:28 AM

If I were you, I'd stay clear of the medical center... How do you like constant traffic and one bland apartment complex after another? That's the med center in a nutshell.

Southtown/Downtown. It's artsy, funky, has some of the city's best eateries and live music venues and probably attracts the most diversity in who lives in the area. I'd recommend speaking with a downtown specialist who we've all recommended here repeatedly. I can't give names in this post, but PM me and I'll share her info.

BN

ashbeeigh · 03-12-2011, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastontracks

what type of nightlife are you into? i would probably recommend the medical center area which is close, or also the de zavala/vance jackson area off of I10. those areas are nice. de zavala might have a few more of the college student mix crowd to it.

That area is full of the age group, but it's a different type of crowd. The Medical center can be a bit seedy at times and it doesn't have the character the poster is looking for. The De Zavala/Vance Jackson area isn't as seedy but it's suburban heaven. Unless you're looking for a 1980s ranch you're not going to find the appropriate character. There is no doubt that once the poster settles in he will be making some trips to the area for night life, but if he's looking for artsy or the Austin type he's better with the previously mentioned areas.

LovingSAT · 03-12-2011, 08:43 AM

The blue star brewery area its a drive but worth it.
Or what about living downtown? Over the Majestic?

Hedgehog_Mom · 03-12-2011, 09:47 AM

The downsides to downtown are the noise, lack of grocery stores and gas stations, and the way that SAPD shuts down all the streets into downtown when they're trying to close down Fiesta or any other event for the night. My husband worked downtown overnight for a few years and used to have trouble getting into downtown for work when there was any kind of event...the cops would have all the streets barricaded and he'd have to get out and beg to be let in for work.

It's true that there are no apartments with character outside of the areas mentioned above. The Dezavala/Vance Jackson area would be convenient for getting to work, there are lots of restaurants nearby, and UTSA is nearby so there are lots of college girls in the area. It only takes a few minutes to drive into downtown on I-10. The downside would be getting a very ordinary apartment. Also, Vance Jackson has some flooding issues when it rains...not sure if they ever managed to fix that or not.

Chaka · 03-12-2011, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hedgehog_Mom

The downsides to downtown are the noise, lack of grocery stores and gas stations, and the way that SAPD shuts down all the streets into downtown when they're trying to close down Fiesta or any other event for the night. My husband worked downtown overnight for a few years and used to have trouble getting into downtown for work when there was any kind of event...the cops would have all the streets barricaded and he'd have to get out and beg to be let in for work.
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I live in Southtown and have NO trouble getting into/out of my neighborhood when there are events and streets are closed. If you live here, you know how to get around. The advantage to these nieghborhoods is there's not just one entrance/exit. I do watch for events so I know I need to avoid certain streets when necessary, but it's not a problem. I'm surprised a police officer wouldn't be aware of alternate routes.

OP: downtown/southtown/SoFlo would be the place for you. We have lots of Rackers in the 'hood, it's an easy commute (to either location). It's against traffic so no problem.