Trying to decide which area is best for me (Austin: apartment complex, renting)

[bje333]

Hello all....again.

I'm not enjoying where I'm living right now in Stone Oak (Canyon Golf/Wilderness Oak). So I've started researching different areas of SA and would like to ask your opinion.

My office building is at the corner of San Pedro and Thousand Oaks...going North. I'm very tired of the traffic going to work and coming home....no matter which way I go.

Believe it or not to go home nowadays, I go south on 281, take Bitters all the way to Blanco, turn right, and then turn right onto Wilderness Oak.

I also want to be closer to downtown and museums, etc.

I'm thinking of NW area like Medical Center. I don't think I want to be closer to I-10/1604N loop than that.

Are apts/houses fairly new in this area?

How safe is this area?

Other than La Canterra and The Rim (which I know are further north), is it easy to get to shopping in the area especially for groceries?

Would using Wurzbach to go to/from work be a good idea? Would going East in the morning and West in the evening on this road be going against traffic?

Any and all help is much appreciated!

tks very much,
bje

[rynetwo]

Why don't you look form Bitters to Thousands Oaks off 281? ( 2 miles on either side of the freeway)


I live near Brook Hollow and Henderson Pass and it takes me 10-15 minutes to get to the Forum, Pearl, La Canter/Rim, Downtown, and the medical center.


I actually work in Westover Hills and you would have just as much traffic getting to work, from the medical center, as you are now via 1604, 410, or Wurzbach....

[ashbeeigh]

The MedicaI l Center is a nice area. You are near several different grocery stores and shopping areas. There are HEBS at Babcock and Huebner, De Zavala and 10, Wurzbach and 10 and Bandera and 410. Shopping is close with Huebner Oaks and Fiesta Trails nearby as well as some shopping near Bandera/410 if you are closer that way.

There are a few luxury apartments in the area and some newer homes, but for the most part the housing was built between the 70s and mid 90s. Do not take Wurzbach to work, unless you move closer to the start of Wurzbach Parkway. Wurzbach is heavy on lights from the Medical Center to the start of the Parkway near NW Military (which may also be a good area, say Castle Hills?). Both ways are full of traffic, there is no going against traffic. I took Wurzbach Parkway from O Connor to my apartment that was at Evers/Wurzbach and things went moothly until I hit the end of the parkway at NW Military. It took about 15 minutes to get to NW Military and nearly 40 to get to my apartment with the lights. I spent nearly the same amount of time in that traffic as I did driving from Austin to O Connor and 35. To get to work you'd want to take 10 to 410 to 281. 281 can get very backed up during rush hour (and even not during rush hour).

It's a nice area, but I would reccomend checking the traffic for yourself before even looking in the area.

[rynetwo]

Originally Posted by ashbeeigh

The MedicaI l Center is a nice area. You are near several different grocery stores and shopping areas. There are HEBS at Babcock and Huebner, De Zavala and 10, Wurzbach and 10 and Bandera and 410. Shopping is close with Huebner Oaks and Fiesta Trails nearby as well as some shopping near Bandera/410 if you are closer that way.

There are a few luxury apartments in the area and some newer homes, but for the most part the housing was built between the 70s and mid 90s. Do not take Wurzbach to work, unless you move closer to the start of Wurzbach Parkway. Wurzbach is heavy on lights from the Medical Center to the start of the Parkway near NW Military (which may also be a good area, say Castle Hills?). Both ways are full of traffic, there is no going against traffic. I took Wurzbach Parkway from O Connor to my apartment that was at Evers/Wurzbach and things went moothly until I hit the end of the parkway at NW Military. It took about 15 minutes to get to NW Military and nearly 40 to get to my apartment with the lights. I spent nearly the same amount of time in that traffic as I did driving from Austin to O Connor and 35. To get to work you'd want to take 10 to 410 to 281. 281 can get very backed up during rush hour (and even not during rush hour).

It's a nice area, but I would reccomend checking the traffic for yourself before even looking in the area.

The intent of Wurzbach parkway was not how you tried to use it. That is like taking Blanco from DT to 1604 instead of using 281. You will never beat a freeway with a surface over a long journey in SA. (We actually upgrade our freeways 5 years after the need and not twenty)

[ashbeeigh]

Originally Posted by rynetwo

The intent of Wurzbach parkway was not how you tried to use it. That is like taking Blanco from DT to 1604 instead of using 281. You will never beat a freeway with a surface over a long journey in SA. (We actually upgrade our freeways 5 years after the need and not twenty)

It was more to just see, for me. For OP it sonds like they would like to take it all the way to Thousand Oaks. My example was a way to show that it probably isn't a good idea to rely on it that way. But they may clarify later on.

[Hedgehog_Mom]

Originally Posted by rynetwo

Why don't you look form Bitters to Thousands Oaks off 281? ( 2 miles on either side of the freeway)


I live near Brook Hollow and Henderson Pass and it takes me 10-15 minutes to get to the Forum, Pearl, La Canter/Rim, Downtown, and the medical center.


I actually work in Westover Hills and you would have just as much traffic getting to work, from the medical center, as you are now via 1604, 410, or Wurzbach....

This is a good idea. Some of the apartments in that area are very run down and should be avoided, but the area itself is safe and convenient to everything. I lived over there for a long time and liked it.

[bje333]

Tks everyone for your info and ideas.

I'm bummed to hear that Wurzbach would not be a good idea. Was it not built for easy access across town? Not sure I understand why roads that seem to be a type of "highway" have traffic lights! I don't understand why 281 which is a "highway" has traffic lights either. Makes no sense to me whatsoever.

I agree that Bitters etc would be easy areas but I would prefer to be in a newer area with newer apts. The complex I'm in right now is quite old and I got spoiled when I was in Denver in a brand new building. But every apt here has an attached garage which is wonderful. In Denver we had underground parking garage.. Both it and this garage are no extra charge.

I also am concerned about flooding. I'm new to SA so do not yet know which areas flood quickly and often. I want to stay away from them.

I thought of renting a house but I think then I would be responsible for yard work and that's not for me.

Are there any nice newer areas/apts near 410 north loop? Maybe west of 281? Is that a safe area?

Tks again to everyone! I need to do a better job researching this time.

[ashbeeigh]

You will not find the newness you are looking for in the medical center. You may find it near la cantera and the westover hills area. I have also heard of newer apartments on 1604 near be military that might be a fit (but traffic would be equally as crappy). Fwiw, wurzbach parkway is great, wurzbach road is your problem. I would really steer you closer to the wurzbach parkway area closer to 281. Shopping is good and you would be close to work.

[smuboy86]

Not to confuse the issue even more but their is one new apartment complex along Harry wurzbach inside 410 and along Austin highway that you might be interested in. Lots of shopping in this area and convenient access to your work and downtown.

[bje333]

where is westover hills area? I don't think I've ever heard of it.

Is Austin Highway the same thing as I-35? I haven't had much luck whenever I've been on it...not sure I want to be close to it and have to use it.

Tks everyone for all the info. It's really helping, but actually giving me more to think about.