neighborhood advice for single woman, 27 moving from Seattle (Austin, Round Rock: sublet, apartments) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

dancer511 · 07-21-2010, 05:27 PM

I'm relocating from and know very little about Austin. I've lived in Greenlake and Queen Anne in Seattle and hope to find a neighborhood similar to those. I'd like to avoid a place that has too many families as I'm single. I also don't drink a lot- though I do like to go out occasionally. Walking distance to lakes, cafes, bookstores, etc would be ideal. Any input would be helpful. Thank you.

cmaxmor · 07-21-2010, 05:45 PM

It really depends on your job. I will say, however, that the East Side is where I'd move, it I were in the same position. Do you have friends to stay with when you get here? If not, then you might try renting short term near your job, then when you get a feel for everything you can find a more permanent place.

Melissa78703 · 07-21-2010, 06:57 PM

I would echo the advice of cmaxmor above. Although Austin has a vibrant downtown area, it is very different than Seattle insofar that it's a) much larger; and b) very spread out, with lots of green spaces. To give you some idea, the metroplex spans at least five counties. Ultimately, you will probably want to live close to your job so you don't get stuck with an hour + commute each way plus toll charges. If you don't have a job lined up, sublet for a couple of months while you scope things out.

My advice would be someplace off Barton Springs Rd. off Robert E. Lee, SoCo or the Warehouse District, all of which are within easy walking distance of the lake, hike/bike paths, natural springs, kayaking, canoeing, whatever suits your fancy. Also, it's within easy walking distance of a lot of very good shopping. Otherwise, young, single zips are: 78701, 78703, 78704 and 78705. Too close to the universities, though, and you might get too many flashbacks to your undergrad days, if you know what I mean. So choose carefully, if you're thinking about living centrally. I live in Clarksville, and I have almost all of my life. I love it here, because it's close to both downtown and waterfront, but it still has a neighborhood feeling to it. It's a nice blend of single professionals older than college age, DINKS and a smattering of traditional families. I've also lived in the Warehouse District and very briefly in Hyde Park and SoCo.

Be warned: living anywhere remotely near central Austin will be much more expensive than Seattle. That's why a lot of people live in adjacent towns like Round Rock, Oak Hill, Cedar Park, Lakeway, etc. Those are some of our bigger family "cookie cutter" planned communities. Lots of strip malls, Big Box stores and chains. Generic suburbia. But you do get a lot more bang for your buck, rent-wise.

Good luck and welcome--I think you'll love it here. I lived in the PNW for a while and can't ever imagine going back again. I need my sunshine, blue water and green!

texastrigirl · 07-21-2010, 10:33 PM

I moved from Austin to Seattle a few years ago and I don't agree with Melissa78703 who said that living remotely near Central Austin will be much more expensive than Seattle. I reviewed Craigslist just to be sure and they seem on par $$ wise. (I was doing my search relative to Queen Anne and Greenlake, which are fantastic Seattle addresses) and it's about the same though salaries are a bit less in Austin IMO. I do agree with Melissa78703 on her recommendations and I personally would point you towards Hyde Park as a first choice though it's not walking distance to a large. SoCo and the Zilker area would be better for that and also meet your other criteria. I also like the area around Central Market at 38th and Lamar which may be the Clarksville area she suggests. I am never sure where the neighborhoods start or stop in that part of Austin. Good luck with your move!

cmaxmor · 07-21-2010, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texastrigirl

I moved from Austin to Seattle a few years ago and I don't agree with Melissa78703 who said that living remotely near Central Austin will be much more expensive than Seattle. I reviewed Craigslist just to be sure and they seem on par $$ wise. (I was doing my search relative to Queen Anne and Greenlake, which are fantastic Seattle addresses) and it's about the same though salaries are a bit less in Austin IMO. I do agree with Melissa78703 on her recommendations and I personally would point you towards Hyde Park as a first choice though it's not walking distance to a large. SoCo and the Zilker area would be better for that and also meet your other criteria. I also like the area around Central Market at 38th and Lamar which may be the Clarksville area she suggests. I am never sure where the neighborhoods start or stop in that part of Austin. Good luck with your move!

I would absolutely agree with this. But again, I encourage you to take a short term lease or a house share with someone before you decide on a place to live.

lemonlime22 · 07-22-2010, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmaxmor

It really depends on your job. I will say, however, that the East Side is where I'd move, it I were in the same position. Do you have friends to stay with when you get here? If not, then you might try renting short term near your job, then when you get a feel for everything you can find a more permanent place.

I don't think the "East Side" is where I'd advise a single young woman to live. Besides, there isn't much in walking distance there other than a couple restaurants.

I agree with Melissa's suggestion for neighborhoods, and second who ever said Hyde Park, which is where I lived when I was single. Not near the lake--but near so much else.

cmaxmor · 07-22-2010, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemonlime22

I don't think the "East Side" is where I'd advise a single young woman to live. Besides, there isn't much in walking distance there other than a couple restaurants.

I agree with Melissa's suggestion for neighborhoods, and second who ever said Hyde Park, which is where I lived when I was single. Not near the lake--but near so much else.

Actually, the whole area around 11th street is being rehabbed. There are coffee shops, restaurants, new apartments and bars all along there now. Lots of cool stuff to do. I lived there a while back, while I was still single, and it has completely changed since then. I'd gladly live there again. Not that I would want to be single again.