Recommendations on where To Live (Austin, Post: apartment complexes, to rent, appliances)

[juiceg]

I'm moving to Austin and am extremely new to the area. I'm looking for an apartment to rent while I learn the area. I will be working about 8 miles west of downtown austin and would like easy access to Mopac to keep my commute relatively simple.

Things I'm looking for:
-Quick/Easy access to downtown via bike or bus
-Quick access to some parks and running trails
-Rent somewhere in the $800-$1400 per month range
-An easy place to park
-I'm in my late 20's so I'd like to be near young people and not surrounded entirely by families, but at the same time I don't really want to be in too young of an area where there's constant partying going on.

I've been looking at some downtown Apartment complexes but the reviews seem to indicate they are either really expensive or have lots of other issues.

I'm starting to look more around South Congress. Am I overlooking some areas? Any specific suggestions? All help is greatly appreciated.

[thesonofgray]

8 miles WEST of downtown? So you'll be working somewhere off of 360?

The commute to the 360 bridge area from downtown is going to suck, and it isn't exactly simple.

[juiceg]

Originally Posted by thesonofgray

8 miles WEST of downtown? So you'll be working somewhere off of 360?

The commute to the 360 bridge area from downtown is going to suck, and it isn't exactly simple.

I'm actually more South then west as I look on the map. Mopac and William Cannon if that makes a difference.

[atxcio]

You are going to work south of the river, so stay south. SoCo is a good area, Barton Hills and Zilker neighborhoods sound especially like what you are looking for. Lots of options in your price range. You can get downtown walking, biking, or with a bus. Hiking and biking trails, access to THE BEST parks, lake access nearby for rowing/paddling, etc. Commute to work will be a short commute, some of it "reverse commuting" opposite of traffic.

Only thing the area may not have is easy parking, you might want to make sure wherever you rent has decent parking options.

[juiceg]

Originally Posted by atxcio

You are going to work south of the river, so stay south. SoCo is a good area, Barton Hills and Zilker neighborhoods sound especially like what you are looking for. Lots of options in your price range. You can get downtown walking, biking, or with a bus. Hiking and biking trails, access to THE BEST parks, lake access nearby for rowing/paddling, etc. Commute to work will be a short commute, some of it "reverse commuting" opposite of traffic.

Only thing the area may not have is easy parking, you might want to make sure wherever you rent has decent parking options.

Any particular apartment complexes to seek or avoid? I've been reading alot of reviews but the reviews all seem quite negative. I'm really interested in Bouldin Creek neighborhood.

[atxcio]

Yeah, Bouldin Creek would be a good neighborhood and I should have listed it as well. Sorry, I don't know about any particular apartment complexes -- it's been a long while since I lived in one.

I do know they seem to be divided into 2 types:

1) Pre-"SoCo" built, when the area wasn't a hip mecca but just working class. These were 60s - 80s construction, very plain, low grade appliances and counters, etc, perhaps needing some updating. But the location is good. Mostly these are very reasonably priced and a good way to experience both the great location and the low cost of living you can get in Austin.

2) Post-"SoCo" built: these go from moderately expensive on up. 2000s + construction, more recent styles, higher end finishes, *some* I imagine are constructed better than the stuff that was slapped together in the 80s. Probably more energy efficient, so you'll save some money on utilities.