Neighborhood Advice, Please (Austin, West, Howe: apartments, condos, low crime)

[Venusian_Artist]

Hey all,

I just accepted a job offer from a company in Austin, that's located downtown, near the Paramount Theatre, and I have just a couple of weeks to coordinate a move.

I'm interested in finding a 3-bedroom house or apartment, in an area with a suburban feel (trees and parks,) that's within walking distance of shops and restaurants, is within a fifteen minute drive through traffic to downtown, low crime, and for $1,600 or less. I'm not interested in being beset on all sides by college students, as I like the quiet life.

The Barton Hills area looks good, but it might be tough to keep it under $1,600 for a three-bedroom. I'm also not sure how congested that part of the MoPac gets going North into town in the morning. Some parts of South Lamar seem nice, but others, when I visited a few weeks ago, not so much. The advantage there, though, is avoiding the MoPac altogether and crossing Lady Bird Lake on Lamar Blvd.

I also like the Arboretum area, but I think that the commute during rush hour might be prohibitive. If you could give me an indication of how long it takes to drive the MoPac South from the 183 down to 6th, at 7:30AM, that would help.

Also, if anyone can think of some additional areas for me to check out when I'm down there again next week, I would appreciate it. As I said, I was there a couple of weeks ago, and got to check out a couple of areas; I'm pretty sure I'd like to stay West of 35 and South of 183. Thanks.

[atxcio]

Check out Northwest Hills (Highland Hills, Westover Hills, etc). Hills, trees and parks are plentiful. There are some mostly-student apartments near Far West Blvd, but other parts not so much. Suburban feel and plenty of stores/restaurants along either Far West Blvd or Mesa Drive.

Also Rosedale or the Triangle area sound good, but I think the $1600 for a 3 bedroom will be a stretch.

In all of the above areas, $1600 for a house would be impossible, but apartments, condos, and duplexes are possible in that price range. However you might also try Allandale or Crestview -- slight, slight possibility you might find a 3br smaller, older non-updated house.

[CptnRn]

You can find houses in far South and SW Austin in that price range but its more like a 30-45 minute commute during rush hour.

[1mintjulep]

Originally Posted by Venusian_Artist

I also like the Arboretum area, but I think that the commute during rush hour might be prohibitive. If you could give me an indication of how long it takes to drive the MoPac South from the 183 down to 6th, at 7:30AM, that would help.

At least 30 minutes, and probably closer to 45.

Honestly, what you're looking for pretty much doesn't exist. Suburban, 3-bedroom, $1600, 15-mins. from downtown in traffic - you're gonna have to give up something. What's most important to you?

[Venusian_Artist]

Originally Posted by 1mintjulep

At least 30 minutes, and probably closer to 45.

Honestly, what you're looking for pretty much doesn't exist. Suburban, 3-bedroom, $1600, 15-mins. from downtown in traffic - you're gonna have to give up something. What's most important to you?

I figured as much. I could extend the commute a bit.

[centralaustinite]

There are two bedroom places (houses and duplexes) in Travis Heights (8 minutes to the Paramount, no highways, right down Congress), close to Big and Little Stacy Park for $1200-1600.

Commuting on MoPac is a nightmare! I wouldn't do it.

Also from Barton Hills, the best commute into downtown would not involve getting on MoPac. Your quality of life will be better, even in smaller quarters, if you are closer to your work.

[Venusian_Artist]

Originally Posted by atxcio

Check out Northwest Hills (Highland Hills, Westover Hills, etc). Hills, trees and parks are plentiful. There are some mostly-student apartments near Far West Blvd, but other parts not so much. Suburban feel and plenty of stores/restaurants along either Far West Blvd or Mesa Drive.

From those neighborhoods, is it faster to take city streets downtown, or is the Mopac the only game in town, so to speak?

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by Venusian_Artist

From those neighborhoods, is it faster to take city streets downtown, or is the Mopac the only game in town, so to speak?

Those neighborhoods are close-in enough to where Mopac can be avoided and you can use arterial streets instead. But outside of 4:30-7pm and about 7:30am-9am, Mopac is by far the fastest way.

[llkltk]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

You can find houses in far South and SW Austin in that price range but its more like a 30-45 minute commute during rush hour.

Nope, it's more like 25 minutes to SW Austin.

[Venusian_Artist]

Originally Posted by llkltk

Nope, it's more like 25 minutes to SW Austin.

What neighborhoods would you recommend on the SW side that are 25 minutes to downtown, and by what route would you commute?