are we crazy? (rental house in central austin) (Brady, Burnet: for sale, leasing)

[umaboshi]

We are a family that wants to (really wants to) relocate to Austin and we want to know if we are crazy. We are looking for a ~1700 sqft, 4 bedroom (or 3 bedroom + office) single family house in a nice *somewhat* walkable neighborhood in close central Austin. You know, somewhere we can get a cup of coffee, maybe some donuts and a gallon of milk. The neighborhoods that should fit (but we admit that we don't know Austin too well) are Rosedale, Hyde Park, North Loop, Hancock, Upper Boggy Creek and possibly Central East Austin. We have to be north of the river because of commute, so Bouldin, Travis Heights etc don't seem like they will work (unfortunately). Oh, and we need all this without going too far north of $2000/month. So, I repeat, are we crazy? We've been looking on craigslist, trulia etc and haven't found anything that fits the bill.

The plan is to move in August, but we need to know now if this is feasible or not...

Some more info. We looked into some other neighborhoods (like Allandale, Brentwood and Crestview) and they didn't seem to fit the *somewhat* walkable bill. (Lamar and Burnett don't seem to be the great walking streets.)

[centralaustinite]

There just isn't much housing stock in the central areas that have four bedrooms. Many 900 sq foot 2/1, you could find some 3/2 but certainly anything with four bedrooms will go for much more (students who pay rent per bedrooms).

Your best bet is probably Hyde Park -- something that students would normally rent. A lot of the best homes for rent in central Austin never go on the open market much less CL. Signs on the property, word of mouth, and local email lists.

I'd try working with a realtor, what you want exists in very small numbers and you won't have much luck finding it on your own.

[Raskolnikov]

Also, you could look off 2222 - and turn right on Balcones. The streets just south of 2222 have some cool houses that are a bit larger, and in walking distance to a small coffee shop. As you go further south on Balcones the homes get super expensive.

[umaboshi]

centralaustinite, thanks for your quick reply!

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

There just isn't much housing stock in the central areas that have four bedrooms. Many 900 sq foot 2/1, you could find some 3/2 but certainly anything with four bedrooms will go for much more (students who pay rent per bedrooms).

Yes, we have been looking and seeing a lot of smaller homes. We are in a pretty big house right now and are willing to downsize, but we really would have a hard time of losing one bedroom each for the kids and an extra office / art room for us.

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

Your best bet is probably Hyde Park -- something that students would normally rent.

We have been looking at houses geared for students. There is a lot of 5 bedrooms for $3000 ("that's only $600 per room!") ads, especially in the Hyde Park area. One thing I was wondering is if there is a bunch of housing churn in the summer months because of UT. (???) Again, we would be coming in August, what we need to know now is, will we be able to find something or not.

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

A lot of the best homes for rent in central Austin never go on the open market much less CL. Signs on the property, word of mouth, and local email lists.

Unfortunately we are out of town so, the signs on property is a bit difficult (again, since we are just trying to judge the feasibility - we will do more extensive visiting when the time comes). Word of mouth, well that's what this posting is for. And can you clarify what local email lists might mean. Any pointers there would be wonderful!

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

I'd try working with a realtor, what you want exists in very small numbers and you won't have much luck finding it on your own.

I am guessing from your above paragraph you would mean the best approach would be to use a realtor, but compliment that with my own search (since a lot never go on the open market (or CL)).

[umaboshi]

Originally Posted by Raskolnikov

Also, you could look off 2222 - and turn right on Balcones. The streets just south of 2222 have some cool houses that are a bit larger, and in walking distance to a small coffee shop. As you go further south on Balcones the homes get super expensive.

Raskolnikov, we'll keep that area in mind. Thanks.

Keep 'em coming!

[Exiled Texan]

I agree with Central. A bedroom for each kid is a luxury of this generation. Bunk them up Brady Bunch style.

[Exiled Texan]

Originally Posted by umaboshi

There is a lot of 5 bedrooms for $3000 ("that's only $600 per room!") ads, especially in the Hyde Park area.

Those are homes broken up and remodeled for students. We call them quasi dorms. VERY small common areas.

[AustinTraveler]

I think you're wrong to exclude Allandale. That's the one area where you can actually find a four bedroom house. And Burnet is perfectly walkable.

[centralaustinite]

Many neighborhood associations in Austin (not HOAs, completely different creatures) have email lists, central neighborhoods tend to be particularly active, and that is where a lot people let neighbors know that homes are available for rent. A real top-notch realtor will have good neighborhood contacts and at least some access to these type of private listings, a realtor will also know what houses are for sale where the owners might also be interested in leasing.

Definitely re-consider Allandale and also some areas of NW Hills like the houses on Graystone are walkable to schools, retail and library etc on Far West. The homes there will also be bigger. I live south of the river, so I can't help you directly but a solid realtor with years of experience in the areas that you are interested in can!

[mark311]

Originally Posted by AustinTraveler

I think you're wrong to exclude Allandale. That's the one area where you can actually find a four bedroom house. And Burnet is perfectly walkable.

Agreed, of course Rosedale would be the preference for me due to the proximity to Central Market (unfortunately out of your price range for the size house you want), but I'm wondering how North Loop would make the list and Allandale wouldn't.