studios above retail spaces (Austin, Georgetown: for sale, real estate, apartment)

[gotcottonmouth]

I know this sounds somewhat picky but let me explain. I'm having alot of trouble finding a place in Austin which seems suitable. I've looked at all the lofts online but they're all rather modern and built for the purpose. This isnt what I am in search of.

I dont care for many of the modern appliances or amenities. Ive always washed my dishes by hand and I can do laundry else where. I simply want a small loft with a kitchen, bath, and bed/living room. I would imagine that some of the small businesses have a second story that they regularly rent out. I can imagine that there are plenty of these but they probably dont advertise them online or through any realtors.
It doesnt need to be fancy, "hip," or in any specific location, or any specific condition. I just need a place to lay my head. Of course the first response is going to be "whats your price range" ... im broke but good with money.

So this leads me calling on you locals. Have you see anything that might fit the bill? please?!

[kiacook]

There aren't plenty of them. Austin never had a big industrial downtown core or multiple smaller town main streets that could feature converted warehouses or storefronts. I don't believe there are that many buildings that offer this in Austin.

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by kiacook

There aren't plenty of them. Austin never had a big industrial downtown core or multiple smaller town main streets that could feature converted warehouses or storefronts. I don't believe there are that many buildings that offer this in Austin.

Agreed. Needle in a haystack. Some of the newer live/work condos in East Austin are the closest I can think of, but those are not cheap. Otherwise you'd be looking at something in an older downtown building or chopped up old house in the Downtown/UT area. What few of those there were have slowly disappeared over the years, or become expensive as the downtown residential trend has emerged as more desirable.

If you're looking for cheap, quirky, non-standard digs in the central core, your best bet is Craigslist (real estate sewer that it is) or word of mouth roommate openings. You're best find would be what we call a "garage apartment" around here, usually in back of a house or above a garage.

Steve

[love roses]

There's one place in Hutto's downtown that someone converted into living space with a business space in front. I toured it because it's for sale, but it's actually quite large (probably bigger than my house or so it seems). It's been a home for quite a long time and needs some updating, but it's very cool (at least to me) I have no idea if anything like that exists in downtown Georgetown or any of the other smaller downtowns around Austin. I agree with "Needle in a haystack".

[ScoPro]

I'll bet you could find several "raw" space second floors in downtown Taylor or Georgetown (with Taylor being the cheaper option), but you would have to renovate them yourself.

Check out the photos of Taylor's Main Street here:

http://www.tndtownpaper.com/Volume5/...ylor_texas.htm

[centralaustinite]

I think you want Philly! Or Chicago!

[ScoPro]

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

I think you want Philly! Or Chicago!

They've got basements too.