Affordable, safe, kid-friendly, & close to UT? (Austin, Round Rock: apartments, student loans)

[deintexas]

Is this combination possible in Austin? I'm in East Texas and looking to relocate to attend UT and just get a change of scenery. I have two school age kids (so I need a great school district), a decent apartment (nothing fancy but needs to be in a safe area), and close to UT. I have a vehicle and do not plan on using public transportation.

Am I living in a fantasy land trying to find all of these things?

Thanks! :-)

[texastrigirl]

How close is close and what is your budget?

[centralaustinite]

Lots of apartments close to UT that go Lee Elementary (Hyde Park), great elementary school, great community, lots of UT faculty families. Very close to UT.

[lemonlime22]

Am I living in a fantasy land trying to find all of these things?


Maybe. What's your budget?

[deintexas]

Thank you very much for the information. Hyde Park seems really cool and interesting. I'd like to pay less than $1000 a month. And by close I guess I mean less than a 15 minute drive? I come from a small town so I guess I'm not really used to traffic issues. I've heard in some cities it can take an hour to go 5 miles. Yikes!

[riaelise]

You'd probably need at least a 2-2. For that, I'd think it would be more than 1K/month in the areas you are seeking. (These areas close to UT tend to be trendy/pricey) My friend rented a duplex in the Hyde Park area and it cost them 1100. Might i suggest this alternative -- move even farther in north Austin or to maybe or to a suburb like Round Rock, Pflugerville, or Cedar Park. And then be willing to take public transportation and save the wear and tear on your car. If you want good schools and a good price, then you either a) pay more or b) move farther out.

[centralaustinite]

Could you qualify for student housing? Married Student Housing on Lake Austin Blvd is safe, filled with kids, and Matthews Elementary is very good and close by (and filled with grad student kids).

Have you already been admitted to UT?

[deintexas]

Originally Posted by riaelise

You'd probably need at least a 2-2. For that, I'd think it would be more than 1K/month in the areas you are seeking. (These areas close to UT tend to be trendy/pricey) My friend rented a duplex in the Hyde Park area and it cost them 1100. Might i suggest this alternative -- move even farther in north Austin or to maybe or to a suburb like Round Rock, Pflugerville, or Cedar Park. And then be willing to take public transportation and save the wear and tear on your car. If you want good schools and a good price, then you either a) pay more or b) move farther out.

Thanks for the info. I do need atleast a 2/2 but would prefer a 3/2. The most important thing to me is the school. I want my kids in a good sage school. If I have to travel further to achieve this I will do it.

[deintexas]

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

Could you qualify for student housing? Married Student Housing on Lake Austin Blvd is safe, filled with kids, and Matthews Elementary is very good and close by (and filled with grad student kids).

Have you already been admitted to UT?

No I have not even applied yet. I'm looking to begin there next fall. So I'd be moving in the summer. Student housing? Is that something that is paid for by a scholarship? I was just planning on taking out mega student loans. And I'm not married, does that change anything?

[nonexpat]

You could move to northwest Austin where there are excellent elementary schools, the rents are lower, and yet you wouldn't have such a long drive as if you lived in Round Rock or Pflugerville. There are many reasonably priced apartments around Davis or Doss elementaries, which are both exemplary.