Where to live - working in Georgetown, TX? (Austin, Round Rock: apartments, rental homes)

[jlp2003]

My husband got a job offer in Georgetown, TX and we're looking to relocate there. I'm not finding housing that we can afford - around $800/mo in that area except for apts. Are there any houses for rent in that price range or is that a crazy idea? What are some good but affordable areas outside of that? Any other info/advice would be greatly appreciated!

[EzPeterson]

It's going to be very tough up in that area, or really any area, at that price point. G-Town in particular doesn't have much in the way of residential rentals. You may end up having to work your way north up to Salado, Jarrell, etc. and that's going to be tough from an availability perspective.

[TexasHorseLady]

I did a quick search of Georgetown and the surrounding area on the MLS and most everything started in the $1000 and up range. There was one house in Coupland for $800, and one in Taylor for $975, but that was it. Didn't try Salado as it's on another MLS, but did do all of Williamson County.

You're more likely to find an apartment or maybe a fourplex.

[mamacatnv]

I have a co-worker in Round Rock, he says the rental market is insane. Its expensive and stuff available rents in a flash. It took he and his wife quite awhile to find a home to rent and they acted fast with cash in hand. He said they really had to settle on amenities but they wanted out of their apartment so bad they were willing to make concessions.

If you can buy it might actually end up being cheaper than rent. We recently relocated and decided to rent for a year our rent is 35% higher than our new mortgage will be. Our new home is in a better neighborhood, is better maintained etc. I was shocked at how high the rents here were

[jlp2003]

I am shocked too.

Thanks to all of you for your info! Is North Austin a decent place to live?

[EzPeterson]

Yes, it's very nice, but still going to be problematic to find anything except apartments.

[mark311]

Originally Posted by jlp2003

Thanks to all of you for your info! Is North Austin a decent place to live?

Yes, but you'll want to stay away from any apartments or houses right around the Rundberg/I35 area. The nice areas of North Austin won't be any cheaper than what you'll find in Round Rock for example which is a lot closer to Georgetown. Even in 2006 when we moved the the Austin area, we paid just over $700 per month for an average (not luxury at all) 1 bedroom apartment in NW Austin.

[Trainwreck20]

You might really want to look into buying in G'town. It has been a very 'stable' market for many, many years now - no insane swings in price and, compared to Austin, a much better deal on a $/ft2 basis. If buying is problematic, renting an apartment or such until you can buy a house is probably a better way to go than renting a house.

In a pinch, you can rent trailers in the Salado area and save a ton.

[swimmingcar]

I'm not sure about Georgetown, but the apartment locators in Austin are great at finding less-visible apartments and even rental homes that meets your criteria. Might be worth trying, since they're free.

[centralaustinite]

You will need to rent an apartment! Even expanding your search to the entire 5 county area (which you do not want to do) you will not find a house for $800. Find a place as close to work as possible, G-Town is a lovely area.