Total Newbie to Austin (Howe, Vega: crime rates, neighborhood, purchasing)

[mark311]

Originally Posted by EzPeterson

Way to denigrate the 99% of those that live there and are none of the above. Pretty obvious you haven't been there in a while, and can't see past your bigotry if/when you do ever go there. Oh well, we're so far off track now.

So you're telling someone who is moving to Austin and has never been here before that the Rundberg/Lamar/I35 area is safe? I agree that it pales in comparison to large urban cities (Austin isn't a large urban city), but where is there a worse area for crime in Austin? I'd rather take my family out to dinner at night on East Riverside as that area has some pretty nice places now like the Draft Pick for example. This has nothing to do with an "East side bias" as it's not even on the East side as you stated. When driving up Lamar near Rundberg at night, I can't get out of there fast enough. There is no area in all of Austin other than there that I feel that way.

Honest question, what area of Austin do you feel is worse than that Rundberg area for crime and drugs?

[EzPeterson]

Originally Posted by mark311

So you're telling someone who is moving to Austin and has never been here before that the Rundberg/Lamar/I35 area is safe? I agree that it pales in comparison to large urban cities (Austin isn't a large urban city), but where is there a worse area for crime in Austin? I'd rather take my family out to dinner at night on East Riverside as that area has some pretty nice places now like the Draft Pick for example. This has nothing to do with an "East side bias" as it's not even on the East side as you stated. When driving up Lamar near Rundberg at night, I can't get out of there fast enough. There is no area in all of Austin other than there that I feel that way.

Honest question, what area of Austin do you feel is worse than that Rundberg area for crime and drugs?

As of right now, the DT area around 7th and I35 is worse than Rundberg - with the increased police presence all through that area over the past 4 months, it's noticeable. And I said it was safer
than people make it out to be - particularly when put in context.

It has everything to do with bias. The area has a poor track record, but has been improving - folks just won't let the reputation fade. Heck, the least safe area around here is on the road into work - more people killed there in a few months than what you'll find standing with a pocket full of Benjamins on the corner of Lamar and Rundberg at 1 AM.

[mark311]

Originally Posted by EzPeterson

The area has a poor track record, but has been improving - folks just won't let the reputation fade.

I do think that the intentions are good on both sides of this argument and I would definitely go to this area during the day with my family, but going there at night and living there is a different deal.

And look at how nice these apartments are linked below that are under $500 per month right in that area. I just think it's easy for newcomers to be deceived by something like the apartment website below. I wouldn't live in that apartment complex for $300 per month, but they have a nice website.

Capella Apartment Homes | Apartments for rent in Austin TX 78753

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by EzPeterson

No, it's really not. Just like any beat up low income neighborhood it has some issues. I'm down there 2-3 days a week and can tell you that the hype is totally overblown.

I agree. And if I was looking for an area that will experience probably the greatest appreciation over the next decade . . . I would look hard at it.

[Komeht]

Originally Posted by EzPeterson

Way to denigrate the 99% of those that live there and are none of the above. Pretty obvious you haven't been there in a while, and can't see past your bigotry if/when you do ever go there. Oh well, we're so far off track now.

Oh it's changed so much has it?

Rundberg neighborhood gets extra boost | KXAN.com

Austin Police Targeting Rundberg-Area Crime - keyetv.com Austin News, Weather, Traffic KEYE-TV Austin - Featured

[EzPeterson]

Originally Posted by Komeht

Oh it's changed so much has it?

Rundberg neighborhood gets extra boost | KXAN.com

Austin Police Targeting Rundberg-Area Crime - keyetv.com Austin News, Weather, Traffic KEYE-TV Austin - Featured

Yes - and those articles just highlight the efforts that have been underway for the past year to change that area. You're seeing many more people take control and ownership of their neighborhood. Combined with a significantly increased law enforcement presence, it has made a difference.

[Komeht]

Originally Posted by EzPeterson

Yes - and those articles just highlight the efforts that have been underway for the past year to change that area. You're seeing many more people take control and ownership of their neighborhood. Combined with a significantly increased law enforcement presence, it has made a difference.

I've been reading the same article for 30 years now;

Austin cops ramp up a crackdown in the rundberg area....that's a story nearly as old as I am and about as frequently reported as we have seasons. Nothing changes...drugs, prostitutes, gangs...good place to find them.

[EzPeterson]

Well, like it or not, the area is changing for the better. If you pull yourself out of your five-block radius cocoon one day, you'll see for yourself.

[Komeht]

changing for the better? What does that mean exactly? More frequent police dragnets? better class of street walkers? higher quality meth and smack?

[EzPeterson]

Nope. A 25% decrease in indexed crime rate between 2010 and 2011, a trend that is continuing into 2012/2013.