Midwest unmarried couple with dog and cats to rent home is Austin/surrounding area (Elgin: 2014)

[BlackUmbrella]

My boyfriend and I would like to move to Austin before January 2014 and are looking for a rental home that will accept our dog and 2 cats. My boyfriend works out of the home with a music mastering business, so sometimes he needs to have the music LOUD. He is able to limit the noise somewhat with soundproofing but it can still be bothersome (obviously he is respectful and cuts the noise by 8 p.m.). Apartments and duplex type housing are out. We don't need to live in the city (prices are ridiculous) but would like to live somewhat close. The most we are willing to pay for rent is $1,000/month. It's been a royal pain finding rental homes, most websites end up showing duplexes or apartment homes. We've also received scammer emails from an owner that "moved to Great Britain or Nigeria, and we can wire him the money and all of our information."

I've looked into some links provided by people on here but they haven't helped much. The most I've found on a Realtor site was 2. Am I just using the wrong search words? Any/all help is appreciated. I enjoy the posts on here even if they're not something I can use. Thank you in advance.

[centralaustinite]

Well, did you try Austin Home Search? That has the MLS listings but honestly, you are looking for the impossible, almost ANY house in Austin right now will rent for more than $1000 a month and there is tremendous demand, landlords do not have to accommodate pets and noise, occupancy is very high, landlords have their pick when it comes to tenants.

PLUS most landlords will want a lease to start right away, meaning 15 days or less. If you are not ready to "jump"right away, they have people lined up who can sign a lease and start paying rent immediately.

You are in a tough spot!

[mark311]

Your price range is too low for what you want. A lot more opens up at $1100 per month, but you'll still be out in Manor, Elgin, or similar areas.

[Austin97]

are musicians moving to east austin?

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by Austin97

are musicians moving to east austin?

everyone is moving to East Austin! And you won't find an available house for rent there for less than $1000 a month!

[OpenD]

Sorry, but two dogs and a cat automatically rules out perhaps 95% of the rental properties in the city. It's just reality.

And running a business from home that involves playing LOUD music could have licensing issues. Meaning that an upset neighbor could get you shut down.

All in all, including the unrealistically low rent you're looking for, I'd suggest you look outside of the city, in more rural locations.

[BlackUmbrella]

Thanks for the replies. We are here a little later than expected. No problems with our pets, music, and our rent is below $900 but we had to settle for an apartment for now. No one has complained about our minimal time of loud music (maybe an hour a day, before 8 p.m.). Who said anything about East Austin? LOL!

I think being realistic is looking past the fancy realtor places. We had some feedback, but they were trying to put us downtown--no thanks. We will probably move out to the country eventually due to the massive traffic and overgrowth. It's a shame, Austin is pretty neat but since our visit last year, it has lost its charm. The weirdness is being overcome by snobbiness :/

[capcat]

Welcome to Austin! Glad you got to keep your pets. You'll find the places that don't feel snobby as you get to know the city. Maybe, just find your niche and don't go where the masses go. Also, and this took some getting used to, you'll find friendliness, but of a different sort than maybe you're accustomed to. A little more restrained at first, partly because of regional differences, and partly because so many you'll meet have come from other places. Different styles, but nice. Good luck, have fun, and enjoy the city.

[hillcountryheart]

Originally Posted by BlackUmbrella

We will probably move out to the country eventually due to the massive traffic and overgrowth. It's a shame, Austin is pretty neat but since our visit last year, it has lost its charm. The weirdness is being overcome by snobbiness :/

I don't know that I'd use the word snobby, but yes, massive population growth has led to serious headaches for everything from rent to traffic. Now you know why some people do all they can to discourage people from moving here. It is not because we are snobby. It's because the influx rate is more than we can handle.

On my way back in from far west Texas today (I only came back today because my kid starts school tomorrow), I saw something I hadn't seen before. Several car carrier trucks FULL of California cars. And still more California plates streaming into the state. I thought about getting out and holding up a sign that says "Austin is full." We simply can't absorb more people unless and until we fix and expand infrastructure, and even then, I don't want to live in a city this size. As soon as I can, I'm leaving. Having a high schooler is the only thing holding me here.

[centralaustinite]

Not surprised that you ended up in an apartment, glad you found one that will take the pets and is in your price range. good luck