Anyone with experience living in a central condo/apartment with kids? (Austin: section 8, apartments)

[tildahat]

We are exploring the idea of a 2-2 central (78704/DT/central east/north campus) condo. We have two elementary aged kids. We lived at apartments at Riverside and Congress in a 2-1 when our kids were smaller (babies/toddlers) and the main issue was we were the only family - not so much that we needed to have other kids in the complex, but stuff like the courtyard, which would have been a great place for the kids to play was used as a place for other residents dogs to poop, making it unusable. Complete and total violation of the rules and lease agreement, but since we were the only residents with kids and tons had dogs, it was a losing battle. Just an example. But location was great. We could walk to Town Lake with the kids in the stroller, walk to children's museum, etc. Really wish there were more 3-2 condo and townhome options in Austin.

The other thing that concerns me is how much central is turning into an entertainment district. I really just want walkability and transit connections, and a coffee shop and pub. Don't need to be surrounded by hipsters 24-7.

Any other parents trying to make it work central in a condo or apartment?

[centralaustinite]

It varies widely! It is going to be hit and miss.

As a whole the elementary age population of 78704 is small compared with the suburbs. I lived in 78741 (E. Riverside) with babies, toddlers, and it was great -- every apartment around us contained at least one child and one dissertation!

Now I am in a SFH in 04 and there are many kids on our block (but two blocks over, there are less). There are nearby apartments with lots of kids, but all section 8.

Don't be afraid to be the first to buy or rent in new condo complex or apartments, once people see that there are kids there, it will tend to attract other families with kids (or considering kids) just like singles with dogs will attract other singles with dogs, and retirees attract other retirees.

Also, older places (often apartments converted to condos) tend to have more diverse populations and not just young singles. But honestly it is a crap-shoot. Just like trying to buy a suburban house where they have neighborhood bbq, they do exist but it can be very hard to guarantee. Suburbs can vary block by block.

What are you doing for schools? Our block is a big mix of private schools (majority), local public (substantial minority) and homeschooling (single family).

good luck

[Melissa78703]

78704 is a bit hipster for my blood!

What about Hyde Park? The pickings may be far and few in between, but it seems more like a family-oriented place to me. Sure, there are a lot of student. But there are also a lots of university profs/UT staff live in that neck of the woods, too. We go there quite frequently to eat at Mother's, and we see a lot of families out and about. That would probably be my first pick if the Best Half and I had kids.

I hear you about the dog poop thing. Gah. My complex doesn't allow barbecue pits or smoking of any kind, and yet large dogs are permitted to basically destroy the courtyard (and even jump into the swimming pool -- yick!). I think that this is just a hazard of "affordable" living anywhere in Central Austin. If you find a place you can afford, there's gonna be a catch ...

[gpurcell]

Look around North University. Much quieter area, several good parks, and Lee Elementary is well thought of.

Edit: Also look for 2/1 bungalows for rent.