Moving from CA to TX need help in finding a smaller& cheaper area to live in near Austin..??? (apartment)

[BCALI2TX]

My husband just got a job in Austin, and we are needing to move out there A.S.A.P my problem is finding a house to live in while we are still here in CA. We are looking for a smaller town (1,000 - 30,000) to live in where the rent is not to expensive (600-900) is our range, so we need all of the suggestions we can get.
Thank you!

[hillcountryheart]

There's a wealth of information in the sticky thread above. Please rummage through it; what you learn will help you as you adjust to a new city!

I'm not sure what you've heard about the cost of living here, but to place your question in perspective: $800 is the average 1 bed/1 bath apartment in the Austin metro. There aren't any smaller towns within commuting distance where $800 is going to get you a 2/2, either.

To help answer your question, it would be good to know:

1) approximate location of your husband's new job;
2) how many people there are in your family;
(kids - and pets!)
3) how many beds/baths you need, and any other requirements

It would also be helpful to know where you're moving from, as there are a lot of posters who have lived in California. I haven't, but my eldest is a senior at UC Berkeley, so I'm familiar with living and renting in that area.

[TexasHorseLady]

The information above is going to be useful; there are a FEW houses in your range but they're going to be far out and very small. Also, what kind of commute do you consider reasonable?

[sandboxgod]

Don't forget Austin was ranked like #4 for worst traffic in the US so try not to move out too far. Granted, I've seen much worst traffic at LA-405 (true parking lots). Thank god when we lived in LA we just paid the excessive rent to live a mile down from work. I think my house mortgage is less than what I used to pay but I digress

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by sandboxgod

Don't forget Austin was ranked like #4 for worst traffic in the US so try not to move out too far.

With the bogus algorithm they use to give us that #4 ranking, moving out too far actually _improves_ traffic!


(they measure the ratio of peak to free-flow time. so if you think traffic is bad, move 45 minutes further out. The ratio of peak to non-peak will improve).


Austin ranked 4th worst traffic in U.S. - Austin Business Journal