I'm thinking of relocating to Austin... Input? (Vega: apartments, find a job)

[EddieFknD]

I'm hoping to get some genuine feedback here. My situation is kinda bad and I've always wanted to move to Austin. I saw a question on Yahoo Answers from a guy saying he's never been there before, and he'd be going with less than $1000 and may have to stay in a shelter until he could find a job and a place. That's the case with me as well. (I know that may sound tacky and it's looked down upon, but as much as I hate to say it I'm kinda desperate.) I've read a ton of things about people who love living there.

I've worked in mostly retail and call centers and I live really cheap. I'm a computer geek, though I'm not certified (I heard Dell is around that area. ) I saw some apartments really cheap on apartment guide and some affordable rooms on craigslist.

One thing I'm wondering if there are any poker rooms there? It's become my dream to be a poker dealer and want to go to dealer school and deal poker in a casino. I've recently been told casino gambling is illegal there. So I guess that's out of the question, but maybe I was misinformed?

Also, I'd like to know if there are any mixed martial arts training facilities there.

I also hear the schools are good down there. I'd like to go back to college for accounting. I heard UT is the best that there is down there, is that true?

Finally, I'm a musician, so I know Austin would fit well.

Mainly hoping to find a place around $400-$500/mo and any kind of job. Does anyone know anything about the shelter down there?

To Austin natives, any advice or any kind of input you could offer? Thanks a bunch in advance.

Any input and support would be very much appreciated. Thanks a bunch in advance.

[Trainwreck20]

No legal poker, so I doubt there are many (if any) schools. Lots of Hold 'em games around town, though, I suppose...good way to rid yourself of some money .

I know that there are a lot of martial arts training schools, don't know the particulars or how they compare to other places.

There are lots of musicians, but the real impact of that is the reduced oppurtunity to make money, 'cause there is always somebody willing to do it cheaper . But if you are not looking to do the music for money, yeah, you will have lots of company.

You can find places that cheap, but they will not be the nice areas of town. I have a friend who lives of I-35 and 290 for somewhere in that range and is quite happy with it (good bus access to the rest of town from there, too). Most people I know would not like to live there, but he has been there for years and has not had any problems, really.

Salvation army has a shelter downtown, but don't really know anything about it. I think you have to be in by a certain time each evening (they lock the doors at 9 pm or something?) and you may not be hanging out with the best smelling crowd. Don't know what you need to get in there. There are probably better places for just a few bucks, but again, I am not sure about any specifics.

[mimimomx3]

If your ambition is to be a poker dealer (sounds like fun, actually) why not try Vegas, Atlantic City or Branson (I think?), or even Louisiana? I mean, the poker scene is not really happening here! Follow your dream!