I need help trying to understand housing in Downtown Austin (real estate, apartment)

[JCIV]

I'm interested in moving to Austin and I want to live downtown. I'd love to live very close to the bars and clubs, particularly places like Vicci and Barcelona. Using a map I got from a website (I will attach the map) I think somewhere in the Warehouse, Congress, or the 6th Street district would be perfect for me.

My questions are:

1. Do they even have housing in those areas? I have never been to Austin. I don't know if its all commercial or what.
2. How do I go about finding housing in those areas if it does exist? When I look on Craigslist for places in those areas it becomes one big cluster**** because everything in the entire city of Austin is lumped together. I don't get the search function either, b/c I will search for "warehouse district" and it gives me places nowhere close, like east of I-35 and south of the river. I don't understand why the Austin craigslist doesn't have separate sections like other cities.

I appreciate any help y'all can give me.

Thanks,
James

[Dr.Mom]

Hi James,
The way that I've been going about my real estate search is through zip codes and then whittling down the results from there. Another tack you could take is as you've been doing, by neighborhood name, but I believe that the area you're looking at is the South Congress (SoCo)neightborhood. Try searching using those terms and you may have some success.

On another note, please tell me that you're going to visit before moving. That seems like a big decision sight unseen.
Good luck!

[TexasHorseLady]

If you want to live right downtown, you're going to be looking for a condo, for the most part, except for just west of South Lamar or just east of IH35. Try using terms like "6th Street" or "downtown" in your search.

SoCo is south of the river; that might be what you're getting in your search that is down there. Downtown is RIGHT on the river, so some neighborhoods south of the river (Travis Heights, Bouldin) would be considered close.

[AustinTraveler]

When I look on Craigslist for places in those areas it becomes one big cluster**** because everything in the entire city of Austin is lumped together. I don't get the search function either, b/c I will search for "warehouse district" and it gives me places nowhere close, like east of I-35 and south of the river. I don't understand why the Austin craigslist doesn't have separate sections like other cities.

What you're looking for on Craigslist is "Downtown". You can't do a search for it but the location is listed at the end of each title. There are plenty listed for Downtown and yes, most will be condos. Not sure what your budget is but it's not difficult to find a condo to rent downtown. Lots of new places have opened up or will open soon.

You can also use a free apartment locator.

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by JCIV

My questions are:

1. Do they even have housing in those areas? I have never been to Austin. I don't know if its all commercial or what.
2. How do I go about finding housing in those areas if it does exist?

Yes, there is downtown housing. Plan on $300-$500 per square foot purchase price and $0.35/month psf maintenance/HOA fees.

Go to AustinHomeSearch.com and search zipcode 78701 in "Austin". You'll get to view the results and have a better idea of what you'd have to choose from.

A step down from "Downtown" would be "Central" Austin, where you'll be near downtown but not in it. For that, search 78704 and 78703 in your price range. Figure $200-$400+ psf for anything well located and close in, with easy access to bus service, which would put you into downtown with a short ride or even walking or riding a bike.

Steve

[JCIV]

For everyone saying goto CL and search for "downtown". I've tried that. I doesn't work. Go try it yourself. 9 out of 10 times it will show housing no where near downtown. I get results back from places like Barton springs

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by JCIV

For everyone saying goto CL and search for "downtown". I've tried that. I doesn't work. Go try it yourself. 9 out of 10 times it will show housing no where near downtown. I get results back from places like Barton springs

That's because people type comments such as "easy commute to downtown" or "close to downtown". Use austinhomesearch.com and zipcode search 78701.

Steve

[AustinTraveler]

Originally Posted by JCIV

For everyone saying goto CL and search for "downtown". I've tried that. I doesn't work. Go try it yourself. 9 out of 10 times it will show housing no where near downtown. I get results back from places like Barton springs

Like I said before, you can't do a search for Downtown. Just look at each title and it lists the location at the end. The ones you want to look at will say "Downtown".

Since you've never been to Austin, maybe it would be easier if you came for a visit so you'll know whether or not you even want to live here. While you're in town, you can hook up with an apartment locator and see a few places downtown. You'll also see just how small downtown actually is and you may end up broadening your search, especially considering downtown prices.

[JCIV]

To austin-steve:

Thanks for the tip. Using your advice I've already found some great places

To AustinTraveler:

Sorry, I didnt realize what you were saying. You're 100% right. Some people put 'close to downtown' even when they are an hour away. I wish CL used zipcodes, it would make it a whole lot easier.