I think i'll be spending a lot of time in Austin... (Dallas: apartment, for rent)

[Viddy]

I'd like some Austiners (is that your plural?) to advise me as to the best area's to live for ease of access to parkland/lakeland/forest/trails (for cycling and running) whilst being relativly close to nightlife, shopping etc.

Any advice on triathlon clubs in the area would be great too.

After much googling I have come up with town lake or lake travis..?

Please forgive my ignorance if my geography is bad; i'm a Brit and will be spending a lot of time in the Texas area. I'm leaning toward Austin as I've heard you're a liberal bunch (a massive generalisation i know but i've only been to Dallas so far).

Thanks in advance

[TexasHorseLady]

Much of what you're asking I don't now about, but it's Austinites.

What's your price range for rent or home purchase? That'll help us point you in the right direction.

Town Lake (now known as Lady Bird Lake) is right in the middle of downtown. Lake Travis is much further out. Where will you be commuting to, do you know? What kind of home are you looking for (apartment/condo or house)?

[AguaDulce]

stay away from lake travis if you're a liberal brit.

forest, trails, central, liberal....travis heights (78704) clarksville (78703) hyde park (78751) downtown (78701) UT campus (78705) east central (78702)...these are all surrounded by cute woodsy hike and bike trails and are the most liberal areas. also kinda pricey, but check craigslist if you're feeling adventurous. there might be some shares.

[Viddy]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Much of what you're asking I don't now about, but it's Austinites.

What's your price range for rent or home purchase? That'll help us point you in the right direction.

Town Lake (now known as Lady Bird Lake) is right in the middle of downtown. Lake Travis is much further out. Where will you be commuting to, do you know? What kind of home are you looking for (apartment/condo or house)?

Thanks for the correction. No commuting to be done, just playtime. I have no preference for house style really but I'll be going for a share initially; to help with being new.

stay away from lake travis if you're a liberal brit.

Was that friendly advice or more of a polite request???

[TexasHorseLady]

I wouldn't worry about it if I were you (the "stay away from Lake Travis" comment). Austin and environs is pretty much live and let live, as long as you are willing to return the favor. Conservatives and liberals live in the same neighborhoods and are friends and have dinner together, mainly because "liberal" or "conservative" are nowhere near the most important things that people are judged by here (except by some fringe elements and we pretty much manage to avoid them).

So, unless you're an activist who thinks that everyone else has to think just like you, you'll do fine. And being a Brit won't be an issue, either, lest you think it might.

[Viddy]

Thank you THL.