HELP! Working in Round Rock but don't want to live in the suburbs (Austin: lease, condos)

[TexasHorseLady]

Well, first, having the tallest building is nothing to be all excited about, in my opinion - it doesn't contribute to quality of life and, really, the Austonian? Who's idea was THAT name?

Second, UT isn't really downtown, and the people who live there are a transient population, by definition, for the most part. The people that I know and knew who work at UT generally did NOT live there - mostly lived in South Austin or further north, and definitely not in downtown Austin - couldn't afford to, for one thing. A few lived right around UT, to the north, mostly, but again, that's not downtown. (Downtown being defined traditionally as MLK south to the river, IH35 to Lamar or perhaps one or two blocks west of Lamar.) The people that I knew and know (and myself when I worked for state government) didn't and don't live downtown, either. I'm sure that there are some, but most of the folks that I know that work there live in, guess what, South Austin or North Austin, but still in Austin proper. Those that don't live in the Dreaded Suburbs.

Street closings for races happen in other areas of Austin and always have (well, at least since the advent of marathons, which in the overall scheme of things isn't all that long). Pecan Street Festival - well, it's on Pecan Street. 6th Street is clearly the only place to have Halloween!

Zilker Park has quite a few closings, but Zilker Park is South Austin, not downtown.

So, yes, we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one.

[mill1469]

Originally Posted by capcat

I've been watching the Post West Austin go up and think it's a nice development. It certainly is conveniently located, imo. Probably out of your price range however, if you're considering the Mosaic at all, rents may not be out of line. It's located near 45th and Bull Creek Rd just east of Mopac. It would be a quick trip downtown via Mopac, easy access to RR via Mopac/toll road.
Ardent Residential - Post West Austin

It looks like this might not be open yet? Just wondering if anyone has any other info...? I'm not 100% limited at $1,000- just thought I could get away with something cheaper living a little more north.

I'm starting to think that maybe working with an apartment finder service might be helpful since I will have to do most of my research on the internet and really only have a few days to visit/find a place... does anybody know of one they would recommend? I guess I just don't like giving out e-mail, phone #, etc. to people on the internet...

[capcat]

Originally Posted by mill1469

It looks like this might not be open yet? Just wondering if anyone has any other info...? I'm not 100% limited at $1,000- just thought I could get away with something cheaper living a little more north.

I'm starting to think that maybe working with an apartment finder service might be helpful since I will have to do most of my research on the internet and really only have a few days to visit/find a place... does anybody know of one they would recommend? I guess I just don't like giving out e-mail, phone #, etc. to people on the internet...

It may not be. It was slated for 4th quarter of 2009, and it looks close to being ready. That's a convenient area to be in with the access it has and proximity to businesses.

[FueledByBlueBell]

The commute is easy on I-35 as you are going against traffic. Central Austin is doable too as Mo-Pac isn't so bad once you get past 35th street. NW Hills is a good place too.

Don't do RR...

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by mill1469

Ok, so I know that there are a lot of posts on here about where young professionals should live, but I have a little bit more specific of a question and I am hoping that someone on here may have some suggestions for me.

I am a recent college grad moving from MI to Austin in the early spring. I'll be working in Round Rock but really want to take advantage of more of an urban lifestyle (altho I know its more expensive). I have a few friends from college who live in S. Austin and love it- but I've heard the traffic around UT is terrible for commuting and don't want to spend an hour each way to and from work. So far I've been told to try and stay north of Campus and West of I-35 so can anyone give me names of apartments they would recommend that are north of campus but as close to a central location as possible? Hopefully something w/ other young professionals but I'm young myself so if there are college kids around, as long as its not a 24/7 party, I'm ok with it. I'd just like something that doesn't have a crazy commute but is close enough for me to go out downtown on the weekends.

I'd like a 1-2 bedroom less than $1,000. I know some posts on here have said they want to avoid the mega-complex type places, but to be honest I'm open to them. I'd rather have a new place in a larger complex than something too outdated, but would look at small places as well.

I'll be traveling to Austin sometime in Feb. for a few days to look at places before moving so if anyone coudl give me actual names of complexes they recommend or a broker they have worked with (I hate signing up for the apt. searchers and getting tons of e-mails!!) I would really really appreciate it!!!!

The mopac reverse commute is much better than an I-35 reverse commute. Traffic slows as you go downtown so as long as you stay north you should be ok. There are a lot of tech professionals living at 51st street and northwards between lamar and I35ish. They are mostly houses though - you might want to think about renting a house. The triangle is a little upscale for students but is somewhat close in.

I wouldnt fully rule out living downtown, since it is a reverse commute it isn't so bad.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

I think if you live in the Arboretum area, you might as well live in Round Rock. That far out, the Domain would be the closest thing to "urban living" that I think you'd find.

You might want to check out the Crestview area (Anderson Lane/Burnet area). Not sure what apartments are available, but it's a hot spot right now, there's quite a bit going on there, and if the MetroRail ever gets going, there's a Crestview Station and you could simply take it downtown and not have to drive either way.

FWIW, downtown is a TINY part of what's going on in Austin. People worry a lot about how far something is from downtown, but most Austinites rarely go there - there's plenty to do in other areas of the city, so it isn't a necessity.

I would add most old austinites dont go downtown, but when I was that age everyone went downtown almost every weekend.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by mill1469

Thanks to all for your help, it is helping me narrow down my search. I understand that Austin is a big place with lots of different/unique neighborhoods and lots to do. Basically I am interested in "downtown" for the night life. I'm sure there are great other spots and I hope to discover them eventually, but as I mentioned I have friends who live in S. Austin (too far from work for me though) who will be the only people that I know when I get there and I know that they frequent downtown and I would like to be able to meet up with them conveniently yet not be stuck in the car for 1.5-2 hrs a day for work.

I know there are lots of people who write on here that dislike the out of towners moving in or will probably say that 6th St. is cliche and whatnot but until I meet more people and discover more areas I believe that downtown will be of interest to me...

I really would recommend living downtown or just on the north side of downtown -around 12th-20th streets (close enough to cab it to downtown).

The reverse commute isnt that bad. And if you are willing to go a touch earlier like 7:30, even a with the traffic commute is extremely fast in austin. There will probably be almost no reverse traffic at 7:30

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by FueledByBlueBell

The commute is easy on I-35 as you are going against traffic. Central Austin is doable too as Mo-Pac isn't so bad once you get past 35th street. NW Hills is a good place too.

Don't do RR...

I am trying really hard to read in a nefarious motive for your advising against Round Rock....I got nothing.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Well, first, having the tallest building is nothing to be all excited about, in my opinion - it doesn't contribute to quality of life and, really, the Austonian? Who's idea was THAT name?

Second, UT isn't really downtown, and the people who live there are a transient population, by definition, for the most part. The people that I know and knew who work at UT generally did NOT live there - mostly lived in South Austin or further north, and definitely not in downtown Austin - couldn't afford to, for one thing. A few lived right around UT, to the north, mostly, but again, that's not downtown. (Downtown being defined traditionally as MLK south to the river, IH35 to Lamar or perhaps one or two blocks west of Lamar.) The people that I knew and know (and myself when I worked for state government) didn't and don't live downtown, either. I'm sure that there are some, but most of the folks that I know that work there live in, guess what, South Austin or North Austin, but still in Austin proper. Those that don't live in the Dreaded Suburbs.

Street closings for races happen in other areas of Austin and always have (well, at least since the advent of marathons, which in the overall scheme of things isn't all that long). Pecan Street Festival - well, it's on Pecan Street. 6th Street is clearly the only place to have Halloween!

Zilker Park has quite a few closings, but Zilker Park is South Austin, not downtown.

So, yes, we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one.

Here is a partial list of events

EventGuide Austin: Annual Events Overview

[mimimomx3]

I go DT all the time, and I'm not like 20something or anything. We go to WF, Book People, Anthro, Waterloo, the Long Center, the Paramount and dinner.