Investing San Antonio or Austin (Point: real estate, rental market, lofts)

[charmed4947]

Hi All,

I live in Los Angeles but I have been researching Texas for real estate investment for a couple of months now and I kinda narrowed it down to San Antonio or Austin.

The reason I want to invest in San Antonio or Austin is that I want to eventually move there. I have read some really great things about both cities and I am planning a visit this summer to see both places.

From an investment stand point which do you think would be a better fit. I plan on moving with in the next 3-5 years.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks

[charmed4947]

Probably looking to buy a house or duplex, price range $150,000 to $250,000.

[210]

What type of investment are you trying to do?

[charmed4947]

Originally Posted by 210

What type of investment are you trying to do?

Hi 210,

Probably a single family house or duplex and someplace where the rental market is stronger. Maybe near Business areas or Universities.

I appreciate you responding to my question, I have been reading your posts and think that you are the most informative and knowledgable person.

[MichelleSG]

If you are going to eventually move there and you like LA you might lean harder towards Austin, it's more like LA than San Antonio is. That might be a more important factor than how big a return you're going to get in an investment. That being said, generally speaking Austin is more expensive than San Antonio and you could probably get more retun from renting there than here.

[montevista1]

I live in L.A. & invested in San Antonio. Why...... San Antonio has better infrastructure then Austin & is less of a college town. You also get alot more bang for your buck real esate wise. If I had to move to Texas I would prefer Austin or a place that is fun to live like Monte Vista. A good duplex in San Antonio will cost you about 250K.

[210]

If you're looking for an older home to invest in I'd say the Monte Vista, Five Points, Tobin Hill area of Midtown is a great place. Also, the SoFlo and Southtown areas and if you can afford it, King William District.

[charmed4947]

Originally Posted by montevista1

I live in L.A. & invested in San Antonio. Why...... San Antonio has better infrastructure then Austin & is less of a college town. You also get alot more bang for your buck real esate wise. If I had to move to Texas I would prefer Austin or a place that is fun to live like Monte Vista. A good duplex in San Antonio will cost you about 250K.

What part of town did you invest in? Monte Vista? and why is Monte Vista a fun place to live?

I hear Austin is a fun place, great restaurants, wacky & weird and fun clubs and bars but I'm sure San Antonio must have that too or is it just the touristy Riverwalk thing.

Thanks for your input

[charmed4947]

Originally Posted by 210

If you're looking for an older home to invest in I'd say the Monte Vista, Five Points, Tobin Hill area of Midtown is a great place. Also, the SoFlo and Southtown areas and if you can afford it, King William District.

Thanks 210, I will look up those areas. Is southtown an up and coming area?

I don't really like areas that are cookie cutter leave it to beaver kind of neighborhoods.

[210]

Yes, Southtown is a very up and coming funky artist haven just south of downtown. Just south of Southtown is the SoFlo District which basically a large area filled with industrial warehouses etc that is being converted into housing and office space. There's a big movement for lofts and condos and many many of the old buildings are being bought left and right and converted into housing, office and retail.

King William is a wealthier more homely version of Southtown. Many painters and writers and poets (artists) live in million dollar mansions.

Southtown is something I think you’d really like and its not a bad investment either.

Here’s the url for the Southtown website:

http://www.southtown.net/