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Wife (in her 20s) and I (in my 20s.... 3 years ago) start looking to buy a house here in Austin. We look into Allandale, specifically north of 2222, back against creek. When I did some search online, there seems to be quite a few crime incidents in this area despite a lot of comments here saying it's safe. Since I go on business trip on a regular basis, it is my top priority to find a safe environment for my wife. Can anyone comment this?
As far as education, Gullett is exemplary but Lamar MS is academically unacceptable and McCallum is academically acceptable. Since we are here to stay and would like to stay in the public school system, that really worries us. Hence, we are also looking into Jollyville / Spicewood Spring area which is in RRISD (either Westwood HS or McNeal HS) and less crime incidents. The problem is.... it's kind of far from downtown and traffic sucks.
My vote is for Jollyville. Allandale is a mixed bag. Some homes are nice and renovated, others are not so nice. Some people are upstanding citizens, others not so much. I've known people around this area. There can be a nice couple with kids in a renovated home next to a shanty with druggies. I know central austinites will go to town on me for this, but it is true. I used to live in Hyde Park, and it was a mix as well.
My vote is for Jollyville. Allandale is a mixed bag. Some homes are nice and renovated, others are not so nice. Some people are upstanding citizens, others not so much. I've known people around this area. There can be a nice couple with kids in a renovated home next to a shanty with druggies. I know central austinites will go to town on me for this, but it is true.
I love Allandale. My husband lived there when we first met and we still visit the area. I don't think of it as a bad area at all. What kind of "incidents"? Property crime is higher overall in Austin - nothing to fear if you keep your things locked up. Violent crime in Austin is pretty low overall, even in the "sketchy" areas. Let's just say don't rule it out. That commute from Jollyville would be pretty ugly. 183 southbound and the 183/Mopac interchange is usually in full gridlock mode by 7:30.
Allandale is a very safe neighborhood, there is very little crime there according to the APD crime reports. We are close friends of several families which live in the area and they love it and have never mentioned having any problems there.
Some of Allandale is really safe, and very upscale... just some of the North and Eastern parts that could be considered slightly less so. But no different than Jolleyville from that aspect, IMO.
Basically, if you want to live closer to the action, and have better resale value, Allandale is the choice. If you want cheaper, somewhat newer and larger housing, with less hit-or-miss schools -- then Jolleyville.
But Allandale is quite possibly the most optimally located neighborhood in the entire Austin area. Quick access to the east side and airport via 290; quick access to the west, northwest, central, UT, etc. Has 2 of the biggest North-South arterials right there -- Burnet and Lamar.
As someone who recently moved from Jollyville, traffic REALLY sucks. I wouldn't wish a rush hour drive downtown and back from there on my worst enemy.
I used to commute between Jollyville and Oak Hills, and the traffic was no joke. It reminds me of home (405/105/605/91/5 at Los Angeles, beltway around DC). Fortunately I recently started a new job which allows me to work from home. Now, if my wife could also work from home, location would no longer be an issue.
I love Allandale. My husband lived there when we first met and we still visit the area. I don't think of it as a bad area at all. What kind of "incidents"? Property crime is higher overall in Austin - nothing to fear if you keep your things locked up. Violent crime in Austin is pretty low overall, even in the "sketchy" areas. Let's just say don't rule it out. That commute from Jollyville would be pretty ugly. 183 southbound and the 183/Mopac interchange is usually in full gridlock mode by 7:30.
Most crimes in Allandale are burglaries which are property crimes you mentioned. There are a lot less crimes in Jollyville which is somewhat expected. Typically the closer you are to town, the crime rate will go up. My question is overall is Allandale a pretty safe neighborhood? When my wife lived in Yorba Linda, California, she can leave the front door open in the evening when we went out for a walk.
Some of Allandale is really safe, and very upscale... just some of the North and Eastern parts that could be considered slightly less so. But no different than Jolleyville from that aspect, IMO.
Basically, if you want to live closer to the action, and have better resale value, Allandale is the choice. If you want cheaper, somewhat newer and larger housing, with less hit-or-miss schools -- then Jolleyville.
But Allandale is quite possibly the most optimally located neighborhood in the entire Austin area. Quick access to the east side and airport via 290; quick access to the west, northwest, central, UT, etc. Has 2 of the biggest North-South arterials right there -- Burnet and Lamar.
I think you sum up nicely. The dilemma is we want a convenient location with decent public school system (doesn't have to be Eanes ISD level). Is there any other neighborhood you could suggest?
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