Need Suggestion regarding Renting an Apt in Austin: working in Downtown (West: apartment complexes, to rent)

[alokv]

Hi Everyone,

My wife and I are moving to Austin in a few weeks, and would like to get some advice around areas to rent an apartment. We are in our late twenties and will have a little angel added to our family towards the end of the year.

We would prefer living in a calm peaceful community with places to go for an evening walk either within the community or nearby. I will be working in downtown (near Radisson) and would like to keep the commute time to minimum. Having Grocery stores, Walmart, Banks, Restaurants close-by would be helpful.

Any suggestions is highly appreciated.

- I have read that the commute into downtown can be bad during office hours. How bad does it get for someone coming from North/NW and driving 10 miles?
- What are the peak traffic hours?

Best regards,
Alok

[ashbeeigh]

Do you want something urban or suburban? New? Old? Budget? Size? What is a bareable commute? Lots of questions need to be answered before we offer suggest areas.

[centralaustinite]

What is your budget? Do you want a single family home or an apartment? With the right budget, you could rent an apartment in the Travis Heights or Zilker neighborhood (away from the noise of S. Congress) and have a two minute commute to work. Plenty of the "under 5 years" set in both neighborhoods, great parks too!

[LiveUrban]

Not sure what your budget is but I'd look at renting in the Mueller neighborhood. It's very family-friendly and close to downtown.

[alokv]

Thank you for your replies. Below is some additional information which I missed initially.

I would prefer sub-urban apartment (with trees around, not high rise). New/Old is fine as long as the community is nice.
Budget: $1100-1400. Size: 700-1000 sq ft.
Bearable commute one way: 20-25 mins.

[ashbeeigh]

I'm going to suggest the Tech Ridge and surrounding areas as far as affordability. It's going to be the top of your commute time but it's suburban and has good ammenities as far as shopping. The North/northwest area that you asked about may be a bit far as commute is concerned but it does have the suburban feel you are looking for. $1k-1.4k may get you into the Mueller and Windsor Park area but it's borderline suburban. The apartments in Mueller proper are high rises and the others in the area are older and scattered about without much of a community feel (I'm thinking no private balcony and right on the street). There may be some areas south that might work (Westgate/71 area is the one I am familiar with), but again, I don't know know much about south Austin.

[centralaustinite]

everything outside of the downtown core is suburban if you ask me! 3-4 story apartment complexes are not high-rises and there are many that are just 2 story.

Get an apartment locator, I'd look at older complexes on the interior of the neighbors immediately of the south of downtown. You should be able to do it at the top of your price range and a super short commute is priceless!

[sg8910]

I am following this threat. i am also looking for peaceful neighbhorhood in austin, safe to go for walks jogs without running into highways and where I feel safe and could have kids one day. i lived in Austin for 6mth down south lamar which has great qualities with proximity to downtown and metrobus, zilker and lake but did not enjoy walking outside to beeping traffic. I like hyde park and perhaps allandale but not sure if all students there

If someone has more info about north austin neigbhorhoods or west austin that are walkable and bikeable, perhaps golf/tennis courts nearby, that would be helpful.

I just assume techridge was on highway next to corporate business parks, but perhaps I am mistaken

I agree Mueller is good for families because you can walk to park safely and enjoy the lake. (or fake lake

Thanks !

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by sg8910

I am following this threat. i am also looking for peaceful neighbhorhood in austin, safe to go for walks jogs without running into highways and where I feel safe and could have kids one day. i lived in Austin for 6mth down south lamar which has great qualities with proximity to downtown and metrobus, zilker and lake but did not enjoy walking outside to beeping traffic. I like hyde park and perhaps allandale but not sure if all students there

If someone has more info about north austin neigbhorhoods or west austin that are walkable and bikeable, perhaps golf/tennis courts nearby, that would be helpful.

I just assume techridge was on highway next to corporate business parks, but perhaps I am mistaken

I agree Mueller is good for families because you can walk to park safely and enjoy the lake. (or fake lake

Thanks !

I wouldn't put much stock in the info in this thread. A LOT has happened in the four years since it was active.