What's Happening in Austin

Random · 03-11-2010, 12:52 PM

Alright good people of Austin...

I have been trying to get a handle on how Austin is divided up... lol.. the flow of the city, so to speak...

If someone or two or how over many would care to add their thoughts... It would be most welcome..

Questions...

I keep running into these *Gated* communities that look great and are not expensive for what they offer... They do not look cheap at all... What exactly is meant by gated? Are these suburb properties? Sort of Stepford communities? The price has me confused.. In omaha, the further OUT you go, the more expensive housing.. (Except in the heart of down town.. Have to LOVE urban renueal.. eye rolle...) Apts that I am looking at for 800.00 would be at least 1200.00 up here, if I have the lay of the city right..

Is Round Rock a suburb of Austin or a separate city?

What is a green belt?

Is there a part of town that is a good eclectic mix, queer friendly, good bookstores or a library? Where one could find a mid priced house/apt(has to have out door space if apt.. 5 cat's don't cha know..) with a little personality.. (I will take older and a lil run down over a box with no soul) Access to water would be very nice as I am a shrinking flower about extreem heat... (What can I say.. I'm a Northern California girl who has never gotten used to actually having seasons..)

What part of town should I be looking at??????? lol..

Here we have mid town.. Damn Urban Renual is pushing working class poor out, but there are still pockets where you can actually afford to live and have a claw tube bathtub and hard wood floors...

Help!!!!

Diva · 03-11-2010, 01:04 PM

I'm going to address Your post point by point as best I can....I don't know everything there is to know about Austin, but will share what I DO know.....as I'm sure others will, too!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ms Cyn

Alright good people of Austin...

I have been trying to get a handle on how Austin is divided up... lol.. the flow of the city, so to speak...

If someone or two or how over many would care to add their thoughts... It would be most welcome..

Questions...

I keep running into these *Gated* communities that look great and are not expensive for what they offer... They do not look cheap at all... What exactly is meant by gated? Are these suburb properties? Sort of Stepford communities? The price has me confused.. In omaha, the further OUT you go, the more expensive housing.. (Except in the heart of down town.. Have to LOVE urban renueal.. eye rolle...) Apts that I am looking at for 800.00 would be at least 1200.00 up here, if I have the lay of the city right..

There are 'gated communities' which can be homes (sort of the golf course areas) as well as condos/apts. The homes won't be cheap, for sure. Apts can be reasonable. Depends on the area. Housing here....well....it's a buyer's/renter's market right now. You're going to get more for Your money and MAY even be able to negotiate a less expensive rent.

Is Round Rock a suburb of Austin or a separate city?

Round Rock is a separate city, but also considered a suburb of Austin. ShariBerry will be Your expert here, as this is where she lives.

What is a green belt?

A green belt is an undeveloped portion of land which makes for more green space....to be backed up against one of those is a plus!

Is there a part of town that is a good eclectic mix, queer friendly, good bookstores or a library? Where one could find a mid priced house/apt(has to have out door space if apt.. 5 cat's don't cha know..) with a little personality.. (I will take older and a lil run down over a box with no soul) Access to water would be very nice as I am a shrinking flower about extreem heat... (What can I say.. I'm a Northern California girl who has never gotten used to actually having seasons..)

I have found that the closer to the town center, the more eclectic the mix/queer friendly, etc. However....once again, there are "pockets" all over which may provide same. Travis Heights is one of those neighborhoods....about 10 minutes to downtown, close to Lady Bird Lake (aka Colorado River) and lies between I-35 & Congress.....neat area, but can also be rather pricey.

What part of town should I be looking at??????? lol..

Depends on what You want! I think finding a savvy realtor would be the key.

Here we have mid town.. Damn Urban Renual is pushing working class poor out, but there are still pockets where you can actually afford to live and have a claw tube bathtub and hard wood floors...

Help!!!!

Don't know if this was helpful to You or not.....I'm thinking here, the further OUT You go, the cheaper it's going to be.

Random · 03-11-2010, 01:07 PM

Thank you Diva

It's a starting point... We are thinking Austin because of Music and Food and Independant Film and not five months of snow and ice.. (plus there is a nude beach for my nudest.. grin that's just a bonus)

Omaha, has the first three of those, PLUS five months of snow and ice.. (sigh.. all my open toed shoes have dust on them)

I just wanna get a general idea of what areas we should look at when we met Austin face to face.. grin...

Arwen · 03-11-2010, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ms Cyn

We are thinking Austin because of Music and Food and Independant Film and not five months of snow and ice.. (plus there is a nude beach for my nudest.. grin that's just a bonus)

Hey woman! Just sent you a PM.

Come to south Austin. It's where the best kitschy-schitz is.

Dylan · 03-11-2010, 03:44 PM

MsCyn, are you looking to rent or buy?

Dylan

Random · 03-11-2010, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan

MsCyn, are you looking to rent or buy?

Dylan

Rent at first... I belive in living together before the long term commitment.. lol

I would love a house over an apt.. I miss having a yard to fuss over.. but we will see what we can afford house wise

Dylan · 03-12-2010, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ms Cyn

Rent at first... I belive in living together before the long term commitment.. lol

I would love a house over an apt.. I miss having a yard to fuss over.. but we will see what we can afford house wise

I can tell you this.

For a house to rent in Austin, you're looking at a minimum of $1100 a month. Anything lower than that, and you're going to be in a neighborhood you don't want. $1100 will probably get you something like a 3/1 with about 800ish to 900ish square feet. In one of the trendier, closer-to-town neighborhoods, you're looking at about $1600...and that's an 'up and coming' trendy neighborhood...not the established trendy neighborhoods like South Congress. If you go out toward Pflugerville or Round Rock (aka South Dallas), you'll get about 1300 square feet for about $1100 to $1200 and up.

I can say this with relative assuredness as Mahhh Woman and I have been looking at new rentals for the last couple of months. We have not only done the paper and craigslist, but we've also driven around and looked at houses. It's getting pricey in these parts.

Also be very aware of your tenant rights here in Texas...they're basically non-existent (compared to other states). You can research this online. Apartment complexes take advantage of newcomers not being familiar with the laws, and they'll get you in added fees and such. Really really read the fine print of your lease...especially if you decide on an apartment in a complex. And definitely read up on Texas tenant rights before you sign anything. Some apartment complexes put the most ridiculous crap into their leases banking on the fact that A) you won't read it and B) you don't know what they're allowed to do in Texas. I'm not trying to imply you're ignorant of these sorts of things...I'm sayin' people can be awful sneaky in Texas. It's happened to me twice with management companies where they put crazy stuff into their leases and then insisted I HAD to sign it, because that's how Texas rolls.

Also, are you more of a big box/shopping center shopper or more of a local, independent store shopper?

Dylan

Random · 03-11-2010, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arwen

Hey woman! Just sent you a PM.

Come to south Austin. It's where the best kitschy-schitz is.

Kitschy schitzy is good.. Kitschy schitzy is very good..

What is Kitschy Schitzy?

Grin

Ashton · 03-11-2010, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ms Cyn

Kitschy schitzy is good.. Kitschy schitzy is very good..

What is Kitschy Schitzy?

Grin

Hee hee she's trying to say its the new hip area...course she lives there so she could be bias

Ashton · 03-11-2010, 07:34 PM

A few questions have to be answered first
1. Are you more of a north or south of the river type
2. east or west of mopac type
3. or are you more a south Dallas type

Hee hee just kidding...Austin joke.

Like Diva said the closer to downtown is going to be more exspensive. Right now downtown and just south of the river are in the middle of urban renewal and so are going to be the most exspensive. The edges of these area will be less exspensive obviously.

But by what you have exspressed to be looking for I would suggest that you look in the area north of 24th street up to Koening ln/fm 2222, with loop 1/mopac to Airport blvd/loop 111 being your west/east borders. In this area I think you will find the $$$ is right and the places have character.

As far as the water issue goes that is plenty of that; the Colorado river runs right through the center of town. Austin is bordered by lakes and rivers that are as close as 20 minutes away to a couple of hours. There is no shortage of water fun here...well unless we are in a drought!! hee hee

In all fairness there is so much going on in all areas of Austin as far as music, food, entertainment, shopping that, with the exceptions, there arent really bad areas to live in here.

Probably more then you wanted to know but there it is

Random · 03-11-2010, 08:44 PM

Thanks Mr. Ashton,

Do you play dominos?

Michele and I were just having an.. OMG community!!!!! moment BBQs, game night, craft night, beauty days.. did I meantion craft night? and of course Mic has to chime in.. *And Arwen can cook for me..*

Thank you for the hints... I will put that area on my list of areas to check out.. (I rely greatly on how an area/house feel to me.. what is the vibe of the earth)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashton

A few questions have to be answered first
1. Are you more of a north or south of the river type
2. east or west of mopac type
3. or are you more a south Dallas type

Hee hee just kidding...Austin joke.

Like Diva said the closer to downtown is going to be more exspensive. Right now downtown and just south of the river are in the middle of urban renewal and so are going to be the most exspensive. The edges of these area will be less exspensive obviously.

But by what you have exspressed to be looking for I would suggest that you look in the area north of 24th street up to Koening ln/fm 2222, with loop 1/mopac to Airport blvd/loop 111 being your west/east borders. In this area I think you will find the $$$ is right and the places have character.

As far as the water issue goes that is plenty of that; the Colorado river runs right through the center of town. Austin is bordered by lakes and rivers that are as close as 20 minutes away to a couple of hours. There is no shortage of water fun here...well unless we are in a drought!! hee hee

In all fairness there is so much going on in all areas of Austin as far as music, food, entertainment, shopping that, with the exceptions, there arent really bad areas to live in here.

Probably more then you wanted to know but there it is

Diva · 03-11-2010, 10:09 PM

Facebook's moving to Austin!??!?!?! Oh wow!

Of course, when something goes wrong with FB, I hope AUSTIN doesn't get blamed......like Texas was always blamed for Little Shrub.....

Puplove · 03-11-2010, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diva

Facebook's moving to Austin!??!?!?! Oh wow!

Of course, when something goes wrong with FB, I hope AUSTIN doesn't get blamed......like Texas was always blamed for Little Shrub.....

Reality collides with Social City

Gemme · 03-11-2010, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puplove

Reality collides with Social City

It may look something like this.

Diva · 03-12-2010, 02:12 AM

Try this....it will make You smile...

Take a break and have some fun!!! Call the Nestle Hot line at 1-800-295-0051 When asked if you want to continue in English or Spanish, wait quietly for about 10 seconds and you will smile. Keep going and press 4. Then press 7. If you comment on this, don't give away the surprise.

03-11-2010, 12:52 PM	#1
Random Senior Member How Do You Identify?: femme Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: back in the land of trees and snow Posts: 2,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 8,017 Thanked 5,327 Times in 1,378 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	Alright good people of Austin... I have been trying to get a handle on how Austin is divided up... lol.. the flow of the city, so to speak... If someone or two or how over many would care to add their thoughts... It would be most welcome.. Questions... I keep running into these Gated communities that look great and are not expensive for what they offer... They do not look cheap at all... What exactly is meant by gated? Are these suburb properties? Sort of Stepford communities? The price has me confused.. In omaha, the further OUT you go, the more expensive housing.. (Except in the heart of down town.. Have to LOVE urban renueal.. eye rolle...) Apts that I am looking at for 800.00 would be at least 1200.00 up here, if I have the lay of the city right.. Is Round Rock a suburb of Austin or a separate city? What is a green belt? Is there a part of town that is a good eclectic mix, queer friendly, good bookstores or a library? Where one could find a mid priced house/apt(has to have out door space if apt.. 5 cat's don't cha know..) with a little personality.. (I will take older and a lil run down over a box with no soul) Access to water would be very nice as I am a shrinking flower about extreem heat... (What can I say.. I'm a Northern California girl who has never gotten used to actually having seasons..) What part of town should I be looking at??????? lol.. Here we have mid town.. Damn Urban Renual is pushing working class poor out, but there are still pockets where you can actually afford to live and have a claw tube bathtub and hard wood floors... Help!!!! __________________ ~Volunteer~ "It gets in your blood"

03-11-2010, 01:07 PM	#3
Random Senior Member How Do You Identify?: femme Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: back in the land of trees and snow Posts: 2,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 8,017 Thanked 5,327 Times in 1,378 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	Thank you Diva It's a starting point... We are thinking Austin because of Music and Food and Independant Film and not five months of snow and ice.. (plus there is a nude beach for my nudest.. grin that's just a bonus) Omaha, has the first three of those, PLUS five months of snow and ice.. (sigh.. all my open toed shoes have dust on them) I just wanna get a general idea of what areas we should look at when we met Austin face to face.. grin... __________________ ~Volunteer~ "It gets in your blood"

03-11-2010, 07:34 PM	#10
Ashton Member How Do You Identify?: Transgender Preferred Pronoun?: Masculine Relationship Status: retired Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,409 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,215 Thanked 1,526 Times in 461 Posts Rep Power: 13892881	A few questions have to be answered first 1. Are you more of a north or south of the river type 2. east or west of mopac type 3. or are you more a south Dallas type Hee hee just kidding...Austin joke. Like Diva said the closer to downtown is going to be more exspensive. Right now downtown and just south of the river are in the middle of urban renewal and so are going to be the most exspensive. The edges of these area will be less exspensive obviously. But by what you have exspressed to be looking for I would suggest that you look in the area north of 24th street up to Koening ln/fm 2222, with loop 1/mopac to Airport blvd/loop 111 being your west/east borders. In this area I think you will find the $$$ is right and the places have character. As far as the water issue goes that is plenty of that; the Colorado river runs right through the center of town. Austin is bordered by lakes and rivers that are as close as 20 minutes away to a couple of hours. There is no shortage of water fun here...well unless we are in a drought!! hee hee In all fairness there is so much going on in all areas of Austin as far as music, food, entertainment, shopping that, with the exceptions, there arent really bad areas to live in here. Probably more then you wanted to know but there it is __________________ AshDugan "Judge not that ye be not judged." "Do Unto Other that ye would have done unto thy" See My Photography here [IMG]

03-11-2010, 03:44 PM	#5
Dylan Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Permanently Banned 10/2010 Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: She thinks all my jokes are corny Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Great State O' Posts: 880 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,027 Thanked 1,838 Times in 500 Posts Rep Power: 0	MsCyn, are you looking to rent or buy? Dylan

03-11-2010, 10:09 PM	#12
Diva Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Diva Preferred Pronoun?: Diva Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chez Diva Posts: 11,879 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,263 Thanked 17,175 Times in 5,239 Posts Rep Power: 0	Facebook's moving to Austin!??!?!?! Oh wow! Of course, when something goes wrong with FB, I hope AUSTIN doesn't get blamed......like Texas was always blamed for Little Shrub.....

03-12-2010, 02:12 AM	#15
Diva Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Diva Preferred Pronoun?: Diva Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chez Diva Posts: 11,879 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,263 Thanked 17,175 Times in 5,239 Posts Rep Power: 0	Try this....it will make You smile... Take a break and have some fun!!! Call the Nestle Hot line at 1-800-295-0051 When asked if you want to continue in English or Spanish, wait quietly for about 10 seconds and you will smile. Keep going and press 4. Then press 7. If you comment on this, don't give away the surprise.