What's Happening in Austin

[Random]

Thanks Rev!!!!

What exactly do you mean by areas that I don't want? Really high crime? Hard core drug? (I ask because my old house in N. Omaha, my friends wouldn't come because it was NORTH Omaha and people get shot in NORTH OMAHA.. lol.. when in reality our lil area was safer than living out in the burbs..)

I've been searching on-line and doing the craigs list deal.. But I think driving around a area is the best way to feel out an area.. It's a great benifit to me that you and yrrrrrrrr woman have been doing the drive around..

I think a house may be out of our price range when we/if we first get there, so your advice about tx leasing law is wonderful... Our apt here is my first tasted of*traditional* box complex living.. I've always lived in houses or coverted houses/apt..

Myself, I prefer areas that are on the fringes.. areas that in 10-15 yrs will be trendy... I like an area that has an artistic vibe to it, without all the pretense of being a Hip area.. lol... Mic doesn't care.. As long as there is space for the cats to go outside and I am happy.. Mic is happy...

As far as shopping goes... We try to do a combination... If we could afford it, then we would only shop local/independant stores.. We can't, so we do shop the wally world...

Thanks for all the suggests Rev.. very, very, very helpful...

Originally Posted by Dylan

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