Moving to Austin

[AladainAF]

What the hell, manor near downtown is actually decent now? We did a habitat for humanity home building thing there back in 1999 and all of us were constantly in fear of being shot. It was so run down.

Another good place to try for breakfast if you want a good austin tradition (especially if you've worked for Dell, you KNOW you've eaten these) -- Ken's Tacos. Ooooh.. yeah. Also if you want some good 'ol southern soul food, try hitting up Dots. The old place burned down but the new place I think is up and running. That place is amazing. Sure, a lunch will contain about 7,000 calories, but its the best soul food ever. Big fat black grandma cookin is the best cooking in the world. Get your chicken and dumplins', biscuits and gravy, corn, and greens. Top it all off with some good ol southern sweet tea. So good I usually leave them a 50% tip just because the food is actually worth more IMO.

I'm one of those that lives up north in Williamson county (Pflugerville). I find the drive to Austin to be easy as long as its not during rush hour. From 45 to downtown via 35 takes me about ~12-15 minutes tops.

I'm game on a FoH meet up!

[fat12]

We should definitely meet up at the Jackelope sometime. And for those who ride bikes, every Thursday there is the Thursday Night Social Ride. Always a lotta fun and usually ends with some free beer. Tons of bikes and tons of cutiepie girls on them. Austin Texas Bike... Stuff | Local bike rides for regular AND irregular people

[Rune]

Yeah of course I leave Austin and not a month later there's a FOH meetup.

I lived in Riverside for a few years and if you're not a total pussy it's really not a big deal. There's some nice new apartments there now if you haven't been down there in a few years. There's been a couple of murders, sure, and you basically have to speak spanish to go to the grocery store but most of the crime moved up north to IH-35 and 183ish area. Rent was hella sweet. Wouldn't live there with a family though. If you're from upstate NY I would probably stay the hell away from I-35 actually.

Alright, I lied. Now that I think about it, Riverside is a shithole. Although, free late night E-bus to downtown? Hell yeah!

I loved it. I found Spicewood springs, 2222 360, 620 etc too damn boring. So check there.

My favorite restaurant is Enchiladas y mas on Anderson Lane. They have pretty mediocre tex mex overall but for some reason make the best damn fajitas in the history of the world. I go (went) to Chuy's for everything else, especially their fresh flour tortillas. Like crack.

Homeslice just has the Austin patina down if you're for sampling some local hipster flavor. Garlic knots are crazy delicious.

If you're for sampling authentic Texas style barbeque skip the overrated Salt Lick (Which, I admit, has the plus of allowing you to bring your own ice chest of booze) and head to pok-e-joes (My favored location was in the arboretum, behind Macaroni Grill). My family's been in texas forever, and while they do have off days, their brisket, sausage and especially turkey are amazing. Close second would be Rudy's, just for their fatty brisket alone. Jalapeno sausage wasn't bad either.

Best burgers in Austin would be a tough call but my vote is for the new Mighty Fine (north mopac, kind of hard to get to in the arborwalk village) plus all their shit is legit ranch beef none of that mass produced e coli shit.

Shout out to Sweetish Hill for their ridiculously good cakes.

[Whyme]

I could eat Freebird's burritos every day for the rest of my life.

Goddamn I can't believe I forgot Freebirds... maybe because they were founded in College Station, goddamn aggies.

I want to reiterate the "stay away from N35" sentiment. I worked at North Lamar and Rundberg Lane at the Hollywood video there for 2 years and that is easily the most dangerous intersection in Austin. My store still had bullet holes in their windows. You've been warned.

[Citten]

Just got back from Boston. Liked it there besides the wild roads, wouldn't be worth the move though.

Have added most of the comments up but am a bit confused; location wise has been mixed opinion with what's considered acceptable outskirts (nothing past the 1 and 35 bridge south of the river?). Not a 'pussy' (Lived 2 blocks from 13 murdered in Binghamton this last April) - definitely know how to watch my back. Preference sake I don't mind minorities / different race. Mostly want to stay away from specific over-run and gang violence places.

If I have this right, 'south south' Austin is referring to zilker, south lamar, westgate, galindo, river city, bouldin (though i'm seeing St Edwards University towards the east so these places can't be that bad?)

Right now my proximity is looking like north of the river, east of 1, west of 35 (perhaps west of 183 in certain areas?), south of 51st st (perhaps south of 183 in certain areas).

Wont get down to Austin for a week or so; booking with frequent flier miles.

Appreciate all the info.

[AladainAF]

I live in Pflugerville, but I'm also 33 and don't really go party every weekend.

If you want to live in the in-crowd area, south is your best bet. "South south" austin is like Slaughter lane, Onion Creek, Oak Hill, William Cannon, etc. "South" austin is just slightly south of downtown -- Barton Springs, Zilker Park area, Oltorf, Riverside (not the east side of), etc. Again, 78704 zip code is the premiere hippy stuff.

[Mixtilplix]

Intersting thread. Was thinking about moving out of LA for a change. Just a quick question are most of the apartments new structures in Austin or is it mixed?

[AladainAF]

Originally Posted by Mixtilplix

Intersting thread. Was thinking about moving out of LA for a change. Just a quick question are most of the apartments new structures in Austin or is it mixed?

Mixed.

Craigslist is great to check for apartments. You can also go here to get an idea: Austin apartments for Rent | Austin Apartment Rentals in TX

Although, I find apartments horrible rip offs if you plan on living here. I pay less for a 3 bedroom house than a typical 2 bedroom apartment in Austin in 1 bedroom in some places ($1020 mortgage 15-year including taxes and insurance).

Housing prices in Texas are much less than you'd be used to coming from the northeast or Cali or a place like Phoenix. You can find an extremely nice place for pretty cheap in the smaller towns outside of Austin but very close to Austin (i.e. in Kyle -- a 5 bedroom 2.5 bath 2700+ sq. ft. home built in 2000 for $139k).

[Citten]

From what I've seen a lot of the stuff on CL is agent based. They search for apartments you like with your own pricing and area requirements; in return for a commission from the landlord (I'm guessing this happens in other major cities but I've never gone through those ropes).

Started setting that up today; gave an agent my preferred proximity in Austin (thanks to you all), price range, and she's sending me info on each possible apartment. Comes in handy being out of state.

She mentioned lots of rebuilds in the heart of it all which are expensive; older stuff which is reasonable, and really nice and new further out that is reasonably priced.

[Nazbuk]

Every time I've been to Austin I always stop off at: Texadelpha Texadelphia | Austin. It's this Phili cheese steak place but with a Texas taste. I loved it.

[Adam12]

Originally Posted by Mixtilplix

Intersting thread. Was thinking about moving out of LA for a change. Just a quick question are most of the apartments new structures in Austin or is it mixed?

You'll laugh so hard at the people bitching about the traffic here. It's fucking beautiful (other than the people going too slow, as James said).

There are a lot of new apartment/condos up the further you get from downtown, like in the NW part of the city into Cedar Park, and in the Pflugerville/Round Rock area.

[Mixtilplix]

Yeah LA traffic is the worst. I remember driving home on a freeway late one night with my friend from Alabama in the car. By LA standards there was no traffic, maybe like 10 or so cars around us. I asked him what traffic was like in Alabama and he said that if there were this(10 +-) many cars on a freeway during the day it would be considered traffic. I am honestly more interested in the mass transit system. I have decided to give up driving and attempt to live close to my work.

[AladainAF]

Austin has practically no mass transit system, its not really needed.

There is a bus system (Capital Metro), and they are building a train but as far as I can tell the train is going to be an extremely useless route and probably wont be used much.

[Mixtilplix]

Is Austin pretty walkable? Not crime wise but distance and topography. It seems pretty flat all around.

[MrGraham]

It's walkable as in you can get from bar to bar easily downtown. Outside of bars though, there's not a lot downtown - South Congress area probably better for walking.

It's more of a biking city overall I'd say. But it depends on what you're wanting to get to. Yes it's pretty flat.