Austin bound?

Theres lots that fit your description, but where are you gonna be. Northwest, South, East?? That would help a bunch.

 

I don't want to be biased. I live in Northwest Austin, and love the area, its developing very fast, yet developed already. South and East Austin are your gang areas. I live on the west side of 35 in Round Rock. What I was saying in my earlier post, what area will you be working in, I don't think you want to travel from North Austin to South Austin daily, could be a 1 hour drive with traffic.

 

By the way, if you need a real estate agent, I can have my friend take you around and show you around. He loves his cars as well, more domestic though. I'm guessing your retired, I just assumed since your profile said Landscape Maintenance, you still worked. PM me if you are in need of a realtor, and I will tell him he has a client.

 

congrats on your move to the greatest city in the world!

Austin as a whole is one of the safest cities in America. We had less than 30 murders last year as compared to Dallas's almost 300. People just seem to be happier here. I tell you that just so you realize there really arent a whole lot of dangerous or unsafe places here. Nothing like Dallas or Houston or LA. The East side of 35 would be where the majority of crime happens in Austin but even there it isnt nearly as bad as other medium to large cities. There is actually a pretty big renewal effort going on the east side and it is quickly becoming the new hip and trendy place to live. also, downtown austin is still a place where everyone in town gets together. it has not been abandoned for the suburbs. downtown has a great small town feel even though austin is now a medium sized city.

i recommend you check out the west side for its sheer beauty and access to the lake golf courses and many rivers. that is where the majority of the hills are and where the hill country begins. northwest austin is a little bit more "national" builder, master planned communities, west austin is the most expensive and the most custom, and southwest austin is more hill country and custom ranchettes. all have their advantages and disadvantages.

for instance, we live in lakeway right now (far west austin) but are building a house out on 7 acres in spicewood on lake travis (even farther west austin). i just love the beauty of the hill country and the new house is only a 2 mile drive to my new title office and a 25 mile drive to my law office in downtown.

congrats again on the move and welcome to Austin!

Jason

 

I've lived all over Austin.... every side of town. The high gang areas are on the north east side and the east side, mainly near 11th st. It's almost funny to even say that we have gangs because it's nothing compared to most other cities.
The so-called gangs on the south side aren't violent for the most part. It's mostly tagging and car burglaries. I don't fear walking around anywhere in Austin.

To me the panhandlers are far more of a nuicence. They're all over the place these days.

 

David, we have about 50 owners in the Austin area with a total of about 90-100 Ferraris. At our monthly gatherings we usually have between 10 & 20 Ferraris.
San Antonio has about the same amount of Ferraris and we sometimes get together for F1 watching parties, charity events, etc. It's a great drive on the back roads from Austin to San Antonio so I go to all those event as well.

Shady Hollow & Circle C on the far south west side of town both have nice moderately priced homes. They're both great neighborhoods and they don't have any crime.

 

I'll throw in another recommendation for something on the west side of 35. I agree with the comment on the panhandlers, you just have to get used to ignoring them.

 

I find this thread particularly interesting because I too, am moving to Austin! I guess it's just the place to be these days! I'm having a difficult time trying to figure out where to live as well--I'm single and I will be working out of northwest Austin. I hear downtown is great...but where the heck would I park (need 3 secure garage spaces)? Unlike David, I would probably prefer the condo thing--any rec's on something other than downtown (I'm already going to look downtown)? Sorry David, I'm not trying to hijack your thread...

 

like i was saying before, unless you plan on living on 8th, 9th, 10th or 11th street just east of 35, there isnt much of any crime to worry about and gangs are the last thing i would ever consider in moving to austin. they just dont play a role here.

i would consider circle c to be more southwest austin than south austin.

we havent even discussed the cool older parts of Austin like Tarrytown, Westlake, Hydepark or SoCo or close in South Austin which is as funky and eclectic as all get out.

for the OP, if you are looking for a place to retire and be close to golf courses and water sports, west austin is your place. it doesnt matter if its northwest, southwest or just west. thats your most "resort" like areas.

as for where to live for a single guy, try looking into several of the condo projects on SoCo and Lamar street just south of Town Lake. If none of those fit you, then look into hyde park and south austin. lots of atmosphere and close in to all the action. All of these are great areas and really happening! I will also add that covered garage parking is plentiful in Downtown if youre willing to pay for it (about $100/month).

welcome to both of you!!! youre gonna love it here!


Jason

 

Would you like to give me a ride in your 355 Spider?