I have some friends who are moving to Austin next month and are looking for a nice place to live. Any recommendations on neighborhoods they should look at in the $700-900/month rent price range?
for a house or an apt? NO, read that, ZERO houses in 'nice' neighborhoods at that price. Killer Apartments on the NW side of town. Stay AWAY from SE, E, NE. (Riverside&Rundberg=robbery/burglary Zones) West campus is fun but pricey (25,000 college age girls in various stages of dress ). Many 'condos' going up if they fancy downtown living... ummm SoCo or South Austin is kinda the hip place to be. All the dirty hippies and vegan freaks live down there... the suburbs are devoid of culture but generally safe and decently priced. But unless you plan on driving to the city for fun you may as well live in Oklahoma.
I don't know what the rates are now, but about four years ago my wife and I lived in the Bent Tree Apartments, which is in the NW area. We liked it. It was both close to the highway and offered some nice streets for running/walking the dog. http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate/TX ... ments.html
I lived in Hyde Park for a few years, and I liked it. West Campus really isn't for anyone that wants to sleep during the week, unless you go farther west past Lamar. Research Blvd and Mopac has some nice, usually inexpensive apartments, but it's a little boring. Stay away from Riverside/Oltorf area if you can help it.
