Reply #1: Are you buying or renting?

[Dora]

Austin has a lot to offer for many different kinds of habitat needs.

What's important to you? Are you coming by yourself or with a family? Is this for work or for graduate school? etc...

I moved here in '97 for grad school and I've stayed. I lived quite close to the UT campus for a few years, then moved slightly further north to live with my boyfriend (now husband). We bought our first house a year later, and we chose to stay inside the loop formed by I-35, Hwy 71, Mopac, and Hwy 183. It was important to us that we stay central because my husband is a musician, and I didn't want him driving 15 miles to get home at 2:30 in the morning. We would have spent less if we lived farther away, but we'd be paying a heck of a lot more to drive to work these days.

Eastside is less expensive, and struggling with gentrification issues. South Austin is a mixed bag. We live south of the river close to the Barton Creek greenbelt and on an awesome bus route. Everything we really need is within walking distance of our home (1.5 miles or less).

Hyde Park is too crowded, but cute. There are some really great central neighborhoods.

If you're buying, houses are expensive here. If you're renting, take your time on your search.