r/askaustin

Hi there! Single female, no kids, and I just accepted an offer in Austin. The plan is to move there in early September after I pass my boards. I’ll be making around $95k a year.

I also want to state that I’m not a huge spender. I’m just someone who likes structure and would like to know what is the biggest expense everyone is seeing. I will be comfortable with 95k a year and have no intentions of living above my means.

I have no plans to buy a home anytime soon and honestly don’t really want to either. I’ve been apartment hunting, and for a 1 bed/1 bath in North Austin or outside of the Domain area, I’m seeing around $1,200–$1,800/month.

I know Texas doesn’t have state income tax, which helps. But besides rent/mortgages, what would you say actually makes Austin’s cost of living feel higher than most areas? Utilities? Car insurance? Food? Parking? Going out? Just trying to get a realistic picture from people who actually live there.

Also, does anyone have an apartment locator/apartment hunter they’d recommend? I’ve heard prices can jump from August into September because of college students moving in. About how much do prices usually increase around that time?

Bruh where can I find a dentist that doesn’t feel like an MLM scam? Tried Swish and they were definitely trying to sell me on stuff I didn’t need and run the cost up. Don’t need anything fancy - just my normal twice yearly cleaning.

I searched, but most recent post on this topic is nearly a year old and still has a lot of people recommending the “big box dentists” as I like to call them.

Thanks all!

I’m trying to make a career/life decision and wanted outside perspectives from people who’ve lived in either city.

I’m single, mid-20s, Black/African, and currently live in San Antonio making around 60K in tech/IT. I recently got another opportunity in Austin that would likely pay somewhere between 65K–70K.

Career-wise, the Austin role seems like it may have more growth potential and exposure to cloud/sysadmin/security type work, but I’m trying to figure out if the salary jump is actually worth the move once real Austin living costs hit.

A few things:

I’m single, no kids

I’d want to keep rent around $1,300/month max

I’m pretty financially disciplined overall

I’m more focused on long-term career growth than partying/nightlife

I do value quality of life and not being stressed financially every month

I’m also curious from a social/cultural standpoint too as a Black African professional. I’ve heard different things about both cities and would love honest perspectives from people who’ve experienced both.

For people who’ve lived in both:

Does 65K–70K in Austin actually feel noticeably better than 60K in San Antonio?

Is Austin worth it from a career/networking perspective in tech?

How different are the day-to-day living costs REALLY?

Which city did you prefer overall and why?

Would you personally make the move?

Trying to separate the “Austin hype” from reality before making a decision.

Im not asking for a job. Im asking what jobs make that amount if there was a job available. Im currently unemployed as a video engineer in live events and would like to know what other industries are there that make 60k or even 50k at this point.

Every apartment in Austin looks amazing online until you dig a little deeper and find reviews talking about bad management, hidden fees, bugs, thin walls or maintenance issues that never get fixed. It’s gotten to the point where I’ve started researching buildings way more heavily and using things like streetsmart before even considering a place because trusting listings alone feels risky now. I want to know if anyone else feel like apartment hunting here got way more stressful lately?

I [21F] will be starting at AMD this summer and would love recommendations on areas to rent! I don’t necessarily want to stay close to AMD (not Preserve or Markson Apartments), since there isn’t much around there.

What are some cool areas with lots of other young people and plenty to do and explore within walking distance? I’m willing to commute up to 30 minutes to work.

So, tomorrow is the anniversary of the day my estranged, lunatic, abusive husband coerced me into saying “I do” only to fully unleash his complete and unapologetic disregard for me, my autonomy and self by choke slamming me, beating me, letting me know because I signed my name on the certificate,that I am now his property and will obey… fast forward; I decided that I am not about that life actually. So, despite the fact that he isolated me and left me jobless and at first broken, I decided to take the initiative and look for ways to file for divorce (with the help of my beautiful and amazing Austinite community!) but I want to sell these stupid diamond rings and other jewelry he bought me after DV attacks for my silence and was wondering, does anyone have any place they recommend? I’m not even looking to get a lot for them truthfully, I’ve just never sold jewelry and I feel it is only fitting for the date☺️

Thank you in advance as always!

My office is located a little west of the 183 and 360 intersection northwest (ish). I’m wondering if an apartment in the South Lamar/Zilker area would be too far of a commute, or if I should just stick to looking at apartments in that general area by the Domain or west over hills? I’d prefer to be closer to nightlife or activities, but I don’t want a far commute either. Any advice helps!

Hey Ya'll,

I have a group of friends that gets together quite frequently to play some card games (MTG) and we always end at the same few spots. Looking for bars/brewpubs that have bigger tables (sit 4+ w/ adequate table space). Pinthouse Bewing is quite a popular spot for tables, lighting, outdoors but covered (for vapers), and beers. St Elmos while great for variety is terrible for parking, and covered tables (same goes for Meanwhile; both places I love going to but bad for groups of 6-8)

Some of the spots we have played at: Pinthouse Brewing, Nomadic Beerworks, Fast Friends

Looking for: frozen drinks, more variety if food, and necessities (South Austin, bigger tables, liquor, and lighting)

Would appreciate any help or tips!

Edited: lots of cool places recommended. Main requirements are wider tables, coverage from sun if outside, and parking.

Hi everyone! I'm a 25 year old guy and I am moving to Austin in the next month and have been doing some home searching. I've been looking mainly in South Austin because my work is right next to the airport. I would love to find a small house or townhome with a yard because I have a dog. There is a cute one in Goodnight Ranch that I've been considering and the neighborhood looks nice. Do y'all think I'd feel disconnected from the city living that far out? That's my only concern is having trouble making friends and not feeling apart of the city being that far from downtown.

EDIT: I would like to stay under 2k but I can realistically afford up to 3k.

Hello everyone! I’m 21 and as of now I will be making the move on my own. I’m moving from Waco and I would like to know how a young person can survive on their own in Austin. What parts of town are relatively affordable and easily commutable? What is the average income for entry level jobs? I have multiple years of experience as a bartender and a concierge with restaurants and hotels. I have around $2000 dollars in my savings right now and will hopefully be close to $3000 by the time I make the move.

What are some cool social spaces in town where I can make some friends? I play D&D and MTG. I love reading fantasy and anthropology books. I’m interested in politics and activism. I’m a huge comedy fan and writer.

TLDR: I’m 21 and wanna move to Austin, I need housing, a job, and friends.

I appreciate any kind of advice that y’all have!

EDIT: Thank you everyone for the advice! I’m using this thread to form a checklist for before and after the move. I’m gonna start putting applications in for jobs and apartments towards the beginning of July! Again thank y’all this has been a really big help!

35M here. I have a great friend group back home that I’ve known since elementary/middle school, but I feel like I’m not very good at making new friends as an adult. I joined a wiffle ball league in the past, and while it helped a little, I still feel like I need to put myself out there more. Any advice would be appreciated.

I’m really into sports, hiking, trying new bars/restaurants, dogs, video games, and stuff like that.

I just visited Austin to find housing but it was a bust. I viewed over 12 apartment complexes in the South Austin area and just was not impressed for the price. I am going to be working in SoCo near HEB. I want to be near things to do while not being IN it. I am avoiding any places that require me to take I35 to and from work because the construction and traffic is too much. Wondering if anyone had any suggestions. I am doing a 1 year contract with my employment and will consider staying longer and open to moving after, if deciding to stay. I'm looking for 2 bed 2 bath around $1900. Starting to branch out to the East Austin area. We're open to condos, apartments, townhomes, whatever. We move at the end of this month so it is crunch time while also trying to not panic rent and end up miserable for a year. My partner and I enjoy pickleball, breweries, cocktails, nature, and are big foodies.

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to move to the Barton Creek / Westlake area and I’m looking for feedback on a few apartment communities before choosing one. My worksite will be in Westlake, and I’m considering staying around the Barton Creek housing area because it seems convenient for the commute.

https://preview.redd.it/iad64r72ny0h1.jpg?width=1918&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0323cc6bd9c941f016e680510c7a7104035b6613

The apartments I’m looking at are:

• Gables at the Terrace
• MAA Barton Creek
• Landmark at Barton Creek
• MAA Barton Skyway
• Skyline at Barton Creek

https://preview.redd.it/98t8yjy8ny0h1.png?width=1885&format=png&auto=webp&s=eea9c9f4997487556a3ab2764b3d4d3ddae82fc1

I’m looking for a 1 bed / 1 bath apartment. I’m single, unmarried, and mostly just want a safe, comfortable, and convenient place to live.

If anyone has lived in any of these communities, or knows someone who has, I’d really appreciate your suggestions. I’m especially interested in:

• Safety of the area/community
• Maintenance and management quality
• Parking situation
• Any hidden fees or issues
• Overall value for rent

Out of these options, which one would you recommend and which ones should I avoid?

Thanks in advance!

Moving to Austin in August and I am looking for an equivalent area to rent, similar to where I am now(Lakeview/Southport area). Any transplants know of such an area in Austin? Looking for cycling trail access as well. Thanks! Male, 50yrs, active.

I’m just curious can you file for divorce in Austin if you cannot locate your spouse?

My estranged husband abandoned us several weeks ago, I am sick, unemployed and looking for work but after months of terrible treatment from him, I just want to be done with it. I have absolutely no idea where he is except around town.

I’m not asking for legal advice per se just if anyone has had any similar experience in Texas, I guess Austin in particular.

Tyia!

Edit to add: To those who have commented, thank you. Thank you so so much. I was terrified that absolutely no one would see this or acknowledge it, I have been living in a silent hell and became convinced I was destined to stay stuck until he filed or came back and did something drastic to me because virtually no one has listened but I should have had more faith in my hometown, I feel hopeful for the very first time in so so long. Thank you all!!

Are TSA lines still super long especially at like 5am? TYIA!