Hello. I'm looking at taking a job in Austin, Texas, but I'm having a hard time deciding if the salary is enough or not. I hear from one study that says Austin is one of the best cities in the country for value, and I've talked to several people who said it was cheap for a city, but then I'm getting conflicting information from other people who say it's really expensive, and you can barely scrape by on $60,000. I'm single, don't go out much, and only need an apartment--can anyone tell me what you need to earn to get by in Austin? How much to live comfortably? Thanks.|||One of the quickest ways to determine cost of living there is to visit Apartment Guide on line, or For Rent Magazine (there are other smaller sites, but these are National ones and they are the primary advertising spots for management companies that are leasing apartments. There are listings according to the area of the city that you are interested in living and it gives a lot of information about the size of apartment and the amenities that you get for your buck. There are very good buys there as well as what you get for your money, and there are extravagant ones that are very expensive. My 35 year old son is preparing to buy a home this summer, lives in the NW area of the city. My younger son lives South of Austin in a suburban area and will move West of the City soon. I lived there 8 years and was a property manager on several properties there, so know a lot about how to find a place to live. The first consideration is where would you work. Anyplace is not a bargain if it delivers a huge long commute for you every day. You either get to hate your job for being so far from home, or hate your home for being so far from work. That I would think is the first consideration. After that, make a list of the things that you think are important to find in the place you live. Do you want a large apartment, how about a view, 1st, 2nd, 3rd floor? What appliances do you want to be there. Do you want washer dryer connections or do you need the W/D to be in the apartment already (there are services that provide these appliances to rent also if not included in your apartment). What about high speed internet connections, paid cable or other utilities - do you want a fitness center or gym on site (many have these), some will also provide you with a gym membership in another location as part of your lease package. Covered parking? Recreation centers, pools (almost everywhere), tennis courts, golf??? There are lots of things to consider. You pay for what you get. If you are not a tennis player obviously tennis courts that are there for you are just something that you would pay for that would be of no value to you. The two magazines that I recommended have listings that tell about all these amenities. You can compare different areas pricewise, as well as comparing different complexes within the area you like.
My son and his wife have a one bedroom (large) in the NW part of the city. It is about 8 years old and was built as a luxury apartment complex so it is very attractive and in an easily accessible place. They have every amenity that you could ever want and they use them. They are young professionals, enjoy their home and want it to be pleasant space. I believe they pay about $700 a month in the Mopac/183 area. They have paid more and less in different areas. Depending upon whether you come from San Francisco, NY, Chicago or small town America you will find these rents high or reasonable. There are lots to choose from and you can find something that just suits you. I found that Austin rents generally were not so high compared to out of state cities of comparable growth. I think the job opportunities are good, pay well there, and that a single person has a wonderful opportunity for a great quality of life there. I supported a family on considerably less than the $60,000 you mentioned. A single person can live comfortably on a lot less than that. Also, utilities are mostly owned (excluding gas) by the city and are inexpensive as compared to other places. There is no tax on groceries, no state income tax and no tax on pharmaceuticals. I hope that some of this information is helpful to you and that if you move to Austin you will find it as great a place to live as I did. Easy to make friends, plenty of places to go and things to do. Good luck.|||I think if you get a decent place to live and are making anywhere in the $60-70 range you will be fine. Rent will probably be the largest expense of yours ranging from $700-900 for a 1/1 (depending on what side of town, apt community, management %26amp; amenities) but everything else is more or less decent. Food is cheap, groceries are cheap (Shop at HEB) and if you like to shop, well you can spend alot there but if you dont, then you should be fine.
I lived there for 6 years and recently moved but I was making alot less that $60k and I was fine with my $720.00 rent insurance and all my utilities...but I also went out alot and I always had money to spare...|||I grew up in Austin, went to college there, and am currently living in Washington, D.C. This isn't very scientific, but I think $60,000 would be enough to live comfortably. It may be more difficult if you have a lot of student debt or want to save up and buy a house. I am considering moving back to Austin and would definitely take a job there for that salary. (However, I'm currently working for a non-profit, so making $60,000 sounds like a huge step up!) I pay $1050 for an efficiency apartment in D.C.; as a basis of comparison, a friend of mine was renting a 2-bedroom house in a great area in Austin for the same price.
And, you just can't beat the quality of life in Austin. It's not just one the best cities for the value, but one of the best cities in the country period. Obviously I'm a little biased. :)|||Hi,
Austin has a daily newspaper called Austin American-Statesman. Go to statesman.com, click on homes, click on apartments, click city area where you'd like to live, or just leave in "no preference". You'll see prices and video tours. There are some inexpensive 1-bedrooms there. Good luck. 鈽?/div>
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