rjdunn03 wrote:
Gorgasali wrote:
kasonhills wrote:
How did everyone like preview weekend? I loved it. Austin blew me away and I think I'm really going to enjoy my time there. All of the students (both prospective and current) that I met were really cool too. Hope everyone who was on the fence commits, it's going to be an awesome two years.
I had a great time! And now I've got a list of about 50 clubs and organizations and programs I want to do that I have to start winnowing down.
I really enjoyed it as well, really looking forward to living in Austin. It was good to meet Gorgasali. And actually everyone I met this weekend was great.
Anyone have thoughts on recommended housing? I have a significant other who will 90% likely be joining me in Austin, I think we're just going to get a 1BR place somewhere. Downtown was cool but expensive. In the housing panel the students suggested staying away from SoCo, but on FB a lot of students really like it, and it seems a bit more in my price range.
South Congress isn't a bad place to live, although its definitely a bit south of campus. A lot of great restaurants are popping up in this area, and in the South Lamar area as well. Cool bars and not as much congestion as the downtown area. Also easy access to Town Lake and Zilker Park which frequently hold great outdoor events.
Things start to get more and more shady if you go too far east of I-35, although the areas immediately next to the highway are starting to come around. Great prices can be found between MLK and Manor road immediately east of the highway and very close to campus. This is the area I'd be shooting for if I made it off of the wait list. Tons of UT transportation in this area if you don't feel like messing with parking on campus, which can really suck.
Downtown is definitely expensive and traffic can get really bad in that area, so I wouldn't recommend living downtown unless night life, bars, and restaurants are a huge plus for you. I only tend to go downtown on the weekends, so I found that it makes more sense to pay cheaper rent elsewhere, and just cab to and from downtown whenever I feel like it. When driving south on the highways during rush hour, the traffic really starts to get bad once you get south of MLK. So just keep in mind, every few exits south of MLK you live, a decent amount of time will be added to your commute.
If you feel like living further north, the Arboretum is probably the best area. Although, the farther you travel north, the less it will feel like Austin. Those who frequent Chili's, Panda Express, and Cicis pizza will really enjoy the fine dining of North Austin.