Howdy Ags! đ¤ If youâre about to pack up your boots, cross the Brazos, and head to Austin for your first big job, youâre probably wondering: Where should I live? What areas are fun vs. sketchy? How does Austin really compare to College Station?
If your new job is in Austin, it can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Let me give you a quick rundown so youâll feel more prepared when you make the move.
đ The Vibe of Austin
Austin is not College Stationâand thatâs a good thing and a challenge.
Itâs busier, way more spread out, and traffic is a real thing (plan on sitting in it).
Itâs also got a big personality: live music, food trucks, outdoor activities, and tons of young professionals.
Austin has strong âneighborhood personalities.â Where you live will impact your daily experience more than you might think.
đď¸ Popular Areas for New Aggies
Hereâs a breakdown of neighborhoods youâll probably hear about:
Downtown/West 6th â Great if you love nightlife and want to be in the middle of the action. Pricey, though.
South Congress (SoCo) â Trendy, artsy, with food and shopping. More walkable but still expensive.
South Lamar / South 1st â Fun, laid-back, and slightly more affordable than downtown. Lots of food trucks and local spots.
East Austin â A mix of new apartments and older houses. Known for its cool restaurants and artsy vibe, but can feel hit-or-miss block by block.
Domain/North Austin â Lots of tech jobs up here. Itâs like a âmini-downtownâ with shops, restaurants, and nightlife without the downtown price tag.
Mueller â A newer development with parks, markets, and a safe feel. Great for young professionals who donât need to be in the middle of the bar scene.
đ° Rent Expectations
Aggie grads, be preparedâAustin rent will be a shock after College Station.
Average 1-bed: $1,400â$1,900+ depending on area.
Many apartments require 3x income rule (monthly rent must be less than 1/3 of your gross monthly pay).
Youâll want to budget early and consider roommates if youâre set on a central area.
đ Transportation & Traffic
Austin traffic is no joke.
Mopac and I-35 can eat up your day if youâre not careful.
Living closer to your job might save you hours each week.
Public transportation is limited, but scooters and rideshares are everywhere.
đł Lifestyle & Fun
Outdoors: Lady Bird Lake trails, paddle boarding, Barton Springs, Zilker Park.
Food: BBQ, Tex-Mex, food trucksâyouâll eat well.
Social Scene: Aggie Clubs and networking events happen often (the Aggie Network is alive and well here).
đ Final Tips for Aggie Grads
Donât rush your leaseâtour multiple spots before signing.
Check reviews online (look for issues like pests, noise, or shady management).
Safety firstâsome apartments look fancy online but are in areas you might not feel safe walking at night.
Aggie Networkâconnect with other grads; theyâll help you find the good spots.
đ Moving to Austin as a new Aggie grad can feel overwhelming, but itâs also an awesome city to start your career. If you approach it with the same grit you had to get through finals in Kyle Fieldâs shadow, youâll thrive.
Gig âem and welcome to Austin, Ags! đ
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Aggiesâfind your perfect apartment in your new city for FREE with Howdy Apartments! Weâll guide you on the best areas, recommend the right places, and even set up your tours. 100% free and Aggie-focused.
đ Sign up here: howdyapartments.com/start
đ˛ Call or text me anytime: Grant â 214-492-9791
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