Moving to Austin What areas do I need to stay away from when searching for a home for me and my family?|128928

I have 2 daughters. I need it to be affordable but I don_t want to live on the wrong side of the tracks! I_ll be working in Austin but don_t mind a commute.

While Northeast, East and Southeast Austin do have some hidden gems, the overwhelming majority of these neighborhoods are bad (high rates of poverty, homelessness, crime, pollution, etc.). North, Northwest, and Central Austin neighborhoods are typically much nicer than those mentioned above, but the crime rates in these areas are some of the highest in the city. South and Southwest Austin are two of the safest options in town.

If you are raising a family and are in your mid 20s-early 30s, then I would recommend that you check out the southwest side of town. More specifically, you should check into the neighborhoods off of Stassney and Emerald Wood, Brodie and Alexandria (Maple Run), Westgate and William Cannon. You will not only be able to find some great houses in good, safe neighborhoods but also invest in some property that will continue to increase in value with the growth of the surrounding areas. Additionally, South Austin is old Austin, so there is more of a culture and community vibe.

If you are interested in schools, Austin ISD has a great transfer policy. There are plenty of good schools in the district to choose from, so your educational options won_t be limited by the area in which you choose to reside.

I hope this helps; good luck on your move!

If you have not visited Austin before, there is a very reputable _a href=_http://www.carvajalgroup�� website _/a_ that has a list of real estate options (with pictures included) for you to choose from. You can choose the location, price range, etc. with your preferences.

Stay as far away from Mexico as you can. As for Texas, it_s too late to warn you about that.

In Austin, the wrong side of the tracks is east of Interstate 35.