Writing

Thinking of Moving to Austin? A Pinterest Relocation Guide

I’ve been on Pinterest for a few months now. I rarely used it and it had about as much appeal to me as covering my entire body in Nair.

With it’s broadening popularity and user presence, I began noticing that people are doing some pretty creative stuff on it.

Austin ad agency GSD&M’s “SXSW Survival Guide” is a great example of how Pinterest can be so much more than just a bunch of photos of shoes or houses you’ll never be able to afford.

Inspired by this project and trying to find the best avenue for a relocation guide to Austin, I created a series of boards with popular neighborhoods in our city, neighborhoods people would want to move to. I included business, homes, the cost of living, museums etc. Often I get emails or comments from folks telling me that they’re thinking about moving here and I thought having a visual on Pinterest would be a perfect answer!

If you’re on Pinterest, you can follow me here. Please leave your username in the comments below so I can follow you too!

If you have any suggestions to add to the boards below, please let me know! I’m still updating the boards. This took me several days to make and it will evolve over time.

 

Thinking of Moving to Austin? A Pinterest Relocation Guide

The boards:

Clarksville– this downtown neighborhood is within walking distance to many popular shops, but real estate and rent is quite high (includes Enfield area) $$$-$$$$

South Austin– this hip and family-friendly neighborhood is home to many favorite local businesses. Real Estate is affordable for considering how close it is to Downtown and renters can find good deals. $$

University Area– the University area is covered in students, but the neighborhood features some favorite hangout spots and affordable places to rent. $$

North Loop – this Northern Central neighborhood is popular with families but more young entrpreneurs are opening businesses here. Real Estate is growing here, but you can find good deals, as can renters. $$

Crestview– this Northern Central neighborhood is popular with families but more young entrepreneurs are opening businesses here as well. Real Estate is a little high for what you get, but you can find good deals, as can renters (includes Allendale neighborhood). $$

Hyde Park – Hyde Park is a family-friendly neighborhood that caters to both old and new alike. There is a homey feeling in this historical neighborhood. Real estate is high, but you can find some good deals, as can renters. $$-$$$

South Congress– this close to Downtown neighborhood features old and new boutiques and restaurants and is popular with locals and tourists. Real estate is expensive, but renters can find some good deals (includes Travis Heights and Bouldin Creek neighborhoods). $$$

Downtown Austin– this neighborhood is mostly condos and lofts, but is a popular place for young people to hang out. Real estate and rent is expensive. $$$-$$$$

East Austin– this neighborhood is where old meets new and is popular with artists an young entrepreneurs. Real estate is still affordable here and you can find great deals on rent. P.S. This is my hood! (includes Cherrywood and Holly neighborhoods) $-$$

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22 Comments

  • Reply sean February 16, 2012 at 9:45 pm

    i wish this existed 6 months ago when i moved here!

    follow my pinterest board: seannydee

  • Reply Elisa February 16, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    This is so great Lauren. I saw these boards popping up over the past few days on the big P.

    It also really works as ideas of things to do with out of town guests when they come visit. Thanks!

    • Reply hipstercrite February 16, 2012 at 10:35 pm

      Yay! Glad you liked it! Thanks, Elisa!

  • Reply Tim February 16, 2012 at 10:30 pm

    East Austin’s a pretty massive place to sum up as one area. University Hills, Santa Monica Park, Govalle, Cherrywood, Holly, Agave, Sol, Mueller, etc. We’re pretty diverse.

    • Reply Tim February 16, 2012 at 10:31 pm

      I say this as encouragement to dive deeper, not as a criticism.

      • Reply hipstercrite February 16, 2012 at 10:35 pm

        Hey Tim! Yeah, I’m totally with you. I could probably spend days elaborating on East Austin. I love East Austin and it is where I live. It is so uniquely different in many areas. I tried to summarize as much as I could. One day when I have more time, I’ll continue with it! Thanks for the comment.

  • Reply Daniel W February 16, 2012 at 10:45 pm

    This is an incredible idea, and I love it. I’ve got a few friends that are massive names in the national real estate scene, and they would find this incredibly useful.
    It will probably even make it’s way into their presentations right off. Well done!

    pinterest user: rhodesaudio

    • Reply Daniel W February 16, 2012 at 10:49 pm

      Another interesting idea would be to select the Pinterest option to allow other people to pin to those categories. It could get out of control of people start abusing it, but it could also be an amazing way to grow those categories into a massive resource without you having to carry the brunt of it.

      • Reply hipstercrite February 16, 2012 at 10:52 pm

        Thanks, Daniel! When I select the option for others to use it, it says I have to add a name? Am I missing something? I would love if others could contribute!

  • Reply amy February 17, 2012 at 4:46 am

    Love this use of Pinterest! I’ve been surprised by the actual functionality of Pinterest that I didn’t anticipate. One way I use it regularly is as a sort of recipe box to organize different recipes I find online that I want to remember but don’t take the time to bookmark. Plus, the pictures make it so pretty to browse. if you want to follow me back, I’m theamyshow.

    • Reply hipstercrite February 17, 2012 at 4:50 am

      Amy, that is a great idea! I can’t wait to dive into Pinterest more. You’re right. It will make a great bookmarking tool!

  • Reply Mandy D. February 17, 2012 at 4:56 am

    Great idea. Follow my boards: Amanda Dugan

    • Reply hipstercrite February 20, 2012 at 8:05 pm

      done and done!

  • Reply Drea February 17, 2012 at 8:13 pm

    Would you have any suggestions on ways of finding rooms for rent in these various areas, aside from Craigslist? Craigslist is great if you want to live in Round Rock or super south, but it’s been pretty dismal pickings for the in-between as of late.

    • Reply hipstercrite February 17, 2012 at 8:53 pm

      I always find that driving around or asking other folks works best. Drea, do you live in Austin or elsewhere?

      • Reply Drea February 18, 2012 at 3:50 pm

        I’m living in Austin, in Holly area. I love my location, but my roommate situation is not so great, so I’m starting to look around.

        • Reply hipstercrite February 18, 2012 at 4:34 pm

          Drea, I used to live in the Holly area too. That apartment I found out about because of a friend. Even when I lived in LA, I found that driving around OR posting on your social media profiles that you’re looking gets you the best places. If you want to stay on the eastside, a lot of the time cafes over here post flyers about apartments for rent in the neighborhood.

  • Reply nova February 18, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    I was watching this and thought of your blog. http://vimeo.com/34461421

    It’s about some of the cool history of Austin and the best tattoers around there.

    • Reply hipstercrite February 18, 2012 at 4:35 pm

      Cool! Thanks! I’ll check it out!

  • Reply Austin Texas | Kevin August 14, 2013 at 10:48 am

    You can also check out our pinterest board at Austin Reloguide. We have been producing Austin’s biggest relocation resource since 2002. You may be able to find some good info on our website at http://www.austinrelocationguide.com that might help your site. Feel free to check it out and pin some useful articles. I hope it helps. Good Luck.

  • Reply Rachel February 10, 2015 at 5:57 pm

    Hi Lauren,
    I’m moving to Austin from NY in June and I REALLY appreciate your blog and pinterest boards! (I’m excited but incredibly nervous and reading your posts gives me so much to look forward to). My username on pinterest is rLoganS. Thanks!

  • Reply Sir Austin March 23, 2017 at 5:15 pm

    What an awesome organization of Pinterest Posts! I’ve been trying to create cool boards about Austin and the coolest pins I really like are the ones regarding Austin history. But these hyperlocal pin boards are awesome!

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