The South First Street area has become a vibrant community lately, especially for pedestrians and bicyclists, since it is so densely packed with new establishments and businesses. The area is very unique and quirky; many of the businesses cater to the music industry and other artistic types.

There are a number of interesting clubs and restaurants as well, most of which offer live music on a regular basis. Two such venues are Jovita's and Freddie's Place, both delightful locations with shady trees with well known as well as new musical acts which usually perform early in the evening, to the satisfaction of families with children and the slightly older crowd that prefers to be back home at a reasonable hour.

Jovita's has had a number of very well known local acts play the spot recently, including the Marshall Ford Swing Band and the Cornell Hurd Band. The crowd is usually dancing to the catchy tunes, and it's worth the visit just to watch the boot-scooting and vintage clothing worn by many of the dancers, most of which are early to middle aged.

Freddie's has an outdoor stage under the trees, and patrons can have a full meal, while accompanied by their dogs (which are allowed on the patio area), or just sit up front with a frosty drink and listen to the musical acts, many of which are newcomers but very enjoyable and professional. Both of these fine eateries are on the east side of 1st just north of Live Oak and Mary Street. Bouldin Creek meanders through the neighborhood too, presenting a lovely and peaceful sight.

Traveling south, one gets to La Reyna and La Mexicana, a well-known tex-mex joint and Mexican food bakery, respectively, and both have great food and other products as well, including jewelry at La Mexicana as well as convenience store fare. Across the street, very interesting vintage clothing can be found at Flashback, which is currently having a clearance sale and all of the items are very reasonably priced. Amelia's and New Bohemia are also vintage and retro shops, a few blocks south on the east side of 1st. Adjacent to Amelia's, End of an Ear can be found, with various types of music on CD, record, tape, etc., and occasionally live music as well.

Just north of End of an Ear and its small strip center, Sugar Mama's offers cupcakes and other bakery items and sweets for the hungry strollers, and their confections are out of this world.Another vintage clothing and curios shop called Secret Oktober is a few doors down from Sugar Mama's too. There are also numerous coffee shops, including Bouldin, Once Over, and Somnio's, and all three have a laid back atmosphere and outdoor tables under the trees.

Farther north on 1st, but within walking distance, is an Austin legend, El Mercado, which offers a varied Mexican Food menu and has been in different locations over the years, with this site being in operation for almost ten years itself. Another great Mexican food spot, Polvo's, is a few blocks down, just south of the intersection of 1st and Mary on the west side of street, and their food is outstanding as are their drinks, especially the margaritas.

One of the most interesting locations is the South First Trailer Park Eatery, which is a large lot on which various food vendors operate out of airstream trailers and stands, with the emphasis on hand held food such as wraps, burritos, and deserts, also popcorn. This site also offers free movies on a regular basis, most of which are family oriented, and can be watched under the stars with one's own refreshments, which are allowed due to the BYOB policy. This week, the Back to the Future series has been shown, to the sure approval of the neighborhood kids and kids at heart.

There are many old yet restored homes in the area, and they are reasonably priced, many being fixer-uppers. Those near the creek are especially appealing, and many are already in perfect shape, ready to move in. But the real estate prices in the area reflect the appeal of the area and far outpace the average prices in the Austin real estate market. For new residents who prefer not to cook, the Soup Peddler offers delivery of different homemade, gourmet soups on a daily basis, and deliver on bicycle to neighborhood patrons, and has received rave reviews from diners.



Ki works in Central Austin. He maintains a website focused on Austin real estate. The site allows future owners to search for Austin homes for sale. He also writes entries on his blog covering Austin tx real estate.

The Hancock Neighborhood of North Central Austin is a historic area just north of the University of Texas Campus and downtown Austin. The Hancock Neighborhood is very close to historic Hyde Park, and some of the streets and borders of the two neighborhoods overlap or are adjacent to each other. The boundaries of the Hancock area include I.H. 35 the east, Duval to the west, 29th street to the south, and 41st street on the northern edge.

One of the earliest settlers of the Hancock area was Susanna Dickinson, who was a survivor of the Battle of the Alamo, and originally lived at 32nd Street and Duval. Another early resident was Lewis Hancock, for whom the neighborhood was named, and who was mayor of Austin from 1895 to 1897. Hancock also founded the Austin Country Club and Golf Course in the area in 1899, and after the turn of the century, formal neighborhoods were planned in the North University area, which it was called at the time.

Directly south of the country club, which was considered suburban at the time, Dr. J.R. Bailey platted the Beau Site in 1910, and in 1912, the Austin Country Club expanded to 18 holes after the land east of Red River on which it was expanded was purchased by the club and its owners. In 1928, the neighborhood was subdivided into its current configuration, and Austin's population at the time was only around 35,000 residents, so the area was still considered to be on the outskirts of town.

St. David's Hospital was built around 32nd Street in 1924, when it opened its doors, and Concordia Lutheran College was also built on twenty acres of land from the Hancock Estate in 1926. Various commercial establishments sprang up shortly thereafter, and many prominent Austinites relocated to the Hancock neighborhood around the same time, including J. Frank Dobie, a well known writer, and Edgar Perry Jr., a cotton broker, as well as Tom Miller, one of the early mayors of Austin who served two terms as mayor.

In 1946, the Austin Country Club relocated outside the city limits, and the city sold the back nine holes of the Hancock Golf Course, as it was called after the country club relocated, to the Sears Corporation to finance other recreational projects. The Sears store later became one of the flagship stores in the Hancock Center shopping Plaza, which was built in 1963 on the back nine of the golf course and was Austin's first shopping mall. The other flagship store in Hancock Center is a huge HEB Grocery Store, which offers one of the largest selections of products among grocery stores in the Austin area, among various other smaller stores, shops, and restaurants.

There are many tree-lined historic homes in the Hancock Neighborhood, and numerous apartment complexes which appeal to U.T. students, given the area's proximity to the university campus, and also numerous restaurants, coffee shops, museums, and recreational facilities, including the Hancock Golf Course, which still operates today.

Eastwood Park and Wading Pool, near the Hancock Golf Course, is another popular location for residents of the neighborhood to relax and get some outdoor quality time, and since Concordia University plans to relocate this year, a mixed-use development is being constructed on the site of the school, so many more opportunities abound for residents of the area as well as visitors in the near future.

With its proximity to downtown and the university, plus its tree-shaded streets, homes from the early 20th century, and eclectic mix of residents and businesses, the Hancock Neighborhood is one of the most inviting in the Austin area, and the yearly Christmas Trail of Lights, on 34th Street, is one of the best events to visit to see the neighborhood in all its splendor, so be sure to visit the Hancock Neighborhood, especially during the holidays, and you will see what Austin is truly all about!


Ki studied at UT. He hosts a website focused on Austin real estate. Potential owners can perform a Austin home search on his site. He also provides profiles on neighborhoods in the central Austin real estate market.

The neighborhood of Brentwood in north central Austin was originally a cotton farm until about 75 years ago, when the City of Austin annexed the land and land was purchased to build a school, Brentwood Elementary, which opened in the early 1950s. Brentwood is the name used to refer to the area of Austin between Lamar, Justin Lane, Burnet Road and 45th Street, and the school is in the middle of the neighborhood. There is also a tree-lined street called Arroyo Seco which runs through the middle of Brentwood and divides the neighborhood in half, forming what are jokingly referred to as Northern Brentwood and Baja Brentwood.

The median household size is smaller than average in Brentwood than most in Central Texas, at 1.9 people per household on average, and the demographics of the Brentwood neighborhood suggest a professional population of the age group most likely to be employed, with 45% of the residents being between the ages of 25 and 44; in addition, 50% of the homes in Brentwood are occupied by a single adult, many of whom are professionals in the high tech industry or U.T. grad students and professors.

There is a smaller percentage of school age children in Brentwood than most neighborhoods in Austin, and most of the residents of the neighborhood are slightly older than average, with 86% of the residents being over the age of eighteen, yet only 17% reporting being over the age of 65.

74% of the residents in Brentwood report Caucasian ancestry, with about 20% reporting ethnicity including both Hispanic and Caucasian roots, with the remaining population being comprised of a variety of ethnic backgrounds, so Brentwood has a fairly diverse population as well.
Students who attend school in Brentwood go to Brentwood Elementary, Lamar Middle School, or McCallum High School, and 95% of those who are employed in Brentwood work within Travis County. The median family income in Brentwood is around $47,000, and the residents are well-educated, with 57% having a college degree and 28% currently reporting working on their graduate degrees.

Since the University of Texas is in close proximity to the neighborhood, there are numerous housing opportunities for students, professionals, and young families, with a plethora of new condominium projects and apartment complexes as well as many single family homes. The average price of a home in Brentwood was about $170,000 in 2003, with the higher end of home prices being around $385,000. This is roughly about average for the Austin real estate market. Home values have risen dramatically in the area since the closure of Mueller Airport, since the flight paths of planes travelling to and from the field are no longer directly over the homes in the area, eliminating a great deal of the noise.

Brentwood is a very scenic area with a creek meandering through most of the neighborhood,along Arroyo Seco,and the neighborhood is known for old-fashioned hamburger joints and taverns, as well as the farmer's market, which has been in operation since 1947. At one point, the Stallion, Frisco Shop, and Threadgill's all offered a down-home chicken fried steak or juicy burger with home made fries in or very near the neighborhood, for a workingman's price.

There is a large, peaceful park in the neighborhood, Brentwood Park, which included nine acres of green space along with tennis courts, hike and bike trails, soccer fields, a baseball diamond and a playscape. There is also a festival called the Violet Crown Festival which is held on the lawn in Brentwood Park every year, and the neighborhood takes pride on its lights and decorations during the holiday season, especially on Arroyo Seco.

There are many churches and institutions, as well as city and state facilities in Brentwood, with choices of Faith Lutheran, Austin Bible, and Crestview Methodist Church for churchgoers, among many others, and some of the facilities in the neighborhood include the Texas School for the Blind, the Texas Department of Health, and the Austin Community Gardens, where residents can grow their own fresh produce.

For dining out, residents and visitors can choose between the Korea Garden, Fonda San Miguel, Phil's Icehouse, the Omelettry, and Jalisco, all of which are in or very near the Brentwood area, as are quite a few other restaurants and clubs, as well as fast food joints.

Brentwood offers something for everyone, and with its scenic beauty and history, yet urban, hip reputation, it is the perfect place to just visit or move in and settle down!


Ki works as a real estate agent in Austin Texas. His site is filled with information on the Austin real estate market. It also provides information on neighborhoods like Brentwood Austin along with a search of the Austin MLS.

Sun City is a retirement community located in Georgetown. It is not the normal retirement home or community. This community offers its residents small town charm, but just minutes from Austin. Sun City was also recently named one of the nations top retirement communities by Retirement Places Rated, a guidebook for seniors wanting to relocate upon retirement.

Its location is excellent, and has extremely affordable cost of living and tax advantages. Currently Sun City has about 5,500 homes and plans to expand to 7,500 homes by 2012-2013.

Most of the homes in Sun City range in price beginning around $100,000- up to $500,000. The sizes vary, but average size is between 1300 square feet to 2800 square feet.

Sun City has many amenities for active seniors to enjoy upon their retirement; tennis courts, three championship golf courses, swimming pools, miles of walking trails and much more.

Sun City also has a community center for residents. The Village Center spans an amazing 86,000 square feet, and is home to many indoor amenities such as art classes, a woodshop which is equipped with all the tools and machinery needed to build something simple or something more complex.

There is also a 5,000 square foot open air legacy pavilion, called Legacy Hills Pavilion. This pavilion over looks Berry Creek Lake and is where many neighborhood gatherings happen. There are many hiking trails in the area and the views and scenery make it very popular.

There is also a computer lab and over 30 clubs. Residents can play dominos, crochet, play bingo or just sit back and visit with other residents. The community also has its own lifestyle director to help residents adjust to their new life, whether they just moved to Sun City or if they have been here for awhile and just never had time for activities.

Sun City also has its own restaurant, Sparky's. It is perfect for residents who are too busy to cook or just want to grab a quick bite to eat without having to drive far.

For residents who are concerned with health issues and transportation the community has nearby medical facilities such as Scott & White Medical Clinic and Georgetown Hospital. Transportation is provided by CARTS, and provides curb side service on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The community also has many parks for residents to enjoy, with plenty of places to sit and have a picnic or just enjoy the Texas scenery.

Sun City is for adults age 55 and over, and is an alternative to living in a retirement home or living alone in a neighborhood. Sun City gives its residents the security they need, while living an active lifestyle.
For seniors who are not sure if Sun City is right for them, they also have a two night weekend getaway. Potential residents can visit the community and see if it is something they would enjoy, without the pressure to move in.

Ki's office is in Central Austin. He also has a website devoted to Austin real estate. There is a search of Austin homes for sale as well as information on the Sun City Texas real estate.

Starting the search for a new home can be both exciting and a little daunting. Whether Austin has been home-base for years or a brand new place, deciding which neighborhood to buy a house in can be a big decision. If you could live anywhere, where would you go?

Generally speaking, the house hunt is restricted by factors such as price and commute. But that is only the start. Some other things to consider are schools, crime rate, taxes, traffic, and proximity to shopping or parks. The list of things to mull over when looking for the right neighborhood can get quite long.

Spending some time compiling a list of the most desirable aspects of a neighborhood--a dream neighborhood--is a good place to start. Thinking of the smallest details like sidewalks or bigger particulars like typical lot size can help narrow the list before the house hunt actually begins.

Here is a typical list of neighborhood specifics for a family relocating to a new area:
- In a good school district.
- Sidewalks and running trails throughout the neighborhood.
- Close to parks and pools.
- Reasonable neighborhood association fees.
- Reasonable taxes.
- Low crime rate.
- Within a ten minute commute to work.
- Close to shops and restaurants.
- Away from busy streets or main thoroughfares.
- Other families in the neighborhood.

This is just a sample of attributes a family may desire in a neighborhood. The list would look completely different for a young professional who may want the flexibility to bike to work or live closer to the entertainment district. The important thing is to come up with a few neighborhoods to focus on for the house hunt.

After compiling a list, spend some time driving and walking though the neighborhoods of choice. What might look good on paper may be a different story in reality. Even if a neighborhood looks nice and peaceful on a Saturday afternoon, the morning commute traffic could be awful on a Monday. Do some investigating by driving through the neighborhood at different times of day as well as different days of the week.

Getting out of the car and walking around a neighborhood can also be very enlightening. People tend to notice different things when on foot that can't be seen from the street. Also, don't be afraid to ask people's opinions around the neighborhood. While it's probably not a good idea to go knock on doors, talking to someone out watering the garden is the perfect way to get some insider information.

Next, head to the computer and search for information on the neighborhood through newspaper archives and other resources. The more information at hand the more informed one can be on the big decision of where to live. Also, look at neighborhood desirability by talking to your real estate agent about the stability of prices and how long houses tend to stay on the market in particular neighborhoods.

Perhaps the most important thing is to be flexible and keep and open mind. After all, settling in a new neighborhood is a big decision but also an exciting one.


Ki moved to Austin for school. After graduation, he got interested in the real estate. His website has information about Austin Texas real estate. It allows future owners to search the Austin MLS or read his blog with updated statistics on the Austin real estate market.

What makes a neighborhood walkable? Streets and roads that are accessible for everyone; and have wheelchair ramps, lots of benches with shade and sidewalks on all streets.

Walkable neighborhoods have well designed streets that everyone can use, including bicyclists, pedestrians of all ages and abilities, people getting on and off transit vehicles.

Another thing to look for in walkable neighborhoods are well connected streets that improve traffic and provide many routes to any destination.

Austin has many walkable neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are easy to get around in, and have many amenities that pedestrians can access very easily.

Downtown Austin is our number one walkable neighborhood. Downtown scored a 92 out of a possible 100. The neighborhood has grocery stores such as Whole Foods, several convenient stores. There are also many restaurants, coffee shops, entertainment and parks for citizens to enjoy.

University Of Texas and West University both came in at second, with a score of 87. The University Of Texas is walkable for the students who live on or near campus. Living here makes it easy for students and visitors to be car free and still be able to get around campus and surrounding areas easily.
West University is a neighborhood just west of UT. Students, professors and many others make their home in this small Heritage neighborhood. It is just a short walk to the university, and the streets are lined with trees. Most of the homes in this neighborhood date back to the 1910's and 1920's, making it a nice scenic walk.

North University came in with a score of 83. This neighborhood is in central Austin. Residents have many places to walk in this old neighborhood. One of the most famous places is Trudy's Restaurant, Spider House Cafe and JP's Java, along with the 37th street lighting spectacular during Christmas.

Old West Austin and Bouldin Creek also scored a walkable score of 83. Old West Austin neighborhood has lots of history and plenty of landmarks. The streets are lined with shade trees and the neighborhood has Bed and Breakfast's for visitors. Old West Austin was named one of the 10 best neighborhoods in Austin in 2007. This neighborhood is enjoyable, safe and desirable. Residents of this neighborhood participate in keeping this neighborhood strong and preserving its roots. Chain stores are basically nonexistent in Old West Austin; instead visitors can find specialty shops, restaurants and schools.

Bouldin Creek is a neighborhood that is filled with apartments, homes and mom and pop shops. Running through the heart of the neighborhood is South First Street; with a melting pot of businesses and restaurants.

Austin is full of neighborhoods with shade trees covering the streets and sidewalks, restaurants, bakeries and tattoo shops. That is what makes Austin, Austin!

Next time you are in one of these neighborhoods, find a place to park your car and take time to walk through the streets and look at the yards, trees, homes and businesses that make each neighborhood unique.


At no charge, buyers can search the Austin MLS on Ki's website. The site provides a lot of detail on Austin Texas real estate. Ki started working in real estate as a hobby, and eventually quit his advertising job in Austin, Texas, because real estate was more interesting and fulfilling. He keeps buyers updated on his blog on Austin real estate with statistics and market reports.

During the 1800s, the neighborhood now known as Rosedale was farm and dairy land, and even later, in the early 1900s, the area was used primarily for plant nurseries and florist shops, and remnants of those days remain. This lovely area, which retains the look of abundant growth, is still heavily covered with foliage, trees, shrubs, and flowers, and is also quiet and peaceful.

Most of the homes in the Rosedale neighborhood were built in the 1930s and 1940s, and are unique and historic, with numerous cottages, wooden bungalows and brick homes. The Rosedale neighborhood is located in the northern part of central Austin, and is bordered by Lamar on the east, Shoal Creek to the west, North Loop/Hancock Drive to the north and 38th Street to the south.

One of the central features of the Rosedale neighborhood is Ramsey Park, which is a beautiful park with a large swimming pool, tennis courts, a playground, picnic areas and hike and bike trails, all under a canopy of leafy shade trees. There are roughly 1,200 homes in the Rosedale area, most with easy access to the park, as well as many other attractions, businesses, and neighborhood hotspots.

One of the biggest employers in the Rosedale area is the medical community, since Seton Hospital is situated on the southern border of the neighborhood, and the hospital is surrounded by various medical buildings, doctor's offices, and other health-related professional establishments, including Shoal Creek Hospital, which is just a block or so from the Seton complex.

There are also quite a few historic homes, many of which have been recently renovated, including the Seiders-Peterson home on 40th street, in the heart of Rosedale. There is also a local library in Rosedale, called the Yarbrough Library, which has a yearly holiday party and festival for residents, and the library is located on Hancock Street.

Another well-known yearly event in Rosedale is the annual 4th of July parade and carnival held at Ramsey Park, with games, booths, contests, and various kinds of foods and beverages, and the yearly festivities attract a throng of crowds every year.

The inhabitants of the Rosedale neighborhood are a diverse mixture of people, including young families, professionals, and older residents, some of whom have been in the neighborhood for years, and have raised children and grandchildren, many still living in Rosedale themselves.

There is also a popular art gallery in the Rosedale area called Images of Austin, and the gallery features the work of Mary Doerr and Ginny Findeison, and many of the works represent the various beautiful sites of Austin, as well as the southwest and central Texas. The gallery is located on Burnet Road.

Directly across Lamar from the Seton hospital area of Rosedale are two other prominent attractions for Austin residents, the Central Market complex, with its patio café, occasional live music, and various esoteric items, as well as a plethora of foods, wines, and other products, and the Heart Hospital, which gives residents even more access to top notch medical care. There are many small shops and boutiques in the Central Market complex, many with unusual and one of a kind selections of art, glass, jewelry, clothing, and other goods and crafts.

The Rosedale area blends the old, quaint, and historic aspects of Austin with the new, urban, professional aspects, and the mix is sure to please even the most selective individual, so for those who enjoy easy access to the University of Texas, downtown, and the Capital, as well as quiet, tree-lined streets with historic and unique homes, come to Rosedale, and you might just want to stay!

Ki is a real estate agent in central Texas. His works with people interested in Austin real estate. His site has a graphical search of the Austin MLS along with information on Rosedale Austin homes.

Travis Heights is one of the most eclectic neighborhoods in Austin, and has a rich history. The neighborhood was originally an exclusive suburb south of the Colorado River, now known as Lady Bird Lake, and the neighborhood was established in 1913 by the Newning and Swisher families, along with General Stacy, for whom the parks in the area are named. The neighborhood was actually originally settled in the late 1900s, informally, but did not really expand or become fashionable until the early twentieth century, when it grew rapidly. The neighborhood's borders are generally considered to be I.H. 35 to the east and the lake to the north, and Oltorf to the south and Congress Avenue to the west, so the area is very accessible to the downtown area and the freeway, as well as the recently developed shopping and nightlife area referred to as "SoCo" for its location on South Congress Avenue.

Travis Heights is part of the well-known 78704 zip code in Austin, one that is considered liberal and artistic, and Travis Heights reflects these ideas with its numerous styles of architecture, and its whimsical neighborhood charm. Travis Heights is replete with twenties-style bungalows, among other styles of home-building, and the residents have fiercely objected to the demolition of this characteristic style, vehemently refusing to allow them to be replaced with "McMansions", or newly built, generic luxury homes.

This neighborhood is also very family-friendly, and the students of the area attend Travis Heights Elementary School and Fulmore Middle School, with high-schoolers attending Travis High School, or one of numerous parochial schools in the area which offer a diverse choice to residents. There are many restaurants on the borders of Travis Heights or in close proximity, including those on Riverside and Congress, as well as the "restaurant row" area of Barton Springs Road, just a few miles east of Travis Heights. Some of these restaurants include Vinny's, Guerro's Taco Bar, Vespaio, and less formal restaurants such as Thundercloud Subs and Freebird's, which are well known for sandwiches and burritos, respectively.

When Travis Heights was first settled, in the late 1800's, the only way to travel from the north side of the river to the south was by ferry, and originally, the large homes with detached garages, intended for carriages at the time, were considered country homes, and the homeowners now have frequently converted the original garages into garage apartments, many rented by U.T. students, which adds to the funky flavor of Travis Heights. The Art Deco style is also prominently reflected in the styles and colors of the homes, with a plethora of bright and pastel colors and glass bricks being featured, along with many other quirky details. Many homes are also built of brick and stone, and the streets meander through the gentle hills of the neighborhood, most of which are tree-lined and offer shade to the homes and streets, and also offer great views of downtown and the lake, as well as the trees and abundant foliage in the area.

There are two well known parks in Travis Heights, called Big Stacy and Little Stacy, and Big Stacy is home to a large, tree shaded pool, while Little Stacy has a wading pool, hike and bike trails, picnic tables and sports facilities, both being close to the Blunn Creek greenbelt which winds through the Travis Heights neighborhood.

The Stacy parks were named for General William H. Stacy, who bought 200 acres of land with his partner, George Warner, and began settlement of the neighborhood in the late 1800s around what is now called Blunn Creek, which was originally called Fowder's Creek. The area expanded rapidly after a stone bridge was built across the river, and residents had more convenient access to the neighborhood. Another park in Travis Heights is the Norwood Estates Park at Riverside and I.H. 35, and the park is primarily used as a place for residents to walk their dogs and allow their dogs to safely recreate with their owners.

Travis Heights is one of the most highly regarded neighborhoods in the Austin real estate market for a variety of reasons, including its proximity to various popular areas, its eclectic history, and its natural beauty and serenity. It is a great neighborhood to visit or settle down and raise a family, so keep Travis Heights in mind when considering a visit to central Austin.

Escapeso real estate is a small company in central Texas that helps people interested in Austin real estate. Their site provides visitors a search of the Austin MLS along with information on Travis Heights real estate.

Regardless of whether it's across the country or across town, moving is a stressful, expensive and time-consuming event. It requires extensive planning, organization, and a lot of physical activity. While there is no easy way to move house, there are several things you can do to simplify the process and reduce the amount of stress on yourself.

First things first: identify a target moving date. You'll want to take a variety of factors into consideration when determining your moving timeframe, such as work schedules if you're changing employment, school schedules for your kids, housing considerations such as rent or lease terms, and even the weather. A good rule of thumb is to give yourself a two-to-three week window to complete your entire move, from packing and cleaning your current residence, to moving itself, to unpacking and organizing in your new home.

Summer is always a peak moving time—particularly for families, as it provides for minimal interruption in kids' school schedules—but it’s also typically the hottest and least physically comfortable time of year to be doing all that heavy lifting. While unpleasant, blistering heat is not likely to be a deal breaker, but it is worth taking into consideration (scheduling your move for late May as opposed to mid-July, for example, could make a significant difference).

Once you've worked out a timeframe for your move, it's time to take inventory of your home. The most important part of this process is identifying what to keep, and what to get rid of before the move—there is no sense in moving items you don't plan on keeping long-term. A good way to determine what to keep and what to lose is to divide your household into three categories: 'Must Keep,' 'May Keep,' and 'Don't Need.' Once you’ve gotten rid of the 'Don't Need' items, go back through the 'May Keep' piles and eliminate everything you can.

If you're having trouble knowing when to let go of something, apply the six-month test: If it hasn't been used in the past six-months, you don’t need it (the exception here, of course, would be season items like winter coats, box fans, etc., that aren't intended for use year-round). Tip: Don’t automatically throw things you no longer need away—there are plenty of charity organizations that are constantly accepting donations of all kinds to help others in the community, and they would be happy to have your unwanted items. Plus, you can write off the donations for a nice tax break next April.

Now that your household is organized and you've done a thorough inventory of everything that will be making the move with you, it's time to start thinking about the logistics of actually moving it all. The easiest way to do it (but also the most expensive) is to hire a full-service moving company (*Note: Be sure to shop around for the best rate, and check out customer reviews online to make sure you choose a reputable company that won’t rip you off). They’ll come to your house, pack everything up, ship it off for you, and unpack at your new home. The next option—a bit more time consuming and work-intensive on your part, but certainly less expensive—is to pack and unpack yourself, but hire movers for the heavy lifting and physical transportation part of the process. All you have to pay for is the time they spend physically moving your possessions.

A third option would be to rent a truck and pack, lift and move everything yourself. There are plenty of truck rental services designed just for these kinds of projects, and their rates are typically very reasonable (although rising gas prices may make this option slightly less appealing). Finally, if you're determined to spend as little as possible, get a group of kind-hearted friends—and their cars—together and make moving a group activity. You can typically get away with a small payment to each helper, or the cost of dinner for the group. This is certainly the most labor-intensive option, but it won't cost you much at all.

Once you've chosen the right moving method for you, get everything planned out and scheduled at least 4-6 weeks in advance. Also, it's a good idea to begin the organization and overall move-out process as early as possible, so as to avoid having to cram it all—packing, cleaning, moving—into a few days or a weekend. Hit your local grocery or wholesale store to pick up empty boxes for free and pack up seasonal items and other things you don't use on a daily basis early on—fancy china, extra bedding, etc. While prolonging the moving process isn't exactly fun, spacing the massive task out will significantly reduce your stress level and help you feel more relaxed, prepared and in control of the process.

No matter how well you prepare, moving is always at least somewhat stressful, so do what you can to reduce that stress ahead of time, breathe deeply, and remember: it will be over before you know it.

Ki provides information on Austin real estate for buyers and sellers investigating the Austin market. His site has a search of the Austin MLS and information on Austin area neighborhoods.

For decades, bumper stickers have adorned cars all over central Austin, proudly proclaiming "78704 – More Than just a Zip Code." The South Austin lifestyle originated there, but as Austin real estate prices rose, and fancy restaurants and shops re-energized South Congress, a migration of hip-ness began. Now, a new bumper sticker is gaining in popularity, reading "78745 – the new 78704."

This is the perfect area for a young couple to start off. The area is roughly bordered by Westgate Blvd. to the west, Ben White to the north, Slaughter to the south, and Congress to the east, and has the feel of an established, homey neighborhood. Mature trees, fabulous mid-century ranch houses, great starter properties, winding streets with charming names like Jinx and Redd, and a casual but upwardly mobile vibe are hallmarks of the area.

The commercial center of the region is the Westgate Center, on Ben White, featuring the foodie mecca, Central Market. A wonderful store that highlights organics and international foods, Central Market also has a great café that features live music four days a week. For takeaway, they have, a Chef’s case and salad bar, as well as prepared full-meals for two or four, sushi, sandwiches, and a soup bar. Their cooking school offers classes on topics such as grilling, dim sum, tapas, and many other creative subjects. They recently added a wine bar to emphasize their world-class wine section, and their on-site bakery is one of the few places in South Austin to get fresh, organic breads. Also located in the shopping center are Whole Earth Access, Beall’s, Yoga Yoga, and the Westgate 11 Cinema, as well as many other boutiques and cafes.

Garrison Park is a large, well-appointed park smack dab in the middle of "the four-five." Their playground has two playscapes – one geared towards toddlers, and one towards older kids, and they have swings for all sizes as well. With a toddler/wading pool in addition to a full size recreation and lap swimming pool, this is a popular destination in the summer. They have grill grates, picnic tables, a basketball court, and a decent sized parking lot, making this one of the cities finer parks.

While the quiet tree lined streets and bucolic feel are a big plus, one of the most attractive qualities of the 78745 neighborhood is its proximity to central Austin. Manchaca leads right to Lamar, with South First and South Congress being the other two main north/south arteries that lead straight to the heart of Austin's business center, and to the other vibrant neighborhood shops and restaurants. Ben White hooks right into Mopac and Loop 360, and I 35 is just a stone’s throw.

This neighborhood has all the qualities that make Austin such a cool place to live. With a great range of housing options and prices, a settled, mature neighborhood feel, and a great array of businesses and restaurants in close proximity, this is an up-and-coming area waiting to be discovered.

Escapeso Austin Texas real estate is a realty company in Austin. They provide web visitors a map search for Austin Homes along with updates on their blog about Austin real estate.

Pemberton Heights is the name of a beautiful and historic area of Old West Austin, centrally located and convenient to downtown, the University of Texas campus, and the State Capitol complex, as well as easily accessible by the MoPac Expressway, also known as Loop One. The gateway to Pemberton Heights is considered to be the Keith House, at 2400 Harris, and this historic home was built in 1933 and has an unobstructed view of the Texas Capitol building from the front balcony, since it is located in the northern area of Austin’s State Capitol view zone. The Keith House was exhibits characteristics of both the Monterey Revival style as well as the Colonial Revival Style, with a wooden balcony and low-pitched roof, as well as varied exterior wall materials. This home is considered to be the earliest example of the Monterey Revival Style in the Austin area, and has chimneys at the gable ends, a central hallway, and shutters throughout, illustrating the Colonial Revival style. Two other historic and majestic homes in the neighborhood are Pemberton Castle, also known as the Fisher-Gideon home, at 1415 Wooldridge Drive, and the Catterall Mills House, at 2524 Harris, very near the Keith House.

Pemberton Castle is a limestone structure, with ivy-covered walls, which was built in 1926 from the remnants of an old cistern that was built on the spot in the late 1800s, and which was originally used to help Austin’s first fire fighters access water in the area. The home was originally owned by Judge John Harris, of Galveston, who was one of the earliest settlers to the area, and for whom Harris Boulevard is named. Harris was the Attorney General of Texas in the 1940s under then-governor Elisha Pease, for whom Pease Park is named, and Pease and Harris were real estate partners at the time. In 1925, the tower of the home was converted into a gothic structure by Samuel Fisher and his wife, Lucille.

The neighborhood was named Pemberton Heights about the same time, in 1927, when the developers filed a plat with the Travis County Clerk’s office for the first home in the new subdivision to be called Pemberton Heights. Shortly thereafter, the Castle became the sales office for the new development.

The Catterall Mills House was built in 1937 in the style of Early American Georgian Revival, and it is a plain, symmetrical, wooden structure covered with red wood siding. The home was bought by the Chester Family in 1999, and features some very unusual architectural amenities, including a bomb shelter built in the backyard during the Cold War. There is also an Italian marble fireplace and many stained-glass windows throughout the home.

Pemberton Heights roughly encompasses the area from the intersection of MoPac and Windsor, south along Windsor Rd., and north along Shoal Creek to 29th Street. The street which encompasses the eastern edge is Harris Boulevard, which eventually intersects with Northwood and then Jefferson. Westover Road is considered the last bordering street of the neighborhood, and the land contained within these boundaries is generally considered to be Pemberton Heights. The subdivision is considered to be one of the most prestigious as well as livable neighborhoods in Austin for a variety of reasons.

The Pemberton Heights subdivision was named in the 1998 issue of Town and Country magazine as one of the twenty-five Platinum Addresses in the United States, and in 2007, this neighborhood, along with its Old West Austin counterparts, was named by the American Planning Association as one of its “Great Places” neighborhoods. There is a very active neighborhood association in the subdivision, open to all residents, and some of the issues they are involved with include the preservation of trees and other foliage, less expansion by the MoPac into the neighborhood, and retaining the historic character, as well as creating and maintaining a pedestrian friendly environment in Pemberton Heights, which is also considered to be a very family-friendly area.

Today, residents and visitors can become knowledgeable about issues by reading the Pemberton Journal, which is published by the neighborhood association, and the subdivision has numerous single-family dwellings for sale and rent as well as condominiums and apartments available for rent. Pemberton Heights is one of the most desirable locations to live in Austin, and is minutes from downtown and various other attractions. If you are looking for the good life, Pemberton Heights has it all.

Ki works in the Austin real estate market. His site has a free search of the Austin MLS and information on mortgage interest rates.

As the Austin Texas real estate market expands in all directions, areas we used to think of as “way out there” are not only seeming closer, but are getting their own infrastructure. Maple Run in Southwest Austin is just one of those areas. Located south of William Cannon, north of Slaughter, west of Brodie and east of Mopac, this little oasis offers quiet streets, attractive and affordable housing, burgeoning businesses and is a hop, skip and a jump to one of the city’s cleanest, newest and nicest parks.

Each street in the area seems to have its own personality. The Deer Park subdivision is full of brick homes, with meticulously manicured gardens and lawns. These folks do a magnificent job with holidays – their Christmas lights are worth a trip, and Halloween is always scary! A few blocks down, you will find a more relaxed atmosphere, maintained just as nicely, but with a more casual feel. The busiest street is Copano, which is not busy at all! The houses in this area can run the gamut from a 3,000 square foot two story brick home with a pool to a 1200 sq. foot one level 2 br/ 2 bath with a nice yard. Many of these homes back to a greenbelt – nice and quiet.

Brodie Lane, one of the main north-south thoroughfares of the area, is full of convenient businesses closer to Ben White, but as you follow the street south of William Cannon heading down to Slaughter you find new business popping up almost every day. Take the intersection of Alexandria and Brodie – you have the best Cajun food and live music in town, an Austin Regional Clinic, Love Pet Hospital, Shipley’s Donuts, a florist, nail salons, a JiffyLube, and more! Just up the road is a Montessori school, just down the road is the Kid’s Zone preschool and daycare. Austin Telco and Advance Auto just came to the area, although the property adjoining them still has cattle on it – a truly Austin juxtaposition.

Families will love the Longview playground and park located at the eastern end of Harper’s Ferry. Swings and a play structure perfect for toddlers on up to school age are in great condition, and there are lots of trees for shade. A big field is perfect for kicking the ball or throwing the Frisbee, and there is a basketball court right up the hill. If you are looking for a little more, just head over to Dick Nichols – just west of Mopac off Davis. The toddler structure here is brand new, and the bigger kids one is in great repair. Picnic tables, a fountain for splash play, volleyball courts (or the world’s largest sandbox, depending on your age), tennis courts and a hike/bike trail can all be found here. Their pool is one of the best, with separate shallow and deep ends, plus a toddler wading pool – all crystal clear and in excellent condition.

It might seem “way out west,” but Southwest Austin is only 15 minutes to downtown, and the bang for your housing buck make it well worth considering.

Escapeso Realty helps buyers looking for properties in the Austin Texas real estate market. Their site allows potential to home buyers to search the Austin MLS and read about the latest market updates on their blog about Austin real estate along with info on mortgage interest rates

Lying just west of IH-35 and south of Riverside Drive is one of Austin’s most appealing neighborhoods, Travis Heights. Its rolling hills and winding roads have long been a haven for a diverse culture, with a mixture of housing to match: perfectly kept bungalows, a few large estates and smattering of shabby cottages. Housing in South Austin began later than other centrally located neighborhoods due to difficulty getting supplies across the Colorado river. Once a stone pier bridge was built on Congress avenue in 1883, the area began to flourish. General William Harwood Stacy, along with partner Charles Newning, began the Travis Heights development in 1913. Newning had some luck in developing Victorian homes on large lots south of the river before the turn of the century with his development known as Fair View Park, but Travis Heights was the most promoted subdivision of its time. Stacy set up the area with grid streets, and curvy roads, and a variety of lot sizes to maximize his potential buyer pool. He also set up a trolley car to run clients from the capitol building to Travis Heights before it was even developed, and gave away Ford Touring cars as well. Stacy dedicated an area along Blunn Creek, and cliffs that drop down to Town Lake, to be set aside as public park land. Later Stacy’s sons added more land to the area, and it’s now known as Stacy Park, and still very popular today with Travis Heights residents who take good care of the land set aside for them. Today many of the original houses from Stacy’s development still stand, as well as some from Newning’s earlier turn of the century push. Some houses, such as the Gullet House and the Red-Purcell house built in 1885, have been deemed historic landmarks by the city of Austin. The Miller-Crocket house was originally built by Newning for Henry W. Dodge in 1888, and was purchased in 1901 by Eugene Miller at a courthouse auction for $1,800. Currently the two-story slat roofed house is owned by Kathleen Mooney and run as the Miller-Crockett Bed and Breakfast. Mary and Joe Lawrence purchased the 1914 house owned by Joe Steiner, whose brother Buck owned the land Steiner Ranch sits on now. Steiner was long cared for by Sister Madeline Sophie Weber, who began the nonprofit Faith in Action Caregivers. Steiner left Weber the house after his death, wanting the profit from its sale to go towards the nonprofit’s cause. The Lawrences bought the home from “Sister Sophie” and saved the classic revival style house, and its carriage house in the back, that had fallen in disrepair, and reused as much of the building material as possible, with its original Doric columns and pilasters still intact. Travis Heights continues to draw homeowners to the neighborhood with its winding streets, rolling hills and large trees. Its close proximity to downtown, IH-35, and the newly revamped South Congress shops, clubs and eateries also make it a desirable area to live. Others enjoy the diversity of the people in the neighborhood, since the crowd is a mix of families, downtown business professionals, artists, and musicians, all of whom feel a strong sense of community. The neighbors recently took initiative and put on a concert in Stacy Park to raise money for the pool there. As WH Stacy stated in his original Travis Heights newspaper advertisement, “It’s a real residence community. One with a soul; the realization of a purpose, where homes are homes, not mere houses." Ki works as an Austin real estate agent. He writes an Austin real estate blog to help investors keep up with the Austin market along with a free search of the Austin MLS.

Just a few miles from downtown Austin, bordered by Westover on the south, 35th street on the north, Shoal Creek on the east and Mopac on the west, lies the old Austin neighborhood of Bryker Woods.

Though the neighborhood was named in the 1930s, the origins of the area go back as far as 1886, when the 14 lot William Thiele subdivision was platted within one block between 34th and 35th streets, which still exists today. In the early 1900s, other subdivisions popped up nearby, like Camp Mabry Heights, which named its streets with a patriotic theme, such as Pershing and Funston named after American generals, and Jefferson, Madison, and Harrison named for former U.S. presidents. Some of these street names have also stood the test of time. The first subdivision named Brkyer Woods came in 1936, using the first 3 letters of the developers’ last names, J.C. Bryant and McFall Kerbey.

The majority of Bryker Woods was developed between the 1930s and 1950s. Most of the homes built were bungalows, with some larger homes sprinkled among them. The area has an abundance of pecan, live oak, and elm trees, hence the “Woods” of Bryker Woods.

Unlike other centrally located neighborhoods in the Austin real estate market, Bryker Woods has remained relatively untouched by demolition teams ready to build newer, and larger, homes. One possible reason for this sustainability is the lot sizes of the neighborhood, which are radically smaller than the lots in the Crestview, Hyde Park and Pemberton Heights Austin neighborhoods, since Brkyer Woods was originally set up for single family cottages. Those moving to Bryker Woods today are happy with a simple addition to the original house if a little more room is needed, realizing the coziness of the neighborhood, the shady tree-lined streets, and its central location outweigh having more square footage.

Brkyer Woods has a certain ambiance that really builds a sense of community. The narrow streets, heavy with trees, encourages neighbors to get outside, go for a walk, and interact with other residents. Many of the area’s inhabitants have lived there since the subdivision’s inception, and are willing to reminisce with the new families - usually to boast about the price they paid for their homes 40 or 50 years ago.

There are many destinations for a stroll around Bryker Woods. The hike and bike trails of Pease Park are within walking distance, as are Seider's Springs Park and Bailey Park. Most families can walk their young children to the popular Bryker Woods elementary. You can find way more than a hammer and nails at mom and pop hardware store Breed and Co, who stock a variety of tropical plants, home décor, and gourmet food. They even have a bridal registry where the engaged can register for Waterford crystal they keep in stock. Locally owned Kerbey Lane Café, located on a street named after the Bryker Woods developer, has been in business for the past 28 years, serving up nutritious food from local vendors, 24 hours a day.

The standout home of the Bryker Woods neighborhood was built in 1938 for Hubert and Alice Bohn at 1301 West 29th Street. Built by architect Roy Thomas, who helped the Stacy Realty Company build more than 30 homes in Barton Hills, the Bohn house was inspired by the 1936 science fiction movie, Things To Come. Today its futuristic modern look still rings true, with its curving exterior walls, and multi-level layout painted bright white.

For those looking for that feel-good vibe of the old neighborhood they grew up in, Bryker Woods has quite a lot to offer, and does so from the heart of the city.

Ki specializes in helping home buyers interested in Austin Texas real estate. His site has a free Austin Homes along with a blog covering the Austin real estate market.

Pemberton Heights is one of the centrally located neighborhoods located in the central Austin real estate market.

High upon the bluffs overlooking Pease park, sits one of Austin’s exclusive, and somewhat overlooked, neighborhood, Pemberton Heights. The Austin Development Company created Pemberton Heights in the late 1920s, and lured potential buyers by offering "fancy $3500-$4000 cottages" as well as "$150,000 mansions." Their brochure touted, "over five miles of paved and shaded streets and sidewalks."

Today, Pemberton Heights is filled with sizable homes that are a wide variety of styles, from mid-sized brick bungalows to revivalist Tudor mansions. As opposed to many older neighborhoods in the central Austin real estate market, most of the original homes built in the 30s and 40s are still standing, with little sign of complete house demolition. It seems these residents enjoy the historic nature of their neighborhood, and the fact that many homes were built with enough square footage deemed "livable" by today’s standards, doesn’t hurt. Pemberton Heights is also appealing in that the lot sizes are somewhat larger than the lot sizes in most of the central Austin neighborhoods. Pemberton Heights is also located close to UT and downtown. But unlike west campus which is seemingly overrun by college students during the year Pemberton Heights is conveniently insulated from UT by Pease Park.

Many homes in Pemberton Heights have Texas Historical markers placed in their front yards, and for good reason. The Caterall Mills house, at 2524 Harris Boulevard, is an Early American Georgian revival, harking back to the glory days of George Washington’s Mount Vernon home. Its current owners, who bought the home in 1999, took great pride in restoring the home back to its 1937 original condition. The original owners of the home, Gordon E. Mills and Margaret Catterall Mills, were very prominent Austinites throughout the mid 1900’s. Mills was general manager of the Austex Chili Company, considered one of the three big companies in Austin during the 30s, alongside the University and the government. Austex Chili also played a prominent role in popularizing Mexican food throughout the rest of the U.S.

Though there are many original homes in the Pemberton Heights neighborhood, one stands out above the rest: The Pemberton Castle. This structure was actually built before the neighborhood began. Though it now lives on 1415 Wooldridge Drive, it originally stood on the outskirts of Austin in the late 1800s, as a water cistern for the city’s firefighters. In 1925, the cistern was turned into a Gothic castle, and was the sales office for the Pemberton Heights subdivision. In 1937, the castle was bought by UT professor of architecture, Samuel Gideon. Gideon salvaged bricks and stained glass windows from the university’s original Main Building, and transformed the structure into a livable home. Though in 1935, the castle could not be sold for the eight thousand dollars it was offered at, rumor has it film director Robert Rodriguez purchased the home for 2 million dollars in 2006. It was also featured in his 2001 movie, Spy Kids.

Eighty years after Pemberton Heights original inception, the "shaded streets and sidewalks," offered up in its original sales brochure, are still as peaceful and inviting now as they were then, and well worth a stroll.

Ki is a realtor helping people looking for Austin Real Estate. If you are looking for a house in the Pemberton Heights neighborhood Ki can help you in your search. You can also start your search online by searching for real estate using the Austin MLS.