REVIEWS ND DVICE FROM WORKING PROFESSIONLS FCEBOOK USTIN HOUSING GUIDE 2016-2017 Housing data neighborhoods explained apartment ratings top properties brownstone info renter resources Intelligent partment Search
Where Facebook Employees Live Who Facebook Employees Live With 32% Downtown ustin 24% Travis Heights & South River City 20% Central East ustin 14% Riverside 10% Elsewhere in ustin area 38% lone 43% Roommate (excluding spouse/partner) 19% Spouse/partner *20% of employees live with pets **Under 5% of employees have children What Types of Properties Facebook Employees Live In What Size Residences Facebook Employees Live In 70% Mid- or High-rise partment Buildings 15% Standalone partment Units, Lowrises, and Houses 15% Mid- or High-rise Condo Buildings 10% Studios or Efficiencies 45% One Bedrooms 32% Two Bedrooms 13% Three or more Bedrooms Distribution of Overall s verage Rent by partment Size STUDIO 1,300 1BR 1,650 2BR 2,100 0-6.9 7.0-7.9 8.0-8.9 9.0-10 10% 17% 31% 42% 3BR 2,800 Rent versus Own Most Frequent Transit Method RENT 90% OWN 10% Driving/Cab 70% Public Transit 15% Walking UNDER 5% Bike/Other 15% 2
Contents 2 Housing facts Our data on Facebook ustin housing If you enjoy the guide, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! 3 4 6 10 17 Table of Contents What s in the 2016-2017 Facebook ustin housing guide Very.com and ustin Overview Using the Very website alongside this guide with Scott Bierbryer, Co-Founder of Very Neighborhood Guides Downtown ustin, Travis Heights/South River City, Central East ustin, Riverside partment s Compiled from hundreds of ustin reviews 12 13 14 15 16 Highest rated apartments Best for families Best for pet owners Best amenities Best value Renter resources, brownstones Landlord grades, renting process explained, brownstones Questions or comments on the housing guide? Contact Scott Bierbryer, Co-Founder of Very at: scott@veryapt.com (561) 271-3202 Disclaimer facebook.com/veryaptco @veryapt The reviews and ratings presented throughout this guide and the Very website do not reflect the opinions, position or endorsement of Very or Facebook. The responses and reviews presented are solely those of the survey respondents. Very and Facebook assume no responsibility for readers or users interpretation of the data. The results do not in any way constitute a warranty or representation by Very or Facebook as to the quality, safety, or other features of a property. Employees are encouraged to check all available sources of information about properties prior to leasing. The data in this guide is compiled from Facebook Employees and ustin professionals, though this guide is not an official publication of Facebook. Finally, we do not alter results or edit reviews based on any outside partnerships. However, Featured content (unlike Top content) is often supplied by partners who helped support this guide, or are from new properties that lack reviews but are likely relevant to students. 3
Use our intelligent search algorithm to receive a list of top properties Explore property details and reviews Book viewings directly with property managers and leasing agents Intelligent partment Search Why we started Very, and how we can help you find your perfect apartment My housing search began around this time a few years ago. fter the initial excitement of getting accepted into grad school and I ran out of Game of Thrones episodes to watch on my company computer, I figured I needed to find a place to live. I really didn t know anything about the city, so I approached every person I knew who went to school or worked in the area to learn more. Countless Google searches, Craigslist refreshes, and spreadsheet tables later, I figured out where I wanted to live. That process helped me find an apartment I love - I managed to balance my desire for space, proximity to students, and high-quality amenities. That said, it didn t make sense that the process should be so time consuming. My Co-Founder (and neighbor), shrit Kamireddi, who worked at Tripdvisor prior to business school, went through the same process as I did and thought that the review and data model he knew so well would be a great one to apply to apartments where grad students and working professionals live. Two years and thousands of reviews later, we re proud to offer this guide along with our companion site Very. com. We want this guide to be a starting point for your search: an idea of where you should be looking given your unique situation. The site allows you to go through all of our data in detail and sort buildings by ratings and features. In addition, we ve partnered with the most popular buildings to offer you accurate and up-to-date information, so you don t have to sit in front of your computer refreshing Craigslist. Try out our Intelligent partment Search that will provide you with personalized apartment recommendations based on your unique needs and budget. Please contact us with questions or feedback on the site or this guide, and good luck with your housing search! Scott Bierbryer scott@veryapt.com Scott Bierbryer is a recent Penn Grad student. Prior to UPenn, he worked at Glenview Capital Management in NYC. He is a Co-Founder of Very and lives in Center City Philadelphia. bout the data in this guide This guide was compiled from survey data of 1,000+ professionals We asked residents to rate their residences on a 1-10 scale Building ratings are determined by averaging these scores from residents Visit Very.com to search quickly for more detailed amenity and rating information t Very.com, you can read reviews on buildings in the guide as well as other great properties in ustin 4
USTIN NEIGHBORHOODS EXPLINED The most popular neighborhoods for Facebook Employees THE TOP 4 FCEBOOK USTIN NEIGHBORHOODS 1 Downtown ustin 32% of Employees 2 Travis Heights & South River City 24% of Employees Other Neighborhoods Less than 5% Each Offers great dining and nightlife and is an easy walk to Facebook's office. The high-end buildings and central location bump up the cost of living. quieter and greener neighborhood, just across the river from downtown. There's a friendly atmosphere here to go with a nice selection of cafes and shops. 5 Zilker 6 South Lamar 7 Dawson/St. Edwards 3 Central East ustin 20% of Employees popular location for young professionals, this area has an artistic edge and is accessible to some of the city's most important destinations. 4 Riverside 14% of Employees Riverside offers some cheaper living options, amazing views, and running trails along the river. That said, the commute to downtown can get difficult. 10 Percentage of Facebook employees who live outside of the top 4 neighborhoods 5
DOWNTOWN USTIN Walk to work and have a blast at night LOCTIONS ND FETURES Downtown ustin begins north at MLK Jr. Boulevard and UT ustin and runs south to Lady Bird Lake. It's bound by Interstate 35 on the east and Lamar Boulevard on the west. There are several districts within Downtown ustin including Congress venue (home of the State Capitol), Sixth Street (hub for entertainment), and Second Street (center for shopping and dining). s the central business district of ustin, downtown is packed with young professionals living in a growing selection of apartment buildings. The area boasts some of the best bars and restaurants in the city, which always keeps post-work nightlife exciting. Downtown is home to the most Facebook employees, and the convenient walk to work is just another reason why. GETTING TO THE FCEBOOK OFFICE WHT'S GRET Short walk to Facebook office Vibrant social scene Plenty of Facebook employees Great restaurants and bars WHT COULD BE BETTER Noisy at times Limited parking Lots of traffic High rents for ustin 5-10 Under 5 Under 5 Under 5 SIGNTURE SPOTS Grocery Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, HEB Riverside Restaurants Salvation Pizza, Second Bar + Kitchen, La Condesa Shopping 2nd Street District, Bonobos, Luxe pothetique Entertainment The Moody Theater, lamo Drafthouse Cinema, The Dogwood Fitness RIDE Indoor Cycling, Gold's Gym, Wanderlust Yoga Parks Butler Hike and Bike Trail, Waterloo Park, Duncan Park 6
TRVIS HEIGHTS & SOUTH RIVER CITY Modern apartments, a laid-back vibe, and access to downtown LOCTIONS ND FETURES Travis Heights, also known as South River City, refers to the area directly below Lake Lady Bird that extends south to Oltorf Road. East to west, Travis Heights begins on Interstate 35 and ends on South Congress venue. This area is a great option for those looking to live in a more quiet area that is still accessible to center city. While it certainly lacks the bustling social scene you can find downtown, there are several trendy cafes, shops, and breweries on South Congress venue. GETTING TO THE FCEBOOK OFFICE WHT'S GRET Convenient to Downtown ttractions on South Congress venue Quiet but still feels like a city Pet Friendly WHT COULD BE BETTER bit removed from nightlife Longer walk to Facebook office Still relatively expensive Can get touristy 30-40 10-15 15-20 5-10 SIGNTURE SPOTS Grocery HEB, River City Market, CVS Pharmacy Restaurants Perlas, New India Cuisine, Lucky Robot Shopping Parts & Labour, South Congress Books, STG Provisions Entertainment Long Center, Threadgill's, Doc's Motorworks Fitness Ignite Fitnez, Ben Morvan Personal Training, Clearspring Yoga Studio Parks Little Stacy Park, Norwood Estate Dog Park, uditorium Shores 7
CENTRL EST USTIN trendy and energetic area just beside downtown LOCTIONS ND FETURES From north to south, Central East ustin begins around East MLK Jr Boulevard and ends at East 7th Street. It is bound on the east by Chicon Street, Rosewood venue, and Northwestern venue and the west by Interstate 35. Central East ustin includes a few smaller communities like Prospect Hill, Guadalupe, Keeling, and Robertson Hill. Often described as artsy and authentic, Central East ustin offers a nice escape from the buzz of downtown, while also remaining accessible to key locations like the Facebook office, 6th Street, and Rainey Street. This area provides some affordable housing options for an ever-growing community of young professionals. GETTING TO THE FCEBOOK OFFICE WHT'S GRET Easily walk to 6th Street Plenty of young proffesionals ffordable housing options Lots of dives and hole-in-the-walls WHT COULD BE BETTER Longer walk to Facebook office Parking can be a pain Fewer luxury buildings Farther from Lady Bird Lake 20-30 10-20 20-25 5-15 SIGNTURE SPOTS Grocery The Bee Grocery, East Side Market, CVS Pharmacy Restaurants Franklin Barbeque, Blue Dahlia Bistro, Via 313 Pizza Shopping Charm School Vintage, Olive, Take Heart Entertainment Longbranch Inn, The Lion's Nest, Shangri-La Fitness East Side Yoga, RedBird Pilates & Fitness, Crossfit Central Parks Kealing Park, Rosewood Neighborhood Park, Plaza Saltito 8
RIVERSIDE ffordable options and amazing views LOCTIONS ND FETURES Located southeast of the city's core, Riverside is bound by Grove Boulevard on the east and Travis Heights on the west. From north to south it begins at Lake Lady Bird and extends down to Texas State Highway 71. With views and running trails that trace the river's edge, this neighborhood is great for those looking for an active experience. There are several descent-quality, affordable buildings scattered throughout Riverside, and though it is farther away from downtown, Capital Metro can make the commute a bit easier. GETTING TO THE FCEBOOK OFFICE WHT'S GRET Relatively quiet and safe Convenient public transit Bike to work on the Lady Bird Lake Trail Recreation along the river WHT COULD BE BETTER Outside of active downtown Farther from Facebook office Longer commute can be expensive Nightlife could be better 50-60 25-30 20-25 10-15 SIGNTURE SPOTS Grocery Riverside Grocerey, HEB, Shop 'n Save Restaurants Midway, Pho Please, Draft Pick Shopping The Bazaar Entertainment Emo's, Rack Daddy's, Stacy Lizette Belly Dance Fitness Planet Fitness, Seeds of Change Yoga, Oxygen Fitness Center Parks Norwood Tract Dog Park, Festival Beach Park, Riverside Golf Course 9
partment s KEY Top 25% for a category Top 50% Bottom 50% (or N/) Bottom 25% Property Type Price Range Overall 1,550+ average per renter 1,350-1,549 1,150-1,349 1,149 and under *Pricing may vary by unit type and availability Top 5 for Families Top 5 for Pets menities Value 3500 Westlake lgarita MLI 300 MLI at Mueller MLI Downtown MLI Eastside MLI South Shore shton ustin ustin Midtown partments Barton Hills Park Place Burnet Flats Cielo South Lamar City View Coldwater Eleven Gables t The Terrace Gables Park Plaza Gables Park Tower Gables West venue Lofts Hanover South Lamar Lamar Union Midtown Commons at Crestview Station Mosaic at Mueller Post South Lamar Post West ustin Pressler partments Retreat at Barton Creek partments Silver Creek partments Skyhouse ustin South Shore District The 704 The Breakers On The Lake The Catherine The District t SoCo Timbercreek partments Tramor at Oak Run partments Trio Zilkr On The Park 7.8 7.2 8.3 7.5 8.8 7.4 7.0 8.8 7.5 8.5 9.0 8.2 7.5 8.3 8.0 7.3 8.0 9.7 8.3 7.6 9.3 8.3 8.0 7.7 8.3 7.8 8.0 9.0 7.1 8.2 7.4 7.3 9.3 7.6 7.5 7.3 8.0 7.5 bout our Categories Property Type partment () Condo Key Building Factor s Overall Properties with one building manager. Often have consistent pricing/features Properties with multiple owners. Lease terms and features can vary significantly by unit Overall feedback on building quality 10 Living Situation s Families Pets Building Quality s menities Value How people with partners and/or children rated the building How pet owners rated the building In-room and building features beyond the basics Building quality given cost of rent
Highest Rated Gables Park Tower Downtown ustin, 111 Sandra Muraida Way 9.7 Overall Buildings with the best overall ratings Read more reviews at veryapt.com What austin working professionals typically value in top properties: Great amenities Close to transit/work Nearby nightlife Good value offering verage rents for the highest rated properties: 2nd Review by ustin Resident Gables Park Towers is definitely a luxury apartment complex. The apartments are just a few years old, and have nice finishes including stainless steel appliances. With views overlooking the river, it s worth opting to pay more for a higher floor. The 24 hour concierge increases the safety of the building. The Catherine Bouldin, 214 Barton Springs Rd 9.3 Overall STUDIO 1BR 2BR 3BR 1,100 1,200 1,700 2,400 Review by ustin Resident The Catherine is an amazing place to live. The amenities are great. Well equipped gym, awesome pool area and amazing upstairs bar with spectacular view just for residents. We have amazing views from all our windows and spectacular finishes throughout. Neighborhoods with the highest rated properties: Downtown ustin Zilker Top Five 3rd Lamar Union Zilker, 1100 S Lamar Blvd 9.2 Overall Gables Park Tower 9.7 Overall 2nd The Catherine 9.3 Overall 3rd Lamar Union 9.2 Overall 4th Silver Creek partments 9.0 Overall Review by ustin Resident fter living in NYC for 4 years, Lamar Union is a breath of fresh air. While it s probably true that you can expect to get more space for your buck anywhere in ustin than in Manhattan, here the deluxe feel goes beyond square footage. 4th Burnet Flats 9.0 Overall 11
Best for families Gables Park Tower Downtown ustin, 111 Sandra Muraida Way 9.7 Family Highest rated properties by couples and families Read more reviews at veryapt.com What austin workig professionals with partners and children typically look for: Safe and secure properties Close to parks Nearby parking Quiet properties verage rents for the highest rated family properties: 2nd Review by ustin Resident I ve lived in the Gables for a while now and can honestly say that this is definitely a welcoming environment. Outdoor swimming pool, skee ball game room and wifi hotspots give this a great community feel. Location is convenient and all of the front desk staff are helpful and friendly and greet you by name. Overall, I would recommend to others. Burnet Flats Brentwood, 5453 Burnet Rd 9.0 Family STUDIO 1BR 2BR 3BR 1,100 1,200 1,700 2,400 Review by Mary F Great place for the value! I love the location and the management has been very friendly. The building hosts occassional social events as well which is a great way to meet your neighbors. Most popular neighborhoods for austin working professionals with families: Zilker Downtown ustin Top Five 3rd MLI 300 Old West ustin, 300 N Lamar Blvd 8.3 Family Gables Park Tower 9.7 Family 2nd Burnet Flats 9.0 Family 3rd MLI 300 8.3 Family 3rd Coldwater 8.3 Family 3rd Gables West venue Lofts 8.3 Family Review by Jessica F Been living at the MLI 300 for 2 years now. bsolutely love it. Even though its near the train, I m not bothered by it! Love the property, well maintained, and they are continually making improvements (the elevator was just redone!). Overall very happy resident and would recommend! 12
Best for pet owners Gables Park Tower Downtown ustin, 111 Sandra Muraida Way 9.7 Pet Highest rated properties by pet owners Read more reviews at veryapt.com What Professionals and with pets typically look for: Larger units and open floorplans Nearby parks and green space Flexible pet policies Great building management verage rents for highest rated properties by pet owners: 2nd Review by ustin Resident Gables Park Towers is definitely a luxury apartment complex. The apartments are just a few years old, and have nice finishes including stainless steel appliances. With views overlooking the river, it s worth opting to pay more for a higher floor. The 24 hour concierge increases the safety of the building. shton ustin Downtown ustin, 101 Colorado St 8.8 Pet STUDIO 1BR 2BR 3BR 1,100 1,200 1,700 2,400 Most popular neighborhoods for pet owners: Review by ustin Resident Great building, lovely finishes, great staff, love having the hike and bike trail right across the street and tons of restaurants and shops and ustin nightlife right outside of the door. Plus the pool desk is amazing with a great view of the River and the bridges! Rittenhouse Square University City Top Five 3rd Gables West venue Lofts Downtown ustin, 300 West ve 8.3 Pet Gables Park Tower 9.7 Pet 2nd shton ustin 8.8 Pet 3rd Gables West venue Lofts 8.3 Pet 3rd Coldwater 8.3 Pet 5th Cielo South Lamar 8.2 Pet Review by Lucas Best decision I could have made. Great location in close walking distance to everything. If you re okay with the price, I would highly recommend the place. The amenities are awesome with great view over Downtown and the Lake. Neighbors are very friendly and close to most bars. 13
Best menities Lamar Union Zilker, 1100 S Lamar Blvd 9.8 menities Highest rated properties for amenities Read more reviews at veryapt.com What top amenity properties typically offer: Great common spaces Convenient location Excellent building management Newer construction verage rents for highest rated amenity properties: 2nd Review by ustin Resident Great building with amenities such as swimming pool, community/ game room, and downtown views. Management is always responsive to needs and location is great with many places nearby that you could walk to. I feel safe living in this community and crime isn t a problem. The Catherine Bouldin, 214 Barton Springs Rd 9.7 menities STUDIO 1BR 2BR 3BR 1,100 1,200 1,700 2,400 Neighborhoods with highest rated properties for amenities: Review by ustin Resident For an active individual, The Catherine has all the amenities you need. Great gym, close to biking/running trails and rooftop access are the reasons why I choose this location. In addition, it is also close to many shops for those who like to shop and/or dine. 1 block from The Long Center and uditorium Shores. Kitchen is excellent with nice furnishings. Downtown ustin Zilker Top Five 3rd shton ustin Downtown ustin, 101 Colorado St 9.5 menities Lamar Union 9.8 menities 2nd The Catherine 9.7 menities 3rd Regents West 9.5 menities 3rd Burnet Flats 9.5 menities 5th Gables Park Tower 9.3 menities Review by Facebook Employee The shton has very nice units and is located in great location right in the heart of 2nd street distruct. The shton has a beautiful pool that overlooks Lady Bird Lake, 2 resident lounges, a conference room, business center, movie screening room and a brand new gym. There is 24 hour security and a 24 hour doorman. 14
Best Value Barton Hills Park Place Barton Hills, 1200 Barton Hills Dr 9.0 Value Highest rated properties for value Read more reviews at veryapt.com What top value properties typically offer: Good price-to-space trade off Decent property maintenance Good location Solid amenities and basic features verage rents for highest rated value properties: Review by ustin Resident This is the PERFECT location for anyone who loves ustin events like ustin City Limits, Blues on the green or Trail of Lights. It s walking distance to Barton Springs, Zilker Park, and easy access to Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail. Lamar Union Zilker, 1100 S Lamar Blvd 9.0 Value STUDIO 1BR 2BR 3BR 1,100 1,200 1,700 2,400 Neighborhoods with highest rated properties for value Review by Rob Lamar Union is currently the hottest new apartment complex. You have lamo Drafthouse, retail, restaurants at your doorstep and only a 10 minute walk to Zilker Park and Barton Springs. Its close proximity to DT is very convinient as well as to all the new/classic ustin retail on South Lamar. Logan Square Rittenhouse Square Top Five City View Pleasant Valley, 4900 E Oltorf St 9.0 Value Regents West 9.0 Value Lamar Union 9.0 Value City View 9.0 Value Burnet Flats 9.0 Value Review by nonymous The location is pretty convenient. The rent is reasonable since you are still in a semi-bad area. The apartments are fairly new, so they have a modern design and floor plan. Silver Creek partments 9.0 Value 15
Brownstones & standalone homes Smaller properties and how to find them bout Brownstones Brownstones and units are apartments or rental homes, often older buildings, typically a few stories tall at most. They typically do not have a doorman, elevator, or many amenities, but are often cheaper and more spacious than the apartment and condo units in larger high-rises. Finding Brownstone Brownstones and standalone units can be challenging to find because they tend to be individually owned and do not have full time leasing managers. Listings for July and ugust move-in dates typically become available in May, June, and July. You can find a unit by searching online listings, contacting a landlord directly, or using a local broker who works with multiple landlords. Most popular landlords If you re set on a standalone unit, professionals in ustin typically lease from individuals and smaller landlords, so check recent listings to stay up to date on what s available. What s Great Lower rents Spacious floor plans Great for hosting 3+ bedrooms available What COULD BE BETTER No doorman Older buildings Few amenities Often farther from downtown/campus TIPS ND dvice Reliable Landlords Check online reviews and talk to previous tenants to find out about your landlord. Look for one that responds quickly to maintenance requests and has a history of fully refunding deposits. Noise and Neighbors Watch out for noisy neighbors or light sleepers who may not allow you to host parties. Sounds often travel well through older buildings and you can easily be disturbed by barking dogs, music, or construction. 16 Lease Terms Leases with independent landlords are negotiable. Check your lease for restrictions on subletters and visitor policies. You may be able to avoid a rent increase by locking in a longer lease.
LNDLORD GRDES and the renting process Grade B B+ + B+ C+ C+ B B B B+ B+ B+ Landlord lliance Residential Company MLI Residential Bell Partners BH Management Services Bozzuto Management Cardinal Management Group, Inc. Cortland Partners CWS partment Homes, LLC Equity Residential Gables Residential Greystar Lincoln Property Company M Milestone Management Northland Investment Corporation Presidium Real Estate Rainer Management RIT Residential Simpson Property Group Tramor Properties Westdale LNDLORD GRDES Grades were assigned to landlords that received two or more reviews by using a combination of management ratings and overall ratings for the properties they manage. Letter grades correspond to the following: + B+ B C+ C Over 9.5 9.0-9.4 8.0-8.9 7.0-7.9 6.0-6.9 5.0-5.9 Understanding the renting process If this is your first time renting, here is a heads up on what the process is like: pplication process You will be asked to fill out an application for an apartment. Likely this will include an application fee (30-50) and potentially a deposit (up to one month s rent). If you re coming from abroad, you may have to provide alternate information - in the absence of a social security number, bank accounts, etc., often landlords will accept your visa documents and acceptance letter. Landlords will use your information to approve you based only on your credit history and income. In the event where there are issues, a landlord may grant the application on the condition that a guarantor cosigns the lease. after you re approved landlord will often ask for a security deposit and prepaid rent. landlord typically charges up to two months rent as a security deposit and will ask for up to two months in prepaid rent. t the end of your lease and after you give proper notification that you are moving out (typically 60-90 days), the landlord has 30 days to return the security deposit at the end of the lease. The landlord may not return the deposit in full if there are claimed damages to the property or other charges outstanding. What to look out for Check for additional charges or obligations that could cost you more than the listed price of a property. This could include move-in/move-out fees, renters insurance requirements, condo fees, common electrical fees, etc. Definitely ask about previous electrical/utility bills to get a feel for what additional monthly costs there may be. Be sure to research the landlord and management company before placing any sort of deposit. If you have any specific questions, feel free to reach out to us at contact@veryapt.com. 17
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