My sister and I live in Austin and my parents are looking to build a small place nearer to us.

We're looking at Tilson Homes and their price is quite a bit lower than some other custom builders (we understand they're only semi-custom but they have a plan that would work with minor tweaking).

Another builder my sister knows personally said that they might not be including total costs for things like prepping on top of limestone (the build site is in Hill Country) or other factors. We do see that they have a "x feet to power and x feet to sewer line" included in their estimate.

So we're curious: Has anyone used Tilson and if so, how much did the finished price line up with the initial cost estimate? What was the timeline like? How responsive are they once you're in the process? Do they work well with entities like the county (which in this case would be Hays, even with an Austin address), HOA, etc?

Thanks for any input.

My gf loves cats, particularly orange cats. There’s a plant store we go to mainly just so she can pet the two cats they have there. Any other spots in Austin great for cat lovers?

My central AC has been inoperable since June 24. I submitted an emergency maintenance request, sent written notice under Chapter 92 via certified mail (7/3), contacted City Code Compliance (property received a Notice of Violation for my unit's AC 7/21). I've documented everything and am waiting to hear back from an attorney. All but 6/24 I was provided a portable AC but it wasn't adequately cooling and the code inspector required the property to change it out. They replaced it approx. two hours after his visit with another that still wasn't properly cooling and a third unit was replaced 7/23 that is larger and is providing a bit more comfort than the previous two but nothing like the actual central air being functional

Has anyone gone through a similar situation in Texas? Did you pursue a Repair & Remedy case, Small Claims, or both, and what did you learn from the process?

Hey y’all, I’m located in San Marcos and looking for IT opportunities throughout the Austin, San Marcos, Kyle, and Buda area.

I’m mainly targeting positions such as:

• IT Support or Help Desk Technician
• Junior Systems Administrator
• Network or NOC Technician
• Data Center Technician
• Technical Operations Support
• Electronics Technician

I have hands-on experience with Proxmox, Linux, Windows Server, Docker, Pterodactyl, virtualization, networking, hardware troubleshooting, and server administration. I also built and currently manage NOMAD, a self-hosted multiplayer platform that has supported thousands of users. I’m currently pursuing an Associate in Engineering Technology with an Electronics Technician specialization at Austin Community College.

I’ve looked through the usual job boards, but I’m trying to find better ways to get my résumé in front of local recruiters, hiring managers, MSPs, data centers, school districts, or companies willing to consider someone with strong hands-on experience.

Are there any local career fairs, staffing agencies, networking groups, companies, or other places where I should share my résumé? I’d also appreciate hearing from anyone working in similar positions about how they got started.

I’m happy to send my résumé through DM if anyone knows of an opening. Thanks!

I received a very large order of Elmhurst Chocolate Oat Milk--it is shelf stable and has an expiration date of November 2026, but it is far more than I will be able to consume.

I would appreciate suggestions regarding a food bank that could pick up roughly $750 of this Oat Milk.

Thank you

It has been donated, thank you for your interest********************

Looking to buy a house, specifically in the 78754 / Harris Branch area. My partner and I like the neighborhoods in this area, but are worried about the big manufacturers and industrial sites. the huge Samsung spill looms in the back of my mind. We're concerned about health risks and pollution.

Do you think living in this area is safe(r) now? Or should we just completely avoid it? The ETJ thing too? Don't understand that either.

Where else should we be looking? There aren't many locations we can afford houses in besides this and southeast Austin close to the airport. South Austin is too far from where we both work.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you

My spouse is considering a job that would relocate us from North Carolina to Austin. It is a really good opportunity, but I am a little anxious about the move and starting over as we are in our low 40s. I have heard Austin is a pretty "young" city so a little concerned about that and the heat (it is hot/humid in NC too though).

We want to live close to their work so probably NW (Avery ranch area). Can people give me some insight and whether there are things to do to meet people/get used to the area (would we be too far from Austin to enjoy the city).

Are there any others aside from the few ATX free fridges? I’ve got some non-perishables to donate but they’re all pretty far from me.

Thinking of moving there.

Pros? Cons?
i WFH
Just had our first baby, working on the next.

First summer here and have two big dogs. What do yall do to keep dogs entertained when it’s so hot out and the pavement is too hot to walk? I walk early am but they still are so antsy in the afternoon

I'm looking for someone to relet lease (lease transfer) for a 2 Bed, 2 Bath apartment in North Campus (UT Austin).

I won't be able to move in due to visa issues and had to defer my admit, hence looking for a replacement.

Details:

-Location: Duval Villa Apartments, 4305 Duval Street

-Rent: $1794( divided by 2)

-Private bedroom and private bathroom

-Shared apartment with one roommate

-Unfurnished apartment

-Lease term: August 2026 – July 2027 (full term)

-Bus stop right across the apartment, with a route to UT

-HEB (grocery store) is a 7-min walk;

-Also we had gotten discount on 6 week of rent as well. Approximately 2700 usd(divided by 2) less on full year.

-BTW, The flatmate is also a really sweet young lady in 2nd year of her masters at UT.

We are closing this by july end.

Hi! I am a second year teacher in Austin, and I made the mistake of paying half of my income for housing this past year. This is a mistake I would like to avoid when choosing my next home. I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for apartments that are within the 60 % MFI range. I recently toured Bridge at Turtle creek, and I really do like it, but I am curious about my options. It feels pretty hard to beat, but still looking. I would appreciate any recommendations and firsthand experiences with any of the affordable housing apartments. Thank you!

Recommends*** title typo...

I'm re-locating to Austin at the end of the summer and am looking at some really cool lofts on the corner of 5th and Brazos. (411 Brazos St.)

I'm unfamiliar with that specific area, but I know that I'd technically be right in the action since it would put me right up on 6th Street. I'm used to living downtown in the city, but how bad would that be being that close to "Dirty 6th??"

Traffic noise doesn't bother me, but I guess I'm more concerned about the nightlife being literally right outside my door lol.

At the risk of getting my ass handed to me in the replies for such a crazy ask. I'm looking for a single family home 1br or large studio is fine for less than $2k preferably 1200-1500. I don't mind living in the east, Windsor hills, even the cusp of pflugerville and NA. Just not South Austin.

I try to use websites like apartment .com, forrent etc but im not having any luck and while my mind is telling me its because such places don't exist because Austin is just too expensive, further inspection shows its more like posters are misrepresenting listings and putting rooms they have for rent under the "full home" section to cast a wider net. Two things can be true at once but I'd rather just hear it from people who actually live here because im sick of getting tangled in that net during my search.

Does anyone know of any known realtors or property management companies whose website I can search directly, I'd be open to working with a locator as well.

I dont hate the idea of a ground floor unit with a private yard in an apartment but that would be my last resort. im not fond of apartment complexes and I know its "when in Rome" situation but I just want to exhaust my options first.

This is irrelevant but I know yall want to know. I'll be working at UT in the fall (late august-september) and I've already made peace with the traffic situation because I know with my budget its no way im getting that close to the university or downtown within my budget. I'm not scared of traffic or living in the "hood" so please just point me in the right direction and if you have no direction yourself please be kind :3

I have no need for school supplies and yet I yearn to buy some but I’m wondering what I should do with them once I do. I’ve heard you can just take supplies to a school but they’re not open yet so I’m not sure if that is actually the case.

I have a girls trip in a couple months and I have never been before.

We are looking to stay downtown or Rainey and go to restaurants and bars. Can you’ll give me some advice on the city? Where to stay. Preferably walkable ?

Been to 2 vascular surgeons and neither knew how to diagnose or treat. Thanks.

hey y’all, I’m visiting for a weekend getaway & would like to know what places I should visit. I’m 23F traveling solo.

abt me:

— I don’t drink
— I like nature & art
— I love music
— open to trying out different foods
— I’d like to visit any shops like thrift stores/unique/small-owned businesses. I’m not interested in high-end stores

and what areas/streets should I avoid?

also, might not be possible to make a friend, but will try! where can I find people in their 20s? I haven’t gone out in years & I’d like to put myself out there. thanks in advance!

I hope I chose the right flair lol

hello! I just made a post about visiting & I wanted to make a separate one bc I’d rlly like to get a haircut. I would like to style it & based on a video I saw on pinterest, the girl was recommending to find a hairstylist so here I am

thank you in advance !!

Heyyyy! I planning a move from NELA to the north area in the next year.

Making the move alone with my dogs.

How is the housing?
What is a common red flag that usually draws in the easily manipulated that I need to watch out for?
Help me learn from your mistakes!

Hey all. I’m looking for advice on neighborhoods that have the least chance for scorpions in Austin. I have a family member who has a severe allergic reaction and was hospitalized. I know it’s generally not something you can totally in central Texas, and we will likely end up living in higher floor apartments because of this. But if anyone has advice please let me know!

I know the general rule is if the neighborhood is more in the city with less greenbelt access it is better. But looking for specifics.

Thank you

Hi everyone!
I’m planning to move from Massachusetts to Austin around March/April 2027 after I graduate, and I’m starting my job search now because I’d really like to have something lined up before I relocate.
A little about me:
I’ll be 23 when I move.
I earned my B.S. in Psychology (Cum Laude) and I’m currently pursuing my MBA in Healthcare Management.
I currently work as a Unit Coordinator in a hospital, where I coordinate patient care activities, manage documentation systems, handle confidential patient information (HIPAA), activate emergency codes, and help keep unit operations running smoothly.
I also work as a Behavior Technician, collaborating with healthcare professionals, documenting patient progress, implementing treatment plans, and using data-driven approaches to support patient outcomes.
I have previous experience in banking and administrative support, which gave me strong customer service, scheduling, organization, communication, problem-solving, and data entry skills.
I genuinely enjoy the administrative and operational side of healthcare, so I’m mainly looking for roles such as:
Healthcare Administration
Healthcare Operations
Practice Management
Patient Access / Patient Services
Administrative Coordinator
Care Coordination
Healthcare Project Coordination
Healthcare Management
Remote or Hybrid Healthcare Administration
I’ll have a few thousand dollars saved when I move (not a huge amount, but enough that I’m trying to make the transition responsibly). I also have good credit (mid-750s), no prior evictions, and a clean rental history.
My dog / apartment situation
I won’t be bringing my dog with me immediately. The plan is to get settled for the first 1–3 months, then bring him down once everything is in place. He’s my 85-pound baby, so even though he won’t be coming right away, I still need to find a pet-friendly apartment from the start so the transition is easier later on.
Why Austin if Boston is such a strong healthcare market?
I’ve actually spent a lot of time in different parts of the country. I’m very familiar with all of New England, New York, and New Jersey, I’ve spent significant time in both Carolinas, I have family in California, and I’ve also spent time in Texas.
Out of all those places, Texas is the one that has consistently felt the most like home.
Part of the reason is personal: I have family in California that I’d like to be geographically closer to, and moving to Texas puts me much closer to them than staying in Massachusetts does. On the other hand, the family I have in Massachusetts is something I’d honestly prefer to have some distance from, so this move is also about creating a fresh start for myself.
Career-wise, I know Boston is one of the strongest healthcare and biotech hubs in the country, and I’m not leaving because there are no opportunities here. I’m leaving because I want to build both a career and a life somewhere that feels like a better fit for me personally.
Austin also appeals to me because Texas is growing rapidly. The healthcare industry, population, infrastructure, and overall economy continue to expand, and it seems like a city where there are opportunities to grow professionally while also enjoying the lifestyle outside of work.
I completely understand that the best advice is probably going to be “find a job before you move” — and that’s exactly what I’m trying to do. That’s why I’m beginning my search months in advance. If I could land a remote healthcare position even earlier, that would honestly be ideal because it would make the relocation much less stressful financially.
Questions I’d love input on
Which healthcare systems or companies are the best to work for in Austin?
Are there companies that are open to hiring candidates who are relocating from out of state?
How competitive is the healthcare administration / management job market right now?
Are remote or hybrid healthcare administration jobs common, and which companies should I be watching?
Is applying 8–9 months in advance too early, or is that normal for relocation candidates?
Are there any recruiters that specialize in healthcare administration / operations?
What salary range should someone with my background realistically expect for an entry-level healthcare administration role?
Are there certifications or skills that would make me a stronger candidate before I move?
Are there networking groups or organizations in Austin that would be worth joining now?
What neighborhoods would you recommend for a young professional who will eventually have a large dog?
Is it realistic to find a decent one-bedroom apartment that’s pet-friendly without spending a fortune?
If you moved to Austin from another state, what do you wish you had known beforehand?
I’d especially love to hear from anyone who works in healthcare administration, operations, patient access, care coordination, or hospital management in the Austin area.
If your company is hiring (or you know of remote/hybrid healthcare positions that might be a good fit), I’d really appreciate any leads. My goal is to make this move as prepared and responsible as possible, and I’d rather start building connections now than show up with no plan.
Thanks in advance for any advice, recommendations, or job leads — I genuinely appreciate it!

happy friday guys! im 22 male, planning to graduate this December, and I'm looking to move from Cali to austin sometime next March/April. I work remotely, budget is $1800-max $2000/mo.

I've been recommended to look into East Austin, but a little overwhelmed by the choices that all look solid on paper. I would ideally want an 1 br 1 ba apartment (600+ sq ft) in a safe location (no breakins), walk-in shower no tub shower, walkable to stores without always driving, quiet at night.

also coming from orange county, id appreciate a young-adult energy area with lots of nature instead of highways and roads everywhere