The Abridged Austin Relocation Guide

austin relocation guide

Whether you’re moving to another spot in town or moving in from out of state, relocating to a new residence is a jarring and time consuming process. For those of you who already live in Austin, TX and are moving up or down to a new place, here are some things that you’re going to want to go through before you sign that mortgage.

Square Footage – Depending on your situation, mapping out the exact square footage of your current place and your prospective new place is imperative and often overlooked by first-time relocators. More often than not folks moving down are left with an excess of furniture, decorations, and housewares. (Luckily, Self Storage Deals can help you with that!) Unless you’re planning on getting all new furniture, appliances, and décor, sketch out in detail your new home’s layout and how it compares to your current one.

PRO TIP: always bring a tape measure

Mapping Out Your New Commute – For folks moving for a job, this might be their first priority when relocating. But for folks who are moving up or down for other reasons, figuring out exactly how your new commute is crucial in making sure that your move enhances your livelihood. If you’re going to be sitting in traffic on I-35 every day for two hours to and from work, that new model home in Avery Ranch may not be the best idea.

PRO TIP: use TravelMath.com’s drive time calculator to get and idea, and then go do it one day in person.

Schools – When you’re moving with a family in tow, one of you main concerns is probably going to be your kids’ school. For instance, you’re not going to want to move from a TEA-ranked exemplary school district to one with an average ranking. Education is king. To get the best idea of your new school district specs, feel free to check out Realty Austin’s School District Map to see where district boundaries are and what you can expect from your child’s education. Check it out here.

Neighborhood Demographic and Culture – This is where you’ll be living day to day. This is the place that you’ll see first thing in the morning and the place you’ll see last thing at night. Knowing your new neighborhood’s demographic and lifestyle could make or break your relocation. Lucky for you Austin mover, Austin has something for everyone in terms of lifestyle. You’ve got laid back neighborhoods to the south, swanky urban digs downtown, post-grad and new families north of University of Texas Campus, and the quintessential gated, expansive community in northwest Austin.

PRO TIP: make a pros and cons list of your current situation and do your research on other neighborhoods in town.

This isn’t everything you’ll need to know about relocation, but once you cover the points above, the rest will be details. For more information on relocation in Austin, TX, check out Realty Austin’s Relocation Guide.

This post was provided by the nice folks at Realty Austin, experts in Austin real estate.

How Much Does a Self-Storage Unit Cost in Austin?

If you’re moving to Austin, renovating your Austin home, or are a student at the University of Texas who needs somewhere to put your dorm stuff over winter break, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll need to rent an Austin storage unit. But what size do you need, and how much should you expect to pay? Allow our infographic to answer:

Storage units come in 5 standard sizes in Austin, 5×5, 5×10, 10×10, 10×15, and 10×20. Here’s a rundown of the Austin storage scene:

5×5: the size of a small closet, 5×5 units are great for chairs, cabinets, electronics and boxes. Expect to pay $47 a month in Austin. Because of their size and low relative price, these units are awesome for keeping school books and clothes in town when you UT or St. Ed’s students head back home over the summer.

5×10: the size of a large walk-in closet, 5x10s are good for mattress sets, couches, tables, chairs and boxes. They average $61 a month in Austin, so if you’re in the process of moving from one studio apartment to another, this might be the unit for you.

10×10: the middlemost standard size of storage, the 10×10 is the size of a normal bedroom and can handle the contents of most 2-bedroom apartments, including bedroom sets, refrigerators, large drawers, and boxes. Their average price of $96/month may sound steep, but split it between your roomies and a 10×10 becomes a most excellent deal.

10×15: the size of a large bedroom, 10x15s are for heavy-duty storage needs. They’re good for bedroom sets, appliances, and small vehicles. Average price in Austin: $129.

10×20: the Titanic of storage units, the 10×20 can handle almost any extreme storage need–including that boat you can’t wait to take out on Lake Travis once the water levels recover. Unless you’re storing vehicles, only families with 4-5 bedroom houses are likely to need a 10×20.

 

Finding the Perfect Home in Austin, Texas

For many people, finding the perfect home is a high priority. Whether you are looking to buy or rent, you’ll discover that Austin has many options open to you. If you have a little bit of time before you make any final decisions, it is definitely going to be worth your while to learn more about the neighborhoods that you should keep in mind. Remember that the key to being happy where you are is to find a place that is right for you.

austin apartment

Downtown
When you are someone who wants to see what is going on every minute of every day, make sure that you consider living downtown. This is a fairly pricey area, but you are never going to want for something to do, and you’ll find that this is one of the areas that gives the city its reputation for live music. The people who live downtown range from younger student types to established business types, making it an eclectic place to reside. You will not see many families here, however, so keep that in mind if you are likely to start one.

UT Campus
The University of Texas campus is located north of downtown, and this is a very student area. It is populated primarily by people in their early twenties and because of that, you’ll likely find that you love it or hate it. It is very accessible to the campus, and it is great for people who like to walk even in the Austin heat.
Westlake Hills
Westlake Hills is located to the west, and if you are looking for something a bit quieter, this might be something for you to keep in mind. The neighborhood is on the expensive side, but it is considered a good one for kids and rather upscale on top of it. It is also within easy driving distance of attractions like Lake Austin and Lake Travis.

East Austin
East Austin is the place for you if you want to eat very well. There are many different restaurants and coffeehouses in the area, and you’ll also find that this area is in the heart of the city’s Tex-Mex scene. You can also take advantage of the plentiful art galleries and the classic drive-in movie theater for entertainment as well. This area is considered to be on the trendy side, but despite this, it retains a very cozy feel that is quite attractive to many people.

If you are thinking about moving to Austin, remember that the place that you live is going to be something that is important to consider. Take a moment to think about what your needs are and think about what areas in Austin will suit them. You can search available apartments in the areas mentioned above or find apartments in South Austin here.

Recycling Centers in Austin

Where to responsibly dispose of your recyclables in Austin, TX

An Austin storage unit can be a great solution for many problems, from moving to home renovations to just having no space in your home, but for others it’s better to just get rid of things you don’t need. Instead of dumping unwanted items in a landfill, consider recycling them. In order to make that task easier, we’ve mapped out recycling centers in Austin according to their specialty and included contact info below. Go be green!

What do you need to recycle?

Common Recyclables: Papers, plastics, aluminum and more–the stuff you’d feel comfortable dropping in your recycling bin, if it would fit.
Electronics:Electronics contain chemicals and metals that can be extremely harmful to the environment, so it’s important that you dispose of them in a responsible way.
Scrap metal: If you have large pieces of unwanted metals, these companies will pay good money to take them off your hands and reuse them for productive purposes.
Paper: These companies will shred your important documents and then recycle the remnants.
Plastics: For large quantities of plastic, it’s best to consult these companies.
Appliances: Appliances are ungainly and difficult to dispose of, particularly in a responsible way. Allow these professionals to help.
Landscape If you’re just cleared out a large span of land, the city recycling bins won’t do the trick–give these people a call.
All-purpose: Companies able to handle the disposal of anything and everything.

Recycling Center Address Phone Type of Service
Whittlesey Landscape Supplies & Recycling, Inc. 3219 North Interstate 35 Frontage Road (512) 989-7625 Landscape
Whittlesey Landscape Supplies & Recycling, Inc. 629 Dalton Lane (512) 989-7625 Landscape
Central Texas Secure Shredding 16805 Radholme Court (512) 670-2900 Paper
Shred-It 2305 Donley Drive #102 (512) 454-5300 Paper
Arca Inc 3815 Jarrett Way (512) 255-1934 Appliance
City of Round Rock: Deepwood Recycling Drop Off Center 310 Deep Wood Drive (512) 218-7047 Common Recyclables
City of Pflugerville Recycling Center 2609 E Pecan St (Pflugerville) (512) 251-9935 Common Recyclables
On-Site Recycling Inc 1605 Century Street (512) 252-1500 Common Recyclables
Balcones Resources Inc 9301 Johnny Morris Road (512) 472-3355 Common Recyclables
Ecology Action of Texas 707 East 9th Street (512) 322-5129 Common Recyclables
Waste Management Inc 3920 Gattis School Road (512) 251-4686 All
Appliance Collector 3101 Shoreline Drive (512) 650-0528 All
Republic Services 10420 Metric Boulevard (512) 385-7600 All
Recycling Center 9405 Dessau Road (512) 836-7512 All
Waste Management 9708 Giles Lane (800) 800-5804 All
TRI Recycling Inc 4700 Burleson Road (512) 329-0172 All
Smileys Recycling and Resale 906 Sahara Avenue (512) 787-1319 All
Commercial Metals Company Recycling 1704 Howard Ln (512) 251-3407 Scrap Metal
Austin Metal & Iron Co LP 10506 Farm to Market Road 3177 (512) 272-8111 Scrap Metal
Beaman Metal Co 3409 East 5th Street (512) 385-6935 Scrap Metal
Gardner Metal Recycling 1201 East 4th Street (512) 477-3900 Scrap Metal
Austin Metal & Iron Co., L.P. 1000 East 4th Street (512) 477-6452 Scrap Metal
Absolute Demolition 815 Brazos Street (512) 515-0705 Scrap Metal
CCR of Texas 4202 Santiago Street #11 (512) 879-9176 Scrap Metal
Commercial Metals Company 710 Industrial Boulevard (512) 442-2384 Scrap Metal
IT Recycling Group 501 Tradesmens Park Drive (512) 846-1826 Electronics
Global Environmental Services 15877 Long Vista Drive (512) 582-8200 Electronics
Electronic Recycling and Trading, Inc 15508 Bratton Lane (512) 927-2300 Electronics
Fits Computer Recycling 1411 Gracy Farms Lane (281) 450-0508 Electronics
Axcess Technologies 8812 Shoal Creek Boulevard (512) 441-1100 Electronics
Global Material Recycling 8079 North Lamar Boulevard (512) 339-0377 Electronics
Finnigan Services 1305 July Drive (512) 814-5735 Electronics
GO Recycle 9709 Brown Lane (512) 800-7474 Electronics
Axcess Technologies 8606 Wall Street #300 (512) 441-1100 Electronics
Greenstream International 8619 Wall St #620 (512) 410-5540 Electronics
Goodwill Computer Works 1015 Norwood Park Boulevard (512) 637-7501 Electronics
DNT Recycling 629 West Saint Johns Avenue (512) 467-0063 Electronics
Electronics Recycling & Trading 6106 Baldwin Drive (512) 927-2300 Electronics
ROUND2, Inc. 1340 Airport Commerce Drive #300 (512) 342-8855 Electronics
In Cycle Electronics Inc 3739 Drossett Drive (512) 617-7300 Electronics
Hdi Plastics 5330 Fleming Court (512) 383-9324 Plastics

How to Register Your Vehicle in Austin, Texas


If you’re new to Texas, you should know that this idiosyncratic state boasts an idiosyncratic motor vehicle registration process. Here’s how to register your vehicle and obtain your license in Austin.

If you’ve just moved to Austin, TX, one of the most important and urgent things for you to do is to register your car or other motor vehicle. Not only is Texas extremely car-oriented, with more miles of roadway than any other state and a relatively-underdeveloped public transportation system, but there’s a strict time limit on doing so once you get here: you have 30 days after moving to Texas to register your vehicle with the state. In addition to that time limit, there are a few things about getting your license and registration in Texas that are different from other states. Here’s how to do it.

Get your vehicle inspected

The first step is to find an inspection station that’s been certified by the Department of Public Safety–you’ll know them by their signs with the image of the state and the title ‘Official Vehicle Inspections Station.’ Many mechanic shops and oil change services are licensed to perform inspections, so a suitable location should be easy to find. Be warned that you’ll need to show proof of insurance at your inspection, and many out of state insurance policies are difficult for inspectors to verify. To ensure that this process goes smoothly, it might be best to go ahead and take out a Texas car insurance policy beforehand. Insurance policies in Texas must have a minimum coverage of $30,000 per injured person, or up to a total of $60k for all injured persons in an accident, as well as $25k in property damage.

Get your Registration Sticker and License Plates

Take your inspection papers, your insurance card, and proof that you own the vehicle (the registration or title from your previous state will do the trick) to your new county’s Tax-Assessor Collector Office. This is not the same as the DMV or DPS–unlike many other states, the offices you’ll need to visit to register your vehicle and obtain a driver’s license are all split up in Texas.

Here’s where to find a Tax Assessor Office in Austin:

The location on Airport Blvd. is the main office.

First-time applicants will need to fill out and bring in Form 130-U as well–you can find a link to that document here.

At the Tax Assessor’s office, you’ll be required to pay registration fees totaling $52.75. In addition to that, you may need to pay up to $90 in sales tax fees on your vehicle. You’ll then be issued your registration stickers and license plate.

Getting your Driver’s License in Austin, Texas

New residents have 90 days to obtain a Texas Driver’s License. Once again, in Texas, unlike in other states, you won’t be returning to the same office you visited to register your vehicle. Instead, you’ll need to seek out a special Texas Department of Public Safety Office called a Driver’s License Official Office. There are three such locations in Austin: the Northwest Office can be found at 13730 Research Boulevard (ZIP: 78750-1812 Phone: 512-506-2835), the North Lamar Office at 6121 North Lamar Boulevard (ZIP:78752 Phone: 512-424-2076) and the South Office at 6425 Interstate 35 Ste. 180 (ZIP: 78744 Phone: 512-444-5241). Hours at each location are 8:00am-5:00pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and from 8:00am-6:00pm on Tuesdays. You’re advised to arrive at least 45 mins early for processing.

An alternative to the above three is the Austin-Pflugerville Mega Center, which offers faster and more efficient service as well as shorter wait times. The Mega Center is located at 216 East Wells Branch Parkway (ZIP 78660 Phone 512-486-2800). Hours are the same as the other offices. Though the Mega Center might be a drive for those from South Austin, it’s size, speed and efficiency make it worth the trek.

Once you arrive at a Driver’s License Office, you’ll be asked to turn over your old driver’s license–without one you’ll be required to retake a driving test. You’ll also be required to forfeit the old license, as it’s illegal in Texas for anyone other than the military and students to carry two driver’s licenses. After a vision test and payment of the required fees, you’ll have a license arrive in the mail in the next few weeks.

 

Donation Center Locations in Austin

Where to donate your extra stuff in Austin, TX

Self-storage is a great short-term solution for all sorts of problems: whether you’re undergoing a complicated move and need a place to keep some things for a few weeks, or renovating a room in your home and don’t want to overcrowd the others, or you simply have too much stuff and need a little extra space for a few months, storage will work for you. But here at Self Storage Deals, we’ve always cautioned that using self-storage as a long-term solution is financially unwise for most of our customers. A $50 monthly rental fee may seem like pennies for a few months, but stretch that out too long and you may find yourself trapped in a draining financial situation; consider the fact that such a bill would amount to $600 a year, which is a full month’s rent in many American cities.

Which is exactly why we advise consumers to look for better long-term solutions, the simplest and most effective of which being to simply get rid of things they don’t need. And rather tossing your unneeded clothes, furniture, food, books and electronics in the dumpster out back, we encourage you to find a nearby donation center to ensure that your items go to people who need them.

In order to help you out, we’ve provided the below map of donation centers in Austin, TX, so that you can find the nearest Goodwill, Salvation Army, or Easter Seals in your neighborhood:

Store Address phone
Goodwill Lake Austin 701 Newman Dr (512) 478-6711
Goodwill Westbank 2814 Bee Caves (512) 268-2413
Goodwill S. Lamar 2800 S. Lamar Blvd (512) 442-8802
Goodwill Airport 836 Airport Blvd (512) 389-3277
Goodwill N. Lamar 5555 N. Lamar Blvd (512) 451-2306
Goodwill Oak Hill 7100 W. US Hwy 290 (512) 288-7700
Goodwill Lakeway 1901 RR 620 South (512) 263-7015
Goodwill Riverplace Bookstore 10601 FM 2222 (512) 342-0274
Goodwill Brodie 9801 Brodie Ln (512) 280-8037
Goodwill Marbridge FM 1626 and Bliss Spiller
Goodwill Southpark Meadows 9111 South 1st Street 512-280-2204
Goodwill Resource Center 6505 Burleson Road (512) 681-3301
Goodwill Norwood 1015 Norwood Park Blvd (512) 637-7502
Goodwill Far West ADC Bookstore 3720 Far West Blvd (512) 338-4624
Goodwill Anderson Mill ADC Trailer 13776 N Highway 
Goodwill NorthStar Donation Center 7727 Anderson Lane 512-637-7100
Goodwill Macfarlane Store 8965 Research Blvd (512) 832-0004
Goodwill Balcones 13096 N Highway 183 512-258-5898
Goodwill Scofield 1700 W. Parmer Ln. (512) 719-4119
Goodwill New Wells Branch 1420 Wells Branch Pkwy., Ste. 300 512-251-2777
Salvation Army Downtown  501 East Eighth Street (512) 476-1111
Salvation Army 8801 Research Blvd. (512) 836-2700
Salvation Army S. Congress 4216 S. Congress Ave. (512) 447-2272
Salvation Army Disaster 6510 South Congress Avenue 512) 445-2003
Salvation Army Vehicle Auction 8530 South Congress Avenue (512) 282-8165
Easter Seals Wells Branch 3505 Wells Branch Parkway (512) 833-5119
Easter Seals Mo Pac 7000 N Mo Pac Expy # 200 (512) 514-6404
Easter Seals La Posada 1016 La Posada Drive (512) 472-8696
Easter Seals of Central Texas 1611 Headway Circle (512) 478-2581
Savers 4001 South Lamar Boulevard (512) 442-8011
Savers Burnet 5222 Burnet Road (512) 323-0707

Remember that if hauling your stuff out to the donation center is too much trouble (or if you lack the space in your car), many of these facilities have trucks that will pick up the items from your home, so call ahead and check. And if the idea that your old things are going to a good cause isn’t enough to get you to go to the trouble of contacting a donation center, remember that your donations are tax-deductible.

Also, many of these donation centers double as thrift stores, meaning they’re a great place to shop for cheap, so you can use the above list as a reference for thrift stores in Austin. For more on living cheap in Austin, check out our guide.

Pulling the Holiday Decorations Out of Storage

decorations storageFor many apartment dwellers in Austin, renting a storage unit helps save space in the home and provides a safe and secure place to keep valuables, collectibles  and other belongings locked up and out of the way. While many homeowners use an attic or garage for extra storage, storage units come in handy with a smaller space. One great thing to keep stored in your storage unit is decorations for Christmas, Thanksgiving and Halloween. Depending on your level of festive enthusiasm, decorations can take up a lot of storage space. Getting these decorations in and out of storage while keeping everything organized can be a challenge. Here is some advice for making the process of decorating a fun one rather than a cumbersome experience.

Firstly, you want to maximize the efficient use of storage space your decorations take up without damaging any of the items or cramming things too full in a box or bin. You’ll want to carefully store things like ornaments, glass items and other breakable items on the top of storage bins. Store your ornaments in newspaper and place them in a box either in their original packaging or something like an egg crate. Another great idea is to buy large plastic bins and label each one with the name of the holiday. A helpful list of contents can be placed inside on top of items in the bin so you can quickly see what is in there. Having everything in secure bins is preferable to having a bunch of loose items you have to corral when getting items ready to transport back home.

Make sure you string your Christmas lights are on a spool to prevent tangles.  Probably the largest decoration you’ll have in storage is your Christmas tree – if you have one. It’s best to keep this item accessible in your unit, so you can load it in your vehicle first. When you bring back your decorations from each holiday to your storage unit, get the decorations for the next upcoming holiday ready to go. This way you’ll be prepared the next time you go to your storage unit. You can quickly load up these items without having to search through piles of boxes.

Another tip is each time you go to your storage unit to load up decorations, try to eliminate other items in the unit you might not need anymore by taking inventory of each item in there. You may find you forgot about something you could sell or get rid of which could save you money. Purchasing an item like a dolly can help you transport your decorations from your unit to your vehicle and into your home.

All in all, putting holiday decorations in your storage unit saves a lot of space in your home, attic, or garage. Make it easy on yourself by keeping your items organized and you’ll enjoy decorating for the holidays so much more.

This helpful post was provided by the kind folks at RealtyAustin.com.

We’d Do512 You

Do 512In case you couldn’t tell from our cocksure attitude and flashy smile (we think of ourselves as the Matthew McConagheys of storage, too!) we here at Self Storage Deals are proud Austinites. And as you already know from our weekly ‘Living on the Cheap‘ column, we’re all about finding those bargain deals that make livin’ the life and living on a budget one and the same. That’s why we’re proud to announce that the venerable Austin events website Do512.com has featured a guest post of ours on their blog.

What in the world could we have possibly contributed to Austin’s go-to source for the latest and greatest events? Why, we’ve broken into our romantic side (we know that you’re picturing us as McConaghey again–so are we!) to design three cheap Austin dates–intimate itineraries, if you will–that will help you to win and woo your potential belle or beau without breaking your budget. So please, go check it out, and leave us some love in the comments box.

Thanks again Do512–oh yeah, and we’d Do512 you too.

Are you an events or deals site for your city? We’d love the chance to share knowledge with you–we’ll show you ours if you show us yours. Get in contact with us and let’s see if we can make things happen.

5 Reasons to Move to Austin

As far as central Texas goes, you’ve got several options for great places to live. However, of all the great metropolitan areas, one seems to be getting the attention from folks around the country looking to find a new attitude, a new culture, and an affordable, successful way of life.

1. Affordability

Austin is a growing economy. But with a glut of college students and young professionals, the city has managed to keep their costs of living relatively low. In fact, Austin recently made the top 10 list for affordable metropolitan areas in a study conducted by Forbes. And for other things like entertainment, Austin has plenty of local establishments that cater to a young creative community as well as those suburbanites with new families.

2. Entertainment

Per capita, Austin has one of the most dense and diverse collections of bars, nightclubs, pubs, and music venues. As if you didn’t already know, it’s called the “Live Music Capital of the World” for a reason. It’s often said that on any given night you can walk into any club and see music and entertainment across the spectrum. The Red River district plays home to Austin’s notorious music scene with at least ten music clubs within 3 blocks. Austin’s major nightlife entertainment attraction is 6th street. This downtown avenue is lined with historical buildings that have been converted into restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and movie theaters.

3. Tech Jobs

The tech boom in Austin is no joke. Recently, Apple and Facebook both opened offices in Austin solidifying it as one of the tech industry’s hot spots. Along with Google, Twitter, and hundreds of startup companies and talent incubators, Austin’s tech industry possibilities are endless.

4. UT

As a university, the University of Texas has it all. Amazing curriculum, outstanding school sports teams, admirable degrees in arts, science, and law, and one of the largest campuses to house its approximate 50,000 students. UT is the beating heart of Austin that acts as one of the state’s major educators as well as one of the state’s biggest employers.

5. Lifestyle

Austin is renowned for its “keep it weird”, but that goes deeper than cross-dressing cowboys and Eeyore’s Birthday Party. Today, “keeping it weird” alludes to Austin’s burgeoning arts scene. East of 35, currently known as Austin’s “hip” side of town is home to countless artists and artisans and hosts one of the most vibrant independent arts communities in the country. This appreciation for the independently minded can also be seen in the bars, restaurants, and merchant shops in the area. “Keeping it weird” is no longer just a mantra, it’s a way of life.

This post was provided by VIP Realty, experts in San Antonio real estate.

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Mapshot: Austin Storage

Snapshot of self storage prices in Austin on 6/16

Today’s Mapshot highlights the storage deals to be had around the great city of Austin, TX, on Medium 5×10 units. Darker colors represent lower prices while larger circles represent higher prices.

As you can see, the best deal to be had in Austin today can be found at Storage Mart on Shoreline Dr. in North Austin, where medium 5×10 units are currently going for just $42.99. Other great deals can be found at ATX Self Storage in North-central Austin and at Airport Self Storage in South-East Austin where 5×10 units are going for a low $50.

The purpose of our Mapshots is to document storage trends around your city so that you may locate the best deal nearest you. With gas prices what they are these days, a South Austinite might find a better deal at Airport Self Storage rather than all the way up north at Storage Mart Shoreline Dr., despite the $7 difference.

As we can see, the best prices in Austin today can be found in South-East Austin along TX 290 and in North-West/North-central Austin around Mopac, 360, and TX 273.

Storage is most expensive in Central, South, and West Austin. Still, Austin traffic can make even these regions ultimately more affordable depending on where your home is. In that case, its important to use tools like those found on SelfStorageDeals.com to make sure that you’re not paying more than you need to for storage in Austin, TX.

Brian Shreckengast is a writer at Self Storage Deals.

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