Crestview

 

This month we'll be spotlighting Crestview, a charming eclectic neighborhood with a mix of old single-family bungalows, mid-century ranch homes, and new and old apartment complexes in North Central Austin, Texas.  It was built in the 1950's and 60's on land that had once been a dairy farm.  It is bordered by Anderson Lane to the north, Burnet Road to the west, Justin Lane to the south, and North Lamar Boulevard to the east.  

 

Crestview is a highly desireable area because of its close proximity to employers both in Austin, (downtown is only a 15 minute drive away), and the surrounding areas.  Just minutes from Mopac, 183 and I-35, this tight knit community allows you to either commute in your car quickly, or take the Metro Rail to work while you relax with the paper or get some work done on your laptop. 

How Apartments View Criminal History

One of the criteria apartment complexes use to qualify you for an apartment is criminal history.  There are two types of criminal history, misdemeanor and felony.  Apartment complexes will consider whether your crime is a misdemeanor or a felony, as well as the seriousness of the crime, when looking at your criminal history.

 

Typically, apartments are a lot more flexible with misdemeanors, but it really depends on the type of misdemeanor, A,B, or C.  Generally, the more aggressive misdemeanors are going to be more difficult to place.  Assaults are going to be difficult to place as well as some drug charges.  DWI's and traffic violations don't really penalize you unless your DWI or DUI turns into a felony.  

 

A lot of apartment complexes will work with non-aggressive misdemeanors, but they especially frown upon misdemeanors that include a crime against a person or property, including theft.  Time plays a factor as well.  If a misdemeanor is more than five or ten years old, most management companies will be more flexible with allowing someone to rent an apartment as long as they meet the other qualifying criteria.  This is why it's really important that you talk to an apartment locator so they can place you at properties that will work with you.  

 

Felonies can be a little bit trickier to work around.  Only around one to two percent of the properties in Austin will work with a felony charge.  Most of the properties that will work with a felony charge are really going to consider the age of the felony.  Someone who has a twenty-year-old felony is still going to have a hard time finding a place to live, but you will have a few more options than someone with a much more recent felony.  If ten years or longer has passed, there are quite a few management companies that will consider your application.  However, sometimes if the felony is aggressive, like a felony assault, it will pose a problem no matter how much time has passed since conviction.

 

If you have any sort of criminal history in your background, it's best to divulge that to your apartment locator so they can help place you in the right place without wasting your time or your money on application fees.

Crestview

Crestview is a charming eclectic neighborhood with a mix of old single-family bungalows, mid-century ranch homes, and new and old apartment complexes in North Central Austin.  It was built in the 1950's and 60's on land that had once been a dairy farm.  It is bordered by Anderson Lane to the north, Burnet Road to the west, Justin Lane to the south, and North Lamar Boulevard to the east.  

 

Rents in Crestview range from $665 for a one bedroom to $1175 for a 3 bedroom at an older complex that has just been renovated, to $1,135 for a one bedroom to $1,545 for a two bedroom at the brand new Midtown Commons, which is located at Crestview Station on the Cap MetroRail line.

 

Crestview is a highly desireable area because of its close proximity to employers both in Austin and the surrounding areas.  Just minutes from Mopac, 183 and I-35, this tight knit community allows you to either commute in your car quickly, or take the Metro Rail to work while you relax with the paper or get some work done on your laptop.  

 

For dining out or getting a few pints with friends, you can't beat Black Star Co-op Pub and Brewery.  Located at Midtown Commons at Crestview Station, this unique brew pub operates as a cooperative, which means employees are co-owners and are paid a living wage.  So there's no tipping!  Also, patrons can join in the fun and pledge to become co-owners in Black Star.  They have an amazing array of taps from breweries around the world, as well as their own beer which they brew in house.  The food is super tasty as well, check out the burger and their seasoned fries, which in true pub fashion are called chips.  

 

Crestview residents also have the power to get delicious pizza and you don't even have to go to the East Side!  East Side Pies opened a location on Anderson Lane so Northies can get their pizza fix too.  There are even options for vegans and gluten-free pizza lovers!

 

Looking for something super fun and unique to do with your friends?  At Austin Kareoke you can reserve a private room for you and your friends to belt your hearts out!  It's open until 4am (5am on weekends), and is BYOB.

 

If comedy is more your speed, Cap City Comedy Club has been making people laugh for 27 years.  From touring comedians to local talent, Cap City is the place to go to laugh until your sides hurt!

 

If shopping's more your speed, Crestview is just minutes from the eclectic shops on North Loop.  Room Service Vintage is a treasure trove of vintage furniture, lighting, accessories and clothing, all priced to move.  

 

Also on North Loop, MonkeyWrench Books is not only a collectively-owned bookstore, it's a home for meetings, film screenings, workshops, benefits, and performances.  They are proud of their carefully curated selection of radical books and magazines that you won't find anywhere else!