Adobe City Guide 2019 - Austin

MARKET FOCUS: Austin, TX

Congratulations on your internship with Adobe! We are so excited you will be joining us soon. Austin is an amazing and diverse community with tons of activities to do and places to see. There are so many perks to living in the heart of Austin – access to new people, culture, food and technology but with that comes the challenge of finding affordable housing. Rental home and apartment prices tend to be high in Austin, so we recommend finding a roommate/housemate to split the cost of housing and utilities. Figure out where you want to live and get started on the search as early as you can. We have compiled some information together for you to help get you oriented with your internship location. Joining the Adobe Intern Facebook page is also a great way to network with future colleagues and search for a roommate. We wish you luck in your housing search! What to know about renting in Austin Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, Austin is the fourth-largest city and capitol of the state. The city is the cultural and economic center of the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metropolitan area. Austin prides itself on its creativity and embraces its community of artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, and progressive thinkers. It is home to more than 3,800 high-tech companies. According to Forbes magazine, Austin is the third-fastest growing city in the U.S., attracting large numbers of expatriates, college graduates, and families with young children. Popular areas for new residents include Round Rock, Cedar Park, Steiner Ranch, Northwest Hills, Great Hills, Avery Ranch, and Brushy Creek. Availability for both apartments and single-family homes remains limited. Nicer homes may receive multiple offers, so landlords and property management companies can be very selective.

Austin at a glance

CONSIDERATIONS

FINDINGS

COMMENTS

Housing Availability

Low to Moderate Very limited options for single-family homes. Extremely low January to April.

Tenant Paid Real Estate Fees

No

Typical Lease Length

12 Months

Typical Security Deposit

1 Month

Early Termination Clauses

Limited

Extremely limited.

Negotiation of Lease Terms

Low

Due to lack of supply.

© 2019 Dwellworks, LLC

Austin, TX Market Focus Report

Housing Options

TRAVELERS HAVEN Travelers Haven is one of the largest and fastest-growing corporate housing companies in the country, specializing in affordable short-term accommodations for interns and other temporary stay residents. Service includes 24/7 support and a mobile-friendly dashboard, so occupants can easily access and manage their housing wherever they are. Each intern is paired with a dedicated account manager to better assist them in every step of the housing process. Click: Travelers Haven to create an account and access the housing dashboard. From there you can fill out a new housing request by entering the location in which you wish to rent and basic information about the property you’re looking for. After clicking submit, a dedicated account manager will call you within moments. Should you miss the call, they will also follow up with an email. CORPORATE LIVING All the hours in the classroom, at the library, behind the books…and you have made it, deservedly: you landed a big-time internship with Adobe. Congratulations! The last thing you need to be doing is stressing about finding a great apartment within budget for your summer stay. If you are looking for a seamless, turn-key housing solution, look no further. Corporate Living administers your housing from arrival to departure. This means no time-wasting apartment searches, no ugly surprises upon move-in, no ridiculous paperwork. You (and your family) will rest easy knowing you have secured a comfortable, convenient, and affordable place to live this summer, enabling you to focus on what is really important: your Adobe experience in an exciting new city. Did we mention our 24-hour move-in to move-out guest services contact? What is important to you is important to us, so if you need our help, give us a call, shoot us an email, or fill out our online form. Comprehensive total duty of care, across the board, all summer long. Have a friend you want to room with? Open to rooming with someone new and making new friends? We have got you covered there, too. Simply note your roommate preferences when you submit an inquiry and we will do our best to make it happen. The right room at the right rate with the right roommate…that is a lot of things going right. We are experienced housing professionals who manage your housing process and support you every single day of your internship. We ensure you have a place to live, not just a bed to sleep in. Corporate Living: this is what we do. For all the information you need to secure your summer housing today, please visit: Corporate Living

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Looking for a roommate? Click on the following link to connect with other Adobe interns in your area: Adobe Intern Facebook Group

© 2019 Dwellworks, LLC

Austin, TX Market Focus Report

Popular Neighborhoods

DOWNTOWN Downtown Austin is very walkable and has easy access to bus lines, shops and restaurants. The Warehouse District is the best area for nightlife and offers great food options. Austin in known for their live music and offers many events, especially in the downtown area. Downtown Austin also has many museums, a theater and convention center, making the area desirable for active young professionals. Good proximity to groceries: Whole Foods, Central Market, Trader Joes, Randell’s and many more. Downtown Austin is home to the Moody Theater, a much cherished music venue. Rainey Street, recently nicknamed “Restaurant Row” due to the delicious options is another entertainment spot to check out. Lastly, to learn about the history of Texas, visit the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. OLD WEST AUSTIN Old West is avery nice area to live in and an extremely convenient location for residents. This neighborhood has nearby access to a lake, hike and bike trails, and numerous parks to explore. Parking in Old West Austin is very limited so this would be a good location for residents that are car-free and are able to live off public transportation. The public transportation and closeness to downtown makes commuting a breeze. Old West Austin has an urban feel and is known for being an authentic neighborhood with endless options for dining, nightlife, shopping, entertainment and more. A great spot for young professionals to live, explore and meet new people. HYDE PARK Hyde Park has a small-town vibe and remains a popular neighborhood to live in for many reasons. One reason being the close commute to the downtown Austin area. The city buses regularly pass throughout Hyde Park, making weekly commutes convenient for locals. There is a high percentage of students living in the area because it is close to a college campus. Hyde Park is the perfect neighborhood to explore and discover why people love living in Austin. The people are super friendly, and love supporting local business owners in the area. Check out one of the many coffee shops or shop at the local grocery store, Fresh Plus, for great deli food and healthy food options. Lastly, check out the Hyde Park Theatre, known for showing films that represent the ethnic culture in Austin, a great way to learn about the city. BOULDIN CREEK Bouldin Creek is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Austin and many historic homes can be found in the area. Bouldin Creek is a great spot for young professionals to live and discover the many restaurants, shopping and nightlife that is available in the area. This is also a popular area to explore, hike or ride along the bike trails, while admiring the outdoor scenery. Many tourists travel to Bouldin Creek to snap a picture in front of the infamous “Greetings from Austin” mural. Bouldin is a very walkable neighborhood, which makes checking out all the beautiful art even more enjoyable.

© 2019 Dwellworks, LLC

Austin, TX Market Focus Report

Leasing a Property

TIPS

- In a competitive rental market, bring a completed rental application - including all necessary documentation - and a check for security deposit when visiting the property - Ask if the landlord offers any favorable terms for your employer - Come prepared with enough funds to pay for the first month of rent, plus the deposit amount. Deposit requirements vary, but can be equal to one-month rent (or more) - Be extra diligent when reviewing the lease from a private landlord. Unlike large apartment complexes, which generally have well established agreements, private landlords may be less experienced and may include unfavorable or unrealistic clauses - Ask a family member, friend, or colleague to come along with you on the move-in inspection to have an extra set of eyes

BE THOROUGH Be sure to review the lease! -

Rules about landlord access and your privacy

- -

Any maintenance required of tenant

Payment of utilities (typically tenant-paid)

BE PREPARED Many landlords and property management companies have very strict requirements for prospective tenants. Qualifying can at times be challenging and a bit frustrating. Most landlords will require some combination of these documents: - Identification - Letter of employment - Recent pay stub - Copy of your credit report

© 2019 Dwellworks, LLC

Austin, TX Market Focus Report

RESOURCES

TRANSPORTATION Austin sits at the crossroads of two major highways: Interstate 35 (I-35) and U.S. Highway 290 (U.S. 290) . In downtown Austin, streets running north to south follow the order of rivers in Texas and are named after those rivers. Streets running east to west are numbered. The higher the number of the street that you are on, the further north you are in the city. During morning and evening rush hours, 6:30AM to around 9 AM and 4:30PM to 7 PM, traffic slows to a crawl on the area's major roadways, notably I-35, MoPac, and U.S. 183. At other times, driving in Austin is relatively easy. Trains Amtrak has one station in the Austin area. This station offers the Texas Eagle route, providing direct travel southwest to San Antonio and northeast to Chicago, IL. Visit the website for online reservations, ticket fare finder, trip planning resources, and the Amtrak Guest Rewards program. Buses Greyhound Bus Lines offers scheduled bus services to and from the Austin area. Greyhound has two local terminals in the Austin Metropolitan area: one located in downtown Austin, the other in the city of Round Rock. Visit the website for fare and schedule information. Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority The Capital Metro provides express bus service throughout the city of Austin. Visit the website for route options, bus schedules, and fares. Capital MetroRail Red Line runs on 32-miles of existing freight tracks between Leander and Downtown Austin. Capital MetroRail offers service every 30 minutes during morning and afternoon rush hours. Local routes and rail connector buses will take you to your final destination. Commute Alternatives The Commuter Alternatives Program helps you find inexpensive, stress-free and environmentally-friendly ways to get to work. Some examples are listed below and may vary by your office location. - Up to $150 per month Commuter Checks for vanpools and transit systems. (Interns will be provided with a Commuter Check MasterCard with a Transit Value of $350 to be used during their internship.) - Secure bicycle parking - Emergency Ride Home Program - Special rates for ZipCar membership - After you start your Adobe internship, you will also have access to the Adobe Fond program, which gives U.S. Adobe employees exclusive preferred pricing on over 850 products, services and experiences, including rental cars

© 2019 Dwellworks, LLC

Austin, TX Market Focus Report

HOSPITALS AND EMERGENCY SERVICES Numerous hospitals and emergency care centers serve Austin and its surrounding suburbs. From large, public clinics, to smaller establishments, care is never out of reach in Austin. These medical centers include: - Seton Medical Center - University Medical Center Brackenridge - Seton Medical Center Williamson - Seton Northwest Hospital - St. David’s Medical Center Urgent Care Facilities For urgent, but not life-threatening, medical concerns that occur after-hours, or cannot wait for an appointment with a regular physician, urgent care centers can be found throughout the area: - Concentra Urgent Care Many urgent care centers are open from the early morning until late in the evening during the week, and also maintain weekend and holiday hours. Just as with a visit to the doctor, an urgent care center will always need your insurance information. Although the staff will file a claim to receive payment from your health insurance provider, a co-pay may apply at the time of treatment. SHOPPING Shopping in the Bay Area offers a fantastic overall experience, even if you are not buying anything. These malls and shopping centers are just some of what the Bay Area has to offer. The Domain www.simon.com/mall/the-domain An open-air, multi-use center featuring upscale shopping, dining, lodging, and entertainment. A great place to do some window shopping, grab dinner or catch a movie. Barton Creek Square www.simon.com/mall/barton-creek-square Barton Creek Square is an enclosed shopping center and has tons of eateries, entertainment and shopping to choose from.

© 2019 Dwellworks, LLC

Austin, TX Market Focus Report

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

Austin Zoo www.austinzoo.org

The Austin Zoo helps rescues animals and assists them through rehabilitation and education. The Austin Zoo is a great place to visit your favorite animal or to volunteer your time to help animals in need. Go to the website above to check out their ‘Calendar of Events’ to participate in during your stay in Austin, including Saturday morning yoga.

Blanton Museum of Art www.blantonmuseum.org

This museum is one of the largest at a college university in the U.S. and works to engage people of all ages and backgrounds. The museum showcases around 18,000 works in their collection, from ancient Greek pottery to abstract expressionism. Esther’s Follies www.esthersfollies.com This modern-day vaudeville theatre is named after actress Esther Williams. Entertainment varies from magic and juggling to singing and dancing. Their shows have a comedic theme to them and incorporate current events for entertainment. SoCo District – First Thursday www.firstthursday.info South Congress, also known as SoCo, is a popular spot for tourist. SoCo is where people go for delicious food, electric music and tons of shopping. LBJ Presidential Library www.lbjlibrary.org The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum is a Presidential Library, honoring the 36th president of the United States. You will have the opportunity to listen to telephone recordings of the President, see a replica of the Oval Office, and evaluate decisions made by the President that affects modern day living. Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum www.thestoryoftexas.com Visit the Bullock museum to gain the ultimate history lesson on Texas. From artifacts, exhibits and films, the Bullock museum is the best place to visit during your stay to gain the most valuable information about Texas. Texas Trail Rides www.texastrailrides.com Texas Trail Rides offers beautiful scenery during trail rides along with numerous ranch activities, including: skeet shooting, fishing, rodeos, archery and ax throwing. If you’re looking for a night out, www.austintexas.org/things-to-do/nightlife has options for just about anything you can think of. If food is what you’re after, head to Darcy’s Donkey to try authentic Irish meat pies, along with endless varieties of potatoes. Grab a drink, watch your favorite sport team on game day or relax and listen to some live music. Before you go anywhere, stop by Carpenters Hall to experience some of the best Texas comfort food. We suggest ordering the country ham, chicken schnitzel, or the “griddleburger” for the best experience. Another great place to try is Tio Pepe Chicken for Portuguese-style eats. Lastly, Nervous Charlie’s bagel shop is a good kick start any day of the week. DWELLWORKS DIRECT For access to additional resources or to learn more about our rental assistance programs, please visit us at www.dwellworksdirect.com . NIGHTLIFE Feeling adventurous? Here are some recommendations from our local destination consultants.

© 2019 Dwellworks, LLC

Austin, TX Market Focus Report