Archive for March, 2010
A Guide To Downtown Austin Urban Living
One of the more recent developments in the Austin real estate market are the multitude of loft condominiums springing up smackright in the middle of downtown. This new push towards urban living reflects an interest in a pedestrianoriented community optimal for those who work in Austin’s business center but also attractive to others who appreciate an abundance of amenities offered within walking distance. Downtown Austin has much to offer Austin residents whether they work live or visit this area which truly represents the cultural heartbeat of the city.
Austin’s downtown is bursting with shops cafes galleries and nightlife. Whether looking for antiques at the beloved Whit Hanks seeking esoteric ethnic treasures at Tesoros or shopping for home furnishings at Bella Home or Zanzibar the shops are local and the wares are unique. In addition to Starbucks there are plenty of cafes around including Little City and Drogo’s Cafe do Brazil. Art galleries including Art on Fifth and Artworks are scattered throughout the area and the nightlife well it can’t be beat.
Most of the new lofts are far enough away from the entertainment districts to provide relative quiet but are close enough to make a night out on the town just a short walk or cab ride away. The bars music venues and restaurants of the famed Sixth Street district now have competition from the bustling young crowds of the Red River scene. The Warehouse District continues to be one of the most vibrant entertainment areas in the city although the new 2nd Street shopping and dining area is thriving as well.
Downtown Austin is home to some of the finest restaurants in the city. Louie’s 106 has enticed downtowners with its Mediterranean tapas and steaks for years and the Driskill Grill offers another close fine dining experience. Eddie V’s and McCormick Schmick offer seafood and Sullivans Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Fleming’s are steak houses. The varieties of food run the gamut as well from Spanish food at Malaga to Italian at La Traviata from sushi at Kenichi or Kyoto to Southwestern cuisine at ZTejas.
One the most attractive parts about Austin’s downtown is its proximity to the nature and beauty found at Lady Bird Lake as well as the Town Lake parks and trails. The plentiful outdoor activities provide the urban dweller with opportunities to walk run bike and boat all within walking distance of the sleek and sophisticated apartment buildings springing up. Waterloo Park Republic Square and other smaller patches of green add to the options for outdoor activity.
Downtowners will find their grocery needs admirably met by the flagship store of the Whole Foods Market chain. This Austinbased business launched their enormous new store in 2005 making fresh and organic produce dairy meats and seafood available. In addition to staples an onsite bakery and international groceries Whole Foods offers an abundance of prepared foods from soups salads and sandwiches to pizza seafood and a raw foods stand.
With all of life’s necessities within walking distance it is no wonder that Downtown Austin real estate is thriving as a residential community.
About the writer: Ki is an Austin real estate agent. He runs a site with information about Austin real estate and a search of the Austin MLS. He also talks about current events on Austin real estate blog.
A Brief Tour Of The Historic Bovaird House
People visiting or living in Brampton Ontario with an interest in cultural architectural or local history or even those just looking for something to do for an afternoon might be interested in visiting Bovaird House the citys only historical residence. Built around 1952 Bovaird house has seen extensive renovations in the last couple of years that allow it to accurately reflect the way it would originally have appeared.
The architectural style
The Bovaird house is indicative of the architectural style preferred by the wealthy and powerful in the middle of the 19th century that is to say it is distinctly Georgian in nature. Indeed it encompasses all of the general characteristics associated with this style including the hipped roof a chimney on both sides and large windows.
The Bovaird house was originally a farmhouse as hard as that might be to believe from its surroundings today. Still the architecture and the rooms inside the house still strongly reflect this heritage. It is also constructed of red brick which was taken out of a nearby quarry.
The floor plan
The outlay of the Bovaird house is typical of the19th century farmhouse. The basic floor plan includes a main floor and a second floor with a cellar that was used for storage.
The second floor includes four bedrooms and also includes the area in which the labourers who would have worked on the farm would stay during the busy seasons. These quarters cannot be accessed through the main staircases and must be entered through a stairwell running up from the kitchen.
The kitchen itself is located on the main floor along with the parlour the carriage room two smaller rooms which may have served as bedrooms in periods of high occupancy the dining room and the main entryway. In total there are five fireplaces located in the house including those in the parlour and the dining room. The kitchen includes an authentic Dutch oven.
The house has been redecorated and refitted throughout in order to give visitors an idea of what life would have looked like domestically for an upper class Canadian family in the 19th century. Wood planking is used on the floors and each room contains period furniture as well as several artifacts located throughout the house.
A visit to the citys only historic residence is well worth it if you are in Brampton. Everything about the historic Bovaird house has been designed to take you into the Canadian lifestyle of over a hundred and fifty years ago.
About the writer: Is it time to get out of that little apartment and jump into the Mississauga real estate market? View the many listings available and read expert advice online to help you find that dream home.
4 And A Half Steps To Selecting Where To Buy Your Dream Vacation Home
Palm trees. Gentle breezes. Secluded sandy beaches. The tantalizing image of living in a tropical paradise makes you want to call the movers right now. Resist the impulse!
As with all major investment and lifestyle decisions take time to evaluate whether its the best choice for you. The great thing is this part of your evaluation includes play. To make a good decision you need to experience the location of your dream vacation home firsthand.
Im going to use Belize as an example of a country you might choose for your vacation home because of my familiarity with it. But these same principals can be used for choosing a vacation home in the mountains major city or in a desert location like Arizona.
These four and a half steps will help you decide whether it meets your lifestyle:
1. Explore Belize from Afar
Become an avid armchair traveler. A great place to start is on the Internet. Dozens of email newsletters websites and blogs regularly provide helpful detailed information.
You can read todays news online as told by Belizean newspapers. You can get the current weather forecast both for the shore and inland. And you can explore the country via online maps.
Round out your armchair travels with guidebooks and travel DVDs. And talk to people who have spent time in Belize. Find out what they liked and whether theyd go back.
2. See Belize Through the Eyes of a Tourist
Taking a vacation helps you get a taste of the culture geography climate economy and politics. Consider an excursion that gives you an overview of Belize. Explore the Mayan ruins. Kayak through caves. Go bird watching in the jungle. Snorkel and dive among the coral reefs. Or if you already know the type of area you prefer such as the coast create a travel itinerary that focuses on that area.
Do you like what you see? Are you enjoying the experience? If so go to step 3.
3. Enjoy an extended stay in Belize.
An extended stay of at least a month gives you the opportunity to experience the rhythm of daily life. While there think of yourself as a resident. Venture beyond the tourist attractions and gated communities.
Buy groceries cook meals at home and get to know your neighbors. Read the local papers. Listen to what people are talking about on the streets in the stores and at the library. Attend a church service public meeting or festival.
Start visiting master planned communities and other real estate options for your vacation home. Be sure to find out the legal requirements for property ownership and which residency regulations you qualify under. For example Belize offers an attractive retiree incentive program that permits U.S. Canadian and United Kingdom citizens to establish official residency in Belize and free of most Belize taxes.
If time permits have extended stays in Belize during different seasons and at different locations. I have a friend whose parents spent several winters near Bonita Springs Fla. in a rented apartment before they ended up buying a villa in a new development. From their time there they were able to decide on what kind of home they wanted what activities their lifestyle would revolve around and where they wanted to be located in that area.
During your visits ask yourself these questions. What do I love about being here? What bugs me? Can I get used to that or will it make me miserable?
4. Back Home Reflect on Your Visits to Belize
From the perspective of your current turf ask yourself these questions over a period of time.
What do I remember most about my experiences in Belize?
What stories do I tell my friends and family?
Am I eager to return?
Do I dream of living there?
The topics and tone of your answers will quickly reveal whether Belize and you are a good match. If the answer is yes
4.5 Return to Belize prepared to select your vacation home.
Now the next stage of fun begins. This time your focus is on selecting the home location. From your previous visits you already know what type of setting coastal or inland you prefer. And you already have an idea of which properties you want to evaluate in depth.
Enjoy the process!
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Boris Mannsfeld is the managing director of Sirob Development and the project manager for The Villas at Cocoplum a Caribbean oceanfront condo development that is set up open in Spring 2008. Visit www.thevillasatcocoplum.com to learn more.
