brenbloom

I know Mopac Expressway have its detractors who complain about the constant construction or the stop-and-start traffic, but I think it's a great street, and I hate highways and expressways. Granted, traffic is sometimes bad, and granted, it seems there is often roadwork that is not needed, but Mopac will take you just about anywhere you need to go. i think of it sort of as the main artery to the heart of Austin. If I had to choose between this and I-35, I'd definitely take Mopac if your route allows it.

I have attended UT and I loved it, but I hate this street. Granted, the health center's nearby and it's close to some of the very few parking spaces on campus, but it's a terrible drive. The traffic lights are way too long and you're always having to avoid hitting some pedestrian walking in the middle of the street. To make things worse, cyclists in this area act like traffic rules don't apply to them and are always riding on the wrong side of the street or running lights.

Great Hills Trail runs through the Arboretum and is a convenient way to get to many stores. Unfortunately, the traffic is very heavy in this area, and left turns are often next to impossible. Still, you have to take it to get to great places like the Regal Cinema Arbor, which is surprisingly one of just a few arthouse cinemas in a town that should have much more. As long as you can avoid it during lunch hour or rush hour, though, it's not too bad a drive.

Anderson has a multitude of fast food restaurants like Whatburger, Jack in the Box, etc. and many retail stores. I live very closeby, and while it's great to have all of that stuff by me, driving on Anderson is always a hassle. There are just way too many traffic lights. What should be at most a ten minute roundtrip for me often turns into thirty minutes. They really need to do something about the traffic.

Brentwood is a nice quiet suburban street with smaller homes that seem a bit more affordable than most. That's not to say they're bad, but probably more for someone just starting a family or new life. Additionally, it is conveniently located near a Honda dealership, a bowling alley, and not too far away from a great movie theatre, The Galaxy. Overall, it's a very nice neighborhood.

Hart Lane's hills (and those in the neighborhood) can sometimes make visibility while driving a bit difficult. Otherwise, it's a pretty peaceful street. There's mostly apartment complexes and not much else, but the Gatti's Pizza on Hart & Far West is always good for a bite, and the Comet dry cleaners offer great service at good prices.

While there are medical centers you may need to visit on 35th, I'd try to avoid it for anything else. There are way too many traffic lights and you're constantly stopping and starting or sitting tail to tail in traffic that's dragging along. Plus the street branches off several times into various different streets, and it's very easy to get lost.

Guadalupe is home to the famous "drag" located in front of The University of Texas. It's a street brimming with life, and busy with the hustle and bustle of students. There's the Co-op where you can buy your books, there's a renaissance market that sells jewelry and art, and there's plenty of eateries and coffee shops. The only drawback is the large homeless population begging for money, but I can't really blame them for trying to make a living.

Jeff Davis Avenue is a quaint little street with small homes and some duplexes for rent. It is conveniently located near 2222 and Burnet, and there are nearby conveniences like 7-11 and grocery stores. The street has a pretty safe vibe, but the road is a bit narrow. Worsening the condition is the fact that many people park on the street taking up even more room.

Wood Hollow is mostly composed of apartment complexes and homes. It's a nice quiet street, but the hilliness does sometimes make turns a bit dangerous - I was involved in a particularly nasty accident on Far West and Wood Hollow. Overall, though, it's a great street with convenient bus stops to UT and other destinations as well as easy access to the H-E-B grocery store.