Best part of Austin to live?

Travel Info
For example, if you look at this map, which boxes would you check?

http://www.apartments.com/community.aspx...

I'm a recent college graduate, professional, and want to live in a safe part of town- not necessarily one of those artsy "up and coming" parts, just a normal white-bread type of apartment.

Travel Tips

Round Rock is nice enough, but it's not really Austin. I would recommend central austin for sure.

Check out the neighborhoods of Hyde Park, Rosedale, Crestview, Cherrywood and Travis Heights. These neighborhoods are filled with interesting young people. Many of whom are associated with UT as professors, grad students etc. They are urban neighborhoods with local stores within walking distance, parks pools etc.

Craigslist Austin is another great resource for finding places to live here ausint.craigslist.org

The nicer more luxourious apartments tend to be farther north or south outside of central city area, but I think living close in to town is worth it!!

That map isn't very detailed, and includes a lot of cities way outside of Austin. Check out www.statesman.com (local paper) for a more specific map of areas actually in Austin!

Welcome and good luck
Others

Roundrock is by far the best area. It has everything there and in your city. I love Austin but if I had my choice I would choose roundrock because it is beautiful and full of life, arts, events, and the city cares.
http://www.roundrocktexas.gov/
I have lived in Austin for years. The best areas are northwest and far southwest. Westlake is nice but kind of ritsy. If you don't need to be too close to Austin, check out Lakeway, Roundrock and Georgetown.
It depends on how far you want to drive to get into town.
Most of that map is suburban areas and even further out.
If you want to live in Austin city limits (which I recommend, personally, but then again, I'm not a suburbs type person), I would look at North Austin, South Austin and Central Austin. I'd stay away from the East Riverside area (high crime, mostly students), specifically.
If you want a "normal" nice, not too expensive area with lots of nicer apartments, you could check out the Wells Branch area. South Austin is nice too, but traffic can be bad if you are far out.
central and/or south austin.
great question! i'm moving from DC myself in about 4 months down to Austin as well! i'm originally from west texas and i'm soooo excited to go back! you'll love it! you'll notice that peole are more warm and welcoming. every now and again you'll bump into the snooty eastcoaster but whatev....just ignore and smile away.