Other Information

General Tips from Former AmeriCorps Members

Below, you will see tips from members who have previously served with us. Tips will range from finding housing in Austin, how to manage work life balance, how to make the most of your service term, adjusting to living on a stipend, and so much more!

“Meetup.com is a great way to meet people with common interests or to find a new hobby or find cool things to do while not actually socializing with anyone.”

“Be prepared for humidity and random rain showers.”

“There is always something going on in Austin and you can always find something free/affordable...” “‘From music to food to nature – you never have to be bored. Do512.com or the app is a great resource with a comprehensive up-to-date calendar about things going on in the city.”

“Expect to get allergies the first 2 weeks of your arrival. Boost your immune system and prepare to buy allergy meds ASAP.”

“The Greenbelt has lots of hiking trails and swimming spots. Also great for dog watching. There’s also a pot belly pig with a scarf that hangs out."

“Definitely take the time for self-care. This program is great, and you will do a lot of good work. But it can get draining, so have a self-care plan!”

“If you see something on Facebook or hear about it from friends and it seems like something you would be into, do it! As for your AmeriCorps work, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for support from current cohort members, supervisors, and former members!”

“Rely on your fellow members! They might not have the exact same experience as you, but it will be much closer to anyone else you know here in Austin. Be prepared for service to get tough but stick it out. It is so worth it, and your organization is beyond lucky to have you.”

“Be open to what the experience wants to teach you: about life, about yourself, and where you want to be. Learning your weaknesses and what you don’t like is just as valuable information as discovering your strengths.”

“When times get hard, remember why you came to serve. You’ll learn to be creative with what you have.”

“Don’t isolate yourself, because the experience of moving somewhere where you know no one is isolating in itself.”

“For me, AmeriCorps is an alternative career path. If you do well, you will be noticed. If you do great, you will be hired.”

“Persevere and take care of yourself, and you will turn around and marvel at how far this experience has taken you.”

“Business casual in Austin typically translates to jeans and a top – usually leaning more towards casual than the business.”

"Try to find a place as early as possible. Due to a rapidly growing population, rent is rising, and the number of available units and homes is declining. You will also be competing with University of Texas students for housing. Many complexes offer incentives and reduced rates in July."

"If your lease doesn’t start exactly when you arrive in Austin, staying at an Airbnb is an affordable option for temporary housing. There are also several hostels in Austin that are relatively affordable options."

Most of the sites where AmeriCorps members serve are located in the North Central, Central, East and South-Central neighborhoods. Due to high traffic levels in Austin, it is recommended that members find housing relatively close to their placement sites. However, the more central you are, the higher your rent will be. Although your commute might be longer, you can save on rent if you live in neighborhoods that are a little farther away from downtown.

Pro Tip: the AmeriCorps Cigna insurance still has a deductible which means you will be paying the deductible on your first visit to any doctor plus copay. If you can find a Groupon for services that is under that, and you may need it, TAKE IT. 

Generally, you should spend no more than 30% of your monthly allowance on housing. Living with roommates greatly reduces rent. You can use the Austin AmeriCorps Housing and Networking Facebook group.

Renting a room in a house share is a good option for affordable housing in Austin. Craigslist is a good place to find houses for rent, but always use discretion when searching for houses or roommates on Craigslist.

It is highly recommended that you get to Austin a few days or a week before the program starts to move in and get settled before all of the craziness begins!

If you make living arrangements via phone or email, make sure you verify the move-in date so that you don’t show up to Austin and find yourself without a place to stay.

Check out thrift stores, garage sales, or Craigslist to find inexpensive furniture for your new place. Buying an expandable foam mattress on Amazon is a cheap way to get a relatively comfortable bed.

Austin is a bike-able city, so bring a bike if you have one! Most Capital Metro buses also have two bike racks on the front to encourage bike and ride!

You may want to consider working part-time while in Austin to help offset the high cost of living and to have extra cash to enjoy all the city has to offer. Favor, Wag, Instacart, Shipt, and a wide variety of food delivery companies allow their employees to build their own schedules so that you can work as much or as little as you’d like!