I was told by locals that the location was “rough”. The morning after my first stay, some city official quizzed a nearby Honduran food vendor (their picadillo-filled pastelitos accompanied by a cabbage escabeche were quite good) about some youths fighting and causing trouble on the corner in the wee small hours of the morning. However, no one so much as paid me any mind, and I always felt safe, even late at night. The hosts were responsive to my needs and worked diligently to keep the place up, despite a few issues at the outset. The room itself was clean and cozy, the private bathroom spotless. If the A/C happens to not be enough, the ceiling fan (easy access to the pull chains) keeps things sufficiently cool in the room.
The area is in the low-rent part of Austin, with many apartment complexes that look similar. Entry can seem confusing, but as long as one uses 4501 Elmont Drive and not 1600 Wickersham Lane as the address, it’s very easy to find. A pedestrian gate behind the northbound Cap Metro 671/680 bus stop is always open and it’s a very short walk to the Airbnb unit from there. It’s stupidly close to the airport (10-15 minutes w/o traffic), not too far from SoCo or E. 6th St., and fleets of e-scooters are close at hand (I used the Lime app). Secret Beach is an easy scoot away. Nearby chain and local fast-food options abound, and the H•E•B plus! supermarket is in walking distance. And if you choose this Airbnb and happen to find a pint of Peanut Butter Chocolate Swirl gelato in the freezer and some Hefeweizen beers/Twisted Tea in the fridge, you’re welcome. 😉