My husband and I stayed in Cynthia and Jim's studio for 5 days as we explored Austin for the first time, and it was outstanding. We didn't rent a car, and the location was perfect: 5 minutes' walk to South Lamar, where so many clubs and the Alamo Drafthouse are located (the Drafthouse is a 15-minute walk; places further south are easily reached by bus), and a 20-minute walk to downtown via the Lamar Bridge or the 1st Street Bridge. The Congress Ave bridge (of bat fame, though not in January) is just a little further east. The happening South Congress area is also a 15- to 20-minute walk.
Cynthia and Jim's studio is cozy and comfortable--exactly as pictured. There's a microwave but no stove, which wasn't a problem for us since Austin is an amazing food town. And Cynthia generously provided all kinds of goodies: Shiner Bock beer, juice, yogurt, nutrition bars,tangerines, coffee every morning, and best of all, her delicious homemade blueberry bread. And Jim was a fountain of knowledge about the music scene--we might never have known about the gospel brunch at Maria's Taco Xpress otherwise!
I'd happily come back and stay here, and highly recommend it to a single traveler or a couple.
Get a Cap Metro bus app and a 7-day pass (inexpensive), and you can get anywhere in the central Austin area.
P.S. Cynthia's jewelry is exquisite, if you're looking for a special memento or a memorable gift.