I toured 4 apartments around $2,000 in Austin to see how they compared to my apartment in New York City, and I might be moving

My apartment is located on the first floor of a historic brownstone building in Bushwick, Brooklyn. It's considered one of the "trendier" neighborhoods in Brooklyn and is home to coffee shops, restaurants, and a quaint neighborhood feel.

However, my area of southeast Bushwick is definitely not as bustling as neighborhoods like Williamsburg, which I lived in for about a year, or most areas of Manhattan.

In total, the rent for my apartment is $2,850, which is pretty expensive. However, as you can probably tell by the photos, our apartment is a really good size for New York City and by far the largest one I've ever lived in.

On average, a one-bedroom apartment in New York in 2021 costs $3,805 per month, according to Apartment List.

Our apartment comes without many amenities you would expect from a high-priced apartment. We wash all of our dishes by hand and have to take our clothes to the laundromat as there's no dishwasher, washer, or dryer in the building.

It features tons of crown molding, original hardwood floors, an original chandelier, and lots of other historic details. Given that the brownstone was built in 1905, the apartment has a lot of charm — something you simply don't get with a new build, in my opinion.

I know that if I was ever to move, either within the New York City area or further afield, outdoor space would be a must-have.

I've always been curious about Austin due to its vibrant food scene and reputation for live music. It's also one of the best places to live in the country and young people are flocking there in droves, according to a report by SmartAsset.

I decided to look at apartments only in "desirable" neighborhoods that were close to shopping, restaurants, and the most happening parts of Austin. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Austin is currently $1,500, but rents are on the rise as the city becomes even more popular.

While paying between $1,500 and $2,000 a month in rent would definitely be a stretch, it's a lot more doable than the average price of a one-bedroom in NYC. Suddenly, having a place of my own seemed a lot more within reach.

Pulling up to the Eleven by Windsor apartment building, I noticed that it was right across the street from Franklin Barbecue, a world-famous barbecue institution located in Austin. I was already getting a good feeling about the place.

While it was over the top of my budget of $2,000, one-bedroom apartments at Eleven by Winsdor start at $1,850. The final price depends on apartment availability and is subject to change depending on when you apply.

It featured a large island, dishwasher, and new appliances.

The closest I've ever come to in-unit laundry was an outdated washer and dryer set in the basement of one of my first apartments. Though it may not seem like a big deal, being able to do laundry in my own apartment is a luxury I've always craved.

The bedroom is about 250 square feet, slightly larger than my current bedroom. It also featured a large walk-in closet — currently, I only have a clothing rack. This was a major upgrade.

Such amenities in New York City would usually mean you're paying an exorbitant amount of money in rent each month, but I thought the rent price was fair considering everything you have access to as a resident.

It's nearly impossible to find an apartment building with a pool in New York City, where the summers can be downright unbearable. Most, if not all, apartments that do have pools are totally out of the range of my budget. However, I came to find that pools are commonplace at many apartment buildings in Austin.

It featured panoramic views of the downtown Austin skyline and plenty of space to hang out with friends, both outside and in an indoor lounge that featured a kitchenette.

Coming from New York City, where people walk or take the subway practically everywhere, I've learned that having a walkable neighborhood is really important to me.

You probably would need a car to get to most places in Austin. However, I really liked that if I lived in this apartment, I would have the option to simply walk out to grab a coffee or lunch.

The apartment at Berkshire Riverview cost $2,083 a month for a 13-month lease, plus $29 in extra fees, which I thought was pretty affordable compared to comparable apartments in New York City. The kitchen featured a large island, wood cabinets, and high-end appliances. The apartment also had a dishwasher and in-unit laundry.

In total, the apartment was 1,095 square feet, making it the largest apartment I toured during my time in Austin. I could see the Colorado River from the small balcony off the living room, which made it feel peaceful and like I wasn't in a bustling city.

I could easily fit a queen or king bed in the room.

My clothing rack was starting to seem less and less appealing the more time I spent touring apartments with much larger accommodations for all of my clothes and shoes.

Despite being smaller, I actually preferred this apartment. At 860 square feet, I thought it was a perfect size for just one person.

It was definitely an upgrade from what I currently have.

While I'm personally more fond of my purple, vintage-looking bathroom, I was nevertheless impressed with the renovated look of this apartment.

I would love to have access to these amenities, especially while working from home.

A well-maintained walking trail seemed to be a popular activity for residents.

Located at SoCo on the Lake apartment buildings, the apartment was a short drive from South Congress, a major area for dining and shopping in Austin. It was also located on the Colorado River.

A couple of fees brought the total rent cost up to $1,817 a month. The apartment was 779 square feet, but it wasn't the size that drew me in. I completely fell in love with the location and the charming, older details of the apartment.

While looking at apartments in New York, I've come across kitchens that look like this and cost a lot more or about the same price. I knew I could make it work if I was to potentially live here.

It was cozy yet spacious and the window offered a clear view of the water.

It was about the same size as some of the other closets I saw, but it also featured some shelving for shoes, accessories, or extra clothes.

I could really picture myself here. The only downsides were the slightly dated appliances and the fact that there's no laundry in-unit. Instead, there's a community laundry room located on the property. This was still better than what I currently have.

The pool area wasn't as modern as the others I saw, but it looked clean and well-maintained.

Residents have access to free kayak storage, making it super easy to get out onto the water.

While these one-bedroom apartments are definitely still pricey — and I currently pay less to live in a shared apartment in Brooklyn — you get what you pay for. Being able to live alone and have access to amenities like a gym, pool, and outdoor recreation is simply unattainable in my current city.

Of course, "affordable" to one person may be completely out of reach for someone else. In Austin, you would need a $94,455 salary to be a renter and "live comfortably," according to Go Banking Rates. In New York City, you would need to earn $128,552 to do so.

While these apartments may seem like a great deal to me, it's completely possible — and likely — that people from other cities and other parts of the country may disagree. I also don't know if I can afford to live on my own just yet, whether in New York or Austin. For now, having roommates is simply the better financial decision for me.

With some smart budgeting and a few years' time, however, I could see myself being able to afford one of the cheaper apartments I saw. While I love my current apartment, being able to live alone is certainly tempting — especially after seeing firsthand what I could get.