First time in the city

I'm going to be coming to Austin for the first time soon and I'm wondering what might be a good area to stay in? (i.e. Downtown, etc?)

check this similar thread: http://eccie.net/showthread.php?t=1939427
and the map thread: http://eccie.net/showthread.php?t=654993 which says vagina triangle (35/183/290) and WilCo are bad news.

Thanks