Austin, Texas - Possible Move, Advice on the Good and Bad
Sep 10th, 2006, 12:11 PM
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Austin, Texas - Possible Move, Advice on the Good and Bad
I may be transferred to Austin, Texas. I've never even been to Texas before, but hear good things about the "friendly" state. Is it? What are the pros and cons of living in Austin?
Any advice - information would be helpful. Thank you.
Any advice - information would be helpful. Thank you.
Sep 10th, 2006, 03:54 PM
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There are some Austinites on the board so keep topping until they come back to the computer, mac. They'll have lots of good info.
As a frequent visitor to Austin, I can tell you it's a great city. My daughter lived there for 6 yrs (5 yrs, then went into the Peace Corps, then went back there...what does that tell you?)
The people are wonderful. Her friends have become like family, not only to her, but also to her mom.
Lots of fun things to do, and many of those are constantly changing so there is always something to do. Great music. The best food around...with the biggest portions I have ever seen.
I love Austin. Can you tell?
BUT...
Be sure to ask lots of questions about places to live, in relation to where you will work. The traffic is ungodly...and this is coming from a woman who's lived just south of Atlanta most of my-life-thus-far.
I hope you get to go.
As a frequent visitor to Austin, I can tell you it's a great city. My daughter lived there for 6 yrs (5 yrs, then went into the Peace Corps, then went back there...what does that tell you?)
The people are wonderful. Her friends have become like family, not only to her, but also to her mom.
Lots of fun things to do, and many of those are constantly changing so there is always something to do. Great music. The best food around...with the biggest portions I have ever seen.
I love Austin. Can you tell?
BUT...
Be sure to ask lots of questions about places to live, in relation to where you will work. The traffic is ungodly...and this is coming from a woman who's lived just south of Atlanta most of my-life-thus-far.
I hope you get to go.
Sep 10th, 2006, 03:56 PM
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In my book, Austin is the ONLY place in Texas to transfer to. And, I know. I transferred elsewhere in Texas and sorely regretted it.
Austin is wonderful. It's in the hill country. Pretty land (especially for TX), lots to do, great music, great people - the best part of TX, by far.
My corporate headquarters is there and we are ALL happy when meetings are held in Austin. Enjoy!
Austin is wonderful. It's in the hill country. Pretty land (especially for TX), lots to do, great music, great people - the best part of TX, by far.
My corporate headquarters is there and we are ALL happy when meetings are held in Austin. Enjoy!
Sep 10th, 2006, 04:24 PM
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I used to live in Austin and loved it. The only real draw back, in my opinion, the high cost of housing. Especially true if you want to live in our around the city. Traffic can be a bit of an issue but nothing compared to Dallas or Houston.
Sep 10th, 2006, 05:51 PM
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Howdy macintuc!
I moved to Austin 11 years ago from Southern California. One of the first things I noticed was the friendliness of the people. People actually wave to you when you walk, yell a friendly "hello" from across the parkway, and even when driving in the neighborhood, the joggers and walkers always - and I mean always - wave hello. I was greeted with cakes and breads, invitations to coffee, etc. Certainly that Southern Hospitality is alive and well here in Austin!
Neighborhoods have parties, street bbqs, parades, all sorts of get-togethers. Do you know your neighbors where you live now? Well, here you get to know them real fast!
In which part of Austin would you be working? That would be helpful before giving you information on particular areas. What are your likes and dislikes for activities?
Our summer weather is hot-hot-hot. No bones about it. Spring is beautiful with the neon green colored trees of the Hill Country and the highways all filled with wildflowers, or toobing on the rivers. Fall is TEXAS FOOTBALL, and also warm nights by the lake or sitting on the deck sipping a cold one or walking the trails at Zilker Park. Some winters we barely wear jackets, but when a Norther blows in, look out! In 30 minutes you can go from short sleeves to parkas. Be ready and watch out for those cold fronts. One February we had 91 degrees one day; two days later it was 19; the back up into the 70s again shortly after that. Go figure!
We'd sure love to have you!
I moved to Austin 11 years ago from Southern California. One of the first things I noticed was the friendliness of the people. People actually wave to you when you walk, yell a friendly "hello" from across the parkway, and even when driving in the neighborhood, the joggers and walkers always - and I mean always - wave hello. I was greeted with cakes and breads, invitations to coffee, etc. Certainly that Southern Hospitality is alive and well here in Austin!
Neighborhoods have parties, street bbqs, parades, all sorts of get-togethers. Do you know your neighbors where you live now? Well, here you get to know them real fast!
In which part of Austin would you be working? That would be helpful before giving you information on particular areas. What are your likes and dislikes for activities?
Our summer weather is hot-hot-hot. No bones about it. Spring is beautiful with the neon green colored trees of the Hill Country and the highways all filled with wildflowers, or toobing on the rivers. Fall is TEXAS FOOTBALL, and also warm nights by the lake or sitting on the deck sipping a cold one or walking the trails at Zilker Park. Some winters we barely wear jackets, but when a Norther blows in, look out! In 30 minutes you can go from short sleeves to parkas. Be ready and watch out for those cold fronts. One February we had 91 degrees one day; two days later it was 19; the back up into the 70s again shortly after that. Go figure!
We'd sure love to have you!
Sep 10th, 2006, 06:53 PM
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Pros - the weather from October to April (after that it's hot hot hot); the people; music;great restaurants; liberal; parks, lakes...
The cost of living close-in to the city is high but that changes in the suburbs. Quite reasonable compared to other cities.
Cons: the hot weather - unbearble at times when the humidity is high ; traffic; property taxes.
The cost of living close-in to the city is high but that changes in the suburbs. Quite reasonable compared to other cities.
Cons: the hot weather - unbearble at times when the humidity is high ; traffic; property taxes.
Sep 10th, 2006, 07:45 PM
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I lived in San Antonio for many years which is a rival of Austin and I still think that Austin is the best city in Texas. When you go there you will not believe you are in Texas. Its lush, green, hip, hilly, urban, young, high tech, and the music capital of Texas.
Sep 11th, 2006, 05:08 AM
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jorr, Austin is NOT the Music Capital of Texas.
Officially (and this is according to the Austin Convention and Visitor's Bureau) we're known as the Live Music Capital of the WORLD!
As my momma always says, "It ain't braggin' if it's true! <)
Officially (and this is according to the Austin Convention and Visitor's Bureau) we're known as the Live Music Capital of the WORLD!
As my momma always says, "It ain't braggin' if it's true! <)
Sep 11th, 2006, 08:52 AM
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I lived in Austin for 6 years (college and right after), and the past 2 years my fiance attended grad school there so I've had frequent visits. I like Austin a lot, but I don't love it like everyone else. Yes, its the most beautiful city in Texas, but to me it still feels like a small town (which can be good or bad, depending what you like). Austin is VERY casual...you can wear shorts and flip flops just about everywhere. Shopping is not great, with the exception of some very pricey boutiques. Not only is traffic bad, but parking is a nightmare just about anywhere central. I live in Dallas and definitely think Austin is worse, however I live a mile from work so don't deal with highways. In Austin I probably couldn't afford to live as centrally. Just wanted to offer you some cons, although most people love it. If you like laid back vibe, natural beauty, and lots of tex-mex, it may be for you. =)
