Austin vs. San Antonio - possible relocation
 

I've been to both Austin and San Antonio as a tourist. Loved them both. We're trying to decide which place would be best for us to live. My husband works in computers (mostly hardware support)and he'll be looking for a job soon. We have small children, so we're interested in good schools. Austin has gotten so many great reviews as far as a great place for employment. Has this changed since Sept. 11? Is the job market in San Antonio comparable? We're just wondering where to focus our search.<BR><BR>I'm also interested in hearing what people who live there think about living there. Is SA any hotter than Austin in the summer? Thanks for your input!

Sounds like Austin would be better for you. I think it's ultimately more diverse.<BR><BR>I can't answer on the heat, though. However, niether can possibly be as bad as Houston.....ha.

Either one could be a good place to live, but I'd opt for SA. The tech sector is a bigger part of the Austin scene but tech is alive and well in SA, too, just not as large a part of the overall scene. <BR>Public school quality varies greatly between school districts - both cities have good and not so good schools. Private schools are an option both places. <BR>Other reasosn to choose SA:<BR>Housing is cheaper than in Austin<BR>Traffic is better than Austin<BR>Larger city, better cultural life (museums, etc. - yes I know about the Austin music scene but there's more to life than honky-tonks!)<BR>In terms of climate, it's pretty similar. Outskirts north of Austin may be a little cooler on summer evenings, but not by much.

The traffic in Austin is probably the worst in the U.S. Austin seems to have grown a little too fast for its infrastructure to keep up. Maybe in 10 or 15 years they will catch up but for now one wreck ties up the entire city for hours. Unless you can live just a few blocks from where you work you should really consider this problem. <BR><BR>San Antonio can have traffic problems too but not nearly as bad. Other differences: <BR><BR>Austin has the University with its related activities and resources, but also its affect on traffic. <BR><BR>Housing costs in Austin are probaby 25% higher, at least. <BR><BR>Austin is growing at a very fast rate with most of the new growth toward the north (Round Rock, Georgetown). Much of the high tech industry is located in that general area also. San Antonio is an older, more sedate place to live. It is growing at a much more manageable rate. <BR><BR>Austin is very liberal and progressive. San Antonio tends to be conservative and reactionary. Lot's of "naysayers" that are against everything (lots of retired military who wish everyone else would just go away and leave them alone). <BR><BR>Climate is basically the same. No real difference in schools you just have to make sure you get in the right district in either place. <BR><BR>Hope this helps.

Richard: Great summary! I've been recommending Austin to a techie who's been thinking of relocating. And you've brought a new perspective to the recommendation.<BR><BR>In a few sentences, you've distilled the essence of that decision between those two Texas cities.<BR><BR>As an information junkie, who also values concision, I like that. Thanks again.

I think that once your husband starts looking for jobs, you'll be better able to decide. (Try austin360.com, and click on Austin Jobs...) My husband was laid off his computer job (systems admin.) back in August. Never found a job and in Jan decided to start his own business. I've talked to others with family or friends in the high tech business and some have been unable to find similar work for over a year.<BR><BR>HOWEVER, the market IS starting to pick back up. So there may be hope!<BR><BR>I can't add much more than what Bo (or Richard) said except to agree - EXCEPT about the music. There are actually very few "honky tonks" in Austin. Much more emphasis is on local talent which includes rock, jazz, folk, etc. But not much for "honky tonks", except maybe for the Broken Spoke... <BR><BR>

My sister and brother-in-law live on the out skirts of Austin. He was part of tech sector layoffs. Has not been able to find comparable work for over a year. I also understood that Dell laid off about 4000 a while back. Job market may be very tight. You don't say where you are relocating from however remember that both Austin and San Antonio are in Texas, or should I say TEXAS. I love my sister and brother-in-law dearly but their politics stink. They have been Texasized. Regardless of which place you choose don't forget to pack heat when you go and make sure you buy a house in which the main feature is the three car garage door facing the street. You wouldn't want to feel like an outsider how would you? (You might want to do a searh on this board for the thead "Why Does Everyone Hate Texas" its a hoot. It would be hysterical if it weren't so true).