[Prefex]

Has anyone experienced working and living in both cities? Besides the college football comparison, how else do they compare? They are on the top of my list for a 'quality of life' relocation. I was very impressed with my visit to Fayetteville and intend to visit Austin next week. My focus is on the outdoors and the coffee house rather than the club scene.

I know that there is a sizable student population but is there hope for a single 40-year old male to find a social life there?

(Will post this question on both the Arkansas and Austin forums).

[bchris02]

They are two completely different kind of areas, yet they both have a hip college town feel to them. NWA is a much smaller area, but the scenic beauty beats Austin hands down. If you are interested in the outdoors, Arkansas is for you. As for coffee houses, pretty much everywhere has Starbucks. Not sure what locally owned places either of those places have. Austin is much more metropolitan though so as far as cultural amenities, you are probably better off there. Remember, everywhere has its trade-offs.

[Stormcrow73]

NWA is pretty well loaded with locally owned coffee shops. It has a surprising number for a place of it's size. My two favorites are Arsaga's and Iron Horse. Arsaga's has a couple of locations and Iron Horse is in Rogers. There are several other locally owned establishments but I have little to no experience with them other than driving by them a few times.

[joebaldknobber]

Fayetteville is similar to what Austin was like in the 1970's. Fayetteville is a great town no matter what age you are.

[OA 5599]

Go to Fayetteville - as someone from the Ozarks who lives in Austin right now, the Ozarks (especially the Boston Mountains near Fayetteville) completely blow anything around Austin out of the water as far as outdoor activities are concerned. Arkansas is much more pristine and less crowded than the Texas Hill Country, and has a lot more public land. However, Austin does have some killer nightlife

[nmnita]

I agree with OA5599, Fayetteville has so much to offer. This doesn't mean Austin doesn't, but NWA is just a little different, it has a good feeling about it. Austin has become nothing more than another big city with a small section offering the old college feeling.

Nita

[Prefex]

Thank you all for your advice. Spent a week in Fayetteville recently and was very impressed with the place, but I thought it a little quiet during week nights.

Will be heading down to Austin for a week in a few days and then I will be able to make a comparison.

[OA 5599]

Originally Posted by nmnita

I agree with OA5599, Fayetteville has so much to offer. This doesn't mean Austin doesn't, but NWA is just a little different, it has a good feeling about it. Austin has become nothing more than another big city with a small section offering the old college feeling.

Nita

I still like Austin as far as the city itself goes, but as far as the natural surroundings, Fayetteville is much nicer. I also prefer slightly smaller cities with less traffic. Austin has great food, nightlife, and educated population and very friendly people for a larger city. I've had fun here, but the area is growing like crazy along with the cost of living, and I'm afraid within 10 years the last of the original Austin feeling will be gone. I'd actually move to NWA in a heartbeat when I finish my degree here, but there isn't much in the way of jobs for my career choice.

As far as the OP, enjoy your time in Austin. If you have a day to spare in your trip for some outdoor stuff, I'd recommend a trip out to Enchanted Rock and Pedernales Falls State Parks. Enchanted Rock is about 2 hours west of Austin, Pedernales Falls is maybe an hour. Both are cool places with some unique Texas scenery. I'm sure you've already gotten some other recommendations on the Austin board as far as things to do, but in case not the Congress Ave. bats, Salt Lick BBQ (west of town), and the Ginger Man (laid back bar with 83 beers on tap) are all must-sees for Austin IMO.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by OA 5599

I still like Austin as far as the city itself goes, but as far as the natural surroundings, Fayetteville is much nicer. I also prefer slightly smaller cities with less traffic. Austin has great food, nightlife, and educated population and very friendly people for a larger city. I've had fun here, but the area is growing like crazy along with the cost of living, and I'm afraid within 10 years the last of the original Austin feeling will be gone. I'd actually move to NWA in a heartbeat when I finish my degree here, but there isn't much in the way of jobs for my career choice.

As far as the OP, enjoy your time in Austin. If you have a day to spare in your trip for some outdoor stuff, I'd recommend a trip out to Enchanted Rock and Pedernales Falls State Parks. Enchanted Rock is about 2 hours west of Austin, Pedernales Falls is maybe an hour. Both are cool places with some unique Texas scenery. I'm sure you've already gotten some other recommendations on the Austin board as far as things to do, but in case not the Congress Ave. bats, Salt Lick BBQ (west of town), and the Ginger Man (laid back bar with 83 beers on tap) are all must-sees for Austin IMO.

Austin is great is some way, good restaurants, close to lots of things, but not the nature types, fun area near the campus, but Fayetteville has more personality as far as I am concerned and the natural beauty surrounding it is far superior to Austin. To me, Austin has become a big city with just a little left of what used to be.

Nita