Anyone move to Austin....and hate it? (Dallas, Fort Worth: houses, buy)

[love roses]

Don't be discouraged by one persons bad experience. Yes, Austin is the most expensive city to live in in Texas. But, that is Austin Central. You could find something just outside of it more reasonable, unless you maybe want to live downtown in a condo or loft.

Being nearer water, does it matter if it's a lake or do you like coastal? We have cities in Texas near both types. In Austin, you have the highland Chain of Lakes which are Canyon, LBJ, Inks, Buchanan and Travis. You also have smaller ones like Bastrop, Georgetown, and Granger. Also Town Lake(Lady Bird Lake) and Lake Austin. Even little old Hutto, where I'm at is getting a new manmade lake. In fact, this area is full of Rivers, Creeks, swimming holes, Lakes, ponds, pools and even tanks (small ponds) on farmland.

Yes, Californians are moving here in droves, but where are they not moving to in droves? Or anyone else for that matter. I think it does have something to do with why Austin central and several areas of the nearby Hill Country (but by no means all of it) have become way too expensive for the average Joe. I think that a small percentage of those transplants have brought a level of pretentiousness to the area that was not here before, but maybe for some after the culture shock wears off it goes away. But, of course, not always. But, in my experience, Dallas has more pretention than Austin, and even Houston in some areas has gotten obnoxiously pretentious. Austin, for all of that, is still an extremely friendly laid back place where people do know their neighbors and don't just drive into their garage, go inside or straight to the backyard without so much as a wave to anyone.

I've never found wait staff to be annoyingly indifferent. Mostly, they are all very friendly and talkative, which is something people from other cities in the U.S have a hard time getting used to. Get used to it though, it's a southern thing. Same goes for the checkers at grocery stores and other retail outlets.

I think meeting other singles has more to do with attitude and expectation than anything else. In fact, a neighbor of mine out here in the suburbs who is young, barely 30, no kids, never married has now, after dating several wrong ones, found a right one. I also disagree that the Cedar Park/ Round Rock set is boring. Because if they are boring, then that also means that people who live in Buda, Kyle, and Dripping Springs are boring and people around the Lake would be boring and people in Liberty Hill are boring. I don't find that to be true at all. And some of those people are people who would also love to live downtown (or not) but can't afford it. Where do you think many of the artists and musicians priced out of downtown went if they didn't already own a house downtown? Yep, the outskirts.

[awoogala]

Me and water? I like freshwater..I like kayaks a lot, I like walking by a creek, river, lake, etc. So I'll be happy near any of them!

[TexasGirl@Heart]

Originally Posted by love roses

Don't be discouraged by one persons bad experience. Yes, Austin is the most expensive city to live in in Texas. But, that is Austin Central. You could find something just outside of it more reasonable, unless you maybe want to live downtown in a condo or loft.

Being nearer water, does it matter if it's a lake or do you like coastal? We have cities in Texas near both types. In Austin, you have the highland Chain of Lakes which are Canyon, LBJ, Inks, Buchanan and Travis. You also have smaller ones like Bastrop, Georgetown, and Granger. Also Town Lake(Lady Bird Lake) and Lake Austin. Even little old Hutto, where I'm at is getting a new manmade lake. In fact, this area is full of Rivers, Creeks, swimming holes, Lakes, ponds, pools and even tanks (small ponds) on farmland.

Yes, Californians are moving here in droves, but where are they not moving to in droves? Or anyone else for that matter. I think it does have something to do with why Austin central and several areas of the nearby Hill Country (but by no means all of it) have become way too expensive for the average Joe. I think that a small percentage of those transplants have brought a level of pretentiousness to the area that was not here before, but maybe for some after the culture shock wears off it goes away. But, of course, not always. But, in my experience, Dallas has more pretention than Austin, and even Houston in some areas has gotten obnoxiously pretentious. Austin, for all of that, is still an extremely friendly laid back place where people do know their neighbors and don't just drive into their garage, go inside or straight to the backyard without so much as a wave to anyone.

I've never found wait staff to be annoyingly indifferent. Mostly, they are all very friendly and talkative, which is something people from other cities in the U.S have a hard time getting used to. Get used to it though, it's a southern thing. Same goes for the checkers at grocery stores and other retail outlets.

I think meeting other singles has more to do with attitude and expectation than anything else. In fact, a neighbor of mine out here in the suburbs who is young, barely 30, no kids, never married has now, after dating several wrong ones, found a right one. I also disagree that the Cedar Park/ Round Rock set is boring. Because if they are boring, then that also means that people who live in Buda, Kyle, and Dripping Springs are boring and people around the Lake would be boring and people in Liberty Hill are boring. I don't find that to be true at all. And some of those people are people who would also love to live downtown (or not) but can't afford it. Where do you think many of the artists and musicians priced out of downtown went if they didn't already own a house downtown? Yep, the outskirts.

GREAT POST!

[twange]

Originally Posted by love roses

Don't be discouraged by one persons bad experience. Yes, Austin is the most expensive city to live in in Texas. But, that is Austin Central. You could find something just outside of it more reasonable, unless you maybe want to live downtown in a condo or loft.

Being nearer water, does it matter if it's a lake or do you like coastal? We have cities in Texas near both types. In Austin, you have the highland Chain of Lakes which are Canyon, LBJ, Inks, Buchanan and Travis. You also have smaller ones like Bastrop, Georgetown, and Granger. Also Town Lake(Lady Bird Lake) and Lake Austin. Even little old Hutto, where I'm at is getting a new manmade lake. In fact, this area is full of Rivers, Creeks, swimming holes, Lakes, ponds, pools and even tanks (small ponds) on farmland.

Yes, Californians are moving here in droves, but where are they not moving to in droves? Or anyone else for that matter. I think it does have something to do with why Austin central and several areas of the nearby Hill Country (but by no means all of it) have become way too expensive for the average Joe. I think that a small percentage of those transplants have brought a level of pretentiousness to the area that was not here before, but maybe for some after the culture shock wears off it goes away. But, of course, not always. But, in my experience, Dallas has more pretention than Austin, and even Houston in some areas has gotten obnoxiously pretentious. Austin, for all of that, is still an extremely friendly laid back place where people do know their neighbors and don't just drive into their garage, go inside or straight to the backyard without so much as a wave to anyone.

I've never found wait staff to be annoyingly indifferent. Mostly, they are all very friendly and talkative, which is something people from other cities in the U.S have a hard time getting used to. Get used to it though, it's a southern thing. Same goes for the checkers at grocery stores and other retail outlets.

I think meeting other singles has more to do with attitude and expectation than anything else. In fact, a neighbor of mine out here in the suburbs who is young, barely 30, no kids, never married has now, after dating several wrong ones, found a right one. I also disagree that the Cedar Park/ Round Rock set is boring. Because if they are boring, then that also means that people who live in Buda, Kyle, and Dripping Springs are boring and people around the Lake would be boring and people in Liberty Hill are boring. I don't find that to be true at all. And some of those people are people who would also love to live downtown (or not) but can't afford it. Where do you think many of the artists and musicians priced out of downtown went if they didn't already own a house downtown? Yep, the outskirts.

Yea, Roses. Very excellent post! Pretty fair too, especially from someone who's from Texas. Many natives have become really bitter and paint with a broad, coarse brush when talking about transplants. You didn't and that's nice for a change

[Carmelo]

Well I can't say specifically Austin, but being in the Air Force I know alot of people that hate Texas in general. I'm cursing the day I left Austin for the military. I miss being who I want to be in a city that embraces the uniqueness of the individual.

[Firetop]

Well its a mixed bag. Love the city hate the city.I relocated here so my fiance could finish her mediacal degree. and heres my very slanted .02. Love all that this city has to offer and its being different.On paper. Love the art,the music and that small segment of nice people who helped me out this year. However,the clique mentality that exists and its huge,the good olboy network (its huge too)and the general disdain of transplants kept me unemployed for almost a yr and a half. I worked in advertising in LA before relocating and have 14+ yrs experience. 300 some odd agencies in town and not 1 job -ever.They even bragged in the paper at one point as a major firm lost employees that theyd take care of their own. I am leaving and cant wait to forget about the town because all the nice memories have been tainted. And before its said I did take a job paying 10hr so I wouldnt lose my home. Any adult with responsibilities knows that doesnt cut it at the end of the day. To the OP you will get something completely different from the city as all of us do. In the end it will just depend on you. I wish you all the best

[love roses]

I'm sorry that happened to you. I'm surprised there's actually not some kind of law against doing that to people, especially if they are holding a position open for who knows how long, waiting to fill it with someone connected with them.

Thanks guys I'm not sure that I didn't just channel someone else when I wrote that , but a friend of mine told me that's one of the things that she thought was cool about me. I'm usually not someone who can spit out quick comebacks or say something you don't need a dictionary to interpret, but she said every once in a while, something comes out that really surprises her. I think having the experience of being a former transplant to a new state myself (other than Texas) maybe helps sometimes. I find it interesting too that sometimes people refer to me as the person who moved here from Colorado. So, I guess I am a 2 time transplant, even though I'm originally a Texan.

[sunshine4000]

I love people from Dripping Springs, Buda and Kyle!! I have even thought about moving out to Dripping Springs.

[S&AMOM]

I moved here with my parents in 1994 and I've been trying to move back home ever since. Somehow the years have slipped by. College, married, kids. I wouldn't say I hate it here but it's not where I want to end up. I cannot take the heat and the lack of scenery and seasons. Coming from beautiful CO there is not much comparison IMO. I am longing for the day when I see those mountains again.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by S&AMOM

I moved here with my parents in 1994 and I've been trying to move back home ever since. Somehow the years have slipped by. College, married, kids. I wouldn't say I hate it here but it's not where I want to end up. I cannot take the heat and the lack of scenery and seasons. Coming from beautiful CO there is not much comparison IMO. I am longing for the day when I see those mountains again.

Depends where in CO. I mean if your on the front range, then Austin has it beat for beauty. The front range of CO is flat and brown (and cold). Austin has more trees, and the lake travis area is quite nice actually. Just moved from Austin to Colorado, and then moved again to AZ (where I am very happy finally). Austins heat/humidity factor just killed it for me. I tried as hard as I could to like it. There were so many things that it had going for it, but I was to darn sticky to enjoy any of it. Stayed inside all summer and watched 5 seasons of 24 instad of enjoying Texas.