Anyone move to Austin....and hate it? (Houston, San Marcos: middle-class, living)

[lisamikefoster]

Perhaps we had differing experiences. However, after having lived in various cities, Austin was perhaps one of the most disappointing. I'm sure part of that is the built up expectations that one has with Austin, and the reality was so different than the expectations, that it suffered in comparison to itself.

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by lisamikefoster

Perhaps we had differing experiences. However, after having lived in various cities, Austin was perhaps one of the most disappointing. I'm sure part of that is the built up expectations that one has with Austin, and the reality was so different than the expectations, that it suffered in comparison to itself.

You bring up a good point- Austin really isn't for everyone. So many posts here make it seem like just short of heaven, and it is a GREAT place to live for many, but obviously not all. What irritates me to no end is when people move here and want to 'fix' Austin so it's just like what they left. It is what it is. Good for you for moving somewhere that makes you happy!

[Mike78613]

Originally Posted by sberdrow

Austin was also KING when it came to the great scenic bike paths.

Not true,

You lived in CO and you should know Colorado is one of the best places for scenic bike paths. We're heading out to the front range for two-weeks of camping, photography and mountain biking.

I got really bored only having only a few selected bike / hiking paths that offer scenic and challenge at the same time and those trails are @ Reimers Ranch, Walnut creek, Green Belt & Lake Gerogetown. The Green Belt & Town Lake are the only scenic bike paths IMHO which is right in the HEART of AUSTIN, the others are just very techical w/ no scenery, but offers challenge due to loose granite rocks (can get hurt easily if not careful). Unlike the front range, the trails are groomed and single track.

Oh as for Austin, its a great place to raise a family. I never meet any A-holes being here, but only on the roads. Actually have to admit though, that traffic and crazy drivers been kind of calm lately. I think due to fuel prices they are keeping the speed down along w/ patience.

Austin has wonderful selection of food if your into Mexican / Tex-Mex, BBQ and some good OL' country cooking. Art and music is the way of life. Austin is surrounded by UT Fans and Texas, native Texans live here for a reason. Even though I was born here; I really have never considered it home since I been a military brat, but Austin has a JEM to it that makes you stay. Everyone that I work with or know are from Austin and just loves it. They refuse to take the challenge and move and try something else. It is just the way of life out here. Austin is my home 'away' from home


Back to scenic trails, you tell me :


Reimers Ranch (what is pretty? / Just hardcore riding :









Now for Town Lake (no challenge), but is purdy! :












Walnut Creek:







Lake Georgetown:





http://http://www.austinbike.com/mtb/lgt/image02.jpg (broken link)

=========================================

Front Range (where I'll be in a few monts ) :

[love roses]

I totally agree about the front range. We used to load our bikes up almost every weekend and ride out there.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by Mike78613

Not true,

You lived in CO and you should know Colorado is one of the best places for scenic bike paths. We're heading out to the front range for two-weeks of camping, photography and mountain biking.

I got really bored only having only a few selected bike / hiking paths that offer scenic and challenge at the same time and those trails are @ Reimers Ranch, Walnut creek, Green Belt & Lake Gerogetown. The Green Belt & Town Lake are the only scenic bike paths IMHO which is right in the HEART of AUSTIN, the others are just very techical w/ no scenery, but offers challenge due to loose granite rocks (can get hurt easily if not careful). Unlike the front range, the trails are groomed and single track.

Oh as for Austin, its a great place to raise a family. I never meet any A-holes being here, but only on the roads. Actually have to admit though, that traffic and crazy drivers been kind of calm lately. I think due to fuel prices they are keeping the speed down along w/ patience.

Austin has wonderful selection of food if your into Mexican / Tex-Mex, BBQ and some good OL' country cooking. Art and music is the way of life. Austin is surrounded by UT Fans and Texas, native Texans live here for a reason. Even though I was born here; I really have never considered it home since I been a military brat, but Austin has a JEM to it that makes you stay. Everyone that I work with or know are from Austin and just loves it. They refuse to take the challenge and move and try something else. It is just the way of life out here. Austin is my home 'away' from home


Back to scenic trails, you tell me :

Great pics, you took alot of the pics I remember enjoying when it came to austin.

when I mentioned bike paths, I was actually talking about paved walking/paths East of the mountains in the cities. Sorry for the confussion. I agree that colorado has much more beauty than any thing austin would have to offer as far as off road mountain biking.

As far a great paths for fat folks like me (getting thinner by the day), try the paths in Pflugerville by Wellsbranch road (st, ave, I am not sure). Those are very nice well kept paths. They are even lighted for night riding. Absolutely nothing compares to Arizona when it comes to your type of bike riding. Sorry I know this isnt an arizona forum but I had to throw that in.

[Jaybanx]

I really hate living in Austin. This is the most boring "major" city in Texas. It's like one big hick town. The people are sheltered, the infrastructure is so inefficient, UT is just a college (not a lifestyle), and why is this called the live music capitol again?

Austin likes to toot its own horn about being free and liberal. Well its funny that I quite often see confederate stickers on gas-guzzling diesels sprinting down I-35.

My advice to anyone searching for urban nightlife in Austin, better yet any urban life in Austin....stop searching. You won't find any!!! Austin is just a place to get away for the weekend...not a place to stay.

[TexasGirl@Heart]

Originally Posted by Jaybanx

I really hate living in Austin. This is the most boring "major" city in Texas. It's like one big hick town. The people are sheltered, the infrastructure is so inefficient, UT is just a college (not a lifestyle), and why is this called the live music capitol again?

Austin likes to toot its own horn about being free and liberal. Well its funny that I quite often see confederate stickers on gas-guzzling diesels sprinting down I-35.

My advice to anyone searching for urban nightlife in Austin, better yet any urban life in Austin....stop searching. You won't find any!!! Austin is just a place to get away for the weekend...not a place to stay.

Austin isn't for everyone and obviously it isn't for you. There is a night life...you just have to know where to look. Not knowing you and not knowing what type of music you like, it's hard for me to point out places to find awesome bands/live music. I never have a problem when I'm in town visiting for a week. I am out every night of the week!

It is a lifestyle....again, one that you don't agree with Can I ask why you moved to Austin in the first place? Did you check Austin out prior to moving? This is one reason why natives strongly encourage people to visit prior to moving.

[TexasHorseLady]

If Austin is truly free, then it stands to reason that those who have Confederate stickers on their vehicles would feel just as comfortable having those there as would those with opposing stickers on their vehicles. Otherwise, it isn't freedom, now, is it?

Which is to say, if those who disagree with your perspective (whether that perspective be "liberal" or "conservative") are not allowed to express their views just as much as you are, then it's no more freedom than if you are not allowed to express yours.

Funny how that works.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

If Austin is truly free, then it stands to reason that those who have Confederate stickers on their vehicles would feel just as comfortable having those there as would those with opposing stickers on their vehicles. Otherwise, it isn't freedom, now, is it?

Which is to say, if those who disagree with your perspective (whether that perspective be "liberal" or "conservative") are not allowed to express their views just as much as you are, then it's no more freedom than if you are not allowed to express yours.

Funny how that works.

I only lived there for 5 months, so Please excuse me for not knowing the culture, but when I see somthing like that, I assume it a racest symblol, a desire to go back to the days when slavery was the norm. Anyway thats what it reminds me of. You wouldnt dare have something like that on the west coast. I think its shamefull.

[TexasHorseLady]

And you're free to your opinion, and to express it - many people share it. But that's the whole point of freedom, isn't it - that we're free to have, and express, our own opinions, not the party line of whoever happens to be in power? (Whether that be monarch or the guy down the street.)

We're not free to enslave another person (except as much as we can with legislation that forces our idea of what's "appropriate" on them - see smoking legislation as an example, says she who doesn't smoke because her body reacts quite badly to it but feels that others should have the right to make such decisions for themselves), but we're free to put the Confederate flag on our vehicles in honor of our past and our ancestors who fought for what they believed in - and don't assume that that was slavery just because the history books written by the "winners" say so, by the way. We're free to put Obama or Clinton or McCain bumper stickers on our vehicles, and to make our case for or against them. We're free to put religious symbols of any kind on our vehicles, and to attend the services (or not) of our choice. All as long as we don't require others to do the same thing and think the same way that we do if that is not their personal choice.

Again, isn't that the definition of freedom? It can't be a one way street, only those opinions and beliefs that you're comfortable with and agree with can be expressed, and still be freedom - that's the entire point.

There's nothing in the Constitution about freedom from being offended, after all, and that's for a reason.