Anyone move to Austin....and hate it? (Bastrop, Burnet: neighborhood, new construction)

[Ed Truck]

Austin gets a lot of love as a pretty desireable place to live. Did anyone move here and find that they really did not care for it, and if so, why?

[rubberneck]

Surely there are people like you describe, but I doubt they are hanging out in this forum.

[Ed Truck]

Originally Posted by rubberneck

Surely there are people like you describe, but I doubt they are hanging out in this forum.

I don't know - if you go to the forums for some other cities, they seem to be composed exclusively of people who hate where they are... Maybe the lack of Austin-haters on this board is a sign.

[another_hot-day]

Moving from San Francisco I hated it at first and this was largely due to the weather. I thought I was going to die and it was only February...my neighbor laughed at me when I asked him if it was always this hot.

I adjusted and think Austin is pretty cool.

So no hatin here by me.

[AustinGuy]

I think the bigger Austin grows, the more likely people are going to start hating it due to all the problems that come along with being a big city.

For now, the things to hate about Austin have been well-documented in the thread "10 reasons not to move to Austin".

[Marlow]

I lived in Austin for 7 years and while I never hated it, I was ready to move. My main complaint was the "cooler than thou" attitude. The relentlessly hip make me tired. Also, at least when I lived there (15 years ago) despite all the liberal talk that went on, the City was divided by color--with poor brown and black people living east of I-35 and more wealthy white people living west of I-35. That may no longer be true, but it was then.

I would never have volunteered this opinion if you hadn't asked because I don't want Austin lovers jumping all over me. But since you did ask....

[mimimomx3]

I think this is a valid post to discuss. It worries me sometimes that the tone of some posts is that Austin is 'perfect' because I feel it sets up impossibly high expectations. I think it's important for everyone to understand that Austin ISN'T perfect...it's hot, traffic is horrible, it's expensive (compared to other parts of Texas), it can be insular and cliquish and did I mention traffic? Some of us feel that it's becoming overly developed. It is a city that has been traditionally divided up along ethnic lines and is only now becoming really integrated. Some say the police is out of line. I love Austin, but I'm not in the 'perfection' fan club! My .02.

[love roses]

Yep, there's still the old East of 35 vs West of 35 stigma floating around. Ie, West is more affluent, better things (even though many of those things can be found East of 35 as well), prettier scenery. East is poor, rural, sprawling (although, since more people move west, it's hard to believe it's not called sprawl out that way.), more black and brown skin tones (this is true). I think a lot of it just has to do with opinions more than actual fact.

[jennyb315]

my husband hates his job--- does that count??

but we do love the lower cost of living here. I do hate that Austin is not a major airport and so to get anywhere, it costs more $.

And I hate the laid-back attitude to the environment. We live in a new construction housing neighborhood and the garbage is unbelieveable. Minimal erosion control, trash and mud floating down the streets when it's raining.... ick. Your job site would be shut down in Washington and Oregon. .....

[Trainwreck20]

Minimal erosion control

Call the TCEQ and report 'em! I was at a TCEQ agenda meeting very recently, and a developer in the very fringe of the Edwards Aquifer contributing zone (not recharge and not actually contributing..forgot the name of the third zone) was fined ~$50,000 for not having a storm water runoff plan in place (which includes the erosion control). In non-EA zones, the fee is more like $3-$6k, but it will get their attention somewhat...repeat violations go up in a hurry.

TCEQ rules apply to whatever city you are in, but some cities (such as Austin proper) have very strict and pretty well enforced environmental requirements in additon to the 'base' requirements. Many of the surrounding cities, such as RR or CP, have not developed such rules, so that it is 'more inviting' to developers .

Edit:
Region 11, Austin
Counties: Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, Travis, Williamson
Regional Director
Patty Reeh
Executive Assistant
Rebecca Narvaiz

2800 S IH 35, Suite 100
Austin, TX 78704-5712

Main Line: 512-339-2929
Fax: 512-339-3795

Section Managers
Water - Carolyn Runyon
Waste/Air - Barry Kalda