"Austin Weird" (Houston, Dallas: environment, travel, house)

[TERRIE]

Since Austin Is Known For It's Funky, Artsy Vibe, What Is The Craziest Thing You've Seen Around? Ie: Homes, People Etc?

[andaheart]

Originally Posted by TERRIE

Since Austin Is Known For It's Funky, Artsy Vibe, What Is The Craziest Thing You've Seen Around? Ie: Homes, People Etc?

People who capitalize every word in a sentence...

[johnrex62]

You mean other than Leslie, right?

[traceyr13]

See, I thought of Leslie too...but then realized that is the only example that really comes to mind. Which really isn't all that weird, if you have spent anytime in downtown New York City, Washington DC, Boston, etc. So I don't really get the whole "Keep Austin Weird" thing, as an East Coaster for almost my entire life.

I think Austin might be weird for Texas, but I don't think it's as wacky as the travel/tourism board touts it as. Don't get me wrong, I love my new adopted home, I just don't think it's particularly "weird".

[AustinTraveler]

Keep Austin Weird is about supporting local businesses and keeping Austin from turning into a big box corporate wasteland; in other words, keeping it from becoming "normal".

[traceyr13]

Okay - I didn't know that, thanks!

I still have to say that, compared to New England where I'm from, the Austin area (and I'm assuming Texas in general) is much more "big box". I was amazed when I arrived at how many fast food chains, big box stores, chain retail stores, etc were everywhere. Maybe not in the immediate downtown vicinity, but certainly all along the highways directly outside. I really was shocked the first time I drove up 183, Mopac and 35 at just how crowded it was with store after store after restaurant. Just very different from the environment I am used to. But having gone to Houston and Dallas and San Antonio, it seems like that is just Texas city landscape?

[TERRIE]

Thanks Austin Traveler....we Do Intend To Support Local Business For Sure!...oh, And Andaheart>fyi....my Keyboard Is Broken. (stuck On Caps)....i'll Let Ya Know When I Get A New One! I Might Have To Patron A Big Box Store For It Though, Unfortunatly

[AustinTraveler]

Originally Posted by traceyr13

Okay - I didn't know that, thanks!

I still have to say that, compared to New England where I'm from, the Austin area (and I'm assuming Texas in general) is much more "big box". I was amazed when I arrived at how many fast food chains, big box stores, chain retail stores, etc were everywhere. Maybe not in the immediate downtown vicinity, but certainly all along the highways directly outside. I really was shocked the first time I drove up 183, Mopac and 35 at just how crowded it was with store after store after restaurant. Just very different from the environment I am used to. But having gone to Houston and Dallas and San Antonio, it seems like that is just Texas city landscape?

You're absolutely right - it's big box stores and chains everywhere you look. What I hate is how often a new shopping center gets built and then Home Depot or whoever moves into the new place and abandons the old location. I'm lucky that I live in Central Austin and I frequent local businesses every chance I get. It's not just a Texas thing though. I moved here from Florida and it's exactly the same with all the same big box stores, etc.

[jread]

There is a really crazy house in the neighborhood between Burnet and Lamar, north of Koenig that looks like a castle. I keep meaning to take a picture of it because I haven't seen it anywhere on the web.

[fil]

Weird stuff in Austin:
1- There's a house on Spicewood Parkway (zip 78750) that looks like a Castle...amidst 1970 Austin stone homes

2- Every road has a panhandler

3- Beer served at movie theater (Alamo Drafthouse)...this is actually cool and weird

4- All of the crazy flyover highways that you can't access for miles

5- The double left-turn lanes on Parmer. I've seen some bad accidents since folks can't tell if the middle lane is going left or straight

Otherwise, Austin is so uncorporate, it's not funny.

The culture opportunities remind me of SOHO in NYC.