Is Austin a good place to raise kids? We cant decide whether to accept a relo - help! (Houston: rent, crime rate)
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Well, dang, 40 years in the area as an adult and I haven't run out of things to do. You really haven't lived here, have you?
As for the airport - it doesn't get you anywhere? What's that supposed to mean? My family and I have been lots of places leaving from that airport - I guess New England, New York City, California, England, Scotland, France, etc. aren't "anywhere".
Yes, I did live there for five years, my wife lived there for nine years, we both thought the place was great for going to school (I had the time of my life!), but we couldn't stand it once we were out of school. It's not our taste, it's not arranged the way we like, I"m sorry, but the roads are horrible (I never had so much alignment work done on my car), there's never any parking (ever spend the weekend circling Whole Foods, waiting for someone to leave?), there are plenty of amenities that are sorely lacking (great restaurants being one of the big ones), and some of the culture bugged us. We're much happier and better off where we are (West Plano). Different strokes for different folks. That does not disparage Austin in any way; everyone has different tastes and likes.
And I much prefer living 25 minutes away from an international airport that can actually get me to a kazillion destinations NON-STOP. Any airport can get you anywhere...eventually. We fly non-stop. It's how we prefer to do things. Every time I flew out of Austin, I was sitting piddling around at some other 'major' airport. I bet you know the inside of Houston's airports pretty well.
I used I35 in Austin almost every day...now I use I35 in Lewisville and Denton to get to work...BIG difference. HUGE.
Again, it's a matter of taste, priorities, and what you're used to. Austin is a great town, it has some great advantages, but it is not for everyone.
I'm not trying to debate you, but I really don't understand what you mean by Austin being too 'liberal' to raise kids in. Can you elaborate on that a bit? Do you mean economically liberal, i.e., high taxes and lots of social programs? Or do you mean socially liberal, like people smoking pot on the corner or gay people walking around kissing? I guess I don't understand how you define liberal and conservative, especially having to do with kids. I really do want to help!
Ok, at the risk of things getting off topic, I will wade in a little...athough I do feel that I am being baited a bit
I didnt say anything about worrying about Austin being too liberal to raise kids in general... I said we were worried about it being too liberal for US. Every family has their own beliefs and values...at least I think that's the way it's supposed to work. Part of our value system is to respect people of all walks, races, politics, etc. (By the way, we are a minority family). But part of our value system is also to raise our kids according to certain core beliefs we have. And we want them around teachers, students, and families that share some of the more important core beliefs. We are Christian, so that is important to us. We are patriotic about our country, President, troops, etc...so that is important to us. At the right time, we want our kids to understand about all kinds of social lifestyles, etc...but ideally not in elementary schools, so that is important to us. I could go on and on. So for some, they might find Dallas too conservative, too homogenous, too white, too whatever for their comfort level. This goes both ways. We were much more liberal around social issues when we were younger in college, etc. in Austin, but we have changed some since then. We were just looking to confirm that as you get out of the downtown/UT area, there will be at least some people that share our more conservative values. I hope this helps explain it, because I dont really want this to become some political posting. I am very surprised to learn that there isnt universal understanding/agreement that Austin is (at least perceived) as a fairly progressive/liberal area relative to the rest of this state. As to what that has to do with kids, well, arent kids significantly influenced by the environment around them (?)
Ok, back to regular programming. We really were just trying to get a sense of whether or not Austin was kid friendly and that there were things for kids to do there. I think we got a great feel from parents about Austin, thank you! We are taking a house hunting trip next week and look forward to making our final decision over the next 10 days. Thanks again for all the wonderful information!
Austin is (at least perceived) as a fairly progressive/liberal area relative to the rest of this state. As to what that has to do with kids, well, arent kids significantly influenced by the environment around them (?)
Austin is perceived to be fairly a progressive/liberal area relative to the rest of the state. But it is a title that is growing steadily less deserved, as most of the new people moving here over the last 40 years or more are from all demographics around the US.
Things we like about Austin - the outdoors opportunities, parks, local owned businesses, proximity to coast, Houston, San Antonio (Sea World, etc.), pace/culture/soul, etc.
Things we are worried about in Austin - traffic/congestion, lack of seasons (even get these a bit more in Dallas), being rejected for being too conservative, i.e. not fitting in, focus on college students and singles, not married with children
I think in our hearts we would like to be back in Austin. I think our heads are telling us that Dallas might be a better place to raise our boys.
Austin is a great city to raise children. Not too big, not too small.
You won't have a problem finding people here who share your values. If they don't, they still aren't the kind who will set an example that you are uncomfortable with, imo. At least, I've never found it to be the case. And, they live and let live.
Live near where you work and traffic won't be much of an issue. Commute, and you can expect much of what I've seen in Dallas.
If you work central, don't be afraid to live central if you can afford it. There are an abundance of young families in central Austin. We're enjoying a slower pace and raising families here. It's so nice to not face traffic congestion, even in rush hour.
Austin may not have the same kinds of activities for children as Dallas does, but in the past almost 32 years (and still counting), I've never run out of things to do as a family.
ps. is Jim Jim's water ice still around? look forward to maybe sharing that tradition with my kiddos...my husband and I used to enjoy it at Deep Eddy Pool
ps. is Jim Jim's water ice still around? look forward to maybe sharing that tradition with my kiddos...my husband and I used to enjoy it at Deep Eddy Pool
My kids each enjoyed a strawberry-lemonade Jim Jim's water ice this morning at the farmer's market in Sunset Valley!
Let us know if you decide to make the move. There are a lot of little things to do that are special to young children, but they won't be listed on an event calendar. Amy's on Burnet Road, for example. Kids never get tired of it. Also, I take my 2 year old grandson to Rootin' Ridge Toy Store in 26 Doors shopping center. He can stand on a platform and watch the toymaker at work, and I can treat him to a handmade toy that costs much less than I think it's worth. Safe, non-toxic...can't beat that. Before we leave, we throw pennies in the fountain, climb up and down the steps, play in the plaza by the big sundial. From his reaction, it must be great fun.
Ok, at the risk of things getting off topic, I will wade in a little...athough I do feel that I am being baited a bit
I didnt say anything about worrying about Austin being too liberal to raise kids in general... I said we were worried about it being too liberal for US. Every family has their own beliefs and values...at least I think that's the way it's supposed to work. Part of our value system is to respect people of all walks, races, politics, etc. (By the way, we are a minority family). But part of our value system is also to raise our kids according to certain core beliefs we have. And we want them around teachers, students, and families that share some of the more important core beliefs. We are Christian, so that is important to us. We are patriotic about our country, President, troops, etc...so that is important to us. At the right time, we want our kids to understand about all kinds of social lifestyles, etc...but ideally not in elementary schools, so that is important to us. I could go on and on. So for some, they might find Dallas too conservative, too homogenous, too white, too whatever for their comfort level. This goes both ways. We were much more liberal around social issues when we were younger in college, etc. in Austin, but we have changed some since then. We were just looking to confirm that as you get out of the downtown/UT area, there will be at least some people that share our more conservative values. I hope this helps explain it, because I dont really want this to become some political posting. I am very surprised to learn that there isnt universal understanding/agreement that Austin is (at least perceived) as a fairly progressive/liberal area relative to the rest of this state. As to what that has to do with kids, well, arent kids significantly influenced by the environment around them (?)
Ok, back to regular programming. We really were just trying to get a sense of whether or not Austin was kid friendly and that there were things for kids to do there. I think we got a great feel from parents about Austin, thank you! We are taking a house hunting trip next week and look forward to making our final decision over the next 10 days. Thanks again for all the wonderful information!
Austin is extremely kid friendly and there are lots of things to do here that are kid centered. The suburbs, especially, are full of kids. One thing,though- this may or may not be a problem- but there are lots of same sex families in the city and in the suburbs. I have been surprised by how many I have seen at our school and just around lately. It doesn't bother me at all, but it may some.
You didn't address whether you're economically conservative, but Austin is very economically liberal. Taxes, and bonds, keep coming up, up, up. That bothers me a lot.
Good luck- I hope you make the move that's best for your family!
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