What's the worst thing about living in Austin? (Houston, San Marcos: 2013, crime rate)

[i35vagabond]

I"m not gonna complain about the heat, or the long summers. It's Texas and it was hot long before I ever got here and I knew it would be hot when I moved here.

Actually, I think the heat feels good after being in an air conditioned building where the temp is about 75 or so.

I do wish there was more 24 hour restaraunts and stores, though.

[curious1111]

Easily the physical condition of the roads and the traffic

[Danbo1957]

Allergies, brutal.

[Hindrynatx]

I am sure the water issue is going to be worse as time goes by.

[wehotex]

Too much traffic and too many incoming people (locusts) from high cost states that have rendered much of Austin unaffordable and destroyed the precious landmarks that dotted the Austin landscape.

[texan2yankee]

I can't think of a worst thing. I moved here a year ago from Manhattan after living there for 25 years. I grew up in Dallas and was always a proud Texan! I miss, a little, not being able to walk to stores in Manhattan. Not a big trade off.

[zimmebri]

Originally Posted by curious1111

Easily the physical condition of the roads and the traffic

Where do you hail from? I lived in the Midwest for the first few decades of my life and I've never been privy to better roads. I lived in 5 states and whenever moisture freezes in cracks, the roads suffer. Austin roads are pristine in my opinion.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by joeandmich

Whats the worst thing about living in Austin to you?

I don't live in Austin, but if I did--it would be two things--the hot, humid summers...and the rising amount of crime.

Sis lives south of Austin in a so-called affluent bedroom community between Austin and San Marcos.

She had one break-in robbery a few years ago--and now another attempted one just a few nights ago. They probably assumed nobody was home, and were scared off by the neighbor, who goes to work at 4am...he turns his outside lights on at the time he leaves.

The back gates were open, and the glass on the storm door was open--and I suppose that's when they ran off. People are getting pretty blatant/bold these days, and breaking in when people are asleep!

Then, (as I understand it) in the same general area, a woman was rear-ended. When she got out to see about it, one man grabbed her, threw a towel over her head and threw her in the back seat of her car. Her 4-year-old child was in the car with her.

They (3 men) took her somewhere, and repeatedly raped her. I suppose she was lucky they didn't kill her.

I really hope she leaves the Austin area--it's getting too crowded and the amount of crime is just unacceptable. And these are not typically your crime-ridden areas.

To me, it's just scary. She now locks her gates (something I've always done, even in small-town WT) as well as the outside storm doors. We shouldn't have to barricade ourselves in our homes, but it's a sign of the times, I guess, especially in a too-fast-growing place like the Austin area.

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

I
Then, (as I understand it) in the same general area, a woman was rear-ended. When she got out to see about it, one man grabbed her, threw a towel over her head and threw her in the back seat of her car. Her 4-year-old child was in the car with her.

They (3 men) took her somewhere, and repeatedly raped her. I suppose she was lucky they didn't kill her.

I really hope she leaves the Austin area--it's getting too crowded and the amount of crime is just unacceptable. And these are not typically your crime-ridden areas.

To me, it's just scary. She now locks her gates (something I've always done, even in small-town WT) as well as the outside storm doors. We shouldn't have to barricade ourselves in our homes, but it's a sign of the times, I guess, especially in a too-fast-growing place like the Austin area.

Do you have a link to a news story on this? We live in SW Austin and I haven't heard ANYTHING about this incident at all.

And what's this affluent area between Austin and San Marcos? Kyle? Buda? I'd call those areas working to middle class.

[TexasHorseLady]

It was apparently IN San Marcos, not Austin. There's a picture of the location (doesn't look residential) where this apparently happened in the article below.

San Marcos Police looking for kidnapping, assault suspects