What's the best thing about living in Austin? (Paris: best cities, real estate)

[N. Olikee]

Thank you joeandmich................for the alternative / positive view. I love the weather, hills, lakes,downtown, outdoor activities, and the fact, for me personally, I'm back "home."

I also enjoy the friendly people...........whether they are from here, or not, most folks are very friendly. To me, there doesn't seem to be some sort of cliquishness which was pervasive from where I moved.

[sxrckr]

Being in Texas is one of the tops for me.

The heat -- I have a serious love-hate relationship on that matter.

[G Grasshopper]

The people. Friendly, down-to-earth, open, tolerant, and caring.

[suit-n-tie white guy]

The best thing about living in Austin is the cost of living. Housing here is really inexpensive,so much so that the houses here can get paid off in 10 years or less for the average person.

Luxury homes are pretty cheap too. I was looking at a 3600sf house on nearly an acre wooded lot with a greenbelt view, 4 tier, patio, and a tennis court in the back yard, 10 miles from downtown and it was listed at 290,000. Freaking ridiculous. Where im from that would have been a million dollars easily.

[Aquitaine]

The fact that good food, (mostly) good weather, good music, business friendly, reasonable cost of living, and tolerant people are not mutually exclusive.

[atxcio]

For me it's Ladybird lake and the trail. I just enjoy it on so many levels, and you can go pretty much 365 days a year. Second would probably be how you can live in the hills, and have a nice view everyday.

[suit-n-tie white guy]

I agree the hill country north of hwy 71 and west of 183 is gorgeous. Everywhere else has nice rolling hills.

[supernaut112]

The beautiful, historic architecture downtown and in West Austin (78703), where I live. I love the modest craftsman-style houses, the handkerchief-sized flower gardens, the local businesses that have been around since the early 50s, and the darling white picket fences. There's no "quaint" just like Clarksville. I love my home so much.

Also, the weather. Sure, the summers are almost untenable, but after living in the arctic where I had to drive in a snowstorm nine months out of the year, I'll take Austin's warmth any day!

[Moonlady]

We tried looking for a place to live outside Austin, so from that perspective, here are the things I love about Austin that I can't get elsewhere:

The energy, the creativity, the music, the festivals, the food, fact that I can get just about anything I want here and if I can't (haven't yet) Dallas or Houston is just a few hours away.

[chud]

Dan's Hamburgers.

I live in San Antonio now and love it, but I miss Dan's. I go there every time I go back to Austin.