How to tell which Austin Area Neighborhood is right for you! (Plano: buying, living)

[paul6835]

I can confirm that the Bee Cave HEB has La Fin Du Monde and at least one resident who keeps the shelf stock fresh

[supernaut112]

Originally Posted by BevoLJ

While I love the one in Westlake and it is so very nice, I kind of miss the one on Oltorf. It was always an adventure.

What's really fun is late-night shopping at the Oltorf HEB. People are out.

Keepin' Austin Weird.

Unintentionally doing so. (!)

[suit-n-tie white guy]

walmart is the same. you have your pinatas and then everthign elsee

[senormatt]

Hmmm.. our options are an HEB, Central Market, Randalls, Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods all under 3 miles from home... I love options and convenience so I think I'm in the right neighborhood

[goodman3]

Originally Posted by verybadgnome

Simply go into the closest HEB* to the area you are considering. Do your shopping and take everything in.

Is it mostly families or singles? Do they have a kosher section, store-made crepes, or pig's feet? What are the supporting businesses inside the store: rent-a-centers, a bank, or a place for inexpensive jewelry. What is the alcohol selection like? Is it skewed towards the basics or do they offer La Fin du Monde and imported UK ciders? How neat is the store and more importantly do the patrons mess up displays and leave frozen items in the canned soup section? Is there much recycling going on or does everyone expect to be provided with one (or possibly two) use plastic bags? How much organic food is offered? Does the produce look fresh or more like someone else's rejects? Do people seem to be in a hurry or do they laze about? Eye contact is important so do your fellow patrons avoid it or not? Intolerant of hipsters? Then you should count the skinny jeans. The parking lot is a key too. Is it a madhouse of dangerous drivers or are things on the calm side?

The list can go on forever but one thing is for sure and that is HEB tailors their stores to their customers and they do a good job of it. This works great if you fit into that local community, but if you don't you'll hate shopping there and probably hate your new neighborhood.


*Whole Foods/Central Market can be substituted for regular old HEBs.

Sounds to me some undertones of something else with this suggestion.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by goodman3

Sounds to me some undertones of something else with this suggestion.

Huh? Like what? Seems pretty straightforward to me - a grocery store (particularly an HEB, because they study and cater to individual markets, making sure to carry what will sell more than a lot of stores do) is the current version of the village market, where pretty much everyone gathers, and as such it's a microcosm of the area. You'll be able to see if you can easily get things that matter to you, whether that be bagels or breakfast tacos, wine or a special kind of fruit juice, organic veggies or your favorite coffee. You'll be able to see how chaotic or calm a necessary experience you'll have on a regular basis is.

What are YOU reading into it?

[waitressinthesky]

You can read into it whatever you want -- and I don't necessarily believe that you'll HATE your neighborhood if you don't like shopping at the local H-E-B -- but you can't deny H-E-B doesn't stock its grocery stores with exactly what it believes people of those neighborhoods would want.

I have never noticed this living in other cities in other states within one grocery store. That's because in other states, you have more options. Stores like Food4Less cater to one demographic, Albertsons/Pavilions cater to another, and then you have Ralphs and Vons. And Target. Not to mention Trader Joe's, Bristol Farms, Whole Foods, etc.

[goodman3]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Huh? Like what? Seems pretty straightforward to me - a grocery store (particularly an HEB, because they study and cater to individual markets, making sure to carry what will sell more than a lot of stores do) is the current version of the village market, where pretty much everyone gathers, and as such it's a microcosm of the area. You'll be able to see if you can easily get things that matter to you, whether that be bagels or breakfast tacos, wine or a special kind of fruit juice, organic veggies or your favorite coffee. You'll be able to see how chaotic or calm a necessary experience you'll have on a regular basis is.

What are YOU reading into it?

Ask verybadgnome.

[TexasHorseLady]

verybadgnome didn't make the comment, you did. I asked as a result what you are reading into it that apparently no one else is noticing (maybe bringing your own issues into something that doesn't have anything to do with them, really?).

[FueledByBlueBell]

No, I think it sounds like a very good strategy. Our HEB is like the town center and does give you a good read on a 'hood. Things are usually more simple that we give credit for.