How much has Austin changed? (weather, desirable, good)

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by BarcelonaFan

I want live music, good people, relaxed pace, less stress and more fun. Hills, nature, lakes, etc.

Of course this is nothing in comparison to what I am used to as Houston is a really industrial looking town by comparison to California looking Austin.

Austin IS exactly what the first sentence above says. Your stress should be low unless you drive on IH35 or Mopac during rush hour.

I lived in Houston for several years, and traveled their dozens of times per year for many years. I think Houston is Texas' version of LA. Not so star studded of course. But it is big, kinda uncontrolled, messy, with lots to do in the big city sense.

[BarcelonaFan]

I do have to say that Houston is a wannabe Los Angeles for sure. Sprawl, crime, gangs, ritzy areas like River Oaks, wannabe exclusive club scene. Instead of movie stars it's big whigs in the oil and gas, real estate and legal rackets.

I got confused when someone said that Houston is the wannabe poor man's LA.

[sxrckr]

Yeah, not sure we should open that can of worms!

There's definite change.... good or bad? Depends on who you ask.

People move from big cities and complain we have all the big-city problems, but don't have the big-city amenities. So yes, we have major traffic woes now, high rents, and sprawl. Yet lacking in high arts/culture like great museums, public transit, high-end shopping, food from all backgrounds/areas. We're in an awkward growing stage right now with a bit of lack in identity compared to the past, due to the huge influx of new residents.

Does that help answer your question at all?

[sxrckr]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

I think Houston is Texas' version of LA.

Eh, sort of. Except WAY more down-to-earth, way less expensive, and more genuine.

Also, L.A. is rather overrated IMO, while Houston is underrated. There's a big-money element in Houston for sure, but they keep it pretty under the radar, unlike Dallas.

[BarcelonaFan]

Yes, you never see the ultra wealthy in Houston except for in the popular city magazines like 002 Mag.

Every other major city I've been to like Boston, NYC, Miami, the wealthy flaunt their stuff like no other. You will feel like a pauper in those towns. Houston though gives you the impression that it's just you and the city and nothing seems too exclusive.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by sxrckr

Also, L.A. is rather overrated IMO, while Houston is underrated. There's a big-money element in Houston for sure, but they keep it pretty under the radar, unlike Dallas.

I agree with this. But I think California is overrated.

[BarcelonaFan]

Why is Cali overrated?

[sxrckr]

^I'm guessing because of the very high cost of living and high taxes with large entitlement spending and business-unfriendly atmosphere. The political climate is extreme in areas too. Then add all of the cities there that have the worst air pollution in the country. L.A is particularly overrated because it gets so much positive attention (nice portrayals in movies, TV and songs) but doesn't live up to that in reality IMO for most people; there are many other places in CA I think are much nicer.

[Adamson865]

Originally Posted by sxrckr

^I'm guessing because of the very high cost of living and high taxes with large entitlement spending and business-unfriendly atmosphere. The political climate is extreme in areas too.

+1

*Everything* is more expensive here, from housing to gasoline to peanut butter. (Gas is going up right now here due to a West coast refinery issue, while I hear it's going down elsewhere) By the time you pay all your various taxes, fees and costs, like my $317 annual car registration and the monthly earthquake insurance premium, there's just not that much left. My tiny raise just bumped me into the 9.3% state tax bracket.

If you have the resources to live along the coast, California is spectacular. Naturally, the major cities along the coast are insanely unaffordable. So, most newcomers these days live inland - and to be honest, once you're a couple hours away from the coast, you're still paying through the nose to live in CA but you're not getting much of the scenic benefit. At that point, you might as well live in Nevada or Texas (I'm planning *my* return to Austin somewhere around New Year's... and since I lived there before, I don't have to ask where the decent neighborhoods and apple fritters are located!).

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by BarcelonaFan

Why is Cali overrated?

Besides weather and geographic features, what makes California so desirable?