Austin Reminded Me of California (San Antonio, Orange: house, public schools, property taxes)

[hello13685]

AustinGuy, that's true. I don't know where I heard that mecca in Texas idea, but I did. I have no idea where that came from. And I agree that while Austin was really cool to me (compared to SA), you get a much stronger dose of that crispness in Boulder, CO, or the Pacific Northwest, and I'm not talking weather. Those areas are not at all rough around the edges like Austin seems to be to a small degree (but note, I've not much experience in Austin at all--just going on short term impressions).

And related to Wehotex's comment that Austin is expensive... yes, I'd read that in these posts before visiting the city this weekend. A friend of mine who teaches at the UT is house hunting there, and the prices he seems to be citing in south Austin, and in some lived-in neighborhoods by campus, only seem like they would be $50,000 more than similar places in SA. I'd had the impression that the gap was wider. Can anyone chime in here?

[imaterry78259]

I have seen neighborhood around UT and if you pay that you must be out of your mind. The only thing Austin reminds me of Cali is their housing prices. I think one of the reason is that the state of Texas own a lot of land in Austin proper

[neddy]

I think to get a house in the parts of Austin that you might indeed like I Would say add 50 to 100 thousand more to the budget. Since I got up here I have noticed that just everyday stuff from HEB is also more and so is water and gas and those things.

[twange]

Funny but when I first visited here, it reminded me of a hybrid between California and Arizona. Of course now I'm afraid to even mention "California" in Austin as it seems there's a real vitriolic attitude aimed at the former Golden Staters.

[CravenClan]

Hopefully it is not as bad as some other states, go to Oregon, Colorado, Montana forums, they really HATE californians......(doesn't bother me, i would never live in any of them-too cold for my blood)

What is your feeling there in Austin for Californians (without the attitudes) coming there??

Just curious..

[twange]

I'm new in town but I've heard many strong comments about how Austin is becoming too Californicated. I'm always quick to say I'm from Cleveland...not very common or glamorous I'm afraid

Ironically, there's a lot of Texas haters out there as well. I'm not sure if Austinites realize that A lot of the western states especially(NM, Colorado etc) despise and resent Texas. Lots of Texans buying land for summer homes and such. I remember seeing a map in a Colorado outdoors store where visitors put thumb-tacks on the state where they were from: The state of Texas was completely filled up! I asked the guy working there about it and he made some reference to cockroaches and the like

Texas is perceived as a big, overgrown, loud, wasteful, backwards bully by many people/states around the country. Of course every state has stereotypes that are crudely limited, but I guess the phrase "let he who is without sin cast the first stone" comes to mind

Again, everyone is wary of outsiders.

[love roses]

As a Texan who lived in Denver for 6 years, you're exactly right about that! And Californians REALLY are despised there, more so than Texans. I don't think Texans are haters to people from Cali, and you really won't have people keying your car or puncturing your tires or smashing in your windshield like you would in Colorado. In a sense, those states and Austin have similar feelings. They like the forests, hills, smallness, etc...And that is rapidly changing all over. Neighborhoods and condos, vacation homes are quickly gobbling up the landscape. Highways are being cut through pristine mountain ranges, etc...and much of this is being done by Texas and California developers, hence a lot of the hate. It's happening here too, but I think that Texans are more disgusted by the fact that SOME people are moving here expecting one thing, and finding another and wanting the city to be just like where they are from, and many people who have lived here for any length of time just want it to be what it is. Sure, growth is good, but if it could be done "Austin" style (whatever that may be) people would probably be cool with that. If Austin could grow and stay "Austin" and not just be a mini Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, etc. Those cities are what they are and they all have their OWN feel, and I for one, would like Austin to stay what it is at it's heart as well. Personally, to Cravenclan and twange and other people new to Texas, I say welcome and I really hope that you like it here and noone really gives you such a hard time. I won't. But, I'll say this one again...I had a client who was a native Coloradan, and I was telling her about some of the things that people had said or done to me for being a transplant there, and she laughed and said the majority of people in the state really didn't feel that way. It was just a gang of, like, 5 bored housewives with nothing but time on their hands to run around damaging cars, etc...It's probably no different here.

[twange]

Originally Posted by love roses

It was just a gang of, like, 5 bored housewives with nothing but time on their hands to run around damaging cars, etc...It's probably no different here.

Ha That's hilarious. Of course, I wouldn't judge the hive on the behavior of one rogue bee. We've had a wonderful time here so far.

I HOPE I have not given the impression that I want Austin to be just like where I come from...I love my hometown but jeez, I wouldn't wish that on anyone I came here for a change. Many of the issues I bring up here: public transportation, ambivalence to pedestrians, too much sprawl etc...were there as well, if not worse. I'm all over that city's forum with my opinions as well I have simply stated observations based on things I've seen from traveling to many other cities large and small. Certain needs seem to be constant as a city grows otherwise it will kill the things unique to the place. I really hope that doesn't happen here. I've seen a city fall from grace, it isn't nice

[love roses]

Having broadened my horizons by moving to a different city, I did bring back a love of being able to ride my bike almost anywhere. I do wish Austin would make lots of new bike trails and nice wide bike lanes. I think I understand your point now. I'm not one that's ever been called "quick" to get something...So, yes, I think you're right. Those things can be done without a city losing its individuality.

[twange]

Originally Posted by love roses

Having broadened my horizons by moving to a different city, I did bring back a love of being able to ride my bike almost anywhere. I do wish Austin would make lots of new bike trails and nice wide bike lanes. I think I understand your point now. I'm not one that's ever been called "quick" to get something...So, yes, I think you're right. Those things can be done without a city losing its individuality.

There was an article about bike infrastructure in this past weeks chronicle. It's positive that the city (or at least it's citizens) are aware of these things! Check it out:

The Austin Chronicle: News: Bike Mobility Task Force Wheels Out Initial Recommendations