Move or not? If I were to move, show me the ideal place to live! (Austin: moving to, rated)

[flysinger]

Originally Posted by COCUE

We just moved from the bay area to Avery Ranch and this area seems to meet what you listed as your requirements. In fact we live in a very similar home right now though a few years old and not brand new but pretty new for us.

Avery ranch seems quite hot these days. We just tried to bid two house last week and ended with more than five competitors for each one. The seller agent said the winners are a lot higher than our price.

What a crazy world.

[PrimusPilus]

I think you'd be better off in CA for two reasons.

You mentioned that you like hot weather. I don't think the weather in Austin even remotely resembles the weather in Bay Area. It's hot, humid and miserable for about 4-5 months. In winter, it gets plenty cold - not like the mid-west or the NE but still cold by San Jose standards(don't go by the average high of 60 in Jan)

Relaxed lifestyle. Not very likely. Granted you work from home, still you need to drive to do a lot of basic things and these chores might become painful quite quickly. The Texan attitude might be different but if you're looking for a lifestyle improvement from SJ, you won't find it here. There are plenty of cool things to do here but I'm sure CA has even more.

[flysinger]

The reason that OP think about moving is better tax policy for their business, good free education, and big house. The lifestyle and weather is endurable for her.

However the OP got disappointed to find that with 1million dollar, it is still hard to find a great house in great community with great schools . The main reason is that too many people think Texas house is very cheap.

[mark311]

Originally Posted by COCUE

We just moved from the bay area to Avery Ranch and this area seems to meet what you listed as your requirements. In fact we live in a very similar home right now though a few years old and not brand new but pretty new for us.

You would think it would be a fit, but the Op stated in another thread that she visited Avery Ranch already and didn't like it.

[COCUE]

Originally Posted by mark311

You would think it would be a fit, but the Op stated in another thread that she visited Avery Ranch already and didn't like it.

My bad.. I didn't read the other thread where they said they didn't like Avery Ranch. Going down their list, AR and others around there and am sure countless others around Austin seemed to meet those requirements.

[JT-3]

What about elsewhere in CA? Some good points have been made so far, don't know if you are thinking about the complete picture so to speak.

[A-Tex]

Originally Posted by JT-3

What about elsewhere in CA? Some good points have been made so far, don't know if you are thinking about the complete picture so to speak.

Exactly. There aren't only two options --- move to Austin or stay put. There's not a single specific and compelling reason for them to move to Austin (eg: new job/transfer, family, school.) They chose it based on the Internet hype and are disappointed it doesn't perfectly suit their needs in person. Time to go back to the drawing board And investigate cities better suited to you.

[G Grasshopper]

Having lived in the Bay Area for 23 years (Marin County,) I would say stay put. If you want a different situation, move, but still stay in CA. Regardless of what people say about the weather here, you just can't beat CA for great weather, especially the coastal/coastal range area. Yes, you don't pay income taxes in Austin, but property taxes are significantly higher, and if you buy a big house, you may find yourself in almost the same situation tax-wise (depending on your income) as in CA.

[riaelise]

I echo what the others stay. Stay in Cali.

[llkltk]

There doesn't seem to be much reason to move to Austin from reading your post.