Suburbs of Austin help (Houston, Dallas: crime rates, townhouse, buy)

[scm53]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Hey, of all of the things we could have a national reputation for, paying our fire fighters well is something I think we should be proud of. Kind of hard to think about "overpaying" someone who puts their health and life on the line on a regular basis to preserve OUR property and lives.

You got a mouse in your pocket? Because when you say "we", I just wonder who you are talking about? Since you don't live in Austin. Go run that up the flagpole in Jarrell. Just tell me when they stop laughing.

It isn't hard to think about at all. Overpaying is overpaying. The city is responsible for ensuring the safety of all citizens, not running a charity for the politically powerful. This is part of the reason Austinites are being taxed out of their homes. Good to see where your sympathies lie.

And before anyone starts with the pitchforks, my son-in-law is a detective here in Texas. He's the one that alerted me to the fact that APD pay averages almost 33% more than comparable urban police forces in Texas. Why?

[TexasHorseLady]

scm53, have you forgotten that I still own a house in Austin, and work there, and until he retired my husband owned a business there? That I have lifelong friends that still live there? That I raised my now adult children there? That I PAY TAXES there (with no homeowner exemption)?

I do think that buys me the right to have an opinion, if one has to pay for that privilege.

I'd far rather pay a good wage to firefighters (and police, for that matter) than many of the boondoggles that my taxes go for. At least I'm getting something for my money that's good for Austin.

[A-Tex]

Originally Posted by Lari2012

He likes Austin because fire departments are hiring there and the pay and benefits are a lot better than most places. He is also looking into Houston area but I've been told Austin is nicer than Houston.

So you have been to both places to evaluate them and make this blanket statement? Who exactly is telling this to you?

[scm53]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

scm53, have you forgotten that I still own a house in Austin, and work there, and until he retired my husband owned a business there? That I have lifelong friends that still live there? That I raised my now adult children there? That I PAY TAXES there (with no homeowner exemption)?

You have no more skin in the game than any other absentee landlord. There is ZERO danger of you being taxed out of your home due to overpaying the politically well connected.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by scm53

You have no more skin in the game than any other absentee landlord. There is ZERO danger of you being taxed out of your home due to overpaying the politically well connected.

Actually, there is such a danger - taxes without any exemptions have caused us to consider more than once selling. And who says I'm an absentee landlord? When there's a tenant in the house, if there's a problem, we get the call and we respond (no more absentee than, say, driving across Dallas). When there's not a tenant, we, and family when in Austin, often stay in the house.

I get that you don't like that I disagree with you on this and think that those who provide us actual services, and in this case at risk of life and limb, deserve to be paid well for it. That doesn't mean that I have no "skin in the game", as you call it, nor does disagreeing with you in and of itself invalidate my opinion.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by Lari2012

My husband is a big outdoorsman (boating, fishing, hunting and 4-wheeling) and fitness is another passion of ours so we would need a gym. We love to eat out and I love to shop. As far as a house, we would like a newer house with not much to update. Looking for a 4 bedroom in a nice friendly neighborhood. My husband would love lot of land with a house but I don't think with our budget, we will get much so a bigger lot is preferable but we're not too particular with that. And no kids yet but we would like an area with great schools.

with your budget you could easily get 10-20 acres with a larger house but you wont be in a neighborhood.

Although there are some master planned communities futher out that sell large plats and you would build your own house.

[scm53]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

I get that you don't like that I disagree with you on this and think that those who provide us actual services, and in this case at risk of life and limb, deserve to be paid well for it. That doesn't mean that I have no "skin in the game", as you call it, nor does disagreeing with you in and of itself invalidate my opinion.

I know this might come as a shock - I don't care what you think. If Austin is attracting fire applicants from four states away, then they aren't "paid well for it" - they are overpaid. And they are overpaid, in no small part due to the fact that the former head of their union is a current council member - and has already gathered substantial firefighter contributions for his mayoral run. Bought and paid for.

Since you apparently are OK with no limits on public safety employee pay, and the impact on Austin homeowners, then I guess you'll be voting for Mike to keep the gravy train flowing. Oh, yea. I forgot ....

[austin-steve]

I think Liberty Hill would be a good option to look at, just past Leander, west of Georgetown. You can get acreage and still be commuter distance to Austin.

Steve

[Lari2012]

Nothing infuriates me more then people thinking police officers and firefighters do not do enough for their pay. Servicemen and women do so much more than people realize. To think professional athletes and lawyers get paid so much more than police officers and firefighters just boggles my mind. They don't risk leaving their families to save the life of others, they don't dedicate their lives to the well-fare of others. But servicemen and women do, and in my opinion they deserve a lot more than most cities give them. In Memphis, they are trying to take away their benefits, meaning if one of them gets injured on the job, they will not have the benefits to help get the care that they, as servicemen, give a community. Coming from a community who doesn't appreciate their servicemen and there has been over 500 police officers and firefighters not come into work, I would rather feel safe and know if my house is on fire or I get into a car accident that there will be people there to help me. But I think most people would rather live in a town who pays their servicemen and women more and gives them the respect that they deserve.

[ScoPro]

Two of my brother's grandsons are firefighters/EMTs - one in Austin, the other in Round Rock. Both love their jobs.

The one with RR FD just got hired a few months ago - he scored the highest on their application test, so that was a help.