Austin, TX -- Is it really where its at?!!! (Houston: living, assessment)

[AustinTraveler]

You have to have your A/C on all summer. And you will be hard pressed to find a basement here. They just aren't built because of either soil or rock conditions.

[jread]

Originally Posted by AustinTraveler

You have to have your A/C on all summer. And you will be hard pressed to find a basement here. They just aren't built because of either soil or rock conditions.

Yeah, I can't imagine the cost of digging a basement in this area. I have to use a pick axe just to plant a bush in my yard since we only have about 6-inches of soil with SOLID ROCK underneath.

[deeptrance]

Originally Posted by Synopsis

It may be less humid in Austin but instead of 5 or 10 days a year with a heat wave like what you might have in DC you'll have 60 or 70 days in Austin.

I have new neighbors, just met them yesterday, who moved to Austin this fall from DC. They describe DC as a "swamp" where the hot days are horrible because the air is so dense, doesn't move, and is extremely humid.

It's a trade-off exactly as you said it. In Austin you have 3 straight months of blistering heat but it's tolerable most of the time compared to the shorter heat waves to the northeast. We usually have a nice breeze even on very hot days. But there's no escaping from the heat, there is no cold front until late September, no short drive to a nice beach or the cool mountains, we're DEEP in the middle of Texas and your choices for surviving summer are:
1. AC (stay indoors)
2. swimming (lots of public pools and spring-fed creeks)
3. get used to it and enjoy it --- some people jog during their lunch break in August and seem fine with it!
4. Leave, like I did the last 2 summers....

[TanikaW]

As a California Girl who moved to Austin (Steiner Ranch) a year ago, I can tell you that Austin is the LA of the South. Live music everywhere...party scene, yet the Suburbs are not far away. Great schools, Lakes, Hills, Trees....I love it. But just like LA...its not for everyone.....To me Austin has the Orange County Feel.

[deeptrance]

Originally Posted by TanikaW

...To me Austin has the Orange County Feel.

Except in the middle of THIS version of Orange County there's an island of Berkeley, West Hollywood and Seattle!

[Stevedawg]

going back to the original question I do feel Austin is overrated. I guess my reason is that I'm from Virginia so I'm a southerner and I expected a similiar culture in Texas but as you can see everyone compares Austin to LA probably cause there are so many californians here. So when people say Austin is laid back and friendly, sorry I just don't really see it. Maybe compared to LA it is but I don't feel the southern hospitality here. There are good things about here but for me I haven't quite taken to it I've only been here a few months.

[artichoke63]

Originally Posted by JJP

I lived in Austin for several years and thought it was overrated. Several other people have told me the same. BUT it's totally subjective, and depends on what sorts of things you're looking for...

JJP,

Why did you think it was overrated?

Artie

[jackie30]

I think it's funny how so many of you complain about the "horrible" weather in Austin in the summer. Have any of you ever lived in Phoenix?? It's over 100+ degrees six months out of the year. The difference is here it NEVER cools down: not early morning or late night. There is no relief! At least other places have periods of the day where it's cool. That's what makes it tolerable. And don't tell me it's "dry heat"......LOL

[artichoke63]

Originally Posted by jslatch

Tee hee, I'll take that as a compliment!

With our potential move to LA (due to husband's job), I've been hanging out in the LA forum, and BOY are there some bitter posts about that area. It's intimidating considering we might be moving there, and it makes me appreciate how happy people are in Austin to be living here.

L.A. is an abomination. Take it from someone who lives there.

Artie

[artichoke63]

Originally Posted by montevista1

Is your husband going to make several hundred thousand dollars?

If not then you will live in some bad apartment complex owned by some asian guy who employs only hispanics who barely speak any english to manage the property!

If you have money move to marina del rey but a 1bedroom condo there will run you 700K, brentwood is nice too, but again 600-700K for small apartment.

The Drive from Calibasas would take at least an hour if you are lucky! Probably more like 1.5hrs each way! Also do you have 1.5 million for a house?

I would suggest living in Sherman Oaks, prices there are cheap about 500 a sqft! You can take a canyon to UCLA and be there in 30 minutes if you are lucky!

Marina del Rey and commute to UCLA? That's nonsense. You can find a good apartment in Westwood or Brentwood and you'll do just fine. Don't turn your life into a misery with a long commute.