Are Austin residents pretentious? (Houston, Dallas: attorney, houses, neighborhoods)

[love roses]

That's just because they haven't spent a lot of time actually getting to know it. I would live in Houston again, but close to the water instead of downtown.

[coog78]

Originally Posted by atxcio

I've always said that people who enjoy Austin, enjoy it for what it ISN'T as much as what it IS. And it isn't Dallas or Houston, where (justifiably or not) many people would just rather not live. If people wanted to live in a huge metro with all the big-city amenities and problems, they'd probably just as soon pick one in another state with better weather, more interesting geography, etc.

I think that's why you get a lot of the "Austin is the only place in Texas where I would live" type comments. Sure, the sprawl outside of Austin is looking more and more like Dallas or Houston... but then, it also looks like any other major city in that regard. The bottom line is that Houston and Dallas are seen as unappealing to lots of people, an image they have a long way to go to shake off.

How long of a way to Dallas and Houston need to go to shake this off? Please answer this as the fact that they are both two of the fastest growing metros in the US obviously makes them appealing to many people.

Most of us in Houston and Dallas would die if we had to live in a slow paced pretentious college town such as Austin with an abysmal food scene and clear lack of any international culture. The two best things about Austin are Whole Foods and Central Market and we have those in the big cities.

[artsyguy]

No. Austin stinks.

Originally Posted by Jennibc

Isn't Austin and awfully big diverse, city to be lumping all its residents into one category? Aren't there pretentious people everywhere? I've sure never gotten that sense.

[artsyguy]

Absolutely couldn't stand the slow paced ultra arrogant city of Austin.....

Originally Posted by coog78

Most of us in Houston and Dallas would die if we had to live in a slow paced pretentious college town such as Austin with an abysmal food scene and clear lack of any international culture. The two best things about Austin are Whole Foods and Central Market and we have those in the big cities.

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by artsyguy

No. Austin stinks.

Well, we know YOU don't like it. But it is still big and pretty diverse.

[artsyguy]

How is it big and diverse??? When I was there all I saw was white people. A few blacks, mexicans, and asians scattered about and days and days of dullness. I don't get it.

Originally Posted by Jennibc

Well, we know YOU don't like it. But it is still big and pretty diverse.

[readymade]

Originally Posted by artsyguy

How is it big and diverse??? When I was there all I saw was white people. A few blacks, mexicans, and asians scattered about and days and days of dullness. I don't get it.

You've obviously never lived in Ventura, CA.

[artsyguy]

your point is

Originally Posted by readymade

You've obviously never lived in Ventura, CA.

[TexasHorseLady]

Aw, now, artsyguy, we know why you really couldn't stand Austin - you've already told us on other threads!

[Biscuits]

Originally Posted by coog78

How long of a way to Dallas and Houston need to go to shake this off? Please answer this as the fact that they are both two of the fastest growing metros in the US obviously makes them appealing to many people.

I think you may be confusing practical with appealing.

Santa Barbara is appealing but very few can afford to live in such an expensive location with relatively few employment opportunities.

Dallas or Houston, on the other hand, are a practical choice for many seeking the opportunity of an average economic existence. Those are typically the people that drive the growth that you mention.

I doubt many people living in a truly appealing location - and I am not saying Austin is or isn't one - stay up at night wishing they could move to Dallas or Houston.

I will add that the average .5 acre of raw land is more expensive in Austin than in Dallas or Houston. If Austin were less appealing than Dallas or Houston, would that fact be able sustain itself?