Thinking about moving to Austin (Houston, Dallas: real estate, housing, condos)

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

Really? When it drops down to 30 at night, in Dec and Jan, that's semi-summer? Interesting!!

If you havent lived up north, you might not know what four seasons are about.

Although the temperature is part of it, it isnt just about being cold warm and hot.

It is about a complete change in the environment. In the winter everything is blanketed with snow and the landscape is completely transformed. All the trees completely lose their leaves but ice turns them into shimmering towers of light. The pine trees are layered with snow like giant christmas trees. The snow muffles all the sound so everything is quieter.

In the spring, the snow melts and what was literally completely dead comes to life. Land that was almost completely devoid of animal or plant life reawakens. The trees bud and it rains a lot. The fields are plowed and planted

In the summer, it gets hot and the days are longer, the buds are gone and all the trees have full foliage and the plants are at their best. Outdoor activities are in full swing after having been cooped up all winter. It's finally warm enough to swim. The fields have heavy growth.

In the fall, the leaves change colors to red, orange and yellow. The leaves begin to fall off and you can feel the land going to sleep. The birds start the migrate south and the other animals begin to disappear. The harvest begins and the fields are cleared out and everyone begins preparing for winter.

That being said I dislike the winter and I can do without the fall. Summer and spring are great

This year we pretty much have summer and spring and texas and Im fine with that.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

Really? When it drops down to 30 at night, in Dec and Jan, that's semi-summer? Interesting!!

Oh one other thing, 30 at night in dec and Jan is early spring up north. Yes sometimes there is snow or ice in march (spring) and sometimes it is still somewhat cold at night (30 is only somewhat cold up north). It isnt really cold until you get negative windchill

[phxpainter]

I apologize apparently my question wasn't clear. I am single and have no children. I am an outdoors person. I have had an art business for almost 10 years in Phx - I am ready for a change. Austin is listed under places to move to and under art places to move to. It is smaller than 4 million people which is Phx and I don't want a tiny town either --- boring.

Are there many tourists that come through town at least in the summer?

I know it stays pretty green, but you do have mild seasonal changes? And if it gets to 40 in the winter I call that a weather change - we get down to 28 in Phx in the winter, yet it is still green and the day temps can be only 51 or now in the 70's -

I am not looking for 'winter" - which is back east. Phoenix has smog days like LA - does Austin? New Mexico is cold and snows. I cannot afford Ca real estate. I will not be driving in rush hour. And if there is little art than it sounds like it could use some.

I said I like mountains and I know Texas doesn't have them but they do have hills for hiking? - parks, trails? Are there lakes, creeks, in the area? - besides Lake Austin. Are there hiking clubs? - singles activity clubs?

Why are you in Austin - there must be something you like about it? So what is it?

Is there a downtown area where people live in lofts or town homes - or is everybody out in the burbs? Does any one know if there are buildings in the downtown area that have living spaces over commercial work spaces?

Are there art galleries in any particular area of town? Friday art walks?

Are there many art festivals during the year in the area or San Antonio?

If you were to live out in the hills which area would be in a reasonable price range and not too far out of the way?

If you could live anywhere in Austin where would you live and why?

If you bought rental property what neighborhood is or good or -- to avoid?

thanks for our input - I will be visiting more than 1 time before I decide to stay.

[Jenbar]

If you havent lived up north, you might not know what four seasons are about.

Uh, I am from the east coast, where there truly are 4 seasons. "Up north", in my opinion, is probably more like, cold and semi-cold.

Your opinion on 4 seasons is just an opinion based on what you experienced elsewhere. You don't have to be blanketed in snow, or negative windchill, to have winter.

Austin experiences more than hot and less hot, and to say otherwise is misleading.

[Jenbar]

I know it stays pretty green, but you do have mild seasonal changes? And if it gets to 40 in the winter I call that a weather change - we get down to 28 in Phx in the winter, yet it is still green and the day temps can be only 51 or now in the 70's -

I am no authority because I have only been here just over one year - but it doesn't stay green in the winter. Grass goes dormant, trees loose their leaves and go brown... and it gets windy and cold. Sometimes in the 20's! Every 5 years or so, I hear, it gets icey and snowy. The first winter we were here the ice stuck around and closed the town down for 3 days. I have never seen snow stick, but I have seen it flurry... I have also experienced an 80 degree Thanksgiving... and temps in the 20s. It's a mixed bag, but it's not hot or less hot. Right now it's in the 70's with highs of the 80-90's today - but tomorrow the high will be in the 60's. Mid Dec - Mid Jan is pretty chilly.

I said I like mountains and I know Texas doesn't have them but they do have hills for hiking? - parks, trails? Are there lakes, creeks, in the area? - besides Lake Austin. Are there hiking clubs? - singles activity clubs?

There are a lot of outdoor activities here. Lots of walkers, runners, bikers, hikers, rollerbladers, or whatever other outside activity. Beach volleyball, kayaking, boating, etc. There are no mountains, no - but there is The Hill Country - which yes, people hike through, and they are gorgeous! Lots of parks, lakes and trails.

I am married, so I don't know about singles clubs, but I assume there are. Every major metro area I have lived in has had some sort of activity club that you can join, so Austin, I am sure, is no different.

Why are you in Austin - there must be something you like about it? So what is it?

We moved here because we had family here, and because we wanted a lower cost of living and a higher quality of life - and we have obtained that. It's a very active, vibrant place to live... good schools, nice people, friendly, laid back way of life.

Is there a downtown area where people live in lofts or town homes - or is everybody out in the burbs? Does any one know if there are buildings in the downtown area that have living spaces over commercial work spaces?

Families are mostly in the burbs, because of the school quality and home prices. If I didn't have kids, we would live closer to town, without question. Yes, there are lofts and condos through out Austin city limits, and I have seen places that advertise live and work space - but I couldn't point you in the direction of a specific place.

[jimmyjack]

Howdy Zart!

I don't know what all of these folks are talking about, we do have the 4 seasons here, it's at the corner of San Jacinto and Caesar Chavez. I'll warn you though, it'll set you back some to live there.

[texastea]

Look at a map and you'll be amazed at all the water. There are art festivals...look at Austin 360: Where Austin, Texas, lives on the Web for a list of all the events in town. And if you want to live in the hills with an affordable lake view, try Jonestown.

[phxpainter]

Thanks for the much better news. We have "four seasons" here too off Alma school in the Boulders area --- I work in those homes can't afford to live there.

I grew up in Minnesota, trust me I know all 4 seasons and cold - I am just looking for moderate change where I can be outside most everyday of the year. I have survived manny 20 degree days. You cannot even sit on the patio in the am or pm in Phx from May through October - and don't venture out from air conditioning in between - truly suffocating.

Hey guys -- humidity plumps up the skin! us girls -- like that!

I do believe the taxes are higher in Austin, but the housing seems less expensive in general. If you can afford a $500K house you can find one any where. I did find 1 loft/work space in downtown which looked interesting, but I don't know the $$ yet.

Now - Are there smaller towns up in the hill country that are known more as an art community - does any one know?

Thanks for the Austin 360 info- I will look it up. And I am looking for friendly people - and thought Texas provided Southern hospitality? In Phx - they either drive you off the road or try to compete w/you, but they certainly don't talk to you. So you see I no where to go but up!

So can anyone recommend a place or area I should stay in while I am visiting so I have easy access to most directions to explore?

thanks again --

[artsyguy]

lol. you are funny.

Austin is expensive and has a very laid back corporate culture. The art scene is so small.

Originally Posted by jimmyjack

Howdy Zart!

I don't know what all of these folks are talking about, we do have the 4 seasons here, it's at the corner of San Jacinto and Caesar Chavez. I'll warn you though, it'll set you back some to live there.

[twange]

Originally Posted by Austin97

Very little art outside of music

agree that we have 2 seasons

Every time I see these kinds of posts(the original post, that is) I get attracted like a moth to light. And then I see statements like this and I get repelled...only to twitter back and leave a comment. I can't help it.

I don't really know why this person said that. Their posts are usually solid. Austin has much "art" besides music. Firstly, art is open to interpretation. I am assuming you are not referring to "craft-type" art but more contemporary, fine, interactive, video and installation etc... It's here but maybe not to the extent of Houston or Dallas. But that's changing. People are coming here to do that stuff because they're sick of places like NYC, L.A. and such. The place is ripe for carving out a niche. No art exists in a vacuum. If there's musicians, there's artists and vice-versa. There's a ton of creative people here making all kinds of things. Do we have big, institutional museums? No not really. But unless you are like a super-famous-art-god you won't have your work shown there anyway. If your definition of art is craft and artisan-type stuff, um..Austin has a ton of that stuff.

As far as mountains go, no they aren't here(there is some great country in West Texas though) but this is Texas Hill Country and I happen to think it's pretty damn beautiful(and I've hiked all throughout the Rockies, Southwest, Northeast,)so I'm not ignorant to the "great big world". Beautiful rivers, lakes and rugged, rolling hills that make awesome hikes and biking destinations.

In terms of seasons, I'm from the North, through and through, so I know what the hell I'm talking about when people refer to 4 seasons. No, they aren't as dramatic here as up North but we still noticed significant demarcations in season. There is a fall, traditionally speaking, as many trees change color and lose their leaves. They just don't bloom for very long - a couple of weeks maybe. And spring is very distinctive from summer as there are all sorts of trees and flowers starting to bloom right now. Summers are brutal but not like Phoenix, where it can be 95 degrees at midnight. Winter has some fairly chilly and grim days(thank God), that sort of break things up. Nights can drop by 40 degrees into the 20s regularly.

I think a lot of people just don't want anyone else to move here. Either that or they simply don't like Austin.

Come on over and check it out.