First month in Georgetown (Austin, Corpus Christi: hotel, house, landscaping)

[iguanas4]

hi everyone, I haven't posted for awhile, but we finally made the big move from Los Angeles to Georgetown. We've been here about a month now. I guess it's cool here, but I have to admit that I miss California. Maybe I just need more time to adjust.

I guess the main thing that's getting to me is the lack of green grass, palm trees, colorful flowers, nice landscaping, etc. Why is the grass so dead and brown everywhere? Does it go dormant in winter? I didn't expect that, since it doesn't get all that cold here. And the flat terrain reminds me too much of Indiana, where I grew up and hated every minute. I know other parts of the Austin area are more hilly, so that's our own fault for buying in Georgetown.

But it's not ALL bad - everyone we've encountered has been very friendly and cool and volunteered info on restaurants and places to go. The lack of rude and/or snooty people is refreshing! Even when they find out we're from California, no one has given us any bad vibes.

Although our house needs a ton of work, it's huge and sits on an enormous, private lot. And it feels like we're out in the country, but we're actually closer to grocery, bank, restaurants, etc. than we were at our house in LA. The gianormous IKEA they just opened in Round Rock is close, too! If only Trader Joe's would open a store here...

My SO hasn't started his new job in NW Austin yet, so we're not sure yet how painful his commute will be. I work from home, so I've got it made there.

As for bug count, we've seen a grand total of 3 scorpions so far. One inside the house (almost dead), and two outside (both dead). No cockroaches, and a few stray ants inside the house. We had the house and perimeter sprayed when we moved in, so I'm sure that helps. The scorpions here are small! I was expecting those big nasty kind like you see on TV. These guys here are almost cute. Almost!

[AustinGuy]

Welcome to Texas, iguanas4.

I understand where you are coming from since I've moved back and forth between Austin and California (SF & LA) over the last decade. Both areas have their positives and negatives, so it will take some adjusting. When I'm in Austin, I miss California. When I'm in California, I miss Austin -- so I can't win.

You are right that things do tend to look dead here in the wintertime, but it isn't nearly as bad as the midwest. The nice thing is, that our winters seem very short and things will be blooming again in no time.

But don't worry, you'll save so much money living in Georgetown, that you'll be able to visit California any time you please while staying at a 4 star hotel and eating omikase at Sushi Sasabune or Nozawa topped off by dessert at one of Wolfgang Puck's restaurants, and you'll still come out ahead financially.

Have a great Christmas.

[Angela Henry]

I am looking to relocate to the Austin area Round rock,Leander.My husband will be working in Austin......I need alot of info. good schools, shopping, parks etc. someone please guide us on the nicer part of these areas.

[Trainwreck20]

We are probably having a browner than average winter due to the fairly significant drought over the past year or so. Anyway, AustinGuy is right, the 'winter' will be over in no time. The main grass around here is St. Augustine, and it does go dormant in the winter. It usually does not go completely brown, but it sure isn't the vibrant green that is is in the summer (as long as it has water). Most of the year 'round grasses cannot live through the occasional (but regular) freezes.

[iguanas4]

Originally Posted by AustinGuy

But don't worry, you'll save so much money living in Georgetown, that you'll be able to visit California any time you please while staying at a 4 star hotel and eating omikase at Sushi Sasabune or Nozawa topped off by dessert at one of Wolfgang Puck's restaurants, and you'll still come out ahead financially.

haha! Yeah, part of our rationalization for moving here (a BIG part) was that we'd have enough money for at least one nice vacation a year, with maybe a couple short side trips as well. Our fave splurge restaurant in LA is Yamashiro. yum!

Thanks to you and Trainwreck for the info on the dead/dormat grass. I was hoping the sad brown look wouldn't last long. We drove out to Corpus Christi for a quick trip last week and it was a welcome sight to see green grass and palm trees! My SO was laughing at me for remarking each time we drove past another stand of palm trees.

[deeptrance]

Originally Posted by iguanas4

I guess the main thing that's getting to me is the lack of green grass, palm trees, colorful flowers, nice landscaping, etc. Why is the grass so dead and brown everywhere? Does it go dormant in winter?

What you get in brown in winter you'll get back in green during times when LA is brown. The real reason you're seeing so little green is that we've had some hard freezes of the type you don't get in LA. Just wait until spring, you're in for a real treat! It's absolutely gorgeous here, and our springtime is LONG!!! It takes a full 2 months for every type of tree species to leaf out, with the giant Pecans being the last to put on the greenery.

Then in June it can look like you're living in a tropical jungle, but it depends on what area you're in. Soil is a major factor, as there is very little of it in the limestone areas. Another issue is whether you're in an old riverbed, near a creek, etc. Do some exploring and find the places you like.

One thing I learned to love about winter here is the beauty of the naked oaks, elms and pecans --- they have such amazing gnarled forms, lots of fractals, and they're especially striking when their dark charcoal skeletons are contrasted against a lighter ash-gray sky. I know, they might sound bleak, but if you look at the form and look for the beauty in it, you'll start to see that it's truly magnificent!

As for the bugs, wait a few months. We have seasons. Serious seasons, not the "wet vs. dry" seasons of So-Cal. I'm from Santa Barbara and have lived in LA too, so I'm talkin' local to you. Hope you eventually learn to enjoy the various looks of this place. It's not for everyone but it does have some amazing beauty if you look on a smaller scale and get used to the absence of those dramatic mountains and palms and other defining features of California.

[patriot]

winter is great here....its the summers that are rough....long stretches of 100+ degrees.....

[deeptrance]

Originally Posted by patriot

...long stretches of 100+ degrees.....

How many summers have you experienced here? This past August set records for heat. Only a few summers ago we had relatively mild weather the whole summer with only one day about 100 (I think it got up to 101, something like that) and in that summer we also had about a foot of rain plus lots of beautiful breezy tropical days. No doubt it's always hot, almost always gets over 90 in the afternoon and never goes below 70 for at least 3 months, but sometimes that can feel nice. The weather here changes a lot from day to day and from year to year, and about one in five summers is pretty easy and pleasant.

A few years ago we went straight from winter to summer (not like in the northeast, but definitely not our usual long slow spring) --- it was awful because we didn't get enough rain to have all the green and wildflowers. Other years we don't get real summer weather until late June. Sweet!

[gigi927]

Glad to hear you are getting settled in, iguanas. I wouldn't fret too much about the brown grass..it will be green again in no time, hopefully! I actually enjoy the change...makes me feel like there is a real change of seasons, even if it's only for a couple of weeks or so

It sounds to me like you need to spend some time exploring the greater Austin area and get beyond the environs of Georgetown. go to Zilker Park or have dinner downtown...on weekends we pick a road somewhere near our house and just drive and drive and see what is there to see. It's a great way to get to know a new town. I think you'll find a lot to like in time. I know we have!