Why is Austin COOL? Is cool necessarily a good thing? (Houston: apartment complex, neighborhood)

[scongress1234]

My question is is Austin really that COOL? What IS cool? Isn't it subjective? Is one persons cool equal to anothers? And why does it matter? Is it more a kid thing, in that we are still acting like kids inside, looking to move to a fun place to play, rather than a place that is family-friendly, or any number of other things that are not necessarily cool? Can a city be a great city, and not be cool? Can a city be cool and be a crappy city? Lots of questions, but lots of things to think about here...and why, finally, is Houston and Dallas not cool, but Austin is? Is it just the botiques? The outdoor eateries? The music? the other cities have that as well, with essentially the same weather.....Lastly, what other cities are COOL, and WHY? Sounds to me like the age demographic is the deciding factor. Of course, only the young can be truly cool after all.

[three_fish]

Originally Posted by scongress1234

Of course, only the young can be truly cool after all.

Actually, although few-and-far-between, I do know some REALLY cool "old" people. They tend to gravitate towards "cool" place like Key West, the Village in NYC, and yes... Austin.

[AustinTexan]

scongress1234

Your posts confuse me? What is your story/background? Are there multiple people posting under your name? The reason I ask, is because in one post, it sounds like you know the city like the back of your hand and can name off a thousand reasons Austin is so "cool" but then I'll read another post, like this one, and it sounds like you're unsure as to whether Austin is "cool" or not. Not that it matters, but can you share with us your age, race, marrital status, etc.? It would help me better understand some of the things you're saying (i.e. point of view). Thanks.

[scongress1234]

Originally Posted by AustinTexan

scongress1234

Your posts confuse me? What is your story/background? Are there multiple people posting under your name? The reason I ask, is because in one post, it sounds like you know the city like the back of your hand and can name off a thousand reasons Austin is so "cool" but then I'll read another post, like this one, and it sounds like you're unsure as to whether Austin is "cool" or not. Not that it matters, but can you share with us your age, race, marrital status, etc.? It would help me better understand some of the things you're saying (i.e. point of view). Thanks.

Sure, I can share that. I'm single, in my early 40's, and white. I would have to say that other posts seem ambivalent as well. Some rave, while at the same time bemoan aspects of the city. I feel that Austin is great in many ways, while at the same time lacking in many ways, and, for some reason, the city lends itself to such pondering. Perhaps its in a growing stage that lends itself to the same. Let me encapsulate my feelings in a nutshell about Austin. I think it has a profound chance to be the most forward-thinking, cutting-edge city in the US. However, it is in a transitional stage, that, if not handled correctly, can destroy that chance per its rapid growth, much of which is not being handled or funded properly, and threatens to smother the unique spirit that portents that same potential. Right now, Austin is many things, going on at the same time, competing for precedence and dominance. A national corporate presence threatens to smooth over the unique, endemic rough and eclectic edges that are the cities main hope in truly creating something diffferent, something that will continue to attract newcomers in 5-10 years.....people are fickle. They can quickly get tuned-out of a metro if they see that it wasn't what they thought it was, and that creative class is the demographic that Austin is courting as a transformational and economic force boosting further growth and interest, as the rest of the nation competes for the same. That's why I rail against all the big-boxing, mega-apartment complex, and cookie-cutter anonymity of the vast chunk of the newer areas. I just extrapolate that type of growth in 5-7 years, and wonder if it will indeed kill the goose that laid the golden egg per the things that attracted relocatees in the first place......hence my ambivalence, and much of the ambivalence of many of the posters on this board.
Hope that explains things....

[scongress1234]

BTW, I'm about spent per analyzing Austin.....it was fun, but I think I'm OVERANALYZING the place at this point, like a patient on a shrink's couch. I think its time to take a summers break, just not think of all the changes or whatever, and just enjoy. Really, who cares what its becoming? Can I really have an inpact, or do even have a line on the city to begin with? I think I should let the long-term locals worry about it, and just relax and enjoy........it is what it is......enjoy the summer, everyone.!

[Mike78613]

Yep, we're cool. Who wants to live around a bunch of A$$e$?!?!

So yea, if you can't be like your not fit to be here. Nope!!

[readymade]

I think maybe being "cool" is more about being creative than anything else. Especially as one gets older. But, then again, "cool" can mean so many different things to so many different people.

I think (these are my opinions, mind you) that the things that make Austin "cool" are:
- it's liberal
- thriving music scene
- college town
- fairly progressive
- lots of creative people
- high tech
- SXSW & Austin City Limits

[orngkat]

I think "being cool" is a marketing term and I don't really know what it means other than being out of the norm. It seems a little too self-conscious to me to be wondering if something is cool or not. I suppose it has something to do with the energy of the city which is youthful and creative. I prefer genuine but that's hard to come by these days.

[AustinTexan]

Originally Posted by readymade

I think maybe being "cool" is more about being creative than anything else. Especially as one gets older. But, then again, "cool" can mean so many different things to so many different people.

I think (these are my opinions, mind you) that the things that make Austin "cool" are:
- it's liberal
- thriving music scene
- college town
- fairly progressive
- lots of creative people
- high tech
- SXSW & Austin City Limits

The University of Texas is what's cool about this college town! Get it right! Although, having St. Edwards here and Texas State right down the road doesn't hurt.

[scongress1234]

Originally Posted by AustinTexan

The University of Texas is what's cool about this college town! Get it right! Although, having St. Edwards here and Texas State right down the road doesn't hurt.

What would Austin be without UT? Is it even imaginable? Would the city even be viable? I've asked this about a neighborhood called Hyde Park in Chicago, where the University of Chicago is, and I frequently hung out in, and most locals could not imagine one without the other. I think the degree that you could not imagine it without UT is the degree that Austin is still largely a college town.........but I think it is getting so large per the metro that it may be far less of a factor in the future, like Rice in Houston, just getting swallowed up in the hoopla.