Is Austin comparable to Chicago? (Houston, Dallas: appointed, how much, to live)

[tugofpeace]

For a bit of background, I've been in Chicago 8 years and recently moved to Dallas to live with parents for a bit. I'm debating going back to Chicago, but I just can't help but feel that I shouldn't be spending my entire 20s/30s in one city. If the pandemic weren't happening I would try to move to NYC, but that's not a good option right now.

Is Austin as busy as Chicago in terms of foot traffic, and are there many people in their 20s/30s? I'm 32 and single, and hoping to settle down in the near term. Not only that but I'm curious about how Austin would be for nightlife and things to do outdoors.

[Need4Camaro]

They’re in no way remotely comparable in the slightest. Not even close in terms of foot traffic or even outdoor recreation (although Austin does very well here) Chicago is a world class city, with a beach, parks on every other block, world class transit, endless arrays of Museums and Libraries, and an enormous Night Life scene (or was prior to the Pandemic) and is also over 5x the size of Austin, although Austin punches above its weight for its size in its league and category (downtown and domain) but you will be sorely disappointed if you move here with Chicago expectations. 20/30’s though you will find that age group in abundance in comparison to other groups but in terms of raw population numbers Chicago probably has us beat there too.

[ashbeeigh]

Come down for a visit and stay in a hip cool AirBnB to give it a try. I agree with N4C on this one. However, I do see a handful of people in my "New to Austin" group who have relocated here from Chicago.

[Gemini1963]

Originally Posted by Need4Camaro

They’re in no way remotely comparable in the slightest. Not even close in terms of foot traffic or even outdoor recreation (although Austin does very well here) Chicago is a world class city, with a beach, parks on every other block, world class transit, endless arrays of Museums and Libraries, and an enormous Night Life scene (or was prior to the Pandemic) and is also over 5x the size of Austin, although Austin punches above its weight for its size in its league and category (downtown and domain) but you will be sorely disappointed if you move here with Chicago expectations. 20/30’s though you will find that age group in abundance in comparison to other groups but in terms of raw population numbers Chicago probably has us beat there too.

I grew up in Chicago and live there (here) now. I lived in Austin from 1998-2012. (I have also been back for visits, so I do have some idea of how much Austin has changed.) I agree with all of this post. There is tons to love about both cities and their residents, but they are not at all similar. (To me, if I had to pick a Texas city that's similar to Chicago, I'd pick Houston.)

[ParaguaneroSwag]

Yes. Austin is exactly like Chicago

[Need4Camaro]

Originally Posted by ParaguaneroSwag

Yes. Austin is exactly like Chicago

When he moves here looking for the Sears, John Hancock, and Water Tower, Chicago Polishes, Corned & Italian Beef Sanwhiches, Gino’s East, then mistakes he mistakes Cesar Chavez for Lake Shore Dr while trying to get to the The Damned Ryan (okay we do have that, it’s I-35), Navy Pier, The Museum of Science and Industry, and the CTA ‘L’ or Metra .. I’m pointing him your way.

I agree with what another poster stated. Some areas of Houston have a Chicago-ish feel minus the transit factor. Baytown reminds me a lot of the industrial blighted areas of Chicago.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by tugofpeace

For a bit of background, I've been in Chicago 8 years and recently moved to Dallas to live with parents for a bit. I'm debating going back to Chicago, but I just can't help but feel that I shouldn't be spending my entire 20s/30s in one city. If the pandemic weren't happening I would try to move to NYC, but that's not a good option right now.

Is Austin as busy as Chicago in terms of foot traffic, and are there many people in their 20s/30s? I'm 32 and single, and hoping to settle down in the near term. Not only that but I'm curious about how Austin would be for nightlife and things to do outdoors.

You will be sorely disappointed, chicago to austin is a downgrade. You should look at san francisco, LA, or NYC.

[Reilly1017]

Austin is not Chicago. Go to Chicago

[Tigger84Ag]

You would be happier with Houston , but I think if you really love Chicago your better off going back to chicago

[CarnivalGal]

No city in Texas is comparable to the northern / northeastern cities. At all.