Mid-30s ultra-liberal NO KIDS couple with great dogs thinking of moving to Austin. Help?

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

Originally Posted by kimsalt

We have friends that live around 4000 Duval Road in Northern Austin. What neighborhood is that? And if we were to live there, how long would it take us to get into the heart of the city in morning rush hour traffic? Google Maps says it's 12.3 miles north of city center. Thanks.

This is just a suggestion but having friends that live in the area just might be to your advantage when it comes to questions.

[iceshots]

Originally Posted by figureskater

That's right. Whenever I see a kid here in NY, it is screaming, kicking people, throwing objects/food at customers, standing in dirty shoes on a seat, running wild, jumping etc. Really, I haven't seen any well mannered one so far.

When I was growing up, I was required respect to people. Also, I was never brought to any place which is not strictly for kids, until I learned to respect adults.

BTW, Disneyland seems a proper place to scream together with playgrounds.

If that has been your experience with other people's kids, then get ready to be pleasantly surprised down here. I feel sorry that this has skewed your perception on how properly behaved kids can be.

Some examples of "bad" behavior I or my family have personally seen down here.

1) My daughter was a volunteer at a Santa's workshop for kids. Perfect opportunity for mom and dad to drop off the brats and let someone else put up with them for a while. I asked my daughter how the kids were. "Pretty good, but one or two had potty mouth." This is a far cry from kids or teens telling you and "yo mama" where to go.

2) We were in the mall last night and an "incident" caught my attention because of its uniqueness. Three youths (12 - 14) were hanging around the top of an escalator and riding it partway down then walking back up the down escalator. If anyone showed up, they stepped aside to let them pass. Again, not acceptable behavior, but a far cry from a gang of kids obstructing access to an elevator or terrorizing a mall.

I'm not trying to say Austin area kids are angels, but they do appear to be better behaved in public. For an area with a younger population, lots of kids, and lots of family oriented attitudes, the amount of misbehaved kids is minuscule.

My suggestion is come down for a looksee and judge for yourself. You will be able to check out the adult oriented establishments (higher scale restaurants, bars etc.) but also go to the malls and other places and see if the kids there are too disruptive for your tastes.

Good Luck

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

I just want to say it's great to know Austin is a good place to raise children! It was also a plus to hear how pet friendly Austin is. Could it be there is a shred of optimism in me?

I hope you find your shangri-la OP.

[streetcreed]

Bible Belt Ohio? Where specifically are you referring? I'm from Ohio and never saw it as Bible Belt. Maybe the extreme southern sections that border Kentucky and West Virginia but that's about it...

Southern Ohio, Cincinnati metro, has a bible belt feeling. The metro is one of the most conservative areas in the midwest (socially.)

However, places in Ohio like Columbus are liberal and progressive. It is interesting because Austin is often compared to Columbus but other than being capitals and having a large university the two have little similarities.

Example, this thread: in Columbus living in the city in a gentrified and hip neighborhood often means no kids and ultra liberal. Columbus has fantastic urban, liberal neighborhoods that are almost totally devoid of children.

Because Columbus has 60 sq miles of post WWII construction it has a urban, older neighborhoods. As the cities outer rings developed with many jobs the inner post WWII core gets gentrified.

Almost every time an urban neighborhood is fixed up and goes high income the neighborhood's local schools close. Talk about a city full of singles, couples with no children, and gays.

[TexasHorseLady]

You're telling me that you've never seen well-behaved kids in NYC? Perhaps you simply don't notice them if they're well-behaved? What part of NY? I'll have to ask my son about that, as he lived there for several years (in NYC), and see if NY really is populated solely by ruffian children and their clueless parents.

[figureskater]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

You're telling me that you've never seen well-behaved kids in NYC? Perhaps you simply don't notice them if they're well-behaved? What part of NY? I'll have to ask my son about that, as he lived there for several years (in NYC), and see if NY really is populated solely by ruffian children and their clueless parents.

Not any single one! I would definitely notice something so unusual as a well-behaved kid.

They are in all parts of the city, in places and hours that for me are strictly for adults like a bar or anywhere else after midnight as well as in places that by definition should be quiet like libraries.

[centralaustinite]

Well, I've never been to an Austin library that didn't have kids!

I think maybe you should move to Columbus! Sounds perfect (ultra liberal, no kids, and I bet that the skating is better too).