"Middle-age" transplants (Austin, Paris: homes, neighborhood, high school)

[sanmiguelena]

So many of the participants on this forum seem to be pretty young - either single or with young families. I'm looking for some impressions/experiences of older transplants - i.e. 50+ perhaps? Do they exist (outside of Sun City)?

[AustinTraveler]

Read everything here with a grain of salt. My husband and I are "middle" aged and love Austin. All of the "you'll feel out of place after you turn 30" garbage on here is just that. I have honestly never made so many friends in one place and those friends range from 18 to 84.

Austin is a city full of people of all ages. Yes, the population is probably skewed toward the younger end because of the University but I honestly never feel out of place. In fact, this city makes me feel young.

Sun City?? Not now and not ever. Living in a neighborhood full of people in the same age group simply has no appeal for me and never will.

[Mike78613]

There are plenty of retirement homes in the area.~ Just kidding

Yes, there are lots of people your age. Most of the employees I work with are in their mid forty's / fifties.

-Mike

[cub77cub]

Originally Posted by sanmiguelena

So many of the participants on this forum seem to be pretty young - either single or with young families. I'm looking for some impressions/experiences of older transplants - i.e. 50+ perhaps? Do they exist (outside of Sun City)?

We are 50ish transplants from San Diego. Actually, I'm a native Southern Californian. We moved here last August, and we are very happy.

[scongress1234]

Originally Posted by cub77cub

We are 50ish transplants from San Diego. Actually, I'm a native Southern Californian. We moved here last August, and we are very happy.

I think if young minded folks move here, if they are over 45 or so......they sort of self-reinforce that tendency.... in other words, if they were bothered by the age disparity, they wouldn't be here....obviously not everyone finds a florida environment conducive to enjoyment. Also, there is a HUGE boom in retirees, and we are talking over 55 and up, retiring in college towns of all sizes. Its bucolic, stimulating, and yes, makes you feel and look young.....my rule of thought there is that High School teachers look and act younger than their age, from being surrounded by kids. Austin will do that to you too!

Now, that being said, yes, many Austin events have lots of kids, and it always isn't heavenly to listen to the thumping of bass in cars, hear drunken escapades and pick-ups going on and all, or swearing, but you take the good and bad....to be honest, ive seen retirees on 6th street, and they are happy as can be, though I have not seen one dance on Coyote Ugly's bar yet....

[AustinTraveler]

Now, that being said, yes, many Austin events have lots of kids, and it always isn't heavenly to listen to the thumping of bass in cars, hear drunken escapades and pick-ups going on and all, or swearing, but you take the good and bad....to be honest, ive seen retirees on 6th street, and they are happy as can be, though I have not seen one dance on Coyote Ugly's bar yet....

sanmiguelena, I'm not sure where this guy hangs out but we haven't had these problems when we're out and about.

[theaustinegalitarian]

I am 50+ and what I love about Austin is that the younger people don't seem to isolate as much as they do elsewhere. My interests are more involved with art, somewhat modern, and in some other places I have been shoved off into the Sunday-painters circles but in Austin the interests mean more to people than the age of the interested. It's almost like a slice of 1930's Paris got preserved, here. And the climate that is so much like Provence is great, too.

For me, this has been a life-saver.

[mandib]

Originally Posted by theaustinegalitarian

I am 50+ and what I love about Austin is that the younger people don't seem to isolate as much as they do elsewhere. My interests are more involved with art, somewhat modern, and in some other places I have been shoved off into the Sunday-painters circles but in Austin the interests mean more to people than the age of the interested. It's almost like a slice of 1930's Paris got preserved, here. And the climate that is so much like Provence is great, too.

For me, this has been a life-saver.

just curious... where are you going that there events like this? It sounds great, and something I'd enjoy going to.

[theaustinegalitarian]

hook up with the group in this list: Austin Figurative Gallery » artists
and look here: Arts listings (http://www.austin360.com/arts/content/arts/stories/xl/2008/06/0605xlartslist.html - broken link)

[orngkat]

We are transplants from 24 years ago and are in our mid 50s. Occasionally, we wish for a slower pace as Austin is very energetic and full of youthful endeavors. We live in a central neighborhood and are surrounded by lots of people in their 80s as well as young couples just starting out. I like it that way.