Where are the teen-agers? (Austin, Round Rock: find a job, neighborhoods, college)

[coleslaw]

I am moving to Austin in late Sept. and my 19-yr-old son cannot decide whether he wants to come with me. We are visiting the weekend of Aug. 1 so he can get a feel for the area and neighborhoods. I'm trying to find things for him to see/do that will convince him that Austin is a great place for him.

He's into (punkish) music and has been once to Austin during SXSW and absolutely loved it. He's not athletic, not in college, has one tatoo, and both ears pierced. Hopes to find a job doing something in the music industry, be it a record store, music venue, whatever. Plans to enroll in ACC or find a music program somewhere once in-state tuition kicks in. (Doesn't have the grades for UT).

Where can I find kids like him hanging out? UT area? SoCo? Somewhere else? What I hope to do is drive him through some neighborhoods where he sees some kindred souls and decides he could be happy in Austin. Not looking for malls, but neighborhood coffee shops, gathering places, etc. Those places you drive by every day and see the punk kids hanging out.

[twange]

Originally Posted by coleslaw

I am moving to Austin in late Sept. and my 19-yr-old son cannot decide whether he wants to come with me. We are visiting the weekend of Aug. 1 so he can get a feel for the area and neighborhoods. I'm trying to find things for him to see/do that will convince him that Austin is a great place for him.

He's into (punkish) music and has been once to Austin during SXSW and absolutely loved it. He's not athletic, not in college, has one tatoo, and both ears pierced. Hopes to find a job doing something in the music industry, be it a record store, music venue, whatever. Plans to enroll in ACC or find a music program somewhere once in-state tuition kicks in. (Doesn't have the grades for UT).

Where can I find kids like him hanging out? UT area? SoCo? Somewhere else? What I hope to do is drive him through some neighborhoods where he sees some kindred souls and decides he could be happy in Austin. Not looking for malls, but neighborhood coffee shops, gathering places, etc. Those places you drive by every day and see the punk kids hanging out.

Red River between 6th and 12th has most of the "punkish" clubs. Walk around there on a Friday or Saturday night. He'll see.

[coleslaw]

Thanks! He saw most of that area during SXSW and loved it. But where are the other areas? Where do these kids live and hang out during the week?

[TexasHorseLady]

Even if he's not going to be going to UT, I'd check out that area. Also the ACC campuses - he might find he prefers one over the others (there are several). Check out Waterloo Records (hey, he might even get a job there!) down on 6th and Lamar.

I'm trying to think of "an area" where I see kids with piercings and tattoos, and it's hard to do, because I see them lots of places and they're just part of the picture. I'll grab one and ask them where the hangouts are, how's that?

I'm thinking UT down through South Austin, South Lamar area (there's some interesting shops down along South Lamar that would likely appeal to that demographic), but I'm not sure.

[coleslaw]

That would be great! Thanks. I can't imagine moving out of state w/out him, but don't want to force him either. Even though he ~thinks~ he's capable of living on his own, I'm not convinced. Would rather him move with me initially then have to bail him out in a month or two from across the country.

[TexasHorseLady]

Oh! You also might want to check out the Austin Chronicle for pointers.

[atxcio]

SoCo area, UT/Hyde Park area are good suggestions.. walk along the drag (Guadalupe) if he hasn't already seen it. In addition to Waterloo records, may want to stop by a Thundercloud subs or Amy's ice cream, they seem to have a thing about hiring pierced and tattooed 19ish kids... also many businesses on the aforementioned drag.

[twange]

Also checkout the near east side along from 6th down to Cesar Chavez. This area has a lot of artists, musicians and off the beaten path hangs. S 1st from the river to Oltorf(and farther), SLamar from the river to Ben White, SoCo...really all these areas have something to offer. But they aren't strict "teen districts"...all kinds of folks everywhere really.

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by coleslaw

I am moving to Austin in late Sept. and my 19-yr-old son cannot decide whether he wants to come with me. We are visiting the weekend of Aug. 1 so he can get a feel for the area and neighborhoods. I'm trying to find things for him to see/do that will convince him that Austin is a great place for him.

He's into (punkish) music and has been once to Austin during SXSW and absolutely loved it. He's not athletic, not in college, has one tatoo, and both ears pierced. Hopes to find a job doing something in the music industry, be it a record store, music venue, whatever. Plans to enroll in ACC or find a music program somewhere once in-state tuition kicks in. (Doesn't have the grades for UT).

Where can I find kids like him hanging out? UT area? SoCo? Somewhere else? What I hope to do is drive him through some neighborhoods where he sees some kindred souls and decides he could be happy in Austin. Not looking for malls, but neighborhood coffee shops, gathering places, etc. Those places you drive by every day and see the punk kids hanging out.

To be realistic, Austin is a young town, and there are (tens) of thousands of under 25 year olds interested in the music industry. Just trying to be honest.

[coleslaw]

Thanks for the input. You may realize and I may realize that the chances of him breaking into the music industry are slim. I'm not gonna dash his dreams, but will try to instill in him as much realism as possible. My goal on this trip is to get him to decide to move with me when I move, not to set up his career.

On that note, I'm not going to drive him around Round Rock or Pflugerville or Cedar Park to look at neighborhoods; rather, as some folks here have suggested, I'll take him to 6th & Red River going north, UTT, ACC, Waterloo, South Lamar, SoCo, etc. We'll stop by Thundercloud Subs for lunch, then Amy's Ice Cream for dessert.

Any other suggestions would be great.