Why are zip codes so important to Austin(ers)? (Round Rock: real estate, neighborhood)

[Minier]

Another post noted that zip codes are important in Austin and I'm wondering why?


Is it like a gang-sign, you-against-them-type of thing (ok, joking a bit but you know what I mean) .... or is it about socioeconomics, neighborhood "cultures", etc.

Oh, yeah and ....

Which is THE zip code? LOL

What do you call people who live in Austin? (Austiners?)

[HappyTexan]

I think it's so that people can live the the "right" section of Austin.

Pflugerville only has 1 zip code so it's a wash

[TexasGirl@Heart]

Originally Posted by Minier

Another post noted that zip codes are important in Austin and I'm wondering why?


Is it like a gang-sign, you-against-them-type of thing (ok, joking a bit but you know what I mean) .... or is it about socioeconomics, neighborhood "cultures", etc.

Oh, yeah and ....

Which is THE zip code? LOL

What do you call people who live in Austin? (Austiners?)

They are called Austinites!

[austin-steve]

Another post noted that zip codes are important in Austin and I'm wondering why?

I don't think they are as important as you seem to think. Mainly, I see people use it as shorthand to describe areas.

Many years ago, a local Realtor made bumper stickers that said "78704, more than a zipcode, a lifestyle", or something like that. This was in the early 1990's before SoCo was what it is today. The bumber stickers spread like wildfire, though I see few of them around anymore.

I don't know of any outward evidence of "zipcode pride" in Austin, other than that one example.

Steve

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

Mainly, I see people use it as shorthand to describe areas.
Steve

Yes, that is it exactly! It is just a shorthand for areas -- and that has some socio-economic indicators -- but not as many as people think, for example 78704 does include Travis Heights and Barton Hills -- but if you look at zipskinny, there is a tremendous amount of economic diversity in the zip.

Basically, if you ask someone's address and you don't recognize the street you can learn something from the zipcode. Do they live in Westlake (78746) or Hyde Park (78751)?

I had an east Austin zip for several years, long before it was cool or hip, 78722 and 78741 and I would sometimes get strange looks when people heard my zipcode.

I don't know the zip of any outlying area and if it isn't a 787, then I know its way out somewhere!

I generally search real estate listings strictly by zip.

Steve, my favorite neighborhood bumper sticker is "South Austin, we're all here 'cause we aren't all there!"

[LJarrett]

or "Keep Round Rock Mildly Unusual"

[america_dude]

Austin certainly isn't alone in this regard.

As Austin ISD Superintendent Pat Forgione is fond of saying, "Tell me your zipcode and I'll tell you your income."

In other words, location matters.

[Trainwreck20]

Actually, the only zip codes I know in Austin are the ones that I happened to live in, and, believe me, no one is gonna make bummer stickers about most of those . I doubt any of my co-workers (all long time residents, too) would know where more than one of those zip codes are.

When you are looking for a house, it is a (sometimes) useful way to identify and area. In less dense areas, it is pointless since it covers too large an area. Anyway, the only place I see zip codes talked about is on these forums.....

[TexasHorseLady]

Steve, it was a REALTOR who came up with "78704 - it's more than a zip code, it's a way of life"? That surprises me - it's been around so long, and it never seemed like an advertising slogan. Do you know who it was?

Of course, "Keep Austin Weird" wasn't created by the people who did an end run around the real person who did (I know, I was there when he did it) and trademarked it and commercialized it, either. So who knows what the story really is? (Off to google now, in response that last question.)

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Steve, it was a REALTOR who came up with "78704 - it's more than a zip code, it's a way of life"? That surprises me - it's been around so long, and it never seemed like an advertising slogan. Do you know who it was?

Of course, "Keep Austin Weird" wasn't created by the people who did an end run around the real person who did (I know, I was there when he did it) and trademarked it and commercialized it, either. So who knows what the story really is? (Off to google now, in response that last question.)

It was Carrie Bills, now with Green Mango. The bumper stickers had her info in very small writing at the bottom of the bumper sticker.

Steve