Anyone want to vent about Austin? (places, Thai)

[irwin]

Back to the original post:

I lived in Austin (went to UT and still visit all the time) and currently live in Phoenix. My advice, stay away from Phoenix. I hate this place.

I love Austin, but if you want negatives, here are a few.
1.) Job market can be hard because there are so many educated people coming out of UT; compound that with all the people who want to move to Austin. Salaries are generally lower, especially compared to other Texas cities. But, you are going to run inn to the same thing in Phoenix. I actually think Austin has more white-collar jobs, especially with large companies.

2.) Traffic, but again Phoenix is worse.

3.) Weather. The summers in Texas are terrible, but compared to Arizona its nothing.

4.) Public transportation is poor in Austin, but better than you get in Phoenix.

[irwin]

Sorry, I had to step away for a second but I wanted to finish my list.

5.) Austin is a small city and thus many of the things that come with a bigger city (sports teams, bigger airport, etc) Austin does lack. Yet, culturally, Austin has a lot to offer, especially in the way of live music and the arts. Comparing this to Phoenix, it really is shocking how much Austin out classes Phoenix. I think part of the reason is the whole SoCal "culture" you get out here, but it is surprising given the difference in population.

6.) Austin lacks easy access to public lands for hiking, camping, etc. This is general problem of Texas when compared to the West. So if you're coming from the West and this is important to you, this is definitely something that Phoenix has Austin beat.

7.) I'm tempted not to put this but expense. Austin, when compared to the rest of Texas, is expensive. Of course when once you buy in, this is a positive. But regardless, compared nationally it is about at par. Phoenix is certainly more expensive.

8.) Austin can seem a little slow and too laid back. I think this is just personal preference, but having lived on the East Coast, I grew to enjoy the hustle and bustle. It was exciting. Austin lacks this but so does Phoenix.

Anyway, that is my two cents. Austin is a great place and I am totally jealous that you get a chance to live there. I miss it a lot. I am moving to Boston in May, but if I ever come back to Texas, Austin will be the place. Good luck!

[MarknEurope]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

Oh, I thought of another thing to vent about in Austin... the need for a water softener!! Ughhhh!

Now that is humourous... and it just made me realize that I'm moving back to the United States.... where the biggest "vent" is the need for water softener.

Travelling the world has served me well, and I doubt I will ever have anything to complain about.

[mrsengle]

Oh, I thought of another thing to vent about in Austin... the need for a water softener!! Ughhhh!

That is so right-on! I need to remind my husband about that...

And about the Microsoft contracting position....that is interesting (and very good) to know. Two head hunters have called my husband asking if he was interested in contract positions (we did consider them because the move would have been paid for). He has a full-time position currently, but he's also working contract for his old employer. He makes $25/hour more at the contract gig (another reason we considered the move - if MS forked the contract pay over, that would've been hella sweet!). But the lack of benefits was a big concern, as that would have fallen on my shoulders.

BTW, thanks so much for all the info on Seattle! Much appreciated.

[jwb123]

Ohhh - agency or vendor contract? You need to know that due to the lawsuit against Microsoft for abusing the contract employees in the past(keeping them on contract, dangling the carrot of a full time job which never materialized, and not giving them benefits) you can only work on an agency contract for a period of one year - and then you must take a 90 day break from any contract at Microsoft.

If you were a vendor - you can work as a vendor contractor indefinitely...

We have done both the ENTIRE 4 years my husband was at Microsoft.

MS is FABULOUS WONDERFUL and AMAZING to work for - but being a contractor is very very wearing....

If your husband does consider contracting positions @ MS, or for any company in that area - feel free to shoot me a PM. I was a contract recruiter for MS and my husband has been in and around the various vendors forever. We can give you any insight or thoughts we have, info etc.

[mrsengle]

I'm sure it was agency - it was for one year, but I'm not sure if my DH knew about the mandatory 90 days off thing. If you don't mind me asking, what did your husband do at MS? Mine is a software engineer. We looked closely at the NC Research Triangle, but most positions were junior (which makes sense, since Duke is right there), or required some skills or experience he didn't have. Nevertheless, we were both impressed that MS would move us for a contract position. I will definitely keep you in mind if we start thinking in that direction again, and I appreciate your help!

Have a great evening!

Sorry, I guess I should have PM'ed you on this...

[daad]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

You should see my puny little recycling bin they gave me! Seriously, I fill that in a matter of days.

In Seattle, we got a HUGE rolling one - like the kind that we get here for trash - and they took EVERYTHING. There is no glass recycling here and only take "some" plastics - what the heck!?!?

Wow, that's so Texas ^^^^ They need to get on with the program

[jread]

The heat... I hate the heat here.

Also, gardening is out of the question as the soil is worthless and full of rocks.

[jwb123]

Also, gardening is out of the question as the soil is worthless and full of rocks.

Shhh... don't tell my garden! Maybe it depends on where you live? I am on the east side of Round Rock and my neighbor and I are super into our garden beds, as we add to them every week...

Very deep, it is clay - but you buy several $2 bags of compost and soil at Home Depot and you are good to go.

[love roses]

Hutto got recycling bins this year. Lots of people here use them. Although, Jenbar is right. They don't take glass. Certain things you have to still bring to the landfill/recycling area in person. My neighbor across the street is religious about it.

One of my cons about Austin is:
The powers that be are trying to keep Austin free of Landfills and power lines and in the process are trying to dump everything in Hutto/and or Williamson County's Lap (but only on the East Side of 35). There are more than 1,000 people here now, than when they first must have done their surveys, and NOT one of them wants to expand our landfill to the size of the Frost Bank tower to accomodate Austin's trash problems. And we don't want the massive power lines, either. Put them underground, or don't put them up at all, I say!!
2. Costco is too far, that's why we switched to Sam's.
3. I don't really care for Teriyaki, but I have to agree. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Mexican food; but also Thai and Indian, and there really aren't any (or many) Thai and Indian places around.
4. The West of 35 sprawl.