Atheists in Austin, and surrounding suburbs? (San Diego: wedding, buy, elementary school)

[satanoid]

Austin has a *huge* Atheist community.

I'm a lifelong Atheist and Austinite... we'd love to have you!

[atlanta hope]

I'm moving from Atlanta and am torn between 2 neighborhoods. After reading a number of posts here, I'm still not sure. I keep flip-floppin.

NW - Spicewood Elementary. Balcones. Like the IB program. Like that my daughter will learn a language. Bit too stuffy feeling/golf course community. Bad traffic to downtown? Good commute if we worked at Dell. More expensive houses. Didn't see many kids out in driveways or yards or riding bikes. Seems to be older, maybe retired?

Is this a more conservative, possibly religious area?

SW - Baranoff Elementary. Shady Hollow. Don't know much about the school other than the high ratings. Really like the older homes on big lots and it's more affordable. Commute would suck if we had to drive to Dell. Close to Central Market South and not a bad drive to WF HQ. Saw lots of kids running around and riding bikes.

SW seems like it's more go-with-the-flow and non-judgemental. Although Circle C seems a little questionable. Haven't checked out the neighborhoods north of Circle C -- my last trip to Austin I focused on Shady Hollow.

Anyway, looking for some advice. We were almost sold on the NW based on Spicewood Elementary being one of two IB elementaries but after reading about the religious tone of Williamson county, we're thinking maybe our hippy-dippy selves would fare better in the SW.

We're not church goers but if we did, we'd go to the Unitarian. Seems like a good way to meet new folks when you move somewhere new.

[TomCTX]

I'm a tad bit confused... You sounded surprised that there haven't been "any incidents", like you half expected those pesky christians to picket your house or something.. Is the issue that you're suspicious of Christians and afraid they'll attack, or try to convert you or your children or impose their morals on you in some way? Or that you would be unable to live near people who have different beliefs? I never really paid that much attention to what the neighbors think..

[graether]

Hi there! I found this post and just had to add a shameless - yet important - plug. It is rare in this day and age to have an atheist run for office given the unconstitutional test of religion imposed upon us for public service. However, if you wish to inject some sense into our government and particularly our legislative exercises, please consider voting for me.

Although I'm more apathetic-agnostic (don't know, don't care) rather than a staunch atheist, it is my intention to get any and all deities and religion out of our government as our forefathers intended.

Thanks,
G.

[bungalowbob]

I think an atheist can practice his religion freely. It seems many atheists are very passionate about their beliefs.

[Topaz]

My friends live in the SW Austin suburbs. She is Jewish and he is Muslim and they both attend services at their Temple. After they moved into their new home, Christian neighbors knocked on the door and wanted to know if they were "people of faith." She said, "Yes, but not your faith." She wasn't thrilled when her children came home from Halloween trick or treating and there were fundamentalist Christian pamphlets in their goodie bags. That being said, she likes her neighborhood and neighbors and is glad to live where she does.

[love roses]

Living in Williamson County and hearing about people in SW Austin doing this kinda makes me laugh, because I've never had that happen to me or heard of it being done here in Williamson County where everyone says it does.

[arrow_keys]

Don't almost all newspapers have a Religion or Faith section every week? I'm not asking it to be sarcastic or anything. I thought even east coast papers did.

[jwb123]

We didn't in the PNW... that was a new thing for me, when we moved here.

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

We didn't in the PNW... that was a new thing for me, when we moved here.

Statistically, the Pacific Northwest is the least "churched" region of the country. Culturally, there is more hostility toward organized religion there than in any other U.S. area.