21yrs old... family considering moving to Austin Texas.. convince me! (Tyler: houses, job market)

[m4gs]

Whatsup everybody...

Got in a conversation with my parents tonight about moving out of NEW JERSEY where I was born and lived 21 years of my life. They brought up Austin for many reasons witch I will explain below, however first I want you to convince me why Austin is the place to be.

Sorry if I sound so naive but idk much about Austin living in Jersey all my life never even thought of moving but at the moment im ALL for it. Throw alittle twist in my life.

I am 21 and live for a good time... What is there to do (excluding night life)
What is everyones attitude how do people get along? Im single how are the girls!

I am crazy laid back... but when its time to party im ready for almost anything. Are people calm and chill by day and ready to party by night?

What are my education options? Work? What kinda job can I find out there without a degree ATM.

I have a nice car and motorcycle... Are the streets nice... Do the cops harass you? Are there a lot of cops?

I could go on forever just give me your honest opinion I basically want a place of opportunity for when im older and out of college but I also want to know how crazy I can live my early 20's in the city of Austin.

And if someone can geographically explain the size of Austin to me... EX. If i move out there can I be miles and miles from downtown? What are the different places to live in Austin and where is the best. Where is the inner city in relation to everything else?

I am goin to be researching more so I dont have to ask such simple questions to you guys who lived there all your life. I appriciate all responces.

Thanks alot
-Tyler

[jread]

Austin is a city for young people, so you will have no trouble enjoying yourself. The nightlife is incredible and there are many, many things to do during the day (especially if you like outdoors stuff). The are multiple, excellent universities in the area (no, UT is not the only college in Austin). The women are also gorgeous.... you might experience sensory overload if you go to the bars/clubs or cruise around UT on a sunny afternoon.

You can find many cool areas to live that are affordable. Keep in mind that the inner-city/downtown are the DESIRABLE areas to live in Austin (opposite of many large cities), so prices shoot up once you get closer to the skyline. Austin is pretty big now, though, and takes up a large area and has a diverse population (750,000 in the city limits). Finding a job without a degree can be a little tough (but not impossible) since the majority of the population is highly-educated.

One thing you may want to realize is that depending on where in Jersey you live and what kind of group you hang out with, you may run into some friction if you pull the whole "Guido Jersey Kid" thing around here. You'd be cruising for a bruising if you go strutting down 6th St. with an attitude (and I'm just talking about with the women). Texas is a place where people are as friendly and genuine as you could ever want, but people also mean what they say here and have zero tolerance for anyone's crap.

Overall, Austin is an extremely laid-back city with a "live and let live" attitude. If this is the kind of person you area, you will absolutely love it here

[centralaustinite]

Honey, we are pretty much full up on 21-year olds! I can't imagine trying to convince one to come here. Kids come to Austin to go to UT and never leave. That said, I know some east coasters and Chicagoans who never feel comfortable here. What's cool and hip there isn't necessarily what's cool and hip here. And the job market can be tougher than you think.

good luck

[readymade]

In regards to the cops, I have NEVER seen so many cops in one city before in my LIFE! I was driving around last night at around midnight and saw at least 3 people pulled over. I've only been here a few days, mind you, but there seems to be a "zero tolerance" thing in regards to drinking & driving. Which, personally, I find to be a good thing.

[m4gs]

Lol no worries about the Jersey Guido Kid... I know I will be noticed as a Jersey boy but im definitly no Guido I have my Jersey A-hole side (wich you kinda have to have to live here), but 99% of the time i am tame just wanting to get along and have a good time.

What I find attracts me more then anything that I really didnt know about is how you guys all say everyone is down to earth and nice "True to what they say". Here in Jersey you are lucky if you get ONE Hello from a stranger in an entire day. I was out in PA for first year of college and I loved how nice everyone was and how they said hello and asked how my day was. Its things like that I believe builds a better place.

If i can still have someone describe the geography of Austin that would be great.... For example I live in central jersey and can be in downtown manhatten in 15-20 without traffic. NY is part of my life but I only go there when I have big plans set ahead of time(maybe once a month). Are there parts of Austin where im goin to be to far from the city downtown? If i like to party hard how can I get there every friday-saturday what types of transportation are avalible. If i did end up 15 minutes outside the city will I hit traffic, is it an easy commute to take on a typical friday night?

Sorry for the stupid questions again, even tho I am loving what I hear.

Thanks
-Tyler

[AustinTexan]

I understand that you like to party and all that, but if you're coming clear across the country to party like a rock star, you're wasting your time and money (i.e. your parents money). Why don't you apply to one of the Universities here first, get accepted, and then come down here as a student first, and then take advantage of your time here to have a good time while also getting an education? If you think you're going to make it here without an education, you're mistaken. Austin is one of the most educated cities in the country and most employers besides a grocery store or convenience station will give you a 2nd look. Unless you're very wealthy and money is not an issue, I would consider the education route instead of the "great place to party" direction you seem to be going. Unless you want to be flipping burgers and living in a dump, I wouldn't come here unless it's for an education. But yeah, the party scene here is awesome, especially for the young and single. The girls are absolutely gorgeous, but trust me, they're not going to give you the time of day unless you're rich, good looking (not a typical Jersey/New York guido), and sound like you're at least educated. Seriously, I'm not trying to discourage you, but a lot of people hear that Austin is "the place to be" only to find out the hard way. Good luck with whatever you do, but I'll say this, my wife's cousin moved down here for a year from just outside Pearl River, NY and soon realized that Austin was not the place for him. He loved the women, the lakes, and the nightlife, but financially he couldn't make it. He worked for some company up there and was in a Union, so it was a lot different than it was here in Austin. He left here in serious debt and wishing he had never come, except for to visit.

I'd recommend coming down for a few weeks or whatever and getting a feel for it before you come down permanently. In fact, I recommend that to everyone contemplating a move here. If you don't have an education, or aren't planning to get one while down here, forget it.

[m4gs]

I understand I sound like all I want to do is party but that's not all I am trying to do. When I said a job without a degree I meant that I am about to get my associates and further my college career, however im talking more along the lines of a part time job throughout the next few years of college.

My parents love me and take very good care of me, but when it comes to my personal satisfaction IE: Cars, motorcycles, partying and more I pay for everything. So i am not goin down there looking to party in the city of Austin with my parents money. This is the reason I asked about job opportunities I will have while I continue my college education hopfully finish and move on to my full time job.

I have family down in Texas and they constantly tell my parents they dont know what we are waiting for. If my father found a job in Austin we would be there in a heartbeat, at the moment that is the problem. My parents were looking at houses twice the size of mine now for fraction of the price. My house now is pretty big (parents +3 younger brothers and 1 younger sister live here) and runs about 1.5mil+ with about a acre of land parents have money to keep it, but not alot of free spending money. Houses in texas almost double the size of my house and going for so much cheaper. IE: 700,000 for something as nice and as big as my house now!

I heard my parents speaking of the topic and thought to myself... there is nothing I OWE in Jersey and there is not much I am leaving behind besides 5-10 really good friends. I would love to throw a twist in my life start over and make the best of it. Whats life without adventure? Boring!

Sorry if I sounded like a overly excited 21yr old who just wants to party... And about moving there... I will no doubt be down to visit probably multiple time before hand.

Thanks again guys

[jread]

It sounds like you are wanting to move here for the right reasons. I wish you the best of luck and let us know if you need any help

[Griffin4324]

I've been to Austin several times i dont like it too much but i guess it varies for everyone one of my biggest problems is that the streets seem to be full of homeless people

[austin-steve]

first I want you to convince me why Austin is the place to be.

Well, it's not the place to be for everyone. I hear what you want to receive or get from moving to Austin, but you haven't shared what you will contribute in making it a better community once you're here. We have plenty of young slackers speeding around on motorcycles and working dead end jobs already. What else do you have to offer? In other words, ask not what Austin can do for you, tell us why Austin will gladly receive you.

As far as geography, if your parents plan to spend $700K, you'll be 15-30 minutes from downtown unless they want to come here and do the "home on acreage in the Hill Country" move, which a lot of people coming from higher priced areas find alluring.

For schooling, Austin Community College is an excellent college if you are looking to chip away at some classes instead of hitting the books hard. I agree with what AustinTexan said though. You might quickly learn that your lack of stated ambition leaves you with slim pickin's among the fine young ladies of Austin. There are plenty of quality young men heading toward successful lives in Austin, so you might not find that the quality young ladies dismiss you as a non-contender if you don't have something more solid going on than slacking and partying. (God, I can't believe I sound like my Dad 20 years ago).

Come hand out for a week or so and see if you feel like it's a good fit. That's how you'll know.

Steve