If you're planning to move to Austin (especially from a bigger city)... (Houston: university, earthquake)

[mark311]

Originally Posted by eepstein

Yes I am originally from California (the bay area) but haven't lived out there since 1998. I know for a fact, that people only leave California if they absolutely MUST! Basically if they are faced with being on the street. It isn't easy to leave. Many have come to TX temporarily until things get better out there.

Well, that's not a fact. Myself and many other former Californians would not move back, especially since most of our families have already moved here as well. I moved to the Bay area for a couple years (Santa Clara) and it just wasn't for me. I could never afford to purchase a home in my hometown of Carlsbad, CA as that would be the only place I would ever consider going back to. I own a home that is over 2000 square feet in Round Rock for under $200,000. Prices haven't been that cheap in Carlsbad since the mid-80's.

[hoffdano]

In my field (software), I have met and worked with dozens and dozens of people who moved from Silicon Valley to Austin. Almost none have any interest in moving back.

eepstein says prices are higher in CA but you get your money's worth. Hmm....2000 sq. ft. in San Jose for $800,000 in an area bordering gangs? Worse public schools? Most who move here from California with real estate cash in hand and buy a home for less money will have a difficult financial hurdle moving back to CA.

I believe (but can't prove) that California has major problems that will slow its growth for decades. The tax system, the government approach to spending, and a very low supply of housing and land create major constraints.

California has many charms - the weather, San Francisco, Napa, but the cost of living near these charms is crazy high. LA seems to have a very high number of car chases on TV - which adds to the entertainment value.

I don't doubt that some will never adjust to Texas (in my view the bigger adjustment is Texas vs. California - not Austin per se). It could be cowboy culture, it could be weather, who knows - they just won't make it here.

[inthecut]

Originally Posted by mark311

Well, that's not a fact. Myself and many other former Californians would not move back, especially since most of our families have already moved here as well. I moved to the Bay area for a couple years (Santa Clara) and it just wasn't for me. I could never afford to purchase a home in my hometown of Carlsbad, CA as that would be the only place I would ever consider going back to. I own a home that is over 2000 square feet in Round Rock for under $200,000. Prices haven't been that cheap in Carlsbad since the mid-80's.

One thing that hasn't been said......I don't think many of the expatriate Californians and west coast relos moving to Austin had deep roots in California and the WC......I could be completely wrong, but never read anything about having remorse for leaving, typical of people who leave long roots behind.....I'd have to presume most of these people were from someplace else as well, and are less hesitant about pulling up roots.......

Reason I say that is, if Cal turns around, the movers and shakers with the means to do so must do it, and it sounds like few of them moved out of the state.......the ones doing well and "making it" stayed, the ones that could not or would not left........so it would seem like the people that Cal NEEDS to turn the state around....the wealthy, the creative, the successful, and, most of all, those that dearly love their state and want to see it through to another resurgence, never ran anywhere........ironically, when they turn around, you will see many "expatriated" californians flock back to the state......and if they don't, I don't think the ones that stayed and brought it back to a thriving condition would care one bit.....

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by inthecut

.......or expect any real estate agents who rely on continued growth in Austin for a career in their field, and money from city data leads to agree with you about the same...

inthecut, I take it that you've run out of worthwhile arguments and have descended to the argument ad hominem? AND that you haven't read most of my posts, including the ones where we're in a discussion together? That's about the only way you could get this as a reply to a post of mine - you're thrashing, dear.

[mark311]

Originally Posted by inthecut

One thing that hasn't been said......I don't think many of the expatriate Californians and west coast relos moving to Austin had deep roots in California and the WC......I could be completely wrong, but never read anything about having remorse for leaving, typical of people who leave long roots behind.....I'd have to presume most of these people were from someplace else as well, and are less hesitant about pulling up roots.......

Reason I say that is, if Cal turns around, the movers and shakers with the means to do so must do it, and it sounds like few of them moved out of the state.......the ones doing well and "making it" stayed, the ones that could not or would not left........so it would seem like the people that Cal NEEDS to turn the state around....the wealthy, the creative, the successful, and, most of all, those that dearly love their state and want to see it through to another resurgence, never ran anywhere........ironically, when they turn around, you will see many "expatriated" californians flock back to the state......and if they don't, I don't think the ones that stayed and brought it back to a thriving condition would care one bit.....

Well, you quoted my post, but your reply had nothing to do with it. I'm not sure what point you were replying to.

From personal experience, I have many friends that currently live in Carlsbad, Encinitas, San Diego, Palo Alto, and Santa Clara. None of these areas in California are in terrible shape. All of my friends are still employed and none have been laid off. They can still afford their mortgages or rent. Granted, their home values have gone down, but their incomes haven't changed. There are not a ton of foreclosures in those areas. Certain areas of California are just like Austin in that they are still desirable, so they are not being hurt as bad by the current state of the economy. There is an adjustment being made there, but not nearly as bad as the media and other people are making it out to be.

[Dale123]

I'm from Austin, and while I did not take the time to read "all' the replies, the OP is out of touch and has not taken the time to look at the true Austin - not the Austin all the outsiders have turned it in to, but the laid back Austin that once was. I went to school in Austin back in 85 and it was an awesome place, before Dell, etc., moved in and everyone and their mother began moving here. Austin has still managed to maintain many original restaurants and very cool places to go you just have to take the time to look for them. I'm talking about bypassing all the commercial chain stores and looking for the local business. I'm guessing the OP hit sixth street one night and did quarter shots with some coeds, and spare me the BS, the only place you got laid was in your imagination. I can say there was a time where the male to female ratio was equal, but ever since the dogs got wind of this place every place you go it's a virtual sausage factory - it's pathetic. A girl can't walk in to a place without having some horn dog go after her and chase her off. I have been here for years and have witnessed a really cool town get diffused with non-Texans moving in wanting to change what didn't need any changing. "My advice for the OP, and any others who don't like Austin - "Please Leave."

[inthecut]

Originally Posted by mark311

Well, you quoted my post, but your reply had nothing to do with it. I'm not sure what point you were replying to.

From personal experience, I have many friends that currently live in Carlsbad, Encinitas, San Diego, Palo Alto, and Santa Clara. None of these areas in California are in terrible shape. All of my friends are still employed and none have been laid off. They can still afford their mortgages or rent. Granted, their home values have gone down, but their incomes haven't changed. There are not a ton of foreclosures in those areas. Certain areas of California are just like Austin in that they are still desirable, so they are not being hurt as bad by the current state of the economy. There is an adjustment being made there, but not nearly as bad as the media and other people are making it out to be.

My understanding is that close to half of the foreclosures in the entire nation, or close to it, were in California, in the past several years......My understanding is that the valley, including Stockton, Fresno, and the inland empire got socked worst, and that a fair share was on the coasts............I'm sure the most desirable and wealthiest places like La Jolla, the wealthier parts of the LA metro, and a good share of the bay area has stood its ground, and that the wealthy and most other people doing well in california havent gone anywhere.....

The people that moved out just plain could not afford reasonable housing anymore.....simply priced out......mostly middle-class folks doing okay, but not okay enough to pay California housing prices.....and now that prices seem to have reached a far more reasonable stage, the exodus has probably just about passed........

I would say we are at the very end of the whole California exodus here in Austin....those that could and WERE interested in moving have, those that can't or AREN"T interested in relocating have not, and will not....

[lothartheterrible]

Originally Posted by eepstein

I agree completely!! California is a huge state with so much to offer. It's simply going through some tough times now, but it will turn things around and once again be the powerhouse state that it has always been! You can't rule it out because of a few bad years.

As soon as things turn back around in CA, you can BET that Austin will start loosing people do to a reverse exodus. Of course Austin wants California to remain as crummy as it is now. But I got news. It aint happening! Its a temporary setback. Once everything stablizes again, people will see it in a whole new light.

That is until the next catastrophic earthquake comes along and reminds everyone just how stupid it is to continue to build cities in the most seismically active region in the US. Within a few hundred years, both LA and San Francisco will likely be in ruins. It is inevitable; no amount of glossy packaging can cover-up the fact that the California coast is an epic catastrophe waiting to happen. It is "when", not "if".

[nomore07]

Originally Posted by lothartheterrible

That is until the next catastrophic earthquake comes along and reminds everyone just how stupid it is to continue to build cities in the most seismically active region in the US. Within a few hundred years, both LA and San Francisco will likely be in ruins. It is inevitable; no amount of glossy packaging can cover-up the fact that the California coast is an epic catastrophe waiting to happen. It is "when", not "if".

As far as quakes go, not necessarily. Though they are right on the ocean and vulnerable to other weather related disasters.

Scientists Warn of Devastating Earthquake... in the Midwest | Media Caffeine

[inthecut]

Originally Posted by lothartheterrible

That is until the next catastrophic earthquake comes along and reminds everyone just how stupid it is to continue to build cities in the most seismically active region in the US. Within a few hundred years, both LA and San Francisco will likely be in ruins. It is inevitable; no amount of glossy packaging can cover-up the fact that the California coast is an epic catastrophe waiting to happen. It is "when", not "if".

Or earth could get hit by another asteroid, like the one that killed the dinosaurs in the Jurrasic era. If that happens, which isn't improbable, we all fry.....earth isn't anthropomorphic, and really doesn't care about man, space even less so.........what are we but just little blips in evolution anyway, earthquake or not......flying around in space, clinging to a big "rock" with magma in it?

Think about it!