What is the "carrying capacity" of Austin?

[twange]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

It seems like the areas around Austin are the true attraction, so as long as that is the case, things will just sprawl all over the place.

The downtown itself, from what I saw on a visit, seems relatively small and not that interesting. So there isn't any particular reason people would want to cluster around it, I don't think.

I would like if someone were to tell me otherwise though, as I'm not an Austinite or know the true reality of where things are headed there.

Well, actually some of the most expensive real estate in Austin right now is downtown.

I think a distinction between "downtown" and the "city of Austin" should be made. Central Business Districts in many cities are often less interesting than the surrounding neighborhoods and districts (where most people live). Hell, even Manhattan has some boring areas. Ever been to the Financial District after 6pm? snoooooooooooooooooooze !

Austin has been transforming its downtown for the last several years and this trend should continue, based on the recent construction and future planned projects. Some of the newer parts of town (E 2nd, for example) are attracting many new downtown residents and patrons. While I don't make a habit of hanging out in downtown clubs, there are some other things to do and the choices have been consistently expanding over the past few years. I am always finding new things to do.

And while Austin's downtown footprint is small, much of the neighborhoods surrounding the CBD are very vibrant and interesting and these are still considered part of the city while not technically "downtown". The area I live in (S 1st), is full of interesting local shops and eateries. It isn't downtown (2 miles away) but it's pretty darn urban, while retaining lots of quiet streets with trees. I think it's great, and I enjoy city life.

Now if they could just improve that dang public transportation

[jobert]

Twange, I'm envious. That's the most beautiful part of Austin IMO. I moved here as a trade-off as well, knowing full well I was leaving behind everything I didn't need. The place I move from was significantly cheaper than here in terms of housing, which fueled a lifestyle and culture of conspicuous consumption. I grew tired of it, and didn't want to expose my kids to it. I "ran away" not from economic hardship, but from what I perceived to be the worst of american culture. I am thankful every day I'm here.

[inthecut]

Again, I still think happiness begins and ends inside outselves....place, or change of the same, will NOT make you happy. Change inside yourself WILL, and that is the hardest nut to crack.....Jobert and others actually changed internally when they moved here, but could have made that change anywhere...and, sometimes a change of venue can facilitate internal change wonderfully.....on the other hand, someone with baggage will be unhappy whereever they go.

[twange]

Originally Posted by inthecut

Again, I still think happiness begins and ends inside outselves....place, or change of the same, will NOT make you happy. Change inside yourself WILL, and that is the hardest nut to crack.....Jobert and others actually changed internally when they moved here, but could have made that change anywhere...and, sometimes a change of venue can facilitate internal change wonderfully.....on the other hand, someone with baggage will be unhappy whereever they go.

Well, I actually think that DECIDING to make a change is the biggest change of all. For me, that was the hardest part - leaving my mothership. Whatever changes I've made personally (if any) have had more to do with ME and what I think enables me to grow in new ways. I mean sure, since moving here I'm a little more aggressive in terms of seeking out opportunities for myself and my career - and that is a direct result of moving somewhere without familiar paths and networks - and that's been great for me. So in that way, moving to Austin has helped me personally and financially. I get outside a bit more which is great. And meeting new people is good because it nudges you out of your comfort cranny and sometimes encourages new adventures. But by and large, I'm the same person I've always been. I still procrastinate, occasionally make some really interesting music, eat a bit too much, have bouts with depression, tell great stories and make people laugh, talk too much (without thinking first), get sentimental about friends and family, feel frustrated with poor city planning and politics, blah, blah, blah....I just live in Austin now.

I believe this to be a truism:

"No matter how fast I run, I can never seem to get away from me..."

-Jackson Browne

[inthecut]

Originally Posted by twange

Well, I actually think that DECIDING to make a change is the biggest change of all. For me, that was the hardest part - leaving my mothership. Whatever changes I've made personally (if any) have had more to do with ME and what I think enables me to grow in new ways. I mean sure, since moving here I'm a little more aggressive in terms of seeking out opportunities for myself and my career - and that is a direct result of moving somewhere without familiar paths and networks - and that's been great for me. So in that way, moving to Austin has helped me personally and financially. I get outside a bit more which is great. And meeting new people is good because it nudges you out of your comfort cranny and sometimes encourages new adventures. But by and large, I'm the same person I've always been. I still procrastinate, occasionally make some really interesting music, eat a bit too much, have bouts with depression, tell great stories and make people laugh, talk too much (without thinking first), get sentimental about friends and family, feel frustrated with poor city planning and politics, blah, blah, blah....I just live in Austin now.

I believe this to be a truism:

"No matter how fast I run, I can never seem to get away from me..."

-Jackson Browne

Now I'll have to get out my jackson browne albums(sheesh, now I just gave away my age...jackson browne AND albums)......wasn't that on Late for the Sky? ....

True, just moving to a new area forces us out of our shell....

And, I just thought of this recently,........that the reason Austin trends friendly is BECAUSE so many people are new, and are forced to get out of their comfort zone to find new friends/contacts/jobs.....that is a huge factor.....

I always thought that there must be many scenarios of people arriving here beaming when someone shows a friendly gesture, and stating how friendly it is here, when its actually a fair chance both people in the transaction were recent relos.......

And both people go home raving about how friendly Austin is......funny how our expectations create reality...

[OneJackson]

the Q of L in Austin will never die out. why? because not everybody likes Austin. a lot of people move out within months of moving in...so it's a nice turnover equalization if you ask me.

[G Grasshopper]

The concept of carrying capacity is just about irrelevant in Austin, mostly because space is not limited, and humans have a lot of capability to change the environment to suit their needs. In a place like San Francisco, where there is water on 3 sides, there actually is a physical limitation. But not in Austin. The scientific term "carrying capacity" does not refer to how people want to live, only to how many individuals can be supported in a given space and still be healthy and reproduce. That's why I think the term is largely irrelevant to Austin. There is, of course, an issue of quality of life, which is a value judgment, and lots of opinions. The other issue is environmental degradation when people get too tightly packed. But that, again, is something humans can manipulate if they really want to.