Was "ideology" a big factor in your move to Austin? (Houston: fit in, best city)

[JERiv]

Ideology:
▸ noun: an orientation that characterizes the thinking of a group or nation


On reading another one of those "why do people move to Austin" thread, I decided to post a question of my own that I have always wondered about.

When you were choosing where to relocate, decided on Texas (for whatever reason: family, work, weather, love, horoscope, other), and then on Austin in particular:

Was the fact that Austin is known as the one (or at least the most obvious) "progressive/liberal/green" spot in Texas a factor in your decision to move here? Or not a factor at all?

I think we can all agree that whether it is fair or not, Austin is known (due to reality and marketing) as "progressive, liberal, and green". And stands out as such in great part due to the stark contrast with the rest of Texas (which is mostly "conservative").

I ask because I keep wondering. Dallas, Houston and San Antonio are larger cities. All have their + and -. Austin stand out qualities are that it is, again, a small, progressive, liberal and green city in the middle of Texas.

The reason I wonder is because I am curious as to whether the people who move here are of a "liberal" bent, or a "conservative" bent. That is, does "like" attract "like", or does it not even factor into the decision making process?

And in case anyone wonders, my family and I moved down to Texas due to wanting to be closer to family, wanting a better place to raise our family, much lower cost of living, and, importantly, hot weather (10 years of snow is enough for me, thankyouverymuch). And we decided on Austin due to it's progressive/liberal bent.

Hope y'all have a great weekend.

[mark311]

Originally Posted by JERiv

Was the fact that Austin is known as the one (or at least the most obvious) "progressive/liberal/green" spot in Texas a factor in your decision to move here? Or not a factor at all?

This wasn't a factor for me at all when I moved here. I had visited here enough times, since my parents already lived in the Austin area to know that the statement above was only true for a very small portion of Austin and didn't include the areas surrounding central Austin. I was very happy to get away from overbearing liberalism as I was living in Northern California at the time. I agree with most of the regular posters on this board that the Austin area is more "live and let live" and also has a long way to go in the "green" area.

[Jennibc]

No.

If you mean by "green" that there are lots of trees, then yes Austin being green would place it above other places in TX.

[pinda]

My husband and I are considering the Austin or San Antonio area, where ever he can get a transfer. I know some posters think it is crazy to decide on an area to look into because of "Top Ten" lists and forums from people you don't know.

While thinking that we were going to choose Florida, he mentioned to look into Texas. I didn't know just how great Texas is at the time.

We are conservative. We are not big city people. I am excited about Texas, #1 The really nice people
#2 Reasonable cost of homes, a bit more than Wisconsin where we live
#3 Beautiful Hill Country

I probably don't count in your question because we didn't move yet and we are looking at the outskirts of either town. I find that the forums are EXTREMELY helpful. When I visit an area, I feel like I already knew a good amount. I know I so this often, but I REALLY do appreciate all the people from there who take the time to inform us. I then weigh it out, visit and see that I agree with the majority of people.

Thanks again for everyones input.

[XLadylawX]

Ideology was one of the very important reasons DH and I moved to Austin. We are Republicans from California which probably puts us to the left of Republicans in the South. We felt like we would probably fit in better in Austin as opposed to other big Cities in the Southern Region of the Country.

It broke our heart to leave California but we got tired of our political voice not being heard even though we were among the 5% in the State picking up the tab for the rest. I think the straw that broke the camel's back was when our vehicle registration renewal came in the mail and it required us to pay $243 to renew our tags. I was so white-hot angry by this latest insult that I begged my husband to begin looking for work in Austin.

I do have to say though that I was shocked and offended by political billboards supporting "Republican Judges" for election. Shockingly inappropriate for someone who is supposed to wield the blind scales of justice.

[FueledByBlueBell]

Yes.

[hoffdano]

I moved here in 1984 because I didn't want to live in Houston any more and I didn't want to live in San Antonio where I graduated from high school.

I had a few friends in Austin and liked it when I visited. Austin was clearly different than the other big cities in Texas but I wouldn't have characterized it as progressive.

I think it is interesting that whatever reputation Austin has for liberal or green or progressive - it doesn't seem to be the result of any active marketing by the city itself or the chamber of commerce. They talk about lifestyle factors but not the ideology of the city. Much of the "rep" Austin has is informal and broadcast by various media venues.

I prefer smaller government but find Austin to be a great place to live.

[inthecut]

Originally Posted by JERiv

Ideology:
▸ noun: an orientation that characterizes the thinking of a group or nation


On reading another one of those "why do people move to Austin" thread, I decided to post a question of my own that I have always wondered about.

When you were choosing where to relocate, decided on Texas (for whatever reason: family, work, weather, love, horoscope, other), and then on Austin in particular:

Was the fact that Austin is known as the one (or at least the most obvious) "progressive/liberal/green" spot in Texas a factor in your decision to move here? Or not a factor at all?

I think we can all agree that whether it is fair or not, Austin is known (due to reality and marketing) as "progressive, liberal, and green". And stands out as such in great part due to the stark contrast with the rest of Texas (which is mostly "conservative").

I ask because I keep wondering. Dallas, Houston and San Antonio are larger cities. All have their + and -. Austin stand out qualities are that it is, again, a small, progressive, liberal and green city in the middle of Texas.

The reason I wonder is because I am curious as to whether the people who move here are of a "liberal" bent, or a "conservative" bent. That is, does "like" attract "like", or does it not even factor into the decision making process?

And in case anyone wonders, my family and I moved down to Texas due to wanting to be closer to family, wanting a better place to raise our family, much lower cost of living, and, importantly, hot weather (10 years of snow is enough for me, thankyouverymuch). And we decided on Austin due to it's progressive/liberal bent.

Hope y'all have a great weekend.

Awesome topic....was just going to post something just like it....well thought out OP as well......

My feeling is that traditionally, Q of L issues were huge reasons for moving here, but the economic factor seems to have taken over the last couple years.....years back, those looking to make a big buck would move to Dallas or Houston, but now those economically displaced, and those looking to make a decent, living wage, seem to be attracted to Austin as well....
I should say, far more then the q of L that was the prior main driver.

[inthecut]

Originally Posted by pinda

My husband and I are considering the Austin or San Antonio area, where ever he can get a transfer. I know some posters think it is crazy to decide on an area to look into because of "Top Ten" lists and forums from people you don't know.

While thinking that we were going to choose Florida, he mentioned to look into Texas. I didn't know just how great Texas is at the time.

We are conservative. We are not big city people. I am excited about Texas, #1 The really nice people
#2 Reasonable cost of homes, a bit more than Wisconsin where we live
#3 Beautiful Hill Country

I probably don't count in your question because we didn't move yet and we are looking at the outskirts of either town. I find that the forums are EXTREMELY helpful. When I visit an area, I feel like I already knew a good amount. I know I so this often, but I REALLY do appreciate all the people from there who take the time to inform us. I then weigh it out, visit and see that I agree with the majority of people.

Thanks again for everyones input.

They are helpful, to a point, but you really have to come here to see with your own eyes. Everyone has diff tastes as well. Just because someone else likes a place, doesn't follow that you would like it as well. Some places that were on no one's radar I lived in I loved, like Indianapolis. I discovered the place for myself, and enjoyed it. Some places than are overhyped, like Madison was in the 90's, just can't live up to those old Money Mag best city lists....Seattle as well....I remember going there during its top ten list heyday, when it was rainy, grey, and cold(40's), and thinking that someone really hyped the area up well.....SOme would say the same about Austin........just don't grab onto PR hype, and go see for yourself without unfairly large expectations....personally, I would have liked Austin far more coming here if I discovered the place for myself, rather than biting onto the PR hype like everyone else....

[eribear]

We are originally from Madison, WI and moved to Orange County for my job (and to get away from the snow) a year ago. Its not a good match for us so we are looking to move to Austin in the next year or so once we can line up new jobs. A big reason we began considering Austin was the ideology and that it was on a bunch of top 1 lists (like Madison, which we love--other than the snow). But, upon doing additional research and getting a better idea of the city, I see there are lots of reasons it could be a great fit for us.