Austin versus similar size markets (Houston, Dallas: crime rate, top school, university)

[eepstein]

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. Because mine don't match many others on this board doesn't make my opinions any less opinioninated!

This is a forum to discuss the Austin area, good AND bad. I dont recall any disclosure that I needed to sign before joining that read, "you must only talk happy thoughts about Austin or you will be banned". PLEASE--people wanna hear all different kinds of opinions, whether they be positive OR negative.

I simply state the truth (in my eyes) when most of Austin lives in a fog about what it truly is and truly stands for. Believe it or not, I actually don't find Austin (proper) to be a bad place at all. Its once you start venturing out from the central part of the city, where problems start happening! Hicks, imbreds, poor people, faceless sprawl, etc.

Why dont you let people just HAVE their opinions!! OMG, what are you, from Hutto or something?? sheeeesh!!

Originally Posted by intmd8r

It falls short for you and what you're looking for. Not for everyone. For you.

Again, you are more than entitled to feel that way and there is nothing at all wrong with it.

What I don't understand and what you never seem to answer; however, is why do you come on these forums if you really hate it that much? Doesn't it stand to reason that there will be more people for Austin than against it in Austin-specific forums? Just like there would be in ANY of the other forums on CD?

If it truly drives you crazy, why would you possibly subject yourself to that? If you are really that unhappy here (and I'm so sorry for that), why would you possibly want to make it worse by dwelling on it and listening to so many others tout how great it is?

I don't spend much time on the Phoenix boards anymore because I don't agree with the large majority of posts on them, because the people who post there are happy there and enjoy the area. I left because I disagreed and it just wasn't for me. Why would I then go on those boards argue with them or "warn" them, or whatever? I'm perfectly content to let them be happy there as it isn't my job to "save" them, or whatever it is you really believe you're achieving here (which is what I honestly don't understand...).

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by AK123

Anyone reading this, I'd suggest asking an actual resident of the area who went through it, instead of searching for random images online.
I've seen some people assume the images of the Bolivar Peninsula were Galveston and/or Houston.

Oh, well, I actually have - I have friends who live down there, as well, and spoke to quite a few of them at the time. They aren't on this message board, however.

Yes, one should make sure that the photos that are being viewed are of Houston, proper, but it's pretty easy to do that if you're moderately careful.

[intmd8r]

Originally Posted by eepstein

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. Because mine don't match many others on this board doesn't make my opinions any less opinioninated!

This is a forum to discuss the Austin area, good AND bad. I dont recall any disclosure that I needed to sign before joining that read, "you must only talk happy thoughts about Austin or you will be banned". PLEASE--people wanna hear all different kinds of opinions, whether they be positive OR negative.

I simply state the truth (in my eyes) when most of Austin lives in a fog about what it truly is and truly stands for. Believe it or not, I actually don't find Austin (proper) to be a bad place at all. Its once you start venturing out from the central part of the city, where problems start happening! Hicks, imbreds, poor people, faceless sprawl, etc.

Why dont you let people just HAVE their opinions!! OMG, what are you, from Hutto or something?? sheeeesh!!

Sigh.

Unfortunately, you missed my point completely. Or maybe ignored it.

You're more than welcome to your opinions, just as is everyone else. I just take issue with yours being more, well, mean-spirited and insulting than most others.

I was just trying to save you some misery since you yourself said contrary opinions to yours drive you crazy. But, you're more than welcome to continue to be miserable.

[tongpa-nyi]

Originally Posted by eepstein

I am simply saying that Austin really isn't any different than nearly every other similar size market in this country. In a lot of ways, Austin actually falls SHORT in many respects to similar size markets out there.

I think I understand. You live in a "market." Most people live in a "location." Every location is unique, including the ones to which you compared Austin.

Your comparative stats, for example, are useful for describing "markets" but they're completely irrelevant for describing a place to live. I don't live in a statistic, I live in my daily experience of people, places, ambiance, weather and activities. I've traveled quite extensively (12 cross-country road trips, visiting every city I could) and chose Austin as my eventual home because it was unique. There, I said it. Austin is unique, TO ME.

I would apologize for your feeling discomforted by those of us who prefer Austin to Omaha, but we've done nothing wrong. I'm sure that the forums of those other cities all have many participants who are enthusiastic about where they live. That seems like a good thing, not something to complain about. Wherever I live, I'd prefer that my neighbors be happy with where they are rather than spreading their petty complaints. We're lucky to have homes, food to eat, and the leisure time to type meaningless comments like mine on a forum like this one.

[nonexpat]

I'm a liberal Democrat who was forced to move to Austin because of my husband's job. We lived in Plano, a suburb of Dallas, for ten years. We chose to move into Austin proper because of my husband's commute and because of positive comments on this board. Well, I can say that the Austin schools don't compare to Plano's. My kids' classes are overcroweded; there are "temporary buildings" that are about 25 years old, and the principal told us that "Algebra was full" and my son should take what he took last year in math. Meanwhile, I find that AISD will be facing a 40 million dollar deficit this year, yet my property taxes are higher. Furthermore, I find more Bible bangers here than I did in a Plano, a very conservative Republican, yet highly diverse place. Last week at my son's Boy Scout meeting the leader read from the New Testament. This would never happen in Plano. I must say I am sorely disappointed and quite depressed.

[ImOnFiya]

Originally Posted by nonexpat

I'm a liberal Democrat who was forced to move to Austin because of my husband's job. We lived in Plano, a suburb of Dallas, for ten years. We chose to move into Austin proper because of my husband's commute and because of positive comments on this board. Well, I can say that the Austin schools don't compare to Plano's. My kids' classes are overcroweded; there are "temporary buildings" that are about 25 years old, and the principal told us that "Algebra was full" and my son should take what he took last year in math. Meanwhile, I find that AISD will be facing a 40 million dollar deficit this year, yet my property taxes are higher. Furthermore, I find more Bible bangers here than I did in a Plano, a very conservative Republican, yet highly diverse place. Last week at my son's Boy Scout meeting the leader read from the New Testament. This would never happen in Plano. I must say I am sorely disappointed and quite depressed.

Ah..no. The fact that you felt the need to search far and wide for this thread and give it CPR to try and resuscitate it demands that someone not let this 'trollcosopy' slide.

Better luck next time on a more sincere thread. Toodles!

[RooCeleste]

Originally Posted by txtoal

LOL, Jobert, I couldn't stop laughing at the gays and water fountain comment. No disrespect to anyone, but just reading it made me laugh.

Eepstein, why are you still in Austin or even Texas for that matter? You obviously hate it here. If you are that unhappy, why don't you move? Just an honest question.

My question exactly! If you don't like something in your life, then do something about it.

[jobert]

Originally Posted by nonexpat

I'm a liberal Democrat who was forced to move to Austin because of my husband's job. We lived in Plano, a suburb of Dallas, for ten years. We chose to move into Austin proper because of my husband's commute and because of positive comments on this board. Well, I can say that the Austin schools don't compare to Plano's. My kids' classes are overcroweded; there are "temporary buildings" that are about 25 years old, and the principal told us that "Algebra was full" and my son should take what he took last year in math. Meanwhile, I find that AISD will be facing a 40 million dollar deficit this year, yet my property taxes are higher. Furthermore, I find more Bible bangers here than I did in a Plano, a very conservative Republican, yet highly diverse place. Last week at my son's Boy Scout meeting the leader read from the New Testament. This would never happen in Plano. I must say I am sorely disappointed and quite depressed.

Where did you move to? It sounds like you landed in a suburb up north.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by nonexpat

I'm a liberal Democrat who was forced to move to Austin because of my husband's job. We lived in Plano, a suburb of Dallas, for ten years. We chose to move into Austin proper because of my husband's commute and because of positive comments on this board. Well, I can say that the Austin schools don't compare to Plano's. My kids' classes are overcroweded; there are "temporary buildings" that are about 25 years old, and the principal told us that "Algebra was full" and my son should take what he took last year in math. Meanwhile, I find that AISD will be facing a 40 million dollar deficit this year, yet my property taxes are higher. Furthermore, I find more Bible bangers here than I did in a Plano, a very conservative Republican, yet highly diverse place. Last week at my son's Boy Scout meeting the leader read from the New Testament. This would never happen in Plano. I must say I am sorely disappointed and quite depressed.

Why would you move into an AISD area when you are used to Plano schools? Apples to oranges. You should have moved to Eanes, or Round Rock, or Lake Travis, all school districts more comparable to Plano. I don't know about the Boy Scouts in Austin - I doubt it is an Austin thing - but rather unique to that troop. The Boy Scouts are a very conservative organization - your Plano area troop must have been unusual. Boy Scout "Law" includes a reverent clause: "Reverent – A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others."

So is it really a surprise to see this in a Scout meeting?

I think your Austin experience so far is not typical. Bible thumpers are not very visible in my 26 years living here. Scouts excepted.

[hoffdano]

I'll add that Plano ISD expects a $7M budget deficit this year:

Cheat Sheet: Plano ISD to approve deficit budget | PLANO Blog | dallasnews.com

And Plano ISD tax rates for 2010-2011 are expected to be $1.3534 while AISD's rates for 2009 are $1.227.

If you bought a more expensive home in Austin than you had in Plano, your taxes will be higher. If it was the same - your ISD taxes should be lower.