Please give me 10 reasons why NOT to move to the Austin area. (Cleveland: environment)

[TX-Griff]

Originally Posted by Texanwannabe

<snip >
4. BUGS/ANTS/SNAKES/SCORPIONS....this is the only reason I can find why not to move to Austin that is justifiable

Some of our bugs tend to get a lil' bit bigger than in northern cities... not having a good long hard freeze for weeks/months on end lets some of the strains just keep on growin'... LOL!

Fire ants are prevalent, but treating your lawn/yard will keep 'em at bay and a strong Homeowner's Association will ensure your neighbirs do the same.

I've seen "tree roaches" (about half the size of Florida's "palmetto bugs") and some unusual spiders, but in the settled areas (i.e., not new construction) you won't probably won't see snakes/scorpions (I haven't seen either since I moved here in '99).

-TX Griff

[fil]

Austin is a good city.

As others have said, you asked for the bad.

It's actually hotter in Atlanta this Summer. In August, it's 90,90...degrees, humidity, so this is on par; although this Summer has been weird here with all of the rain.

As for the ground, nothing is worse than Georgia red clay for growing things or dirtying your clothes, you can't wash that stuff out.

As for the strange roads, every city I've lived in has quirks. Frontage roads are part of Atlanta's North-South traffic.
Bad drivers...that's almost everywhere I've been since I've been picking top cities to live in and there are a lot of transplants.

[jrdnjstn]

I have been in Austin for 15 yrs. now and I would never move back to home (Detroit).

I don't know if I can come up with 10 things but I can try.

1. Way to hot, this year has been great because of the rain. In the 15 yrs that I have been here this is the only year I can remember that it has not been miserablely hot out.
2. Every 3 yrs. we get a big ice storm, which closes down practically everything.
3. People standing on the corners begging for money or handing out those stupid cards for some change.
4. Stupid drivers. I was on 35 and saw 2 motorcycles pass me, one guy decides to lay on his stomach and do a spread eagle pose on his motorcyle seat (yes he was the driver). I was traveling about 70mph and he was going a little faster. I slowed down because I didn't want to squish him in case he hit a bump in the road while he was doing this stupid stunt.
5. Property taxes
6. Schools
7. Hot, you walk to your car and you can feel the trickle of sweat going down your back.
Sorry I can't think of anything else.

I do have great success with planting, I have Calla lilies, mandevilles, mexican fan palms, Oleanders, walnut tree, pear tree and some crepe myrtles. I have no fireants (yeah!). I do see the occasional snake, which I always end up running over with the lawn mower!

[carlym]

Depending where you're coming from, real estate can be high. It's hot and humid! I'm from a tiny town in NW Missouri who's been in Austin 23 yrs. If you work on the north side of the river and live on the south side or the opposite then you'll be stuck in traffic on I35, Mopac or 183. But as with me, I live 5 min. from work so lucky! As to the bugs, scorpions, spiders, snakes, etc. I have a spider phobia & rarely see one bigger than a dime. Have had one garden snake in my backyard and never seen a scorpion. If you're going outside just put the Off on and you'll be fine. We're HOT sometimes from end of March to October. Nov to march (5 mo.) the weather is mostly terriffic. The last real snow was 1984 and stayed around 2 days. The good thing was unless you were certain necessary fields you didn't go to work. Mainly medical etc. stayed open. I do love the mild winters and will only move back to NW Mo. upon retirement when I can stay home when the weathers bad. I do think taxes are a bit high (3000) on 80,000 appraisel although the house will easily sell for 150-185. Utilities aren't high. I have gas heat, range & water heater & the bill is about 25. Electric/water for 1 person household averages 6o but during the hot months 100-150. The 150 is usually only 1 or 2 months. Gas is a bit cheaper than the midwest. My daughter lives in St. Joe & gives me that information. I think you pay more in Mo for heat than the extra we pay here for cooling. I think where ever you are you can find good and the bad. I'm one yr from retireing & really enjoy this forum. Thanks

[Morrobay]

In random order:
1. July
2. August
3. No MLB team
4. No NFL team
5. Mo-Pac
6. I-35
7. No ocean
8. No mountains
9. No jazz radio
10. No gambling

[Trainwreck20]

In random order:
1. July
2. August
3. No MLB team
4. No NFL team
5. Mo-Pac
6. I-35
7. No ocean
8. No mountains
9. No jazz radio
10. No gambling

To each thier own...I would consider 3, 4, and 10 a plus...

[TheHarvester]

Originally Posted by Morrobay

In random order:
1. July
2. August

I can read, I know you said "random order", but come on, don't you think August is usually worse?

Yeah, I know, it depends on the year. Some years September is the worst, like a couple years ago when it was over 100 for several days late in the month, including a near-record high during the ACL fest. And I've experienced an April here that was worse than this year's July (mainly because I love rain, flowing creeks, and green things.)

By the way, I agree with Trainwreck, especially about gambling. I hope we never have it here, it's bad enough watching the state-sponsored lies on TV trying to get people to throw away their money on lottery tickets. It's criminal that the State has the right to lie to people about their odds of winning the lottery, but they'll arrest you if you have a little gambling party with your friends. That's a good example of fascism.

[drippingspringsgal]

10 things that make me regret moving to Austin from L.A.:

1.) Brutally HOT, HOT, HOT
2.) Disproportionate number of truly dangerous, crazy, obnoxious drivers
3.) Really bad Chinese food
4.) Really bad sushi
5.) Really bad pizza
6.) Really bad Jewish deli
7.) Deer eat all your beautiful plants and armadillos dig up your lawn
8.) Cookie cutter houses; every subdivision looks identical
9.) Can't sit on the grass in the backyard (fire ants, chiggers, scorpions)
10.) I have to pass through the Oak Hill Y every day

10 things that make Austin a nice place to live:

1.) Our house is a million times bigger and nicer than what we'd have in L.A.
2.) We've met lovely people here, great neighbors
3.) No state income tax (compared to around 10% in L.A.)
4.) Plentiful supply of good BBQ and chicken-friend steak
5.) Stand on our back patio at night and see nothing but trees and stars
6) You can get from country to city in about 20 minutes
7.) Weekend getaways are easy (Gruene, Fredericksburg, Bandera, Dallas)
8.) It's a growing, changing city (Blanton museum, Ballet Austin, etc.)
9.) Winters are generally mild, with just a couple of hard freezes a year
10.) There's always something happening (festivals, events, music, etc.)

Sometimes I wonder what the heck I'm doing here, and I do miss the ocean and our friends in LA, but Austin is a cute little town and a good place to raise a family. I'd say you should move here and just rent an apartment downtown to start with and make sure you're happy before you buy a house. That would give you a chance to make sure you like it before you get in too deep. Good luck!

[twange]

Originally Posted by drippingspringsgal

10 things that make me regret moving to Austin from L.A.:

Originally Posted by drippingspringsgal

1.) Brutally HOT, HOT, HOT

Have you ever been to Phoenix in July? That, is brutal. Dry heat or not

Originally Posted by drippingspringsgal

4.) Really bad sushi

Haven't tried any there yet but I have had some very strong endorsements from some folks who can tell the difference

Originally Posted by drippingspringsgal

5.) Really bad pizza

Again, the same

Originally Posted by drippingspringsgal

6.) Really bad Jewish deli

I was actually surprised at the amount of Jewish culture. I think you have to dig for it. I know it's there. It's not NYC, but Katz's is decent.

Originally Posted by drippingspringsgal

7.) Deer eat all your beautiful plants and armadillos dig up your lawn

Well, deer do that. Often in nature, beauty can also be tasty But I'd still rather have deer around. There are many things you can do to manage that.

Originally Posted by drippingspringsgal

8.) Cookie cutter houses; every subdivision looks identical

Welcome to 21st century America

[love roses]

To number 7 and 8. Cookie Cutter houses now sit where deer naturally roam, hence they will eat what's in their path. Put up deer fence or there are some other things that can keep them at bay. Also, the deer have no natural predators anymore. Treat the yard. I don't think you could sit in the grass in too many places around the country and not get bitten by something.