Please give me 10 reasons why NOT to move to the Austin area. (Houston: middle-class, public schools)

[Trainwreck20]

Are you looking at your total utility bill from COA? That might run $400 for August (high elec. and high water).

[piercedIllusion]

Originally Posted by brattpowered

1. Bad traffic, and a car is absolutely crucial here
2. Becoming homogenized (anywhere USA)
3. Hellishly hot in the summer
4. Not very diverse-- not a lot of quality ethnic food
5. In Texas (Ignorance, backwardsness, crazy christian-fascists who want to control others' lives)
6. Unattractive sprawl: Walmarts, highway access road developments, cookie cutter subdivisions
7. Not as pretty as locals think it is, relative to the rest of the US.
8. Far from the ocean, mountains, other worthwhile cities
9. Almost no real walkable neighborhoods, and the few neighborhoods worth anything are becoming prohibitively expensive for most people
10. Cops are out of control (probably not a concern if you are white/middle class though)

All of the stuff you listed can be applied to 'anywhere USA', not just #1. I found your #5 interesting, because in Maryland, it's the left wingers, liberals, and Democrats who are the ignorant control freaks who want to run (and ruin) people's lives.

[Foreverking]

Originally Posted by piercedIllusion

All of the stuff you listed can be applied to 'anywhere USA', not just #1. I found your #5 interesting, because in Maryland, it's the left wingers, liberals, and Democrats who are the ignorant control freaks who want to run (and ruin) people's lives.

actually, Portland Oregon didnt fall into any of this lists at all.

[karen staha]

There are downers in every state and city. I've lived in Austin for 26 years and can honestly say the pros supercede the cons. Austin is one of the most popular places in the country to live.

[alikhaja]

Originally Posted by iguanas4

Yeah, I've heard it isn't so rocky everywhere in the general Austin area. But since I had just posted a response to the same person about how Georgetown wasn't so bad, I thought I should mention it.


So I guess I'd say if activities that involve digging in your yard are important (gardening, landscaping, installing a pool, etc.), be sure you find out how feasable those things will be in your potential neighborhood!

Most of the other bad things on my list weren't a surprise to us. Just the gardening/digging thing and the horrible drivers, I guess. And the relative lack of fully sunny days. Plus, it was waaay colder this past winter than I would have liked. The gardening thing might have been a deal breaker on Georgetown for us, had we known in advance, but that's hard to say.

I would like to add, though, that I've noticed many threads on this list are overboard with the positives. Many people say how wonderful and awesome Austin is, and they felt at home and so happy the minute they moved here. That's obviously a very personal thing, and I'm sure those people are indeed very happy. But although we are ok with our move to Georgetown and still feel it was the best option in our case, it was not an easy transition and we are still trying to get used to it. There are plenty of positives, but I surely can't say that I feel like this is HOME to me, or that I can see us staying here over the long term. My bf feels the same way. YMMV, of course!!

To the original poster, don't feel too discouraged by the negative responses. As Trainwreck said (I think it was!), come and judge for yourself. Oops, I mean AustinTraveler said that.

Hi: I am in CA, one of the best places in US, but I am afraid of earthquakes and fires, not to mention the real estate prices. With the fraction of cost, I can live like a prince in Austin. I was looking for a warm place, with clear skies, no snow, affordable house and diverse culture. I started doing my research from Seatle and went down all the way to New Mexico city, analysing all the specifis I mentioned above.

I found Austin to meet most of my criteria, its warm (at times hot) clear, multi-cultural, and a big city ( 15 largest city in US). 6 months ago, I visited alone, liked it, then visited with my wife. Did my home work, had a wondeful realtor who showed me 45 properties in two days, I was interested in water front properties ( I am a physician ), found one in Northlake Hills, 1.56 acres, sitting on the lake, have private area and access to water ( 300 feet ), its a very high end, gated community, all huge homes, very peaceful, in fact my neighbor who is the developer, built his house on 14000 sq ft, George Clooney ( Actor ) got interested in his house at one point. I bought the land hoping to build in 3 years when I plan to move there.
Everything so far looks fine, but my only concerns are racialism, I hear that Austin is the most liberal city in Texas (IN TEXAS) but still has high concerns since my kids (in kindergarten) will have to face all this.
Plus the humidity, eventhough people say it gets warmer with added humidity, I dont' know what that means, unless I spend few days in there in summer.
I am still confused and not sure, I am in a profession where I don't have to worry about jobs, jobs for me are everywhere in US, I just want to raise my kids in a nicer city and provide them the best what I can.

At this tlime, I decided, that I will hold on to the land ( which has become the prime property in austin because of the water frontage) and see how next couple of years go by. I love gardening - that's the reason I want to be in the west coast.
Not to mention the scorpions, Oh God.

[alikhaja]

Originally Posted by piercedIllusion

All of the stuff you listed can be applied to 'anywhere USA', not just #1. I found your #5 interesting, because in Maryland, it's the left wingers, liberals, and Democrats who are the ignorant control freaks who want to run (and ruin) people's lives.

I am concerned about your # 10. Are they that bad. I hate profiling, I just can't stand it. I agree with you, I mean that's what I keep hearing. But on the other hand, there are so many colored/different ethnic people living, its considered a college town. I want to get more info on this one.
In this day and age, educated people know their rights, as long as we know the LAW, I would imagine, one should be okay, but there are horrible stories out there. Its sad the way they think and behave.

[HollywoodTarheel]

I saw your post and said this looks familiar! My partner lived in Austin in the 90's and also has his heart set on being there. I am an actor who loves LA, but I also love my man. What's a heat-despising, bug-hating, light-loving partner to do? I wish you both much luck.

[VVendetta]

1. Job Market sucks unless you have a masters degree - otherwise say hello to HEB or Starbucks
2. Traffic is TERRIBLE
3. Toll roads
4. Expensive to live
5. Ignorant hillbillies (mostly in Williamson County)
6. Police are out of control (especially in Williamson County)
7. Not family friendly - nothing to do unless getting drunk on 6th street
8. Cedar Fever/Mold
9. Hot in Summer
10. Too many people from California - *******s

[love roses]

I'm glad the police don't let people slide in Williamson County. Glad we don't get too many drunk driving red light runners around here.

[austin-steve]

> 1. Job Market sucks unless you have a masters degree - otherwise say hello to HEB or Starbucks

Not true. Austin still has positive job growth. My wife and I just hired a new employee last month.

> 2. Traffic is TERRIBLE
I just spent 4 days in Mexico City. That was eye opening. Our triffic in Austin is wimpy and mild compared to large cities. Yes, it can be frustrating at times, but go drive a big city for a few days then come back and see what you think.

> 3. Toll roads
Most people in Austin don't ever pay a toll. They are completely avoidable if you don't like tolls.

> 4. Expensive to live
Not true. State you supporting data.

> 5. Ignorant hillbillies (mostly in Williamson County)
That's a person observation to which you are entitled but with which I think most people would disagree.

> 6. Police are out of control (especially in Williamson County)
Again, personal opinion. Most people have zero contact with police and it's never a question we hear as Realtors from people wanting to move here.

> 7. Not family friendly - nothing to do unless getting drunk on 6th street.
Not true. Abundant family oriented opportunities exist in Austin.

> 8. Cedar Fever/Mold
Agreed. But not a reason not to move here. Can be controlled with allergy medication and/or shots.

> 9. Hot in Summer
So what?

> 10. Too many people from California - *******s
the vast majority of people moving into Austin relocate here from other parts of Texas. Well over 50% come from elsewhere in Texas.

Of the non-Texans who move to Austin, Californians are 8%.

Steve