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

[Trainwreck20]

Once you hit 40 years old, you feel really old there

Lol...someone forgot to tell me that .

But, really, this town is great for feeling young while your body gets older, or at least that is my experience....

[Texanwannabe]

Originally Posted by lisak64

Once you hit 40 years old, you feel really old there

Funny...I am 46 years old...have been vacationing in Austin for the past 10 years, sometimes 2 and 3 times/year....and, I have NEVER felt old there! In fact, Austin makes me feel younger Maybe the poster was speaking about 6th Street??? I do feel OLD there

[Texasgirl17]

You've already gotten a lot of feedback on Austin, but I wanted to tell you that if you'll explore some of the smaller towns in a radius of 40 miles around Austin, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Look for river property -- yeah, it's pricey, but it will continue to grow in value and it's a lot cheaper than Austin. If you can live on the river or where you have river access, it helps balance out the HOT HOT HOT 4-5 months of the year down here. And river towns in Central Texas are usually beautiful if they aren't too big. The river turns TURQUOISE at sunset! Because people are moving OUT of Austin, most of the smaller towns are becoming very eclectic and less conservative. Some towns to check out are San Marcos, Wimberley, New Braunfels, Blanco, Driftwood, Dripping Springs, Johnson City. Many of these communities are very arts oriented. San Marcos has a 4 year university, traffic can be crazy there but nothing compared to Austin. Anyway, just wanted to offer some other options! Our town is 3500 people strong and I have never met a more varied and likeable bunch! )

[austin-steve]

Once you hit 40 years old, you feel really old there

Do you mean to say, now that you're 40 you feel old?

Me and most of my friends are in our 40's. We don't feel old at all.

Look for river property

Beware of flooding. Floods are the biggest natural disaster of Central Texas. We avoid most others (tonados, hurricanes, wildfires, etc.) but floods along rivers are common.

Steve

[twange]

Originally Posted by lisak64

Once you hit 40 years old, you feel really old there

I'm getting precariously close to 40 but have found Austin to be a "fountain of youth". I guess it's perspective.

As far as "lame architecture" goes, well I admit that I miss seeing some of the great 20s buildings that I'm used to back east, but there are some interesting things here. First, there is some nice modern stuff happening with some of the newer buildings, and even some of the newer houses, especially in Central Austin. I like some of the traditional materials used in creative ways such as the galvanized steel(?) for fences, dividers walls etc...Combined with the brighter colors I see around here, it seems to connote an Austin style. A sort of urban modern vs. traditional rural sort of combo. And I love the vintage neon signage. And don't forget about the great old bungalows and ranches so prominent in certain neighborhoods. But Austin does need a city architect to oversee projects to maintain unity.

Austin is a 21st century city so it's buildings etc... will need to be judged under that context as it continues to grow.

[love roses]

But Austin does need a city architect to oversee projects to maintain unity.

I second that

[aaauger]

- A very liberal voting base that votes for every single bond proposition, unable to differentiate between necessities and wants, unable to make the connection with escalating taxes.
- Representatives (city council, CAMPO board) that selectively represent.
- Toll roads splattered all over the place. Instead of using our fuel taxes for road maintenance, KLBJ said they may go to a Lance Armstrong museum!?!
- A city council that caters to big companies, donors, loud extremist neighborhood associations, minorities like Las Manitas Restaurant. Try getting onto one of its committees, even with excellent qualifications.
- A city council that remembers small businesses only when the economy tanks. Look in the Statesman just after the dotcom bust.
- A city council that makes it difficult and expensive for small businesses, especially manufacturing, to exist.
- A mayor who is pushing light rail for the 3rd time without sufficient connectivity. Hard to imagine suits running across Mopac in 100 degree heat.
- The meaningless, contrived marketing campaign of "Keep Austin Weird" that was undoubtedly footed by taxpayers.
- A mediocre school system that is footed at the huge expense of taxpayers.

[love roses]

Good points on the flip side of the coin.

[BoulderJD]

Originally Posted by Texasgirl17

You've already gotten a lot of feedback on Austin, but I wanted to tell you that if you'll explore some of the smaller towns in a radius of 40 miles around Austin, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Look for river property -- yeah, it's pricey, but it will continue to grow in value and it's a lot cheaper than Austin. If you can live on the river or where you have river access, it helps balance out the HOT HOT HOT 4-5 months of the year down here. And river towns in Central Texas are usually beautiful if they aren't too big. The river turns TURQUOISE at sunset! Because people are moving OUT of Austin, most of the smaller towns are becoming very eclectic and less conservative. Some towns to check out are San Marcos, Wimberley, New Braunfels, Blanco, Driftwood, Dripping Springs, Johnson City. Many of these communities are very arts oriented. San Marcos has a 4 year university, traffic can be crazy there but nothing compared to Austin. Anyway, just wanted to offer some other options! Our town is 3500 people strong and I have never met a more varied and likeable bunch! )

We would LOVE to find a few acres of river property in the Hill Country. We're planning on a visit with a couple of realtors in Wimberley, Blanco and Fredericksburg in November. You mentioned your town as having a pop of 3500 of varied and likeable people. How about a gay couple or two?

[foloyrspirit]

lived in Austin ten years, very diverse but Only in Austin, outside of Austin above quote is correct, not as diverse....it is very humid, bugs, cedar is horrid but Austin is still a great place to live. very pritty, lakes, the near the lakes is very nice and still some affordable homes in Steiner ranch where schools are fabulous. we moved to AZ... the heat here is not humid but so much more intense than TX. No mosquitoes though!

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