Denver / Austin comparison? (sale, crime, home)

[urbantraveler]

Was wondering if anyone could compare Denver to Austin . . . I currently live in NYC and am looking for a change. I am single and over 40 and like the music scene very much. I play in a Brazilian samba band . . . (Austin is probably better for this) . . . also like culture, museums, public transportation, nice restaurants, etc. (Denver is probably better for this) . . . I work as a legal secretary (salaries in Denver are probably higher but so is the cost of living - or is it?) . . . I love the outdoors (so both would be good for this) . . . are people relatively friendly in Denver? Would it be relatively easy to meet people? (I would be moving by myself and don't know anyone in either place). They seem so in Austin.

Regarding the weather, I know it's very hot in Austin but Denver gets a lot of snow from time to time . . . I don't like very cold winters, but the temperatures in Denver don't seem to stay cold for any length of time; if what people say in the forum is true, it seems that the temps constantly fluctuate. Don't know if the altitude would bother me as it does some people. There's certainly no way to tell unless I spent at least a few weeks in Denver.

So if anyone can help me in my comparison of the two places, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.

[Stevedawg]

Well I don't know much about Denver but I know alot about Austin. Austin's music scene is great, probably one of the best aspects of the city. Public transportation is pretty poor and traffic is very bad. Outdoor activities is pretty good but you don't get that stunning natural beauty and remoteness that you can find in some other places. People are pretty friendly in Austin and its not too hard to meet people. The job market is good and cost of living isn't too bad but its on the rise while other places are declining. I'm kind of curious about Denver also so I'm curious about what the comparisons are?

[sberdrow]

well as someone who is moving from Austin to Denver... I beleive I have some good information:

Austin is a little cheaper, but not much, and I am only talking about the price of housing. Austin property taxes are nearly 3 times that of anywhere in Colorado.

Austin wages are lower.

Austin has less sunshine: Beleive it or not, you get about 22 days fewer days of sunshine than in Denver.

Austin is known as the live music capital of the world.

Out doors: Colorado destroys texas...the national forests,and the Rocky Mountains are top notch.

Austin has some nice lakes for boating and fishing. Lake Austin, and Lake Travis

Weather: Austin has nasty humidity and heat for 5-6 months a year, but most people keep the airconditioner on for 10 months a year.

Denver gets cold in the winter (who knew)


Drivers are out of there (cuss word) mind in Austin: Tailgating is a passive hobby here

Drivers in Denver tend to drive kinda fast, probably the california influence, but no tailing. Go with the flow of traffic.

Both have ugly traffic.

No pro teams in Austin, four or 5 pro teams in Denver: Austin loves the college team called the Texas Longhorns. Everybody wears the shirts.
Denver is Gods country, home of the Denver Broncos!!!!!!!!!!

Austin is considered a little more liberal, but I have not noticed it at all. I come from the Pacific Northwest, now thats a liberal/progressive place. Colorado is a Purple state, a little red a little blue.

Austin is 3 hours from the Gulf, and some real nice beaches

Denver is right next to the mountains to the west.

If you move to Texas, you better love that texas lone star because it is everywere you look from every direction. That Texas state flag flys at the same hight as the USA flag, as it is the only flag legally allowed to.

Denver has a better zoo, better restaurant selection, a nice science museum. Austin is near San Antonio, around 90 miles away which has alot of these same amenities.

Hope you found this helpful (hint)

[imaterry78259]

Austin is very very very overrated overrated!!!!!

[ignatzmouse]

Hi,
I just posted about this issue on the general Colorado forum. The day after I arrived in Austin I realized I'd found my spiritual home. Colorado, well, read my post...

[Stevedawg]

Does Denver have the same kind of massive in migration that Austin does or is the growth slower?

[piper17]

I'd say if you don't like the cold then you should probably head to Austin. Personally I think Colorado completely kicks Austin's butt! People are friendly wherever you go - but I feel Denver has many more outdoor groups that could be an easy in to meet people. It's also a top place to be single....not sure of Austin.

[ignatzmouse]

A friend of mine from Austin moved to the Denver area for a year.

[ignatzmouse]

Oops, looks I hit "post" too soon on my post about friendliness. A friend of mine moved from Austin to Denver for husband's job assignment. When she returned, she reported Denverites were chilly, not warm/welcoming. Based on my living experiences around the country, I say less chilly than Boston (where I grew up), New Jersey, or San Francisco; more than Michigan or mid/South Texas. Public transport: Denver's just gotten into commuter rail-- two limited lines open, another big project just approved. Going through Denver is hairy during rush hour, but Mopac and I-25 are nasty too, of course. Denver restaurant food is great but the city is so big that it takes a long time to drive to the best places (Westword, the alternative weekly, has a good restaurant list). Man, I miss the Central Market... most good fruits and veggies are hard to get here, especially in winter. As for outdoors, I've grouched on this forum before about lack of outdoor swimming. Chatfield res south of Denver is ok, but that's all I've found. No Barton, no Deep Eddy, no little swimming holes in the Hill Country. Re weather, yeah, it gets cold here (which I like,actually) and Austin's had weird weather this summer to say the least. But it's been in mid 90s at least all summer here. Not drippy-humid like Austin, but more humid than usual for Denver area.

[Mike78613]

All I know is this. I live in Austin now for nine years.

Before that, I was in Colorado springs from 1987-1995.

Austin had given me more $$ and opportunity job wise for sure!!

I would of never left Colorado, but the darn Californians then were raiding Springs like it was a lotto ticket. The crime got much worse, home prices were on the rise and that being said, thanks to the Real-Estate and the Californians driving the price up. Job pay were no where as good as Austin was then.

The way I see it now, been here 9-years. I own an house, truly been really affordable, but since the Californians are flocking South and the housing market is starting to rise, I to plan to triple the profit of my home when I decide to sale it!! Yes this time I am not going empty handed!!

When I sale my home, I will be moving to Denver area. Love the weather, miss the snow & mountains; oh and mountain biking kicks-butt in CO!

When I came to Austin in 1996 no-one knew what a turn signal is and they still don't!! I hate the way people drive here.

As for Austinite's they are wonderful people and very nice. Lots to do, but I really want to be back in Colorado. Just miss the 4-season. Now I just hope job opportunity is there since I gained much experience that was added to my resume.

Oh yea, the whole motto of KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD is going to be gone. Go look downtown and look around, I see corporate America coming!! Bulldozer are starting to be popular here (I work downtown)


Note: I do not mean rude by saying darn Californians. I welcome you all here. Please all come here!!