[lava5000]

My husband and I are considering a move to Austin so he can go to UT for a masters degree. We really love it here, but think we are ready for a change. I have a couple of questions.

What is the cost of living compared to Las Vegas? It seems like housing is less expensive, but is the difference made up in property tax, sales tax, etc.?

How would you compare and contrast Las Vegas to Austin? For example, I keep reading about how bad Austin traffic is. Is the traffic about the same as Las Vegas, less, more?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Buzz123]

Why don't you go to the Austin page and ask them? Just a suggestion. Here's the link or you can go to the top of the page where it says US forums and find it from there. http://www.city-data.com/forum/austin/

[lava5000]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

Why don't you go to the Austin page and ask them? Just a suggestion. Here's the link or you can go to the top of the page where it says US forums and find it from there. http://www.city-data.com/forum/austin/

I was there and had trouble finding someone from Vegas to answer my questions, so I thought I would try here too.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by lava5000

My husband and I are considering a move to Austin so he can go to UT for a masters degree. We really love it here, but think we are ready for a change. I have a couple of questions.

What is the cost of living compared to Las Vegas? It seems like housing is less expensive, but is the difference made up in property tax, sales tax, etc.?

How would you compare and contrast Las Vegas to Austin? For example, I keep reading about how bad Austin traffic is. Is the traffic about the same as Las Vegas, less, more?

Thanks in advance for any help!

I have two sisters in Austin and several nieces and nephews. All I know is what they tell me, but I've seen for myself how bad traffic is over there. They've had serious growing pains too. I think Texas in general has meaner, more aggressive people; very aggressive drivers. But they do know how to have fun and we had a better social life in Laredo than we have ever had here. But that's typical of small towns, or towns where people have to entertain themselves. I do miss the friends we made there. I believe it would be cheaper to live there than Las Vegas, especially in the price of homes. I lived in Laredo in the 70's but I don't remember having a state income tax. Probably did and I forgot. If someone put a gun to my head and told me I had to live in Texas again, I'd pick either Austin or San Antonio and that's about all.

[redwhale]

I spent some time visiting folks in both Austin and San Antonio on my way out west to here in Las Vegas. I was there half vacationing and half scouting employment so take what I have to say with that in mind.

Austin is a fun, fun town. If you loved LV for the nightlife and bar scene then Austin is the place for you. It's a student's paradise if you still connect with that group. I found traffic was on par with most metro areas but slightly exaggerated because of the stereotype of everyone driving big trucks. I was shocked as to how many huge trucks were on the roadways and how much they affected your sense of safety while in a car.

San Antonio was a pleasant surprise. It's all practically brand new, like a modest Summerlin area. The nightlife and general atmosphere is better for a more mature couple. Riverwalk has all the symptoms of a tourist trap but many locals frequent it as well. I found it easy to get around but still laden with traffic and much construction. Their traffic barriers are approximately 8 feet high so when you drive through those areas it can feel unsafe and very confining, especially with the aforementioned huge trucks by your side.

While in the service I met a ton of Texans and I always amazed that not a single one of them would badmouth their home state. Hopefully you'll go and feel the same way but be ready to gain 10-30 lbs. Texas sized portions are ridiculous.