ORLANDO VS AUSTIN-Would like to hear from people who have lived in both cities..PLEASE (St. Petersburg: appointed, crime)

[itsajourney]

Hello, I have lived in Orlando since 2001. Though my experience here has been fine, it is time for me to move on in search of something closer to my idea of utopia.

I moved to Florida from Pennsylvania, and before that I was in Illinois. I have a good idea of what I am looking for, but would like input from those of you who have lived in both places.

Having moved to Florida from the north, I know that I never want to return to the long, cold, grey winters that I spent 40yrs. dealing with. I LOVE the sunshine and warmer climate. I would like to lose some of the humidity that comes with Florida summers, but I don't think I would want a very dry arid climate.

I love the friendliness of people in the south--Florida is not the true south. I lived in Raleigh, NC for 6 months and loved it. Had to leave due to circumstances beyond my control. I have spent extended periods of time traveling the southeast US and have a few places in mind, but I have not yet had the opportunity to explore Texas.

I have been doing my research and hope to head to Texas in a few weeks.

I am a friendly, outgoing person--probably a little to the left. I am not conservative, but neither am I radical liberal. I would say I lean left because I am tolerant of different situations. I also explore lots of possibilities and enjoy things such as health food stores, natural products, concern for the environment, alternative health therapies, wellness, pilates, metaphysical realms.

I am not a huge fan of southwestern style adobe homes--I prefer the charm of older colonial & Victorian style architecture. Prefer brick, stone, and siding over stucco. Traditional homes are fine too--just don't care for "cookie-cutter" subdivisions in mass.

I like to see green when outside--not barren desert. Even the scrubland of Florida is ugly to me. I prefer hills over flatland. I like to take off on country roads and explore--whether it be outdoor nature or other towns and cities--I don't want to be pigeon holed into someplace with no place else to go.

My career aspirations put me into the spa (skin care) & wellness industry--so I would need to know there is potential there.

I would love to hear from anyone with insight and life experience to share between these 2 cities. Quality of life issues, traffic, weather, cost of living, cost of housing, crime, variety of things to do, etc.

I appreciate anything at all. thanks in advance

[blueoktober]

I am short on time, but I had a similar situation. I hated Orlando for a couple of years and finally moved back to Nashville. Hated it. So then I started researching Austin and fell completely in love with it. I am a movie/music/media type person and Austin is just so cool in that aspect. The Hill Country is amazing and there is so much eclectic, crazy and fun neighborhoods in Austin that it's amazing. Austin is very, very liberal. Seriously...very. A ton of hippies, gays, and just really colorful people. I love it there - but I ultimately ended up back in Orlando and I am glad I did.


Austin housing is relatively cheap but Property Taxes are THROUGH THE ROOF. Around 10k on a 200k house. Of course now in Orlando it's similar. You can get a lot more house in Austin for the money (In South or North Austin, not in the city Central. Unless you are very well off don't even think about living in the city, unlike here in Orlando).

Crime in Orlando is infinitely higher than Austin. Austin is one of the safest cities in America. Orlando has a lot of crime, but as you know it is centered in mostly one area of town. I live downtown and am not worried at all because I use street smarts.

Traffic in Austin is atrocious. Seriously, go read their boards and know they are telling the truth. Like Orlando there is only one interstate and it is a nightmare during rush hour. However the drivers in Austin are much more courteous and drive a lot better. People in Austin might beg to differ but my experiences with Austin drivers were very nice.

Utilities in Austin are higher. Austin can and usually does get very cold in the winter. They get snow and ice. Orlando usually hovers in the 50s-70s in the dead of winter.

Orlando has hurricanes, Austin has fires.

I would say Austin is a much more fun, vibrant and awesome city but I couldnt live there for a few reasons. A) Once you leave Austin there is NOTHING but scary little towns with dust and tumbleweeds.
San Antonio is nice but the in between is nasty. B) Austin gets too cold C) Was able to make 40k more in Orlando doing what I do. D) Orlando has so many options from the beaches, to theme parks, to cruises, - just so much entertainment. I thought I would never miss that, but I did and I dont want to be away from it again.

I know that doesn't help too much, but it all depends on what you want as a person. If you want a hip, safe, younger, smart, liberal city surrounded by some seriously conservative towns then Austin is for you.

If you want not as safe, higher housing costs, less courteous people, sprawling suburbia with tons of things to do and almost great weather year round, then Orlando is your town.

Good luck!

OH PS: If you hate desert land then you won't be taking day trips from Austin. Austin is GREEN and has very nice terrain. But seriously - 10 minutes out it is ugly as all get-out. Both Orlando and Austin have brick, tree lined streets with very nice old historic homes. You can likely afford one in Orlando but not a chance unless you are very rich in Austin. The downtown area is very happening and popular there.

[itsajourney]

Wow, thank you for such a great response. Tons of valuable info in there and certainly lots to ponder. You brought up many things that I wonder about--like what is it like when you leave the city/metro area. I've always lived in the midwest/east--and I am used to towns being only a few miles from each other. That is actually the ONE BIG, BIG reason I haven't spent a lot of time out west--I fear I would feel isolated. I have also wondered how much I would miss the theme parks, etc. Since I left Disney I haven't actually gone that often, it's just nice to know I could go on any given day if I wanted to. My kids go to the parks quite often though and they do enjoy it.

Thank you again for your wonderful insight! You addressed many things on my mind...

[bostontoorlando]

One of the things I have really enjoyed about Orlando (moved here in August) are the multitude of places you can go on short day trips. You won't be disappointed- We look forward to something new every weekend. Some of the places so far- Sarasota, Mt. Dora/Leesburg, Ocala, St. Augustine, Cocoa, St. Petersburg, New Smyrna, etc., etc. not to mention the theme parks, which i like better on a season pass, so you can take small bites. Orlando has a quirky/creative aspect also, though nothing like Austin, but probably improving.
Austin seems nice too, very different choices.

[Fnix]

Austin

[blueoktober]

Originally Posted by bostontoorlando

One of the things I have really enjoyed about Orlando (moved here in August) are the multitude of places you can go on short day trips. You won't be disappointed- We look forward to something new every weekend. Some of the places so far- Sarasota, Mt. Dora/Leesburg, Ocala, St. Augustine, Cocoa, St. Petersburg, New Smyrna, etc., etc. not to mention the theme parks, which i like better on a season pass, so you can take small bites. Orlando has a quirky/creative aspect also, though nothing like Austin, but probably improving.
Austin seems nice too, very different choices.

Austin just seems so isolated. There are beaches 3 hours away, and Mexico 3 hours away and Houston 3 hours away....but it just felt like I was in the middle of nowhere. That was what sealed the deal for me. I agree with you about the day trips. I went to Sarasota this past weekend to see the Ringling Museum and Mansion. Within 3 hours here there is so much diversity and so many new things to see.

But Austin does rock

[itsajourney]

Originally Posted by blueoktober

Austin just seems so isolated. There are beaches 3 hours away, and Mexico 3 hours away and Houston 3 hours away....but it just felt like I was in the middle of nowhere. That was what sealed the deal for me. I agree with you about the day trips. I went to Sarasota this past weekend to see the Ringling Museum and Mansion. Within 3 hours here there is so much diversity and so many new things to see.

But Austin does rock

Your post has been invaluable to me because you have addressed the exact thing(s) that I am concerned about.

The city would probably be great, but I have to have other things around without driving hours and hours to get there. I have always lived in the midwest or the east and southeast. I am used to towns being only a few miles apart. I also like to see green. Desert sand & tumbleweeds are not my idea of beautiful on a daily basis.

I remember the first time I saw a real tumbleweed--it was awesome. I was probably about 12 or so...

I have spent hours and hours reading the Texas and Austin boards and I have determined that moving to Texas would not be for me. I have been narrowed down to a handful of places in Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. I think I shall continue eto concentrate on those cities and just plan on a vacation to Austin someday.

[blueoktober]

Originally Posted by itsajourney

Your post has been invaluable to me because you have addressed the exact thing(s) that I am concerned about.

The city would probably be great, but I have to have other things around without driving hours and hours to get there. I have always lived in the midwest or the east and southeast. I am used to towns being only a few miles apart. I also like to see green. Desert sand & tumbleweeds are not my idea of beautiful on a daily basis.

I remember the first time I saw a real tumbleweed--it was awesome. I was probably about 12 or so...

I have spent hours and hours reading the Texas and Austin boards and I have determined that moving to Texas would not be for me. I have been narrowed down to a handful of places in Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. I think I shall continue eto concentrate on those cities and just plan on a vacation to Austin someday.

I am glad I could help. You definitely need to go visit because it really is a nice place. Good luck on your search for your new home!

[Mike78613]

Hey - I live in Austin and going to see some friends out in Orlando is three-weeks.

How brutal / boring is this drive? Does it really take about 18 hrs to make it from Austin to Orlando?

Thanks,

[Trusses]

Austin, all day.