Has anyone been to AUSTIN TEXAS (Philadelphia, Dallas: environment, skyscrapers, job)

[phillytoaustin]

I have never been to Austin but I am considering moving there. I have heard such great things but I've lived in Philly all my life and I am hoping to move to a city that is just as bustling. I want to live in an urban setting.. Could someone help? If you have been to Austin, how does it compare to Philly? Or any info about it would be great.
I am 22 and a nurse. My boyfriend will be moving with me and he is looking for a job in graphic design there. Thanks !!!!

[WVUPharm2007]

Originally Posted by phillytoaustin

I have never been to Austin but I am considering moving there. I have heard such great things but I've lived in Philly all my life and I am hoping to move to a city that is just as bustling. I want to live in an urban setting.. Could someone help? If you have been to Austin, how does it compare to Philly? Or any info about it would be great.
I am 22 and a nurse. My boyfriend will be moving with me and he is looking for a job in graphic design there. Thanks !!!!

It's much more spread out, more artsy, and cheaper. I think it is the only interesting city in Texas. Kinda has that Bohemianish feel like Berkley, CA or something. Public Transportation is kinda weak compared to the system linking metro Philly and the East. The airport isn't as well connected, though the one up in Dallas is. You also obviously trade the annoying blistering cold of January with the annoying smoldering heat of July. I could definitely live in either city.

[phillytoaustin]

Thanks WVUPharm2007!

[TXCowboy010]

Austin is a very nice city and has some great surrounding areas as well. The summers are hot but much less humid than areas to the east or on the coastal plain. The city does have a bohemian feel as noted above and there are lots of young people since this is where UT is located.

The east coast cities are very bustling and almost "chaotic" but you won't find this as much in Austin. Moving west of the appalachian mountains cities become very sprawling since they are more planned than those on the east coast. You will probably not find many places you can walk to to just grab a bite to eat or a cup of coffee (unless you are right downtown). On the other hand since the city is newer you will find it to be in good shape and well maintained. It doesn't have that run-down look that so many northeast cities have (they call it character - hahaha)! If you are 20 something, somewhat liberal, don't mind the heat and lack of snow, enjoy outdoors stuff, and like making friends then you will probably love Austin.

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by TXCowboy010

The east coast cities are very bustling and almost "chaotic" but you won't find this as much in Austin.... On the other hand since the city is newer you will find it to be in good shape and well maintained. It doesn't have that run-down look that so many northeast cities have (they call it character - hahaha)!

Hahaha yep heres the gritty old northeast city of Philadlephia and its rundown nature we call character. Dont you have some cattle to tend to junior?

[TXCowboy010]

Nice pics - is that the sun I see shining??! LOL

[rainrock]

Don't you have better things to do Joe-bob? Chase some horned toads? Perhaps mess around with towns on Austins level e.g., Raleigh,Wichita or Pocatello

[TXCowboy010]

NO - Not Pocatello!! Hey Wichita wouldn't be so bad if they didn't have that BTK killer!

[brattpowered]

I have lived in Austin for about 3 years now and have visited Philadelphia several times. I will be going there for 4 days next month, and I am considering moving there as well.

Austin and Philadelphia are very different cities. If a bustling, urban experience is absolutely necessary for you, you should consider staying in Philadelphia. Austin was a small town when Philadelphia was at its peak, and most of the development here, even in the "Central Austin" neighborhoods, is suburban-style. The downtown is becoming busier, but it is not yet a bustling live-work-play environment like Center City Philly is. The public transportation system consists of the bus and is basically only used by those who cannot afford a car. Owning a car in Austin is essential to enjoying the city to its fullest.

If you are willing to look past the strip malls and suburban houses, you will find a very interesting city. The social environment overall is much younger, hipper, more liberal and more academic than Philadelphia's. Austin is an optimistic, booming city that is one of the top destinations for young professionals and one of the fastest growing cities in the country, while Philly is still losing its residents. Austin is also VERY safe. Its crime rate pales in comparison to Philadelphia's, and even the worst parts of town are becoming revitalized. It has nothing like the miles of burned out shells and pockmarked landscapes of North or West Philadelphia. We have half the population of Philadelphia and had something like 28 murders last year. If Philly had more than 56 murders last year, which I'm pretty sure it did, then it's murder rate is something to be concerned about.

Austinites are also some of the friendliest people I have met--and I spent my first 21 years in the NYC metro area, so I have something to compare this to. The population has doubled over the past several decades, and the fact that so many people are from out of town means that it's easy to find people who are looking to make friends and socialize. It's not uncommon to strike up friendly conversations with people in the check out line at the grocery store or waiters at restaurants. My experience with people on the street in Philly has been a little different than this.

I am considering a move to Philly because I would like to experience the big city life, change in seasons, and proximity to interesting places that I don't have in Austin (You may get cabin fever as the nearest cool place is New Orleans, 8 hours away). However, Austin is a great place to be if you are in your 20s, adventurous and outdoorsy, and willing to make new friends and live in a less urban environment.

[leighland]

Originally Posted by TXCowboy010

Hey Wichita wouldn't be so bad if they didn't have that BTK killer!

He's in jail.
I lived in Wichita-GREAT town for families, friendly, safe, good not great shopping. Close enough to CO and the Metroplex. Lots of rich entrepreneurs and oil money-which is very surprising but very tied to airline industry economics, so has tough times for middle class when Boeing tanks.