Phoenix vs. Austin

[irwin]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

That's something I noticed too living here in Tempe; the neighborhoods here might be out-of-date (1960's era) and a little run down compared to brand new developments in Chandler, East Mesa, or Surprise, but just having mature, diverse trees planted everywhere makes a big difference. It makes living in the desert a lot nicer, more liveable IMO than if it were just pure concrete and cactus. It seems like to like every property built in the last 15 years, whether it is residential, commercial, or campus buildings at ASU, only landscapes with rocks and dinky paloverde trees, and palm trees which give no shade. Tempe and central Phoenix has orange trees, oak trees, ash, canary island pine trees etc all over the place-- whereas I don't see hardly any of those in the newer parts of town (including south Tempe). I know that xeriscaping, cutting back on water is important, but still...

I live in Tempe and I think the neighborhoods here are so much better here than you get way out in Chandler and those other fringe places. Although I really don't consider 1960's old, I think it is SO much better than having a new cookie cutter house in the middle of nowhere. At least the places around here have a little character.

That being said, go with Austin. Such a better place to live.

[Robin Holland]

Originally Posted by Phoenix vs. Austin

Thank you in advance for any help.

I really love Seattle, too bad it has a rainforest climate. I've visited both Austin and Phoenix, and Austin by a long way! The crime is much lower, the cost of living is less, the real estate market is better, it is more progressive, and it has a downtown and urban culture.

The metropilitan area may only be about 1.5 million compared to 3.9 million in Phoenix, but Austin feels like a city while Phoenix does not. A city is not the size anyway, but the culture and feel, and that's the reason that even Honolulu at less than one million people feels bigger than Phoenix does.

[jedi]

Austin housing costs are definitely cheaper, but the property taxes are outrageous. Most areas charge about 3% of close to the property value. So on a $500k home this would be $15k a year in just property taxes. Alternatively, Phx is only about 1% of assessed value (which is usually about 20% lower than true market value). So that same $500k home would be assessed at say $400k, and then 1% of that would only be $4k a year in tax.

Both cities are nice, just depends on what you are looking for most. SCOTTSDALE is the place to be within Phx and has everything - good schools, great shopping and dining, friendly, great weather except for 3 months of summer (but get to use pool). Good luck.

[TracerHawk]

Phoenix vs. Austin = Austin, hands down.

Now, Scottsdale vs. Austin = still Austin, but its a much closer battle.

[AZ_singlemother]

Originally Posted by irwin

I've lived in both places. I went to school at UT in Austin and now live here in Phoenix.

Hands down, Austin. It has a better culture, better and more unique restaurants, and the people are more educated and cosmopolitan. The negatives about Austin are the lack of mountains, lack of good hiking, and summer weather (although I think Phoenix is worse). The other negatives about Austin is that the airport is small/non-hub and the lack of professional sports teams (if that is important).

Phoenix does not have a city life at all, the restaurants are dominated by chains, and the traffic is worse than Seattle. Granted, you are close to the Grand Canyon and other premium outdoor recreation in Northern AZ, but you still have a long drive, especially when you take the traffic into account.

I would recommend visiting both places and really thinking hard. If you like downtown Seattle, I think you will find the culture in Austin a lot closer than the "culture" you get in Phoenix. The population in Austin is more educated, more progressive, more eclectic, more unique, and more friendly than Phoenix.

Anyway, my two cents.

Ditto. I totally agree. Being a Seattle native, I have found that Austin has a lot more opportunities especially in your field.