Anyone who knows Texas and Seattle please HELP (Bellingham, Highland: rentals, chapel)

[John Shaft]

Don't know if the original poster is still looking for feedback, but I thought I'd throw my .02 in as well:

* If you are looking for the best school for biz school, purely on a reputation/rankings basis, UT-Austin wins hands down. If you want to live closer to campus so you can walk, rents increase as you might expect. However, UT is HUGE so you will feel anonymous.
* If you are looking for diversity, Seattle is NOT as diverse as its inhabitants like to brag. Diversity there means white people dressing differently than other white people when they go to the same left-wing political protests. Check the ethnic makeup of Seattle vs Dallas vs Austin for yourself.
* SMU is NOT a diverse environment. Grad school might be different, but undergrad is spoiled super-rich white kids. That said, it's probably the best biz school in the D/FW area. You can find 1 br apts for <$1000/mo, even in the prestigeous (i.e. snooty) Highland Park area surrounding it, but you'll probably have to drive.
* Seattle is every bit as full of itself as Dallas or Austin. Most cities have city pride, but Texas and Pac NW cities really seem to excel at this.
* If you want geography, you cannot beat the Pacific NW ANYWHERE in the USA. However, remember that you won't be able to see the mountains for 6 months out of the year due to the clouds.
* Dallas restaurant scene is NOT all chains. You have to know where to look, but there are very good places. In general, I think there are more REALLY expensive restaurants in Dallas; however, the more moderate restaurants will be cheaper in both Dallas and Austin than their moderate counterparts in Seattle. As you might expect, fish/seafood are much better in Seattle, Tex-Mex and Bar B-Q are better in Texas.
* Have you considered Houston? MUCH MUCH hotter/muggier than Dallas or Austin, but relatively cheap cost of living, fairly diverse, and Rice University is an EXCELLENT school...best in Texas or Washington by far. A relatively diverse group of super-smart people.
* I don't know how you could possibly get by in Seattle on $15K/year. Just my opinion.
* The weather in the Pac NW WILL affect you if you're not used to it. Period. However, it might be a boost in that it will encourage you to stay inside and study.

Hope this helps.

[Frank Hill]

1994 move from Texas to Port Townsend, WA (across the sound from Seattle, which is
just some other BIG city). Moving back to Texas, looking at the Corpus Christi area,
perhaps Rockport or Port Aransas. People are people wherever you go. The "Great Pacific Northwest" is cloudy and not warm maybe 300+ days per year. So, if not Texas, you might consider just hanging your hat on the back of some straight chair and give yourself extra time to se(a)ttle in! **** Luck, paco

[Houstonian Elopers]

We are moving from Houston to Seattle this coming month. No brainer honestly, go to Seattle!

[LookingtoLeave]

Originally Posted by Houstonian Elopers

We are moving from Houston to Seattle this coming month. No brainer honestly, go to Seattle!

Lol, congrats on your move. I live in S. TX too and just told my friends if God has any mercy on me, this will be my last humid, oppressively hot summer here.

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by Frank Hill

People are people wherever you go.

I don't think so. Different places have different vibes.

Seattle is not the same as every other metro area.

[jwb123]

Well, thank goodness for central texas!

[tahoma14410]

Jenbar...how are y'all enjoying Austin??? I was flown up to PDX last week by a prospective employer...in Beaverton. Had a wonderful time over the three days I was up there...check out my post on the Portland forum...Texan to visit PDX. Anyway, they formally sent me an offer this past Tuesday...mulling it over, because I have a competing offer in Austin, thought completely different company, i.e. size, culture...and the $ is a little less. Anyway, I'm glad to see you're liking Austin. BTW, have you been here for a summer, yet?

[jwb123]

I have, and it wasn't that bad. July and August was the most hot - but not hot enough that you didn't want to get outside and do something. I still worked in my yard, when kayaking on Town Lake, etc. It's unlike Dallas and Houston where apparently the heat is stiffling. It's more dry than humid.

Come to the Austin forum - there are many "Seattlite to Austin" threads, don't want to hyjack here.

Simply put, we shoulda moved sooner. Love it. Quality of life upgrade, to the max. Amazing, laid back lifestyle - like we are on vacation all the time.

[jwb123]

I'm a mid-30's single guy, no pets, fairly laid back, don't mind driving (you can take the boy out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the boy!), someplace where I can have a good social life, etc.

Just read your PDX post - without question, go to Austin!!

[tahoma14410]

Jenbar...I actually have lived in Austin for a number of years, but recently moved to Houston on a temporary basis. So I know Austin well...on some levels, too well. Which is why I've been looking at PDX and SEA...along with my PDX offer, I actually have an offer back in Austin. I guess we all have different perspectives on places that are shaped by where we've been. I'm glad you love Austin...coming from Seattle. I guess one of my big concerns is the social scene in PDX...I'm mid-30's, single, professional, etc...and working hard and playing hard are both important, and I didn't really get a good picture of the social atmosphere in PDX. Anyway...this is for the PDX or AUS forum...