Will Austin continue to be a great place to live in the future? (Houston: rent, cheap home)

[keepitalive305]

I'm really considering a move to Austin in around two years, and I've heard nothing but great things about the city. Sure it has its problems but all big cities have problems and a lot seem to have much worse ones than Austin. THe thing is, is Austin due to reach a tipping point? I'd hate to move to an awesome place in its decline haha.

[SDBreaux]

Originally Posted by keepitalive305

I'm really considering a move to Austin in around two years, and I've heard nothing but great things about the city. Sure it has its problems but all big cities have problems and a lot seem to have much worse ones than Austin. THe thing is, is Austin due to reach a tipping point? I'd hate to move to an awesome place in its decline haha.

I don't think Austin is anywhere NEAR a point of decline. As long as the city continues to enforce "green zones" and continues to improve the recreational, cultural and economic opportunities, Austin has many generations of prosperity ahead.

[jread]

If we keep having summers like this one, "Yes".

If we keep having summers like last year, "No".

[love roses]

The only problem is, it's not a big city. It was a very big town, small city, and now it's turning into a big city. It's doing pretty well in it's growing pains though.

[MovingForward]

Austin is my hometown. Also went to college there. It's a nice city for its size, but it's nowhere near as nice as it was 30 years ago.

[McJ]

You probably need to identify what makes this a "great" place to you to know if it's possible that it will no longer be "great" in two years.
for example:

you like Austin for it's vast outdoor activities, likely in two years they'll still be around

you like Austin for it's cheap home prices, It's likely in two years the homes might not be so cheap

you like Austin because it's fairly small, well people are moving here like crazy so it's highly possible it may be too crowded for you in two years

you like Austin...well you get the idea. A lot can change in two years so I guess it's all has to do with what is important to you.

[love roses]

Having come from the Houston area before this I never noticed change happen so much as I do here, so I think you're a hundred percent on point with the 2 year thing. In the 3 years I've been here, I've seen change I have a hard time processing. Cedar Park looks nothing like it did 3 years ago. The shoreline of Lake Travis getting more and more built up, Hutto more than twice it's original size, the tollroad I30 was nonexistent. (I feel like I'm spitting up the same old, same old )

[SDBreaux]

Originally Posted by McJ

You probably need to identify what makes this a "great" place to you to know if it's possible that it will no longer be "great" in two years.
for example:

you like Austin for it's vast outdoor activities, likely in two years they'll still be around

you like Austin for it's cheap home prices, It's likely in two years the homes might not be so cheap

you like Austin because it's fairly small, well people are moving here like crazy so it's highly possible it may be too crowded for you in two years

you like Austin...well you get the idea. A lot can change in two years so I guess it's all has to do with what is important to you.

Population growth does not always equal less quality of life. Austin is in good position (at the moment) to expand the beauty and recreational activities AS the city expands. Don't just limit the current atmosphere to the current city limits. Also, Austin needs to consider a commuter train and metro rail. Don't make the mistake Houston did and start a metro rail WHEN you have 6,000,000 people in the metro.

[keepitalive305]

Well I live in a big city now in Miami so I'm used to it. Outdoors are great but what i'm most interested in is living in a city with young people in their 20s, with a great live music scene and cheaper rent than Miami. I figure the first two (young people, great live music) aren't going anywhere, not sure about the rent.

[love roses]

I guess if there are two things that haven't changed...it would be those two...