Bay Area (CA) to Austin questions (Atlanta, San Diego: living, safety, moving)

[tacticool]

Originally Posted by grapico

Thread jack? lol It's a public forum addressing similar questions, meaning everything you post is public on google and will turn up in both search results there, and ones here... so anybody can just register and join in, especially somebody like me who has been on here for 5 years... Chill, you don't own the internet. I am addressing Bay Area to Austin questions also, just b/c I don't have a family doesn't mean I need to start an entirely new thread to ask similar things. I actually did the appropriate thing by *not* creating a new thread.

New threads are for topics not covered in other threads. My question was unique to me as is yours to you so no need to derail, do the right thing start your own thread

wag more bark less - I'd probably look at Poway if I end up working in SD, much closer than Carlsbad. I lived in Cardiff several years ago (pre-marriage/kids) and it was beautiful but would have been a lousy commute on 5 traffic.

I've seen some good jobs in SA, what would traffic be like during commute hours from say New Braunfels to SA?

[mark311]

Originally Posted by wag more bark less

Wouldn't you also have to consider traffic to San Diego, where you'd likely be working? Isn't Carlsbad/Escondido 30+ mi to SD? I heard someone else the other day comparing Austin/CA prices, then realized they were talking about Temecula, which is one hell of a commute to SD or Orange County, way worse than most Austin commuters probably have. Would you be able to take advantage of that PT living in La Costa?

Have prices gone down significantly in areas closer in to where most people work?

Actually, there are a lot of jobs and large corporations in the "suburbs" of CA including CA so it's difficult to compare. I lived in Carlsbad for years and worked in Carlsbad for two different large corporations and only had a 5 minute commute. This is another reason why Temecula with its $250K homes is more appealing because a lot of those people don't commute to San Diego, but to places like Escondido or Carlsbad. It's the same thing for the Bay area in that you could live in Santa Clara and work for Cisco in Santa Clara or Apple in Cupertino. You don't always have to commute to San Francisco or Oakland.

[sxrckr]

Originally Posted by grapico

Would somebody from the Bay Area be underwhelmed by Austin... or Chicago/LA to Austin?

In most ways, I would say YES. In fact those are the most complaints I hear. One would need to come expecting totally different, smaller with a lack of the big city amenities. Chicago folks seem to do better with Houston. Bay Area suburb to Austin suburb is usually fine.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by sxrckr

In most ways, I would say YES. In fact those are the most complaints I hear. One would need to come expecting totally different, smaller with a lack of the big city amenities. Chicago folks seem to do better with Houston. Bay Area suburb to Austin suburb is usually fine.

Yeah I wouldn't be into the suburbs, I like to be close to DT in a city neighborhood and sparingly use my car, etc.

[MtnLion512]

Originally Posted by mark311

Actually, there are a lot of jobs and large corporations in the "suburbs" of CA including CA so it's difficult to compare. I lived in Carlsbad for years and worked in Carlsbad for two different large corporations and only had a 5 minute commute. This is another reason why Temecula with its $250K homes is more appealing because a lot of those people don't commute to San Diego, but to places like Escondido or Carlsbad. It's the same thing for the Bay area in that you could live in Santa Clara and work for Cisco in Santa Clara or Apple in Cupertino. You don't always have to commute to San Francisco or Oakland.

I can definitely see the appeal if you don't have to commute to one of the cities! I personally would never live in Temecula but near Carlsbad is a different story.

Originally Posted by grapico

Yeah I wouldn't be into the suburbs, I like to be close to DT in a city neighborhood and sparingly use my car, etc.

You would have plenty of company being car-lite in Austin, I am and I have many friends who are too, and a few who are car free. Of course we all are either DT or DT-adjacent. My wife and I walk or bike most places, and only I have to drive to work (unfortunately).

However we are still a huge minority, far less than bay area. Still doable and fun, especially if you love biking... Much easier for cycling as opposed to walking IMO.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by grapico

Yeah but what about other single, non divorced folks in their 30s. Is it seen as culturally normal to still maybe have roommates (because you want them), going out frequently, focusing on career and creative pursuits there into your 30s/40s? I am keeping all my options open as I'm jumping into another career field soon for a fresh start. I know Austin is a culturally cool place for the young folks... I would just be scared that it is predominantly for that 20's crowd then people start heading out to the burbs. I'd honestly not want to date a fresh out of college girl, no offense to them... I just think there would be experience issues in the relationship (been there done that through dating them). Of course for another topic. I know a lot of people I have known in SF and Chicago who have praised Austin, and a few that have move there, but the ones who moved there were already serious couples for instance.

I think most women would think that a guy in his 30's would be able to afford his own place so you may run into issues if you have a roommate. If you don't like people in their 20's there are also plenty of "cougar" type women in their 40's that would go for you as well. I had a few of them but I found I like a more youthful appearance.

Now I'm dating a lady who is a few years younger than I am and it's working out quite nicely.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by cBach

I think most women would think that a guy in his 30's would be able to afford his own place so you may run into issues if you have a roommate. If you don't like people in their 20's there are also plenty of "cougar" type women in their 40's that would go for you as well. I had a few of them but I found I like a more youthful appearance.

Now I'm dating a lady who is a few years younger than I am and it's working out quite nicely.

Yeah that is what I figured, it wouldn't be culturally normal... It is pretty normal in other more expensive cities though... LA/SF/NYC. My last roommate in Chicago was 40 and it was completely normal and he still went out all the time, more than me actually. I have some friends in Brooklyn in their 30s and they are about 8 people deep in their place. I know several teachers/artists/musicians here in their 30s who also have roommates. Another case, I know some others in New Orleans and they have a block giant house, pretty much a gated mansion with about 15 people in it, they are mostly actors...but that is how they roll I guess. From what I read on here, Austin seems a bit too conservative for me, even though it is supposed to be "liberal" :/ I don't know much about Texas or Austin culture, but that is the feeling I get...

[MtnLion512]

Originally Posted by grapico

Yeah that is what I figured, it wouldn't be culturally normal... It is pretty normal in other more expensive cities though... LA/SF/NYC. My last roommate in Chicago was 40 and it was completely normal and he still went out all the time, more than me actually. I have some friends in Brooklyn in their 30s and they are about 8 people deep in their place. I know several teachers/artists/musicians here in their 30s who also have roommates. Another case, I know some others in New Orleans and they have a block giant house, pretty much a gated mansion with about 15 people in it, they are mostly actors...but that is how they roll I guess. From what I read on here, Austin seems a bit too conservative for me, even though it is supposed to be "liberal" :/ I don't know much about Texas or Austin culture, but that is the feeling I get...

Those scenarios definitely exist in Austin, it's just not predominant. I can think of several friends/acquaintances who are doing stuff like this. Just not common. I doubt it's predominant in NO either....and I've never lived in Chicago but on my visits it's seemed like there are plenty of 30s/40s living alone or w/ one roommate, or with a gf/bf, or with a traditional family, etc. Are there really that many 40-somethings living 10-15 deep in mansions? Correct me if I'm wrong

As has been said time and time again, Austin is liberal but not necessarily compared to some coastal cities or perhaps Chicago.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by grapico

Yeah that is what I figured, it wouldn't be culturally normal... It is pretty normal in other more expensive cities though... LA/SF/NYC. My last roommate in Chicago was 40 and it was completely normal and he still went out all the time, more than me actually. I have some friends in Brooklyn in their 30s and they are about 8 people deep in their place. I know several teachers/artists/musicians here in their 30s who also have roommates. Another case, I know some others in New Orleans and they have a block giant house, pretty much a gated mansion with about 15 people in it, they are mostly actors...but that is how they roll I guess. From what I read on here, Austin seems a bit too conservative for me, even though it is supposed to be "liberal" :/ I don't know much about Texas or Austin culture, but that is the feeling I get...

I think most people in Texas are far too independent for communal living.

I'd rather live in a trailer than live 15 "deep" in a mansion and I can't stand trailers. It's just at least that would provide some level of independence. No Real World Austin for me please.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by wag more bark less

Those scenarios definitely exist in Austin, it's just not predominant. I can think of several friends/acquaintances who are doing stuff like this. Just not common. I doubt it's predominant in NO either....and I've never lived in Chicago but on my visits it's seemed like there are plenty of 30s/40s living alone or w/ one roommate, or with a gf/bf, or with a traditional family, etc. Are there really that many 40-somethings living 10-15 deep in mansions? Correct me if I'm wrong

As has been said time and time again, Austin is liberal but not necessarily compared to some coastal cities or perhaps Chicago.

I mean no there aren't TONS of people living like this. It just isn't viewed as weird (at least in the city) , nobody would think twice. I am wondering if people would think twice, that is the problem. My roommate who was 40 was also randomly off craigslist.