After moving to Austin did anything surprise you? (Houston, San Antonio: best city, elementary school)

[LiveUrban]

People biking on the roads. I didn't know you could even bike on city streets before I came to Austin.

I've become a big supporter of cycling and now use my bike to get around as often as possible.

[G Grasshopper]

I expected there to be a lot of big vehicles when we moved to Texas, but I had no idea that there would be people driving them who were so unskilled. All these happened in the first months we lived here. Experience #1: rear ended by a teenager who admitted that she didn't realize how long it would take for her huge SUV to stop. Experience #2: Hit while parked by a woman who hit both cars on either side of the space as she attempted to park. Experience #3: Came out of a store and saw someone trying to park their SUV next to mine and dangerously close to hitting it. I ran out and told her she was about to hit my car. Here is the jist of our conversation: "You are going to hit my car if you continue as you are"; "what do I do?", "back up, cutting to the right." "I don't know what that means" "I mean turn your wheel to the right" "I don't know how to park this thing. Would you park it for me?" "No, I am not going to drive your car. Back out and go park where there aren't any cars around" "OK".

My solution: When my husband is with me, I park in a handicapped space, which usually has more room. (we have a handicapped mirror hanger.) When he is not with me, I park out where it is unlikely people will park around me. Self preservation.

[capcat]

I've never noticed skill-level to be a problem in drivers of large vehicles. Most I see around town appear aware of their vehicle's limitations/requirements and handle them surprisingly well. I don't drive one, but think the stereotypes perpetuate a bit of anger out in public - something we could do without.

[txkimbo]

Back to surprises about Austin/Texas:
Been here since 1981, after living all over, and my biggest shock was people DRIVING ON THE BEACH. Not occasional dune buggies, but roads made in the sand and cars parked on the sand, one lined up after the other.
Another surprise was Texans' obsession with the weather. But that made more sense once I ran out in the driveway in eager anticipation of my first September cold front.

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

We tried to move to Austin so I'll chime in. I was surprised at the ratio of paupers to princes. Also the home prices were a bit surprising.

[capcat]

Originally Posted by oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots

We tried to move to Austin so I'll chime in. I was surprised at the ratio of paupers to princes. Also the home prices were a bit surprising.

When my family first moved here in 1968, they bought a house in Allandale North for 22,000. I thought that was an expensive home. About 1980, my husband and I bought our first home off FM 1325 for 50,000. At the time, home prices were projected to reach an average of 100,000 in maybe 5 years or so, which I just did not believe. That seemed outrageous. I also didn't believe it was possible for Round Rock to almost reach Austin, as people were saying it would. It seemed way too far away for that. We bought a house in Allandale a couple of years later for 72,000 and sold it 20 some years later for 350,000 as is, kitchen and bathroom completely gutted for a remodel. Just to give you an idea of the progression of things in Austin.

But back to the topic, the thing that surprised me when I moved to Austin was the weather. People ran to the window to watch the rain. I had no idea why at the time, now I do the same thing. Also, that it could be 75 degrees on Christmas Day. A white Christmas would be a miracle. . Another thing that surprised me were the creatures...horned toads in our front yard. They looked like mini-dinosaurs. Too bad they're no longer around here.

[CptnRn]

Moving her from Denver it surprised me how much more penetrating cold weather could be in Austin, I blame this on the humidity. It made it far more uncomfortable to ride my motorcycle to and from UT.

[G Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by capcat

But back to the topic, the thing that surprised me when I moved to Austin was the weather. People ran to the window to watch the rain. I had no idea why at the time, now I do the same thing. .

When it rains, I have been known to go stand in it, or just sit out on the deck watching it. We have come to appreciate every little bit!

[heavyhappiness]

Giant flying cockroaches are called "tree roaches" in Austin and they will REALLY surprise you. Especially when it's dry and they come into your house to "look for water". Even nice homes have tree roaches. I almost moved out of our house in Barton Hills in the first week because of them. I assumed we had an infestation after seeing a few. We moved from NYC and even the water bugs there aren't that big. Keep your air conditioning cranked to help deter them. The air dehumidifies... it's expensive (and cold) but it works ok.

[capcat]

Originally Posted by G Grasshopper

When it rains, I have been known to go stand in it, or just sit out on the deck watching it. We have come to appreciate every little bit!

Me, too. Life-giving rain!