Austin from Chicago

[bravorojo]

I moved from Chicago to Austin a few years ago. So far the best decision I've ever made in my life.

[bmdwillow]

Hello! We too are moving from Chicago Suburbs to Austin this summer...and have a young family. Wondering for those that live in Austin now...would recommend living in Flintrock or Lakeway Area? Are there many children? I want to live in a neighborhood where my kids can go out and play with others. I do not need to live near Westlake or downtown Austin. I've already looked into Steiner Ranch...i know that's full of chilldren. Thoughts? Thank you!

[ishirx]

Originally Posted by scm53

i hope you acknowledge the correlation between what Chicago has become, and single party control for the past 79 years. The record of that "leadership" is $1,200,000,000 in debts, including unfunded pension liabilities. The record includes one of the highest homicide rates in the country, despite passing what was declared to be an unconstitutional restrictions on handguns. The record includes losing 7.1% of the employment base in the 2000s - largest of the top ten metro areas, on top of being the only one of the fifteen largest municipalties to lose population in the 2000s.

The point is, that Texas is a low tax, low service state. Please don't move here and vote for the same philosophy that has demonstrably failed in Chicago. Should you move to the suburbs, you will likely encounter a population that knows the track record of Chicago, and rejects it every two years at the ballot box. Yes -- Austin is more liberal than the surroundings, but you have identified that you probably won't live in Austin. I don't want you to be frustrated.

We Texans welcome our newcomers. We are friendly people -- a point constantly made by my wife's Michigander family. We are accepting of others -- as long as they don't try to make us into what they are fleeing from.

"Please don't move here and vote for the same philosophy that has demonstrably failed in Chicago."

Thanks for your post. To the contrary, we have learned the hard way the kind of destruction to civility, safety, family, economy, and freedom an unchecked political party can create. It is beyond prevalent in every single aspect of our lives, and our kids' lives from complaining to the College Prep High School that they have a problem with hard drugs and listening to them blame the school board for easing up on drug policies, to shootings (and we live in a decent area), to watching our neighbors lose their possessions, to paying outrageous taxes, and transportation costs. We are ready to live our lives in peacefulness once again.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by bmdwillow

Hello! We too are moving from Chicago Suburbs to Austin this summer...and have a young family. Wondering for those that live in Austin now...would recommend living in Flintrock or Lakeway Area? Are there many children? I want to live in a neighborhood where my kids can go out and play with others. I do not need to live near Westlake or downtown Austin. I've already looked into Steiner Ranch...i know that's full of chilldren. Thoughts? Thank you!

Lakeway a few decades ago was an Austin area outpost for vacationers and retirees from other parts of Texas. Three golf courses, and airstrip, and of course Lake Travis. It has changed dramatically. There are many families with children of all ages. Still has more retirees than areas like Steiner. But I think in general that is a good thing because the retirees are active volunteers. Lakeway has a controlling city government. Tight speed limits. And strict building codes. However they are less offensive than what most HOAs do. I lived in Lakeway from 1986-1998. I still live in the Lake Travis area.

Lakeway has a nice pool, an adjacent skateboard park, and other parks including a lakefront one (though it may not have water in front of it now because of low lake levels).

Flintrock falls under Lakeway city government, but is outside of regular Lakeway. The homes are larger, more expensive, and (anecdotally) owned by people with fewer young children. Less of a neighborhood feel.

The schools in the area are very good.

[sxrckr]

Originally Posted by scm53

i hope you acknowledge the correlation between what Chicago has become, and single party control for the past 79 years. The record of that "leadership" is $1,200,000,000 in debts, including unfunded pension liabilities. The record includes one of the highest homicide rates in the country, despite passing what was declared to be an unconstitutional restrictions on handguns. The record includes losing 7.1% of the employment base in the 2000s - largest of the top ten metro areas, on top of being the only one of the fifteen largest municipalties to lose population in the 2000s.

The point is, that Texas is a low tax, low service state. Please don't move here and vote for the same philosophy that has demonstrably failed in Chicago. Should you move to the suburbs, you will likely encounter a population that knows the track record of Chicago, and rejects it every two years at the ballot box. Yes -- Austin is more liberal than the surroundings, but you have identified that you probably won't live in Austin. I don't want you to be frustrated.

We Texans welcome our newcomers. We are friendly people -- a point constantly made by my wife's Michigander family. We are accepting of others -- as long as they don't try to make us into what they are fleeing from.

Originally Posted by ishirx

"Please don't move here and vote for the same philosophy that has demonstrably failed in Chicago."

Thanks for your post. To the contrary, we have learned the hard way the kind of destruction to civility, safety, family, economy, and freedom an unchecked political party can create. It is beyond prevalent in every single aspect of our lives, and our kids' lives from complaining to the College Prep High School that they have a problem with hard drugs and listening to them blame the school board for easing up on drug policies, to shootings (and we live in a decent area), to watching our neighbors lose their possessions, to paying outrageous taxes, and transportation costs. We are ready to live our lives in peacefulness once again.