Is Austin too provincial for it's own good? (Round Rock, Georgetown: waterpark, university)

[Kosmonaut]

I've noticed an attitude since moving here 10 years ago that other cities in Tx seem to lack. Residents seem to be apathetic and sometime even unsupportive of the other parts of town. Themes keep re-emerging over again such as - South vs. North, East vs. West, Suburbs vs. Urban, Growth vs. Nimby, and others.

I hear all the time statements like *I don't ever go south of the river* or *I don't ever go north of the University*, or *I don't ever go east of 35*

Has anyone else noticed this? If so, do you think it's holding the city back? I personally think it comes across as ignorant to outsiders visiting our city.

[Trainwreck20]

If I 'don't every go south of the river', how does that equate to not supporting? I think people do tend to stick to their part of town, but that does not mean that they don't support the rest of the town. I have never notice anything different in Austin (regarding this) compared to other cities.

[Moonlady]

How long have you been here? It's been going on for way more than 10 years. Who can forget the annual north-south tug of war over the river in the 80's? The reason you hear those statements now is because 1) traffic sucks and who wants to go anywhere in it, and 2) as the city has developed and filled in, there is less need to go to another part of town.

I've lived south and now north. I can pretty much get everything I need where I am north now, but that doesn't stop me from making the occasional trip south if I have a reason.

Trainwreck is right - people tend to stick to their part of town. And as we get bigger, it will get more so.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by Kosmonaut

I hear all the time statements like *I don't ever go south of the river* or *I don't ever go north of the University*, or *I don't ever go east of 35*

I think you are imagining this. I have lived here for 36 years and have "never" heard anyone make statements as strong as you are phrasing these. And even if they did that does not readily translate into their being provincial.

[tildahat]

Originally Posted by Moonlady

How long have you been here? It's been going on for way more than 10 years. Who can forget the annual north-south tug of war over the river in the 80's? The reason you hear those statements now is because 1) traffic sucks and who wants to go anywhere in it, and 2) as the city has developed and filled in, there is less need to go to another part of town.

I've lived south and now north. I can pretty much get everything I need where I am north now, but that doesn't stop me from making the occasional trip south if I have a reason.

Trainwreck is right - people tend to stick to their part of town. And as we get bigger, it will get more so.

Cities like Boston and NYC are even more like this, I think....

Now if by provincial, you mean "Austin is like so awesome and so like unique and everything, so we can't learn from other cities, hey let's build gondolas!" then yes, very provincial.

I've probably told this story before, but at a BCNA meeting I actually heard someone claim Austin was "unique" because *it is built on a river*... Good grief.

[Moonlady]

You know, I've been working in NW Austin since 1986 and a lot of people I worked with lived in Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown. I made a comment about a restaurant in S Austin and a coworker actually said "Oh, I NEVER go south of the river!" And I thought, how sad is that - it's part of Austin's unique charm and culture. But all that was about 20 years ago. I've heard a lot less of that sentiment now than back then.

[Kosmonaut]

Originally Posted by Moonlady

You know, I've been working in NW Austin since 1986 and a lot of people I worked with lived in Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown. I made a comment about a restaurant in S Austin and a coworker actually said "Oh, I NEVER go south of the river!" And I thought, how sad is that - it's part of Austin's unique charm and culture. But all that was about 20 years ago. I've heard a lot less of that sentiment now than back then.

Yes, the *I don't ever go there* mindset. The implication is that others shouldn't either and this advice is given to out of town posters asking for honest answers about where to go, things to do and places to live.

I've had friends in far north Austin tell me that they consider downtown to be on the southern edge of Austin. Not sarcastically, but for real. I've also heard of areas of east Austin, north of the river called *southeast Austin* by other north Austin people.

[Trainwreck20]

Yes, the *I don't ever go there* mindset. The implication is that others shouldn't either and this advice is given to out of town posters asking for honest answers about where to go, things to do and places to live.

wha? So when I say I never go to Round Rock, I am implying others shouldn't? I don't go because it is a 45 minute drive from where I live, I have absolutely nothing against it and used to go up there a lot when I live in N. Austin. I also don't go over to E. Austin, not because I have anything against it, I just have no reason to go there. I expect most of E. Austin never comes to SW Austin because they have no reason to. Pretty much every cardinal direction from downtown has all you are likely to need nearby, why drive across town?

[ScoPro]

Talk to John Kelso about Austin "provincialism". lol

Maybe the OP thinks more of us should add to the already sucky traffic by clogging the streets in other parts of town to prove how urbane we are?

[Kosmonaut]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

Pretty much every cardinal direction from downtown has all you are likely to need nearby, why drive across town?

No part of town is an island. There are many one-of-a-kind attractions and services that exist in every part of town. The Domain has stores that I can't find in South Austin, South Austin has the Wildflower Center which has no equal anywhere else. East Austin has the only real art scene, The Natural Gardener in SW Austin has nothing comparable anywhere else. SE Austin has the only major airport. The best waterpark in town is going to be built up north. ACL, Blues on the Green, the Kite festival are ONLY held in South Austin, The only minor league sports we have are again up north in CP and RR. The top 5 barbecue spots in town are found either south of the river or east of 35. The only large lake we have is out west. The only real horse country is east of 35, The only Formula 1 track in the U.S. is in SE Austin along with the largest concert venue in Austin, the most beautiful part of the hill country is in NW Austin. The wineries are out west. The pine forests are out east.

There is no part of town that offers everything but people act like their part of town does. It's the provincial attitude, to behave like the rest of the town is not important, or doesn't offer anything.