The 620 and all that stuff (San Antonio, Austin: how much, houses, university)

[imaterry78259]

I visit Austin yesterday and was very much impressed with the 620 and Capital Highway scenery some of the best I have seen in Texas. I alos was impressed with the Mueller developement, The Galleria in Bee Cave and The Domain.

I was not impressed with the housing or streets of the inner city of east Austin or around the university. Is East Austin being neglected because it also has a lot of mini hills. The Book People priceswere out of sight but the restaurant scence has gfreatly improve there.

Downtown Austin is one its way to be some awesome skyline.

Drivng back to SA via 290 to over to SA's 211 I began to notice how much Austin and SA scenery are alike.

[case44]

You've got to love any city where prairie meets hill country. And that's the scenario that you have in both Austin and San Antonio. Right on the edge of the Texas Hill Country. It is fantastic in both places and it is amazing study in contrasts. Also glad that you've enjoyed the Capital of Texas Highway. It used to be the outskirts of Austin the first time I drove on it in 1989. No more. Now, you have suburban development throughout much of its course. Still, it is one of the most scenic areas in Texas.

[imaterry78259]

Originally Posted by case44

You've got to love any city where prairie meets hill country. And that's the scenario that you have in both Austin and San Antonio. Right on the edge of the Texas Hill Country. It is fantastic in both places and it is amazing study in contrasts. Also glad that you've enjoyed the Capital of Texas Highway. It used to be the outskirts of Austin the first time I drove on it in 1989. No more. Now, you have suburban development throughout much of its course. Still, it is one of the most scenic areas in Texas.

Unbeknownst to a lot of Austinites is that the hill country is within the city limits of SA. There are tons of subdivision with vista views in SA that reminds me of area around 620.

[imaterry78259]

Has there ever been a movie with the Capital of Texas Hwy or 620 in it?

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by imaterry78259

I visit Austin yesterday and was very much impressed with the 620 and Capital Highway scenery some of the best I have seen in Texas. I alos was impressed with the Mueller developement, The Galleria in Bee Cave and The Domain.

I was not impressed with the housing or streets of the inner city of east Austin or around the university. Is East Austin being neglected because it also has a lot of mini hills. The Book People priceswere out of sight but the restaurant scence has gfreatly improve there.

Downtown Austin is one its way to be some awesome skyline.

Drivng back to SA via 290 to over to SA's 211 I began to notice how much Austin and SA scenery are alike.

Interestingly, you'll find a lot of locals who have watched Austin grow, express the exact opposite sentiments. You'll hear that the Galleria and the Domain are examples of Austin losing its soul, and that the only places left where you see the true, authentic old Austin are the central areas, including East Austin.

In my opinion, The Cap of TX Hwy and RR 620 drives are butt-ugly compared to how they looked 20 years ago. I can see how a first timer would view them as scenic though, because you didn't see how they use to look before the sprawl got there.

Austin is becoming a real grownup city though, for better or worse.

Steve

[case44]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

Interestingly, you'll find a lot of locals who have watched Austin grow, express the exact opposite sentiments. You'll hear that the Galleria and the Domain are examples of Austin losing its soul, and that the only places left where you see the true, authentic old Austin are the central areas, including East Austin.

In my opinion, The Cap of TX Hwy and RR 620 drives are butt-ugly compared to how they looked 20 years ago. I can see how a first timer would view them as scenic though, because you didn't see how they use to look before the sprawl got there.

Austin is becoming a real grownup city though, for better or worse.

Steve

Definitely different today, Steve. I remember when Loop 360 had absolutely nothing at all, save for Barton Creek Square Mall.

[austifornian]

Take a look at this picture from 1980. What a difference 25 years (and a bridge) makes.

[gigi927]

Wow, what a GREAT photo. Thanks for sharing that! Certainly is a different landscape.

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

In my opinion, The Cap of TX Hwy and RR 620 drives are butt-ugly compared to how they looked 20 years ago. I can see how a first timer would view them as scenic though, because you didn't see how they use to look before the sprawl got there.

Have to disagree with that one. When they blasted 360 through the hills west of Austin, it indeed was beautiful hill country, but no different than can be found for hundreds of square miles to the west. They built 360 with the idea of it being part of a big city "outer loop" that never happened. All it ended up doing is providing an easy access route for people to build subdivisions and office parks along the hills... which is what they should have expected. And frankly, I like it. I prefer people to build right off 360, rather than farther out in the hill country where it should remain rural (why build a subdivision 40 miles outside of Austin?)

Hill Country is nice, but somewhat common scenery. Austin (and perhaps El Paso and to a lesser extent SA) is unique in Texas in that the hills are actually part of the city, and urbanized to a degree. When I drive down 360 now, I LIKE seeing the nice houses and office parks perched off cliffs. It kind of reminds me of of Europe, a bit. That's beauty in my eyes, and for my tastes I much prefer the view now versus how it looked in the 80's.

I just like a little density to the city, develop more inside and just along 360, rather than sprawl out Lakeway or Leander. I love what is going on downtown, as pictured below (photo by Romil). I like where city meets nature. That's what cities should look like, IMHO.

[case44]

Originally Posted by austifornian

Take a look at this picture from 1980. What a difference 25 years (and a bridge) makes.

Hey, austifornian, if the bridge was out on 360 and the then-new bridge was being built, do you remember what road that drivers had to divert to to get around it? I'm not sure that there was one. Do you know?