Vast sections of Austin are "fugly" let's not kid ourselves

[cBach]

Originally Posted by pjoseph2

The Bay Area in my book is much higher on the fugly scale than Austin is. Not counting the outliers (Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz, Half moon bay) and the rich areas (Woodside et al) .

And this was when i remember they actually had rain. And now? Tiny lots in the suburbs with bare dirt (no lawn) sell for 7 figures.

But the scenery gets much better as one crosses the GG bridge into Marin county and onward to Mendocino and Bodega bay. Far north Cali and the PNW as a whole was simply gorgeous country not so long ago. Hope the tech bro invasion left some of that intact.

Because of the sound walls and landscaping with Mediterranean vegetation, the freeways look quite nice. But since the vegetation cannot be mowed, trash accumulates. Here, there is just as much trash but it gets mowed into small pieces.

The streetscapes are very nice. Every now and then there is a lot that is empty and it is basically filled with dead weeds since it's the dry season right now, but most of the lots have filled in since I lived there in the late 90's. To be honest, empty lots in Austin are litter and weed strewn as well, so no change there.

[Ole Texan]

Originally Posted by cBach

Some people will say all that doesn't matter, but if your city looks like crap how can you be proud? I want either nature or architecturally pleasing buildings.

1. Many move-ins do not frequent the fugly areas.
2. Most of the hill scaper residents will not support the taxes needed to beautify the fugly areas. (They have their pot-of-gold areas and are not going to give any up for other areas). It's that I got mine mind set.
3. Do not frequent fugly areas, no problem.

[Nibbidy]

I think Austin is a great looking city even the older parts are not that bad looking. Its Austin character in its own way. Every city has run down areas, some have more than others but Austin dosent have much to complain about. Ive seen much worse off areas in smaller cities like Albuquerque, Omaha, El Paso, and Birmingham. Austin has alot to be proud of for as big as it is.

[Denver303TJC]

Originally Posted by Nibbidy

Ive seen much worse off areas in smaller cities like Albuquerque, Omaha, El Paso, and Birmingham.

IMHO you can add Nola to that list.

[radiolibre99]

Austin is actually pretty nice looking for a Texas city. Not that Texas cities are ugly it's just that their uber practical design puts pleasing aesthetics secondary. Austin really does remind me of a California looking city such as San Jose or Sacramento. It's still very Texan in its decor but the city is overall clean, safe and pretty.