Amazon HQ2 - Austin Chances ??? (Houston, Dallas: 2014, live in, buses)

[Westerner92]

I’m all for embracing positive change, but knowing Amazon’s work culture and seeing how they’ve hollowed out Seattle, both literally and culturally, I’m glad they left both of my adopted home towns alone. I’m even a little bummed to know that Greenpoint, Bushwick, and Astoria will be unrecognizable soon given their proximity to Long Island City.

[kemahkami]

Originally Posted by ashbeeigh

The people who preach public transportation for work also seem to have desk jobs that don't need to leave the office for other meetings or don't work with people face to face. Home health providers, child protective services, school staff, direct sales, outreach and marketing, all these positions require driving from place to place and "flexible" hours which mean there are times when you could need to be at work or a client's home at like 7am or be out way past normal commuting hours. Public transportation isn't a fit for everyone, especially when routes stop at 6:30pm.

Amazon, Oracle, google, Homeaway, Indeed, all these may be okay fits for "public transportation" for most of their employees, but not everyone works at these types of places. There needs to be people to take care of those people chained to desks, their parents/grandparents and their kids. And public transportation doesn't do that, a car does.

It's called Uber.

[ashbeeigh]

Originally Posted by ScrappyJoe

It's called Uber.

So, as a home visiting social worker (say for Any Baby Can because I know this is what they do) I should pay for an uber from my home in south Austin to a client in Lakeway to another client in Pflugerville to another in East Austin? Along with all my supplies? That sounds feasible when my employer pays a .56/mile reimbursement? Sounds like a grand idea to me. Both financially and time wise.

But now this isn't about Amazon anymore it's about the commuter/public transport system.

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by Westerner92

I’m all for embracing positive change, but knowing Amazon’s work culture and seeing how they’ve hollowed out Seattle, both literally and culturally, I’m glad they left both of my adopted home towns alone. I’m even a little bummed to know that Greenpoint, Bushwick, and Astoria will be unrecognizable soon given their proximity to Long Island City.

Yes, I agree. Amazon's work culture and Austin are not a good fit. I know several Whole Foods employees who are struggling with the change.



Pulbic Transport was a key part of Amazon's criteria. Austin definitely falls short.

[cBach]

Amazon is a modern day sweatshop. NY & DC can have them.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGdMbI6ZCTY

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by ashbeeigh

So, as a home visiting social worker (say for Any Baby Can because I know this is what they do) I should pay for an uber from my home in south Austin to a client in Lakeway to another client in Pflugerville to another in East Austin? Along with all my supplies? That sounds feasible when my employer pays a .56/mile reimbursement? Sounds like a grand idea to me. Both financially and time wise.

But now this isn't about Amazon anymore it's about the commuter/public transport system.

long term there will be public transit that will be uber style. It will take you point to point and probably use shuttles. Things like chariot are testing right now.

[riaelise]

Originally Posted by Westerner92

I’m all for embracing positive change, but knowing Amazon’s work culture and seeing how they’ve hollowed out Seattle, both literally and culturally, I’m glad they left both of my adopted home towns alone. I’m even a little bummed to know that Greenpoint, Bushwick, and Astoria will be unrecognizable soon given their proximity to Long Island City.

LOL Astoria has already changed from what I knew years ago.

Bushwick, though gentrifying (I guess) is still hood. The monolithic public housing isn't going anywhere and it's not that close to any "happening" area.

Greenpoint I believe is in firm control of the Hassidim. Don't see that changing either.

[latikeriii]

Originally Posted by riaelise

LOL Astoria has already changed from what I knew years ago.

Bushwick, though gentrifying (I guess) is still hood. The monolithic public housing isn't going anywhere and it's not that close to any "happening" area.

Greenpoint I believe is in firm control of the Hassidim. Don't see that changing either.

You’ll be surprised how Bushwick has changed, even by the Myrtle Ave JMZ subway stop. Luxury Apts right across from the projects.
Greenpoint has already gentrified. It’s basically an extension of Hipster Williamsburg. It was primarily a Puerto Rican and Polish neighborhood 15 years ago. The Hasidics are in South Williamsburg, not Greenpoint.

[KerrTown]

Originally Posted by ashbeeigh

Public transportation isn't a fit for everyone, especially when routes stop at 6:30pm.

You might want to get out of Austin and visit other American cities. In Chicago and New York, 6:30pm is too early to end the day's bus/train schedule.

While in Chicago, I was amazed that Metra suburban commuter rail ran every 2 hours on the weekends. The Metro North line in the northern NYC suburbs does not end service until just after midnight.

[ashbeeigh]

Originally Posted by KerrTown

You might want to get out of Austin and visit other American cities. In Chicago and New York, 6:30pm is too early to end the day's bus/train schedule.

While in Chicago, I was amazed that Metra suburban commuter rail ran every 2 hours on the weekends. The Metro North line in the northern NYC suburbs does not end service until just after midnight.

I still don't think many jobs would be conducive to public transportation. And yes, Austin public transportation has lots of room for improvement, never said it was good.

If the hip, cool vibe and access to a young talent pool were the only things Amazon was looking for then we'd be a good fit. If all that plus public transportation were a prerequisite, Austin is not the right fit.