Lots of bashing... Strange reasons? (Houston, Dallas: university, tornado, live)

[Latsabb]

Originally Posted by justanothercalifornian

I'd like to comment on a couple things that were mentioned in this thread:
The heat here is not horrible in terms of getting into ultra high digits, it's mainly the fact that it lasts for about six straight months, without any break.
Also, what some of us mean by "houses with character" are houses that are perhaps older, historic, or just something that sets it apart from the typical track homes you see in a burb or master planned community. Thats my definition anyway.

Older houses, unless very modernly restored, are not my thing. I have lived in some houses that were 20 years old, and I just cant stand them. Old electricity standards, usually poor heating and insulation, and just lack the "clean" look of many of the newer homes. Sure, they might be "unique" and have a "story", but I plan to live in the house, not write a book about it. :P

Plus, the more hot weather, the better. Bergen, Norway, where I currently live has around 300 rainy days a year. This coming from Sacramento with 300 SUNNY days a year. Bring on the heat. If I could have just summer all year, I would be on board for that. I am not much of one for seasons to be honest with you.

[jobert]

The only "natural disaster" that could affect Austin is drought. That being said, it would make life uncomfortable but you wouldn't die immediately like an earthquake, tsunami, hurricane, tornado, volcano, etc. It would be a managable disaster, and you would have a choice to cope in your own way. You don't have that luxury in other parts of the U.S. Austin is dry now, but we are in the same boat as everyone from Los Angeles to S. Carolina, so that comes with the latitude.

[Latsabb]

Originally Posted by jobert

The only "natural disaster" that could affect Austin is drought. That being said, it would make life uncomfortable but you wouldn't die immediately like an earthquake, tsunami, hurricane, tornado, volcano, etc. It would be a managable disaster, and you would have a choice to cope in your own way. You don't have that luxury in other parts of the U.S.

Well... Lets be honest, Austin has flooded a bit, and has been known to get a tornado or two. However, flash flooding is localized, and can usually be avoided if you don't live in flood areas, and the tornadoes that hit Austin seem to be small and rare.

[jobert]

Tornados has also hit up and down the east coast as well (there were tornados in Delaware and Brooklyn, NYC in recent years). We have 100year and 500year flood plains to cope with flash flood - we call them "greenbelts", and they add to the abundance of nature that can be found here.

[Mdlx]

Originally Posted by Latsabb

I am looking for a decent sized US town with good weather year round (limited or no snow) that has a lower cost of living, nice people, and limited natural disasters. A stable (comparitively to the rest of the US of course) economy and job market are also very high on the list. Compared to any of the Californian cities, Texas is alight years ahead on all counts, minus of course the weather.

Compared to Norway... Yeah, Texas wins hands down. I have heard good things about Austin, so I am going to check it out. If it doesn't work out, I might head to Dallas or Houston, but Houston is too close to the sea for my comfort (hurricanes) and something about Dallas doesn't sit right with me. Austin seems too far north to be effected too badly by hurricanes, and too far south for tornado alley. It has a lot of suburbs, and seems to have at least a pretty good economy and job market.

From the sounds of it, you need to definitely need to consider San Antonio.

Same climate as Austin, but in San Antonio its easier to afford to live near the big box stores, malls, and chain grocery stores.

[TVC15]

For the OP:
So please, can someone set this straight?
Same goes for Austin I think. I think a lot of people that think the place is REALLY great, or REALLY crap just don't have enough perspective.[/quote]

You have never lived there or even visited so how do YOU know? I think what you call bashing is really someone posting what they thought about the city who has either lived in Austin or have visited long enough to make an assessment about the city. I believe that they are just trying to inform others to not believe the market hype. That is all!!! No one is saying it is a bad place to live they are just saying it is not a place that they find interesting or enticing enough to want to live there. Also they are expressing that when they did their research about the city they heard all of sort of incredible things that are just not true and that are used to market the city.

It is a good thing that people have their perspective to share. It helps others to learn more about a city rather than having to rely solely on the marketing. This forum is not only about a one view perspective it is about many different sides of a perspective. Some are going to be able to relate to the perspective and some are not but that is life.

[Latsabb]

Originally Posted by Mdlx

From the sounds of it, you need to definitely need to consider San Antonio.

Same climate as Austin, but in San Antonio its easier to afford to live near the big box stores, malls, and chain grocery stores.

I will check it out. However, I am moving to Austin on March 4th, so the plans are too far in motion. I read some bad things as far as safety on San Antonio, but it is easy enough to relocate if things end up going poorly. Since I will be driving from California to Austin, I can go a bit out of the way and check out San Antonio while on my road trip.

[miche111e]

Originally Posted by justanothercalifornian

I'd like to comment on a couple things that were mentioned in this thread:
The heat here is not horrible in terms of getting into ultra high digits, it's mainly the fact that it lasts for about six straight months, without any break.
Also, what some of us mean by "houses with character" are houses that are perhaps older, historic, or just something that sets it apart from the typical track homes you see in a burb or master planned community. Thats my definition anyway.

Have you even been to some of the older neighborhhods? Of course many of the new homes in suburbs are cookie cutter homes. That's what happens when a city gets bombarded with new residents who need housing quickly. There are lots of older neighborhoods in Austin with character...and trees! Lots and lots of trees!

[miche111e]

Originally Posted by Latsabb

I will check it out. However, I am moving to Austin on March 4th, so the plans are too far in motion. I read some bad things as far as safety on San Antonio, but it is easy enough to relocate if things end up going poorly. Since I will be driving from California to Austin, I can go a bit out of the way and check out San Antonio while on my road trip.

Actually, it would be quite easy to do so. If you take I-10 it takes you directly into San Antonio. Driving through west Texas is FAST -- the posted speed limit is 80 and there are hardly any other vehicles on the road.
Then you can catch I-35 from SA to Austin.

I'm from Austin, but recently moved to SA because of my husband's job. I never thought I'd live here, but I do like it. (Actually I am happy to be back in Texas, period; the past 10 years we've been in ND, CA and CO).

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

Originally Posted by justanothercalifornian

I'd like to comment on a couple things that were mentioned in this thread:
The heat here is not horrible in terms of getting into ultra high digits, it's mainly the fact that it lasts for about six straight months, without any break.
Also, what some of us mean by "houses with character" are houses that are perhaps older, historic, or just something that sets it apart from the typical track homes you see in a burb or master planned community. Thats my definition anyway.

OMG, it's hot for six straight months??? I'M MELTING just thinking about it.