what are the similarities and differences between austin and LA/SoCal? (Houston: buying, allergies)

[jobert]

Originally Posted by jread

EDIT: I just looked at the graph in the post above. I find it interesting that Austin has a larger hispanic population than San Diego, when San Diego is right on the Mexican border.

I've been to both SD and LA recently, and SD seemed a lot more anglo to me for some reason. It also seemed more exclusive and clean like a resort, while LA seemed like one giant barrio (they have a reallly bad graffiti problem). What's also odd is that SF is about 1/3 Asian. Wow.

[jread]

Originally Posted by jobert

SD seemed a lot more anglo to me for some reason. It also seemed more exclusive and clean like a resort, while LA seemed like one giant barrio (they have a reallly bad graffiti problem).

Agreed on both accounts. SD really has no "grit" like most cities... it doesn't even look real, like it's a movie set or something.

[passionatearts]

Originally Posted by jread

Agreed on both accounts. SD really has no "grit" like most cities... it doesn't even look real, like it's a movie set or something.

Man, if you think San Diego is sterile and clean-cut, spend some time in San Jose!

I do happen to agree with other posters here that southern California and Austin have some similarities - certainly way more than Austin has with any place in the Northeast.

[mark311]

I think it just depends on what areas you end up going to in each city in California. The Westside of the LA area (Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Malibu, etc.) doesn't have any "gritty" areas in my opinion. San Diego does have some "gritty" areas as well in South East San Diego, National City, etc. I lived right next to San Jose in Santa Clara for a couple years and there are definitely some areas near San Jose State that were not places I would want to hang out in at night. There is gang activity in parts of San Jose.

It's difficult to compare such large areas especially between states. It would be easier to compare neighborhoods or smaller areas. For example, Coronado and National City in San Diego couldn't be more different.

[Manay]

@jread
does st. edward's give out a lot of money for financial aid?

[jread]

Originally Posted by Manay

@jread
does st. edward's give out a lot of money for financial aid?

Yes, quite a bit I think. You should contact a recruiter there and ask what they offer.

[LI2Texas]

Originally Posted by Manay

what if they say it's the reputation of the school?
should i go to grad school?
what are other schools in texas besides rice that have a good rep. or a decent one that can get me good job offers?
oh and i meant, i wanted to work out of state, i live in texas.

In texas, you will need 150 credit hours to sit for the CPA exam (equivalent to a masters degree) so I would recommend grad school.

I have lived in NY, orange county, CA and austin and think there are some similarities with austin and southern california in that there are a lot of opportunities for outdoor shopping, dining, exercising, etc. Parts of the landscape (particularly north west) remind me of cali with the houses up on the clifts over looking the lake (ocean in CA)

Austin is a great place, more people who come here love it.

[gdu]

Originally Posted by Manay

and why do people from california pick austin.

The hills and the cost of living compared to CA.

[passionatearts]

Originally Posted by gdu

The hills and the cost of living compared to CA.

Not to mention that the job market is much better in Austin than it is in places like Los Angeles.

[jread]

Most people I know who moved here from California tell me the same thing: "Austin is the closest thing there is to California outside of the state, and the cost of living is so much lower, while the quality of life is so much higher."