How Austin compare to Houston and Dallas (live, best, cost)
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Austin is dynamic. For its size it has a tremendous young population, tech community, and an urban, vibrant and dense downtown. Last time I was there was about 3 years ago so maybe even changed more dramatically now. That's what makes Austin feel special.
But, Dallas and Houston are just much much larger and because of that, offer many more amenities and opportunities unavailable in Austin. They also offer vibrancy, urbanity, tech, young people, etc on the same or greater scale than Austin, but it is just less noticeable since it is not the primary makeup of the city. I believe this is true for both Houston and Dallas, however I am more familiar with these aspects of Dallas so I can vouch more strongly for it....but again I am pretty sure this is true of Houston as well.
I've lived in all three and as far as a place to live, it's easily my least favorite of the three. Too insular and provincial, yet extremely crowded. Too many people that think that it's the end-all, be-all of places to live not just in Texas, but the United States as a whole, when it doesn't offer nearly as much as Houston or Dallas overall. Not particularly diverse politically or culturally. A preening superiority complex (which is funny to me quite honestly). The I-35 corridor through downtown Austin is probably the worst freeway corridor in the state (the 610 West Loop in Houston is close, but its a shorter distance you have to deal with the traffic).
But to visit? It's easily the best of the three. It has a lot more things for tourists to do than Houston or DFW, and the one thing it unquestionably does better than either of those two areas is live music. It also has better outdoor amenities than either.
But literally everything else, as a resident (not a visitor), I'd take Houston or Dallas for. Better food, more amenities, far more diverse (both culturally and politically) and overall both are easier places to live day-to-day.
I've lived in all three and as far as a place to live, it's easily my least favorite of the three. Too insular and provincial, yet extremely crowded. Too many people that think that it's the end-all, be-all of places to live not just in Texas, but the United States as a whole, when it doesn't offer nearly as much as Houston or Dallas overall. Not particularly diverse politically or culturally. A preening superiority complex (which is funny to me quite honestly). The I-35 corridor through downtown Austin is probably the worst freeway corridor in the state (the 610 West Loop in Houston is close, but its a shorter distance you have to deal with the traffic).
But to visit? It's easily the best of the three. It has a lot more things for tourists to do than Houston or DFW, and the one thing it unquestionably does better than either of those two areas is live music. It also has better outdoor amenities than either.
But literally everything else, as a resident (not a visitor), I'd take Houston or Dallas for. Better food, more amenities, far more diverse (both culturally and politically) and overall both are easier places to live day-to-day.
i don't think Houston has that much to offer over Austin except for jobs, cost of living, diversity, and is pretty much a boring sprawl overall. Otherwise Austin wins in festivities, music, scenery, tech, etc. i personally would prefer living in Austin because it's more interesting, if i can afford it now that is
i don't think Houston has that much to offer over Austin except for jobs, cost of living, diversity, and is pretty much a boring sprawl overall. Otherwise Austin wins in festivities, music, scenery, tech, etc. i personally would prefer living in Austin because it's more interesting, if i can afford it now that is
Spoken like a person who has never lived in both. Completely untrue. And what is "winning in tech", and "etc" lol.
Houston has significant advantages over Austin in a lot of things, scenery and live music notwithstanding. But as a resident, scenery only goes so far. Houston offers a LOT more - professional sports, travel opportunities (via both airline options and conveniently placed consulates), food options, shopping options, employment options, living options, educational opportunities, cost of living. And the people are far more down to earth, which as a resident, has a bigger day-to-day effect than who has the prettiest hills imo.
For the most part, the same is true of Dallas. Austin is a nice town, don't get me wrong, but for me its advantages are heavily outweighed by its disadvantages when compared with the two bigger metros.
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