Boy am I glad I moved to Houston.

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by Johnhw2

Define upper middle class for me but assuming you are not out in left field on it, Houston definately has a huge upper middle class.

Middle class to me is having more than just the ability to afford a home also afford some sense of retirement, investments, other properties. If your assetts are worth a lot more than your salary. That to me is the true middle class, which today is defined by the upper middle class, and yes Houston has a lot of those people, especially in the outer outer loop; Sugarland, Richmond, Fulshear, Katy, Woodlands, etc. Probably more than any other major metro area I've ever seen.

As far as a the so called "middle class" i.e. the people who can afford a home in a nice hood, car and a modicum of a decent life, yet it all hinges on their job and without it they would be relegated to the poorer neighborhoods, yes there are a lot of those types too. They're really working class folks with the right financing and allocation can afford the middle class life.

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by OducksFTW!

Austin does have industry, it isn't just some quirky hipster city with transients and oddballs. I know several Computer/Electrical Engineers that were interviewed and offered jobs(myself included) in its vastly growing semiconductor/technology industry. Many big name companies are there which I was surprised to learn. Heck I know some of them took jobs, largely because of the city itself. Took paycuts to move there and turned down larger pay at an Oil&Gas company.

Austin would be a great place to live, and I've met many people that have moved there, there are jobs(albeit not as many as Houston) and the cost of living isn't like LA or NYC high. People live there and are actually moving there(again not on the scale as Houston but still happening).

And of course the city is WAY more geographically interesting than Houston, it does have great music/film/ and art scenes. Sixth street is pretty awesome as well. But it isn't up there with SF/San Jose or LA, but it comes fairly close.

Austin is just the new hip city that young folks in the south/southwest part of the country seem to want to come to. So there is going to be an attitude about it whenever outsiders pour in. For Texas Austin is as "cool" and "fun" as its going to get.

All these perceptions are from a 24 year old so opinions may vary based on that.

Of course there is industry there, I wasn't talking about that but this Austinite mentality that Houston is the pits while Austin is a haven for the talented and gifted.

Some of the criticism they dish out borders on racism sometimes as they describe Houston as ghetto when discussing its urbanity.

Its not unique though. A lot of people from the San Jose/SF area trash talk about LA and how its nothing but a mess and not as bold innovative or unique as their town. The only difference between the Austinites and the San Jose/Palo Alto/SF crowd is that the latter has a leg to stand on. A massive soccer player/track star leg.

[radiolibre99]

I am torn between Austin and Houston to be honest.

For one, I know the opportunities might be better in Houston and I would be able to afford more out of life, but the quality of life in Austin cannot be beat for Texas.

I mean honestly Austin and the hill country is a "poor man's California". Not that that is a bad thing but it reminds me a lot of the area out west; hilly, dry, beautiful. Some of the areas around the lakes like Marble Falls remind of Orange County.

I also really love really urban areas and huge cities. I love New York, LA and even Houston, mostly because of the things to do, the amenities, and the ample opportunities.

It's such a dilemma.

[Johnhw2]

Austin is more like California cities than other Tx cities. It has a higher cost of living vs Houston at least and probably Dallas too. It has significant water issues like most western cities have (most cities have water issues not just western ones but the western ones are more severe). Apparently some like you value what they call quality of life more than good pay for your work so demand exceeds job supply in many careers in Austin.

But if you want quality of life why settle for California lite in Austin, go all in and head to California and see how far the paycheck goes.

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by Johnhw2

Austin is more like California cities than other Tx cities. It has a higher cost of living vs Houston at least and probably Dallas too. It has significant water issues like most western cities have (most cities have water issues not just western ones but the western ones are more severe). Apparently some like you value what they call quality of life more than good pay for your work so demand exceeds job supply in many careers in Austin.

But if you want quality of life why settle for California lite in Austin, go all in and head to California and see how far the paycheck goes.

I am in Los Angeles and the pay out here is terrible. It's actually worse than Houston in many regards if you factor the COL. The quality of life out here is really nice if you can afford it.

Austin seems like a pretty good deal. I know the job situation is a little worse than Houston's but for what it's worth you get a similar sliver of a taste of California living for half the cost. I can see why there are so many "slackers" there that just refuse to leave for Houston or Dallas.

I love the quality of life of cities like Austin, San Jose, Palo Alto, Portland and San Diego. All these cities are similar. But what I would get annoyed of is the over all Austinite mentality, the quirkiness and dealing with "the eclectic bunch" that think they're so innovative and stuff. I deal with that enough as it is in LA. I prefer the vibe in Houston which lacks the prentiousness (in most circles, I know it exists there too).

I just have to face the fact that no matter where I go and want to be upwardly mobile I have to deal with the A-type annoyingly quirky, a bit ego driven types that fill top spots in major cities. It's just with all the nice eclectic places; San Jose/SF, NYC, LA, Austin these types congregate. I would almost prefer the good ol' boy types over the former.

I don't why I have I am that way toward them. Maybe because I've dealt with them throughout college and then at work. I am talking about the types that people stereotype Rice grads to be.

[AK123]

Originally Posted by radiolibre99

Austin seems like a pretty good deal. I know the job situation is a little worse than Houston's but for what it's worth you get a similar sliver of a taste of California living for half the cost. I can see why there are so many "slackers" there that just refuse to leave for Houston or Dallas.

I love the quality of life of cities like Austin, San Jose, Palo Alto, Portland and San Diego. All these cities are similar. But what I would get annoyed of is the over all Austinite mentality, the quirkiness and dealing with "the eclectic bunch" that think they're so innovative and stuff. I deal with that enough as it is in LA. I prefer the vibe in Houston which lacks the prentiousness (in most circles, I know it exists there too).

Have you looked at San Antonio?

I personally prefer Houston to San Antonio for more culture/arts, sophistication, international vibe, big-city amenities, etc. But San Antonio will have the hills/scenery and such nearby like Austin, but is much less pretentious and hipster-influenced.

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by AK123

Have you looked at San Antonio?

I personally prefer Houston to San Antonio for more culture/arts, sophistication, international vibe, big-city amenities, etc. But San Antonio will have the hills/scenery and such nearby like Austin, but is much less pretentious and hipster-influenced.

Absolutely. I am also shooting for San Antonio.

[TVC15]

OP I am glad to hear a newbie liking Houston.

Houston is a great city! I just spent the past 7 days there and had a blast running around my old stomping grounds

And the heat and humidity were a welcome...and I am being serious!