Relocation from NYC to Texas: Houston, Dallas, or Austin? (Fort Worth: college, living)

[carryzero]

I am 31, and am being relocated to Texas by my employer. I love NYC, and don't want to leave, but my employer is incredibly insistent that I live in Texas, at least for a couple of years. As such, I am in urgent need of city recommendations. Other than NYC, my favorite cities in the U.S. are Portland, San Diego, Denver, and Chicago. I have visited each of Houston, Dallas, and Austin, but for only one day per city. Regardless of where I end up, I plan to reside in the central district (no more than 10-15 minutes from downtown), and I would appreciate a city with some green space, a downtown that isn't a ghost town on evenings/weekends, a good bar/music scene, some cool walkable areas of town, and some urban loft-style living options. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[AmberAzeneth]

Austin will better meet your criteria. I live in Houston and love it, but what you are looking for will be more accesible/available in Austin.

[HappyTexan]

Dallas has that big city feel. Still nothing compared to NYC though.
Lots of nightlife in Dallas and FT Worth is just a hop/skip away.

http://ondaweb.com/deep_ellum/

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by HappyTexan

Dallas has that big city feel. Still nothing compared to NYC though.
Lots of nightlife in Dallas and FT Worth is just a hop/skip away.

Deep Ellum - Dallas, Texas

Yeah, but Dallas' Downtown is dead after working hours. I think Austin would be more to his liking.

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

I would say Austin of the cities youve listed. You may want to give Fort Worth a look as well. Downtown Fort Worth is walkable and a lot of fun.

[cmacemm]

uptown dallas my man, uptown dallas

[flpyrner]

Just know that between Dallas, Houston and Austin...they will be not even compare to NYC.....just go with an open mind and where ever you choose try to enjoy what that city has to offer. Oh...and prepare for the disgusting heat.

Based on your post, I would go with Austin. Great music scene, lots of parks, the more walkable city between the three, thriving/centralized downtown area, laid back feel. It is the smallest city between the 3 but since your fave cities are San Deigo, Portland & Denver that is why I pick Austin. Good luck!

[feconi]

Any of the three cities you list, as well as Fort Worth, could be a good fit. Dallas and Houston are much bigger cities with more big city amenities and more diversity. Austin meets your specific criteria well--it has a good bar/music scene and is an outdoorsy city that shares some similarities to Portland, so just choosing one of the three, I suggest Austin.

[hamiltonpl]

You've received good advice -- don't expect it to be like NYC. There is nothing approaching that density any city in Texas.

I think you would be happy in any of the cities. Houston and Dallas are much larger than Austin, but their downtowns do go to sleep after dark and on the weekends -- kind of like Wall Street. Austin's downtown is more lively, but there is less to do in general in the city -- and it is geared for the college crowd. Houston and Dallas are more refined, where Austin is more laid back, outdoorsy and unashamedly unrefined.

In Dallas and Houston you will have to look just outside of downtown proper for the action, but both cities still have urban environments 10 minutes from downtown in the central city where you go to party. In Houston it is Midtown, the Galleria and Montrose. In Dallas it is Uptown, Oak Lawn and Knox-Henderson-Greenville. They are in the shadows of the skyscrapers and most outsiders would consider it "downtown" even though the city dwellers think differently. Most of the buildings are 2 to 20 stories in those areas. Not suburban, but not strictly the downtown financial districts either.

[AlGreen]

Austin has the hipster and live music scene going for it, but neither Houston or Dallas are slouches in that area. Also, both of those cities are going to offer you more of the big city ammenities.

Personally, I'd recommend Dallas for a New Yorker.