Life in Austin, Texas
Written: Jun 26 '01
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Pros: Friendly people, plenty of activities, relatively affordable
Cons: Traffic, crowds, not a place for people who can't stand hot weather
The Bottom Line: Austin is great city. There are plenty of weekend and evening activities and the cost of living is relatively good compared with other major University and tech oriented cities.
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| claire8346's Full Review: Texas |
If a move to Austin is in your future, you'll be happy to know that even with the recent growth surge, Austin still has plenty of affordable houses in nice neighborhoods. For instance, it's still possible to find a 2,000 square foot new house no more than 30 minutes from your work (with traffic) for less than $200,000. $300,000 buys you a house 15 minutes away and $500,000 up will get you something on the outskirts of downtown. Most Austinites do not live downtown anyway and don't mind the 30 minute commute. While native Austinites whine and complain about how it now may take 15 WHOLE MINUTES to get downtown, anyone whose lived in a CT, Chicago or New York suburb will tell you that 15 minute commute is heaven.
As for rent, the going rate seems to be about $1.00 per square foot for nice apartment complexes -- of which there are many. Most all complexes have pools, fitness centers, security gates and all have parking.
You will need a car to live here. My first year of college I did not have a car and relied on the University and city bus system. I didn't get out much. The next year, I brought my old clunker to school and was able to go off-campus to, wow, THE MALL and the grocery store and all of the places where the Austin bus system fails miserably. Buses here are always late, smell bad, and have stops at busy intersections where you feel like a freak standing and waiting while everyone else drives by in cars. If you are moving here, please bring or buy a car.
Finding entertainment in Austin is easy! Aside from all the live music, local festivities and craft shows, there are plenty of movie theatres, malls (I'm big on shopping as entertainment) and parks. Austin also has a few fun bowling alleys and roller rinks which are popular activities when the weather gets hot -- and it does get hot.
Austin is hot and dry in the summer -- mid eighties to mid nineties is normal May through September, then in August the temperature drops to high seventies and eighties. By October, the temperature is usually in the seventies and stays there until about December, when it plummets to forties and fifties. By February, we have some freezes which are amusing. Austinites react to freezing rain as if it were an ice storm. People drive worse than usual, there's news coverage, and plenty of warnings to bring in your plants at pets.
Austin is not perfect. The roadways aren't being built fast enough for the influx of new Austinites and the major roads are packed with traffic especially during rush hour. Also, people in Austin can't drive. No one signals, no one pays attention and everyone is on the phone. Without trying to be rude or aggressive, Austin drivers will cut you off without signaling for no reason other than they needed to be in your lane right now. Big pick-up trucks are also popular here, and testosterone filled Bubba's will tailgate you while trying to get back to their trailer park for a beer. Westlake Moms driving Expeditions and talking on cell phones will steal your parking spot in the grocery store lot. Unfortunately, our "Drive Friendly" campaign didn't work.
The restaurant situation is not great either. Most of the good restaurants are downtown where parking is tight and waits are long. In the suburbs, you'll find lots of Applebees, Macaroni Grills, Chili's and other chains where parking is easy but waits are STILL long. Austinites love to eat out, so be warned. Go early or go late if you want to be seated quickly. Or stay home and cook.
If you move here from New York or Chicago, you will have a hard time finding some specialty and ethnic foods you're used to. Luckily, Austin has H.E.B.'s Central Market which has a huge gourmet selection and Whole Foods which also carries not so easy to find ingredients and good produce. Major grocery stores here are H.E.B., Randall's and Albertsons. H.E.B. has the best selection and great prices but is often crowded while Randalls is expensive and seems to have a narrower selection. I avoid Albertson's because the checkout lines move too slow and prices are inconsistent.
All in all, Austin is a great place to live. I wouldn't classify it as having a "small-town feel", but overall people here (when out of their cars) are super-friendly and there are a variety of community groups, churches, clubs and support groups. Medical facilities here are excellent and you will not have a problem finding a great dentist or family doctor.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
claire8346
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Location: Austin, Texas
Reviews written: 12
Trusted by: 3 members
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