OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

I have a friend that moved to Austin, TX not that long ago. He absolutely loves it, says there is no shortage of jobs out there and just a ton of fun stuff to do.

I'm highly considering picking up and moving out there. I would like to get more people's perspective on the city.

Where are good areas to get an apartment, where are bad areas? Job situation (I myself do Customer Serivce/Administrative work...but could do pretty much anything that doesnt absolutely require a college degree.)

Let me know your thoughts. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

Austin is a great place to live.
Living is relatively expensive if you're want to live downtown. I'd suggest between the area between 35th/45th street and between Mopac and I35 as a pretty good place to live (Search for Hyde Park). Still pretty centrally located. Living further South and East is also pretty affordable. I don't spend too much time in South Austin, as I don't usually go further South than Downtown, but it's a pretty cool place to live from what I hear. I work North and I refuse to deal with the traffic.
There's a lot of good outdoors stuff if you're into that. Plenty of good swimming and parks in the city, and there's a lot of cool places to the West in Hill Country.
A really fun place to live. A lot of what many people don't like about Texas isn't too prevalent in Austin. Really great places to eat too, and the night life is pretty decent. FWIW I'm a 25 year old college grad.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

Nice thanks.

Yeah, I'm 25 and I'm just looking for a total change of pace. I dont want to deal with winter, I dont have any ties up here right now. I feel like I just want a laid back place to live, w/ fun and nice people and a place where I can get paid releatively well (I make $17/hr appx now) and where rent isnt crazy like it is up here.

Night life isnt a huge deal for me, but if I lived in the city I'd be more apt to go out and feel like I havent done enough of that. Boston is a bitch IMO to go out and have fun. Especially since I dont drive in there, nor do I drive drunk.

It's looking more and more like Austin might be where it's at for me right now. Just trying to get the most info possible.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

It's the greatest city in America.

Beautiful weather year round... very hot in the summer (but not oppressive), cool in the winter (but no snow).

Great restaurants of every kind, especially Mexican.

Sports--Longhorns football, Round Rock Express baseball (AAA affiliate of Astros), lots of participatory sports (golf, lots of run trails, hiking, rowing, disc golf, whatever).

It's the Live Music Capital of the World, with hundreds of venues hosting every kind of music every night of the week. Sixth Street is a famous strip of bars and merriment.

You are minutes away from the Texas hill country, rolling green hills and crystal blue lakes... boating, water skiing, sunset watching, naked sunbathing, etc.

Traditionally, east of I-35 and/or south of Town Lake was less desirable for housing, but that is changing. Nicest areas of town are to the north and west. Housing is not cheap.

Traffic is a problem, but crime is not too bad. It's a liberal center of a conservative state, if you're into politics. The town is very progressive/liberal/arty/weird, and proud of it.

Come on down, you'll love it!

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

I live in Austin. I love the town although it's different from the sleepy college town it was when I first visited 20 years ago. Live west of I-35 and as close as possible to downtown/where you work. Jobs are plentiful at this time. It's a fun town with a young vibe. Give me specific questions and I'll answer as best as possible.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

[ QUOTE ]
It's the greatest city in America.

Beautiful weather year round... very hot in the summer (but not oppressive), cool in the winter (but no snow).

Great restaurants of every kind, especially Mexican.

Sports--Longhorns football, Round Rock Express baseball (AAA affiliate of Astros), lots of participatory sports (golf, lots of run trails, hiking, rowing, disc golf, whatever).

It's the Live Music Capital of the World, with hundreds of venues hosting every kind of music every night of the week. Sixth Street is a famous strip of bars and merriment.

You are minutes away from the Texas hill country, rolling green hills and crystal blue lakes... boating, water skiing, sunset watching, naked sunbathing, etc.

Traditionally, east of I-35 and/or south of Town Lake was less desirable for housing, but that is changing. Nicest areas of town are to the north and west. Housing is not cheap.

Traffic is a problem, but crime is not too bad. It's a liberal center of a conservative state, if you're into politics. The town is very progressive/liberal/arty/weird, and proud of it.

Come on down, you'll love it!

[/ QUOTE ]

The apartment searches I've done have been really really cheap IMO. What's car insurance like if I lived in the city (how much we talking per month/year?)

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

Apartments can be found very cheap here ~$375 for decent apts in not so decent areas (although crime isn't horrible here). Nice apartments in nice areas can be found for around 600-700 dollars a month as long as you don't live right by the University of in downtown.

Lifestyle is pretty much like everyone else said there are tons of restauraunts, good bars, and places to ride your bike in the city. It is also the only somewhat big liberal city in Texas which is much different than Houston or Dallas.

The only bad things are is that it's kind of humid if you aren't used to that (and hot as hell in the summer), and traffic can suck during rush hour if you are going near downtown or U of Texas.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

[ QUOTE ]
Nice thanks.

Yeah, I'm 25 and I'm just looking for a total change of pace. I dont want to deal with winter, I dont have any ties up here right now. I feel like I just want a laid back place to live, w/ fun and nice people and a place where I can get paid releatively well (I make $17/hr appx now) and where rent isnt crazy like it is up here.

Night life isnt a huge deal for me, but if I lived in the city I'd be more apt to go out and feel like I havent done enough of that. Boston is a bitch IMO to go out and have fun. Especially since I dont drive in there, nor do I drive drunk.

It's looking more and more like Austin might be where it's at for me right now. Just trying to get the most info possible.

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T,

Want to rent the upstairs of my house?

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

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Boston is a bitch IMO to go out and have fun. Especially since I dont drive in there, nor do I drive drunk.

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Please tell me you live way out in Worcester or something. Anyone who lives within a reasonable distance of Boston knows that this statement is totally false. It is fairly easy to get out and have a good time in Boston without too much hassle. Austin is nice, climate wise, and maybe what you need but Boston >>> Austin in just about every other aspect.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

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Boston is a bitch IMO to go out and have fun. Especially since I dont drive in there, nor do I drive drunk.

[/ QUOTE ]

Please tell me you live way out in Worcester or something. Anyone who lives within a reasonable distance of Boston knows that this statement is totally false. It is fairly easy to get out and have a good time in Boston without too much hassle. Austin is nice, climate wise, and maybe what you need but Boston >>> Austin in just about every other aspect.

[/ QUOTE ]

Austin >> Boston in annoying accents.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

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[ QUOTE ]
Boston is a bitch IMO to go out and have fun. Especially since I dont drive in there, nor do I drive drunk.

[/ QUOTE ]

Please tell me you live way out in Worcester or something. Anyone who lives within a reasonable distance of Boston knows that this statement is totally false. It is fairly easy to get out and have a good time in Boston without too much hassle. Austin is nice, climate wise, and maybe what you need but Boston >>> Austin in just about every other aspect.

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I dont like to drive into the city, there is always work going on etc... So if I go, I usually drive in w/ my friends. Then you gotta find parking. Taking the T in for a nice day is fine, but I dont like to walk around in freezing weather to get to the station. Plus you have to be back on it by like midnight or 1 to go home. It's not the biggest pain in the butt, but a minor one and I'd much rather hang out locally in a crappy bar that doesnt charge me $8 for a drink.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

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Apartments can be found very cheap here ~$375 for decent apts in not so decent areas

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i dont know anywhere that has a place for $375. it would be a rathole im guessing. no place a single female would want to stay.

what area/complex are you talking about?

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

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Austin >> Boston in annoying accents.

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yeah, yall talk reeal funny like out dere in boston

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

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Boston is a bitch IMO to go out and have fun. Especially since I dont drive in there, nor do I drive drunk.

[/ QUOTE ]

Please tell me you live way out in Worcester or something. Anyone who lives within a reasonable distance of Boston knows that this statement is totally false. It is fairly easy to get out and have a good time in Boston without too much hassle. Austin is nice, climate wise, and maybe what you need but Boston >>> Austin in just about every other aspect.

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I dont like to drive into the city, there is always work going on etc... So if I go, I usually drive in w/ my friends. Then you gotta find parking. Taking the T in for a nice day is fine, but I dont like to walk around in freezing weather to get to the station. Plus you have to be back on it by like midnight or 1 to go home. It's not the biggest pain in the butt, but a minor one and I'd much rather hang out locally in a crappy bar that doesnt charge me $8 for a drink.

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Tenn I would imagine you are going to have similar problems in many cities, unless you actually live downtown or a cheap cab ride away.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

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[ QUOTE ]
Boston is a bitch IMO to go out and have fun. Especially since I dont drive in there, nor do I drive drunk.

[/ QUOTE ]

Please tell me you live way out in Worcester or something. Anyone who lives within a reasonable distance of Boston knows that this statement is totally false. It is fairly easy to get out and have a good time in Boston without too much hassle. Austin is nice, climate wise, and maybe what you need but Boston >>> Austin in just about every other aspect.

[/ QUOTE ]

I dont like to drive into the city, there is always work going on etc... So if I go, I usually drive in w/ my friends. Then you gotta find parking. Taking the T in for a nice day is fine, but I dont like to walk around in freezing weather to get to the station. Plus you have to be back on it by like midnight or 1 to go home. It's not the biggest pain in the butt, but a minor one and I'd much rather hang out locally in a crappy bar that doesnt charge me $8 for a drink.

[/ QUOTE ]

T,

You'll have similar problems in Austin (except no train). But if you live somewhere like Hyde Park, its easy enough to cab it. At least thats if you want to go downtown. There are plenty of other things around town where thats not so much a problem. But even parking downtown in Austin is less of a problem than Boston ($5-8) and a short walk is better than what I saw when I was in Boston.

The freezing part, you don't have to worry about. It does get a bit chilly occasionally in the winter, but nothing you wouldn't laugh at. There are a ton of 2+2ers here, look for a cheap flight and come visit, I'm sure you will enjoy yourself.

Are you an outdoorsy type much? A lot of the popular things to do here are outdoors and in the water (trails, toobing, water skiing, etc...).

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

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Apartments can be found very cheap here ~$375 for decent apts in not so decent areas

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i dont know anywhere that has a place for $375. it would be a rathole im guessing. no place a single female would want to stay.

what area/complex are you talking about?

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If you wanted a 1 BR decent place, I'm sure you could find one under $600. I lived in one of the nicer apartment complexes in town, 2 BR place, it was like $800.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

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Boston is a bitch IMO to go out and have fun. Especially since I dont drive in there, nor do I drive drunk.

[/ QUOTE ]

Please tell me you live way out in Worcester or something. Anyone who lives within a reasonable distance of Boston knows that this statement is totally false. It is fairly easy to get out and have a good time in Boston without too much hassle. Austin is nice, climate wise, and maybe what you need but Boston >>> Austin in just about every other aspect.

[/ QUOTE ]

I dont like to drive into the city, there is always work going on etc... So if I go, I usually drive in w/ my friends. Then you gotta find parking. Taking the T in for a nice day is fine, but I dont like to walk around in freezing weather to get to the station. Plus you have to be back on it by like midnight or 1 to go home. It's not the biggest pain in the butt, but a minor one and I'd much rather hang out locally in a crappy bar that doesnt charge me $8 for a drink.

[/ QUOTE ]

Tenn I would imagine you are going to have similar problems in many cities, unless you actually live downtown or a cheap cab ride away.

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Yeah I know. That's not really an issue for me right now. My issue is: Needing a change of pace, Needing a fairly cheap apartment, Needing a job that pays me more than $10 (which I've seen in the classifieds shouldnt be a problem), and warmer weather. NE will always be home, but I'd like a break from the 4ft. snow fall on a Monday morning in -4 degree air.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

Yeah I know. That's not really an issue for me right now. My issue is: Needing a change of pace, Needing a fairly cheap apartment, Needing a job that pays me more than $10 (which I've seen in the classifieds shouldnt be a problem), and warmer weather. NE will always be home, but I'd like a break from the 4ft. snow fall on a Monday morning in -4 degree air.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

Tennenbaum - List 20 CD's you own.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

Dear Tennenbaum,

While I am sure you would like Austin, perhaps you should consider [insert city]? It has many [sushi bar/bacon cookery/horror convention]s and is close to the [football game/wax museum/beautiful ocean]! I could help you find a place to live in [the hip college district/a Colonial mansion/my trunk] and I do have some connections in the [porn/music recording/scientologist computer software] industry, where I could surely find you a job.

Anyway, just consider it,
Love,
OOT

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

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Austin >> Boston in annoying accents.

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yeah, yall talk reeal funny like out dere in boston

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Not to sidetrack the the discussion from relevant things, but I'd say an Austin accent is non existent. A lot of the people aren't from here. You can tell who moved here from other parts of Texas usually.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

well, it rocks. by far the greatest city in the state. keep in mind you might melt when summer rolls around. (summer lasts for 9 months, btw)

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

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well, it rocks. by far the greatest city in the state. keep in mind you might melt when summer rolls around. (summer lasts for 9 months, btw)

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It gets pretty hot and super humid up here too. I think I'll be ok. I'd rather be hot than cold. :P

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

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well, it rocks. by far the greatest city in the state. keep in mind you might melt when summer rolls around. (summer lasts for 9 months, btw)

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It gets pretty hot and super humid up here too. I think I'll be ok. I'd rather be hot than cold. :P

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yes, but the thing about other areas is it cools down during the night. during the worst part of summer here, the lows will sometimes be 90. sucks. but that really is the worst part of living here.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

Texas? Only steers and queers come from Texas, Private Cowboy. And you don't look much like a steer to me so that kinda narrows it down.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

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Dear Tennenbaum,

While I am sure you would like Austin, perhaps you should consider PHOENIX? It has many BACON COOKERIES and is close to the FOOTBALL GAME! I could help you find a place to live in MY TRUNK and I do have some connections in the COMPUTER SOFTWARE industry, where I could surely find you a job.

Anyway, just consider it,
Love,
TUQ

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Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

[ QUOTE ]
Dear Tennenbaum,

While I am sure you would like Austin, perhaps you should consider [insert city]? It has many [sushi bar/bacon cookery/horror convention]s and is close to the [football game/wax museum/beautiful ocean]! I could help you find a place to live in [the hip college district/a Colonial mansion/my trunk] and I do have some connections in the [porn/music recording/scientologist computer software] industry, where I could surely find you a job.

Anyway, just consider it,
Love,
OOT

[/ QUOTE ]

Comedic plutonium, IMO.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

to all my fellow austinites, what are some of the sweet regular things i might be missing out on?

i recently found out about chicken [censored] bingo at ginny's little longhorn saloon every sunday afternoon. this involves gambling on where a chicken is going to crap plus live music. dirt cheap beer and a really weird mix of people to say the least. a tiny dance floor but it does the job.

and i go see the tyrant of texas funk nearly every tuesday night at the continental club (he's on hiatus right now).

gary clark jr every wednesday at happy hour with his blues/rock/reggae set is awesome too.

what else?!?!

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

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i recently found out about chicken [censored] bingo at ginny's little longhorn saloon every sunday afternoon. this involves gambling on where a chicken is going to crap plus live music. dirt cheap beer

[/ QUOTE ].

I'm SO moving to Austin!

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

A friend in Houston told me about a poll the local newspaper did about Texans and their retirement plans. I don't remember what percentage of Texans said that they planned to stay in Texan when they retired, but 90% of those that planned to stay in Texas said that they would retire in Austin.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

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Texas? Only steers and queers come from Texas, Private Cowboy. And you don't look much like a steer to me so that kinda narrows it down.

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http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...otc-holden.jpg

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

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i recently found out about chicken [censored] bingo at ginny's little longhorn saloon every sunday afternoon. this involves gambling on where a chicken is going to crap plus live music. dirt cheap beer

[/ QUOTE ].

I'm SO moving to Austin!

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this is probably the height of culture in America. I wanna do it, too.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

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well, it rocks. by far the greatest city in the state. keep in mind you might melt when summer rolls around. (summer lasts for 9 months, btw)

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It gets pretty hot and super humid up here too. I think I'll be ok. I'd rather be hot than cold. :P

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Austin = great place to live IMO.

But I would caution you to take a careful look at the weather patterns. You say it gets "pretty hot" in Boston, but you really don't know, just like I would be shocked out of my shorts to walk outside in February at your place.

Avg High temp in Austin from June THRU September is >90. Very often there will be days greater than 100 for a week or so at a time. One summer I lived in San Antonio, (100 miles South of Austin) and we had something like 11 days in a row with highs greater than 110.

Avg High temp in Boston in the hottest month is 84 in July. August is actually cooler than July there.

In Texas, August is known as the real bake outside month, July is just a preview.

As for details in living there, a single 25 year old should love it, as long as the commute to work is short. In Texas, we think of it as the highest cost of living city around here; but my understanding is that it still looks pretty cheap compared to the East or West Coasts.

Biggest pluses: Arts, music, nightlife, outdoor activities abound.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

There apparently are a lot of 2p2ers in Austin.

I've lived here about 12 years. It's a very laid back town with tons of stuff for you whatever your style. It's very diverse. I'm sure you would like it. Like any other place, it starts with the people you meet. Sounds like you are well on your way.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

The biggest problem with the heat in Austin is not the severity, but the length of the heat. Last week it was still 90. The entire summer, it will be 100 every day with about 2 or 3 breaks the entire time. Summer lasts from April until November. It's not as humid as many places like Houston or the deep south, but its not dry.

I don't mind the heat so much (we play basketball all summer long outside), so its no big deal. I do enjoy being able to go outside all year long. There are a few days when its actually cold but not many. And it is often in the 60s-70s in January.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

I've lived in Austtin my entire life adn I absolutely love it. If you're young, come on down.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

I've never actually been to Austin but everything I've ever heard about it sounds a lot like Lawrence, KS (only much bigger).

If you're looking for a good nightlife, good downtown, college town excitement, way-out-there-weirdo liberals, etc in a smaller setting then Lawrence would be a place to consider.

Plus, as far as sports, Allen Fieldhouse beats everything in Austin put together.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

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Texas? Only steers and queers come from Texas, Private Cowboy. And you don't look much like a steer to me so that kinda narrows it down.

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http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...otc-holden.jpg

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nh

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

T,

The summer is hot, but there are also plenty of lakes and pools around. Austin is a great city. Cheap, tons to do, great food, great music, great people.

Re: OOT Tell me about Austin, TX
 

Cockroaches big enough to pump your gas that fly in on the backs of mosquito’s capable of transporting a small family.