What are the pros and cons of living in Austin, TX?

Question

I am considering moving to Austin, Texas for a variety of reasons, mostly around quality of life. I currently live in the San Francisco Bay Area and am experiencing the high traffic and high cost of living (price of home-ownership, electricity, gas) among other things..and am searching for a place where both are lower. I love the Bay Area weather, but have heard Austin's weather is comparably mild, esp in the Hill Country. And of course, the fact that there's no state income tax is a definite plus...but it's offset by the high property taxes.

Thanks in advance for your input!

Answer 1

austin is one of my favorite cities.
as is san francisco, but you are correct..it is outrageously expensive!
i've lived in houston my whole life, but i go to austin when i can.
and my cousin lived there for about 6 years and my brother lived there for a couple as well.
i hope this helps
PROS
-you are right..austin's weather isn't bad. of course coming from san fran it would take getting used to. but it's much better than houston. winters are lovely and not bone cold but perfect. there are days when it feels really hot but most of the year you just wanna sit outside all day.
-it is such a cute city. neat little shops and nice buildings. its nice walking around the capitol and old buildings.
-if you are a bike rider austin is great.
-good public bus system.
-music festivals and lots of fun festivities, that are sometimes free. exa. austin city limits. there was a battle of puns.
-great culture
-beautiful houses
-i think cost of living is reasonable. some parts are expensive, but there are some areas that are pretty cheap..esp. compared to san fran
-not as touristy as san fran
-nice trees
-i could go on forever
CONS
-well i get annoyed with all the crazy UT longhorn stuff, but you can learn to avoid it.
-traffic can be bad but can also be avoided

i just love it. and i think if you like san fran you will like austin.

Answer 2

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RE:
What are the pros and cons of living in Austin, TX?
I am considering moving to Austin, Texas for a variety of reasons, mostly around quality of life. I currently live in the San Francisco Bay Area and am experiencing the high traffic and high cost of living (price of home-ownership, electricity, gas) among other things..and am searching for a place...

Answer 3

I visited my brother-in-law, who lives there. Gas prices are very low compared to NY or CA, and to avoid the traffic on the Interstate, simply get a toll-pass and use Route 130, which is a loop that runs from I-10 near San Antonio past Bergstrom Airport then runs just east of Austin, and ending at Georgetown, a Northern suburb. Very little traffic and speed limit is 80mph. The pass costs about $10 per day on a rental car if you are visiting, but well worth it.

Answer 4

This is my opinion of Austin. I have only lived here for a couple of months but I'll share my views. I hope this student's opinions are helpful to you in some ways.
PROS
good outdoor scene (many lakes, rivers, lots of people here like to hike, ride their bike, jog, etc.)
good music scene (there are many places where you can go to listen to live bands in many different genres)
CONS
horrible traffic and freeways (the entrance/exits to the freeway are weird and so is the layout of the city, there is always traffic and the freeways should have more lanes)
everything is so far (I stay about 2 miles SE of downtown and I swear everything is so far away. If I want to go shopping or go eat at a restaurant or go to the movies I have to get on the freeway and drive a couple of miles)
there is a very limited amount of entertainment in town

Answer 5

I know nothing of the cost of living there, BUT, you still have high gas prices....(maybe less than where you live now) There's ToN's of traffic and getting through there off the Interstate is MADNESS!!!! In the Hill Country, it's beautiful in areas and blah in others. Texas isn't a bad place to live though, I've lived here for 11 years.

Answer 6

i actually work with guy here in Austin and he is from the same area, and he hates it here. It is hard to get around since we have many freeways and toll roads, names of roads have 2 names and it is confusing. I like the nightlife, the jobs, and the people are nice but it is hard, to really get to meet alot of people who arent already associated with others and tend to shun newcomers out somewhat. Overall, I love the lake, the park, and the stores and the cost of living is good, I love Austin, and I have lived here for 8 years now, it was hard at first, but as all moves, you will get adjusted. Try the NW area, Cedar Park areas, good luck and welcome to Texas.

Answer 7

If you like living in San Francisco and you feel like you fit in with the people there. Don't move to Austin, because it is all together different in Texas then it is in San Francisco. However, if you don't like the people there and don't feel you fit in, move to Austin Texas cowgirl. There isn't a state income tax here.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

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I would move to LA instead of both those turds....