Is Austin or Houston a better destination for a summer trip for 5 Irish students?

Question

We are all 21 years old and want to know where we'd best enjoy the months of June/July. Would like to know where is the best place for nightlife, rent, jobs etc.

Answer 1

You're 21 years old? You'd enjoy Austin more, no question. It's the nightlife capital of Texas (as well as the government capital of Texas) with most of the bars and clubs located in a central area. I doubt pretty seriously you're coming to Texas in the summer to visit museums or go to a zoo. Between the University of Texas, Austin Community College and the smaller colleges in the area, there are thousands of young people in town over the summer. Folks who come from the '70s might think Austin "empties out" over the summer, but that's far from true. It remains a young, vibrant city with more variety of nightlife than anywhere else in Texas.

I'd suggest looking on Craigslist for a good deal on housing, but you'll definitely want to stay close to downtown. You'll enjoy that a lot more.

Be prepared, though. Austin gets HOT in the summer, and stultifyingly humid. Shorts and T-shirts are the usual summer wardrobe.

Not so much character in Houston. If you've ever been to any other big city anywhere in the world, you've already seen Houston. To compare the cities to places in Ireland, Houston is like one of the more industrial suburbs of Dublin, except much more sprawling. Austin is more like Galway.

I'd put Austin at the top of the list, with Dallas in second place. The downside to Dallas, much like Houston, is that everything is very spread out.

Answer 2

Austin, definitely. Houston is just plain miserable in the summer months - humidity is awful, and the mosquitoes will just about carry you away, not to mention horrid pollution. Austin has pretty good night life, more moderate temperatures (although NOTHING in Texas is cool in July), and a lot fewer mosquitoes! Look for housing around the University of Texas campus; with students gone for the summer, you may be able to pick up some good deals on short-term leases.

Answer 3

Considering that University of Texas will be emptied out in June and/or July, not a lot goes on in the summer in Austin. Students drive 6th Street a lot more than locals do.

Houston, on the other hand, is not dependent on students and has a greater population base, and many more areas with bars and clubs and pubs. We don't have one "bar and club district" comparable to 6th Street, we have many (Richmond Strip, 1960, Montrose, et cetera).

You'll find it easier to find a job in Houston in the summer, which has a varied economic base, than in Austin. Rents are comparable for both towns. Population-wise, greater Austin has a million residents. Greater Houston has over five million (yes, more than Ireland) in its metropolitan area.

For those who say "Houston is industrial" what part of town did you visit? Did you limit your sightseeing to Deer Park (where a lot of refineries are)? Talk about a misleading statement.

My guess is that a lot of those who live and die by Austin have not been to Houston. I've been going to Austin since the 70s, and I usually enjoy my visits, but I'm always glad to put it in my rearview mirror and head back to Houston.

Answer 4

I am originally from Houston but now attend college in Austin. In my opinion I would recommend you visit Houston because the city offers more options of entertainment. The only place in Austin with a good nightlife is downtown. Of course there are bars and clubs around the city but they are not as concentrated as they are in downtown so you will be limited to that place unless you feel like driving around to another one. In Houston, there are several entertainment districts that offer several nightlife options. You can party downtown, on Montrose district, down Westheimer/Richmond, in Uptown, and many, many more places. Houston also offers more tourist attractions that Austin does. Houston's rent is more affordable (don't assume that just because it is cheaper it is more ghetto, of course both cities have ghetto areas but in Houston you can still live in a nice place and not pay a lot.) Houston also offers many tourist attractions (zoo, museums, Space Center, water parks, huge malls, Kemah boardwalk). Now if you do decide to come to Austin you can still do many things. Austin offers more nature options than Houston. If you like to fish, swim, row, hike, bike, whatever; Austin has more options that Houston. The other thing I like about Austin is how close it is to San Antonio. San Antonio is another good city with many tourist attractions and a good nightlife.

Answer 5

Austin for sure. Its a lot more fun. Houston is also extremely humid. Austin is only an hour from San Antonio, which is a lot of fun, too. Houston is hard to get around in, very industrial and not my favorite city at all.

Answer 6

I spent a long weekend in the Houston area. Houston is basically an industrial center, it has a lot of industry and is where people work. There are alot of bars, clubs, and resturants and shopping. Yeah, you can visit Mission Control, it's alright. One day we took a drive to San Antonio (about a 4 hour drive from houston). I Liked San Antonio better than Houston. Friendliest city I've ever been to, and there are lots of tourist's from all over visiting the River Walk and the Alamo. The River Walk is series of canals with shops and resturants, clubs, and hotels all along the canals, it was really cool.

Answer 7

I'm a native Texan, Houston has more to offer in sight seeing and things to do.than Austin. There is a lot in Austin don't get me wrong, but Houston has many musims, the Space center in Clear Lake Texas , Galveston is only 50 miles away.. You can write, Texas Department of Transportation, Travel and Information Division P.O. Box 5064 Austin,Texas 78763-5064. The will send you a Texas State Travel Guide. This will help you enjoy you visit to Texas even more.

Answer 8

start off in austin; do some history, party on 6th street, see the bands, spend an afternoon on ut campus strolling around(talk to everyone you can), wander the drag on a weekend, get a bus pass $10(ut shuttles are free) to take a ride & see the sights & dont forget to sample the chicks/guys, theyre some of the best. the 'in town' suites are $160/week & are pretty good. stay for a few weeks then go to san antonio for a couple weeks; see the riverwalk, party, history, alamo & people. then finish off in houston, allow at least 2 weeks to see it. see the ports if you can but definately see the party spots & the points of history. keep in mind, people of these towns are very different from eachother.

Answer 9

Austin. Hands down.

Houston is s-p-r-a-w-l-i-n-g. Austin is more compact and is easier to get around. Nightlife is beyond compare ("Live Music Capital").

Also, Austinites are more friendly.

If you think our president is doing a great job, go to Houston. If you think otherwise, go to Austin.

Answer 10

Austin, for the simple reason that you have students travelling w/you. Providing they are of drinking age, 6th street is a great time and Austin is a very cool, progressive city. H-town is more on the conservative side and boring in social scene.