What does Austin have to offer besides partying? Is it a scenic city like New York City? I'm moving from New York so I want to know what is the cost of living compared to N.Y.C? Also, where are the nice areas to live and where are the ghetto areas? Thanks.
2007-07-26 14:52:19 · 9 answers · asked by me me 3 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Austin
1. There is all the partying and all the privacy you would like - your choice. Easy to meet people, great food, great music, lots of free events, many cultural events as well. Goooooood place to be.
2. Scenic city: Yes, yes, it is beautiful - in some parts, just like I am sure NYC is in some areas. There are several lakes that are in line with each other that are actually part of the Colorado River and it all runs down throughout West and Central and South Austin. The city has lots of Live Oak Trees (coming from New York you may not know a lot about trees, Live Oaks are evergreen and green all year. There are also lots of Cedars which are also evergreen so the temperature and scenery is beautiful year round. The climate is wonderful in Spring/Fall/Winter and early summer. Wear shorts and swim most of these months: August is usually hot, hot, hot and dry but this is solved by air conditioning and swimming pools or lakes. Park areas are really pretty and plentiful.
3. Cost of living: Can you get much more expensive than NYC??? Austin is probablty the highest cost of living of major cities in Texas, but you get a lot for your money. Texas has no state income tax, and no tax on groceries or pharmaceuticals. This state operates on its property taxes and they are higher than some other places, but probably nowhere near as high as NYC. I feel like the savings in one area are balanced with the higher expense in others. Real estate will not be anywhere near as high as New York, nor will rentals. Salaries could be the same or lower to a lot lower, depending upon what your career skills are. If you have a good education and good skills you can live very well and comfortably in Austin with a lot more in the way of amenities than in New York.
Next question: Where to live. There are nice areas, and ghetto areas. Fortunately the nice areas are not really only located in one area of the city. If you are lucky enough to locate a job first this makes it easier. You could contact an apartment locator (real estate licensees who specialize in rentals. They can tell you what is available at any given apartment complex as well as many privately owned rentals. You tell them what you want to spend, they tell you what is available. If you want to purchase, do the same with a real estate company that operates in all areas of the city. Any office can sell you any property that is on the multi-list but many will route you more to their own listings in a certain part of the city.
I do not live in Austin at present - my sons live their now, and I will return to live there later this year. I have lived North, Northwest near Cedar Park and South in the Wm. Cannon/Manchaca area. I loved them all, but found that I really liked living South more because I was closer to the Central part of the city and I asked myself when I was living Northwest "why did I move to the city and I'm in the suburbs. I liked the hustle and bustle (maybe even the traffic) and loved driving across Town Lake and seeing the colored lights on the taller buildings downtown at night. Just my preference. You, coming from the NYC area may fall in love with a wonderful suburban living. Austin has a good Capital Metro bus system - sorry no subways, but there are good commuter programs from most outer city areas in case you work downtown.
Whatever you find, you will find an exciting city with a young outlook. My sons are early 30's, daughter 25 and I am 58. We all feel the city has many things to offer people in our age groups. If you are going to enjoy your life you need to be in a place where there are things to enjoy. Austin certainly fits the bill! I hope you love it as much as I have and will have a wonderful life there.
Oh, yes, before settling on a place to live, you can visit the downtown office of the Austin Police Department where there is a book detailing crime statistics per block for every area of the city. Most places you can kind of tell how well things are maintained by looking- are things neat and clean, new, old, whatever? Sometimes this is an indication of whether it is a crime ridden neighborhood. Looks can be deceiving. Austin Police are happy to provide you with this information. If you ask, a Property Manager is bound by law to tell you about crimes that have happened on the property that they manage (however whether they will do it or not remains to be seen). The PD will give you the low down and you will move in knowing a little more about the place that you propose to live.
I can say that I was never afraid while living in Austin. I am a reasonable person and took proper precautions that you need to take when living in any city - lock doors, etc., but I went all over the city - walking downtown at night, working on MLK in East Austin for a while, working and living in the suburban Northwest and South and managing a property that was for low to moderate income people in the North. I was never afraid and always comfortable living there.
Enjoy Austin life, It is a good place to live.
Kathy
2007-07-26 15:47:27 · answer #1 · answered by kathy s 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Like everyone else has said, it will be a big change. Austin is not a big city by any means. Because of that, though, it's got a lot of things going for it: housing is affordable, small-town feel, can live in a house with a yard not far from downtown, etc.
Cost of living is much lower than NYC (especially housing costs), but you will also (most likely) have to take a pay-cut. Also, Austin does have a public transportation system but it is pretty lacking (especially considering you are coming from NYC), and you will probably need a car.
2007-07-27 13:12:42 · answer #2 · answered by squirrely 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Austin has the benefit of being a small city. It has many of the advantages of the city (and some of the problems), including some good restaurants, a good night life, etc. But it is also small, so housing is affordable and doesn't require hours of commute time to get anywhere.
It will be a HUGE change from NYC. At first, you may only see what you have lost, but give it time and you will come to love it here. (That's what happened to me.)
2007-07-27 01:02:38 · answer #3 · answered by Wundt 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is pretty much the best city in Texas. Awesome nightlife, major out door recreation, good for singles and families ect. It is also pretty much the most liberal place in Texas. It also has better scenery than Dallas and Houston(where I live).
2007-07-27 10:51:36 · answer #4 · answered by Man of Gold 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Austin is over rated. Lived there for 9 years. Too much traffic, etc. etc. Coming from New York you will find it waaaay too boring.
2007-07-28 02:50:24 · answer #5 · answered by lolo lala 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Hi,
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2007-07-27 08:19:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i like dripping springs right outside of Austin.
2007-07-27 00:51:56 · answer #7 · answered by Prisillla68 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your best bet would be to check out www.city-data.com . Any questions you have should be answered on their forum. We have plenty of transplants here, so you won't feel alone.
Good luck!
;)
2007-07-28 03:03:43 · answer #8 · answered by ivy_trick_mess 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
the death penalty?
2007-07-26 21:58:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋