Is Austin, Texas overrated?

Question

What the hell, man? I don't get it. It's like the most sprawl I've ever seen. Strip mall after boring strip mall. Lived here for 9 months now. What's so "weird" about Austin? Is it the "music scene" which consists of basically mediocre musicians? I just don't get what all the hype is for.
Way disappointed. Where's the character in this city? All I see are strip malls. The "cool" places are tiny little pockets dispersed within the city that takes a freakin' hour to go to because of all the traffic and god willing you don't get run down by a 16 story SUV with a desperate housewife behind the wheel on the way there. I know this sounds really cynical, but, I just don't get the "weirdness".

I actually lived in South Austin for 7 months and had to move up to NW for my job. The south was a little better, but so freaking congested-rage was inspired daily.

Answer 1

Austin is a nice enough city. Of the large cities in Texas it has retained the green belts and lake areas better than most. The traffic is terrible due to poor city planning decades ago. I used to live in another city that was growing rapidly and sent it's city planners to Austin to learn from the mistakes.

Is it weird... well, it was in the 70s but it has outgrown it's weirdness, you can't be the college town/hippie commune built around a capital if you have a metropolitan population of 1.5 million people. There just aren't enough old hippies and students to equal the normal people. Austin has outgrown it's own identity. Now like Dallas, it is a city with no true identity, but has some nice points to it also. At least it is still nestled into the Texas Hill Country.

Answer 2

Austin Overrated

Answer 3

I feel sorry for you. Every city has a distinctive personality that will appeal to some and not to others. I loved living in Austin for several years, have two grown sons that still live there, and cannot wait to move back there this coming Spring. I have lived in several large metropolitan areas, including Dallas and Houston in Texas and can say that Austin appeals to me as an interesting city full of cultural things to see and learn about. It also has a wonderfully diverse population of more than usually educated people and I found it to be an absolutely wonderful place to live. As in the popular cities of New York and LA there are always going to be things that you do not like about a city. The traffic in Austin is what people have to pay for because there has been such a heavy influx of people who moved there in short amount of time - when a city grows quickly its school systems, and road systems are usually playing catch up for a while.
My suggestion to you is that if you are unhappy in Austin, if there is not that "this is MY city" feeling down deep in your bones GO SOMEWHERE ELSE! Since Austin is so congested, as you seem to feel, you should investigate other places that you think you would like better. You will either find your own dream city, or learn that "Austin ain't so bad!" I hope you find something that brightens up your life since you sound very negative in your comments.
Kathy

Answer 4

The "weirdness" is downtown and in the south-central area. If you live up toward Round Rock, it's no wonder why you don't see it. It's all sprawl up there, like every other city. I agree with you that the traffic is horrible, much worse than a city the size of Austin should have.

Answer 5

Austin (or any city for that matter) is as good as you make it. The whole "keep Austin weird" slogan was a campaign by local businesses to keep people supporting them vs going to big-box chain stores. If you haven't seen a midnight movie at the downtown Alamo Drafthouse, done the East Austin Studio Tour, gone topless at Barton Springs (yes, Austin is one of the few cities in the states where women are actually allowed by law to go topless except in bars), been to Eeyore's birthday, seen an art car parade, been to the cathedral of junk, gotten drunk off free beer at a day show during sxsw, gone on the annual moonlight bike cruise with your 500 closest friends, or had your picture taken with Leslie (etc, etc, etc), I'd say you probably have some more exploring to do.

Answer 6

i live in dallas too and first of all nobody is sore about the ravens loss. nobody compares tony romo to brady or manning unless they are a complete homer. all i ever hear is about how bad romo sucks when he's actually having a great year. the miles austin craze is because we came into the season not knowing who would fill t.o.'s hole because everybody knows roy williams sucks. well miles austin has shown us what he is capable of and looks like he will have a bright future. that's why. oh and did you forget that the 1 catch miles austin made in that eagles game was the game-winning touchdown?

Answer 7

I completely agree with you. I have lived here since 99 and have never found out the beauty if this city. I want to move but can't anytime soon. Like you, I hate the traffic (even on weekends anymore). You can't get anywhere without taking 35 or Mopac and they are both packed.

Answer 8

Texas is all about sprawl. I've only been to Austin a few times, but 6th street was the place to go when you visit.

Answer 9

Yes, as a Texan, I can vouch that Austin is just small time "wanna-be" with nothing outstanding to recommend it at all (oh, some government is headquartered there but it is nothing remarkable).
It is a yuppie town. Most of the stores overprice everything because they know the yuppie gubment workers won't know the real prices!

Answer 10

6th street is where its at, or get out to the hill country and onto the lake, but if you are outside of the UTA or High tec loop or lower income bracket, there aint much hope for yer ....