Austin Travel Forum

I posted this same question in the San Antonio forum

I'm thinking about moving to the South someday in the future and I was wondering if some of you guys could help me with some information.
I grew up in Venezuela (a tropical country, near the beach) but I have lived in Missouri/Kansas for 12 years. Now that I have a family and two kids I realize that I'm staying in the US to raise my family (can't move around as easily as before).

I'm a little tired of living in the center of the US where people look down on me if I speak spanish, I really want my kids to speak spanish, I want to live closer to the beach/ocean, I want to live in a city that is family friendly (not Miami), I want to live away from cities with racist people or history (South-East US), I also wouldn't mind traveling to Mexico by car to visit a Latin-American city every now and then without having to spend $800 per person to go to Venezuela (it'd be $3200 per trip), I'm also a christian (not fanatic, respectful of other religions) and very proud of my latino/hispanic heritage.

Based on this, I believe that Austin would be a perfect city for me and my family. It's close to the beach, Mexico, big hispanic population, warm, etc, etc.

What do you guys think?
Can you tell me some of the good/bad things about Austin.
I have in my mind that it is a party city (not a family city) but I could be wrong.

San Antonio and Austin are really nice places. You may want to consider moving to The Woodlands, which is north of Houston and is a great place for kids to grow up, great schools and amenities for everyone. Also, there are tons of people from all over the world living here including Venezuela. Plus if you need to go home to visit it's closer from here. I think it has a website and if you contact their information center they'll send you lots of information. Sorry I couldn't help you with info on Austin or San Antonio, been there, but thought I'd run our hometown by you.

Thanks for telling me about The Woodlands,
I'll do some research about it and see what I can find.

Better be good (I'm playing)

I'm sorry, but The Woodlands?? The Woodlands epitomizes the American suburb, although it's great for families, but it's also extremely sterile and dull. It also offers nothing in the way of Hispanic culture (unless you count On the Border) save for a couple of mostly-Hispanic apartment complexes on the other side of the freeway.
San Antonio would be more your cup of tea than Austin, I think. SA is more centered around Hispanic culture than Austin and doesn't have that college/party mindset that Austin does. A lot of the town is tourist-oriented, but it's easy to get away from that if you want.
I'll probably get slammed for this as well, but I've always found Austin to be pretty segregated. The Hispanic neighborhoods are on the east side of the city (with plenty of exceptions, of course) and East Austin is regarded as a "bad neighborhood" by most and they'll never go over there. People certainly aren't overtly racist though and I've found Austinites to be extremely open-minded and progressive.

I recently moved here and I would highly recommend San Antonio. I bought a home near Austin, and would recommend San Antonio. The city is closer, easy to walk around, cleaner and very friendly. People are more open -- a smile, or easy to engage in conversations. Austin, is too far spread out, so you would need to travel. I think the reason is San Antonio is a very touristy area, and I heard so many different languages being spoken...like CA, -- a melting pot. I just moved here, after being in the New England area, and found San Anotnio much more inviting.

I found San Antonio cleaner....we walked around in area at night and saw a lot of young families, with young children out an about. It has two of the most visited areas (Alamo, River walk)...beautiful area to take the kids in the strollers and walk and walk. There are stores, restaurants, theater..it is so pretty.

Austin is more of a college town, and though it has a lot to offer, one would have to move to the suburbs (Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown) to get the small town atmosphere. You would feel "at home" in San Antonio....there is a large Hispanic community there, its a pretty,and very clean city. Housing is very affordable...there are a lot of companies, and industries there, so finding a job there is doable. Best of luck to you....+

Thanks for the advise "premiseforfriends", I'll keep that in mind.

I'm already planning a vacation over there in the next few months to see what Austin and San Antonio are really like.

Thanks again.

Hey Austin is GREAT! I'm from NC. I moved here in 2001 right out of highschool. I run a cleaning buisness in S. Austin and I'm a hairstylist part-time! My boyfriend has lived here his whole life... He's showed me around and took me to some cool eating places! We have 2 nice lakes... It's great have a boyfriend from here! He's like a tour guide =-)

The people are great! I don't feel like anyone is racist here. Everyone is so nice to each other. We smile. Texas is not like any other place... It's comfy here.

There's great music all the time and any night!

If you want any help we are fun and relaxed people, 32 and 24 years old. I am a christain raised southern Babist.... We are not hard core religous but we are believers and good people...

Rons a realtor and he can help you with everything... finding a good school for your kids to what you want for dinner... Let us if you want more info about Austin... ~ Bev

Danilo, I really wouldn't listen to those That say Austin is segregated. I am half Hispanic myself and teach bilingual kindergarten. Also, I live in East Austin. Well, East Austin is now the mecca for many homebuyers because there are some beautiful homes here.

I love to visit San Antonio, but I love the progressive attitude of Austin. Austin does have the college party atmosphere, but it also has alot of family activities for families such as children plays, a great children's musuem, and outdoor activites.

I love to visit San Antonio, but I don't feel that there is much to do there. Especially if you are in to outdoor activities, Austin is a better bet with miles of hike and bike trails and parks. Austin has a much more liberal and laid back attitude.