Austin Travel Forum

Hello!
My wife and I are mulling over the idea of moving to Austin. I grew up in San Jose, CA (some in Gilroy too) and have spent the past 6 years in Portland, OR.
My wife is from Louisiana and has also lived Seattle (5 years), Austin (2+ years) and Portland (5 years).
She has never felt Portland was her home and has never really taken to it (oddly not the weather but no happiness in her job or friendships). I want her to be happy and know she has an awesome base of friends there and we both can get good (if not better) jobs in our industry.

What I'm concerned about is moving to Texas. Being from California...well it's hard to imagine moving there. We're in our mid 30's, no kids but soon and enjoy big city living.
What freaks me out is the heat, being far from my family (Sacramento, San Jose, Greenwich Ct), people are a lot more religious down there and they say y'all a bunch.

Is Austin a cool city to live in? Fun things to do? Good places to eat? Open minded people? Have a funky part of town? I just want to calm my nerves that I'll be showing up wearing shorts, t-shirt with my funky glasses, tattoo and be an outcast for not wearing boots and a cowboy hat (which will NEVER happen).

Admittedly the idea of having a pool, being able to BBQ more than 6 months out of the year and not having to kill moss on my house, sidewalks, in the yard and on the dog is kind of appealing. I like what I've seen from my few visits but know little more than a few good places to eat and time at her friend's house.

Any advise? Tips? Pros? Cons?

A common misconception is that Austin = Texas + all its stereotypes, but that's definitely not true. Austin itself has developed its own identity as a progressive island in an otherwise conservative state.
Not a LOT of religious people, but there are very religious people in every city in the country. If you're not religious, you'll have no problems.
Lots of fun things to do, especially if you're into the outdoors.
Several funky parts of town, most notably the South Congress area.
Austin has excellent restaurants. Which ones are best is a matter of a strong opinion.
From your self-description, you'll have no problem fitting in. Having already been to Austin, I'm surprised that you still have these opinions of it. If you get to go back, hang out around Downtown more. That's where you'd probably be happy living anyway, if you can afford it. ;) But the suburbs are a bit of a different world.
Also I should add that Austin has one of the best music scenes in the country. Not just the typical SRV blues or country either, but a very eclectic blend. Some of the best new, independent bands are coming out of Austin right now.
hth

Austin is a great place, and since my homes are in Florida and California (San Jose as well) - sometimes I think I should just live in the middle ;=)

Having said that, why not spend a few days there and see for yourself. Something about San Jose .... Race Street fish kitchen ... Trader Joe's ... lunch in Los Gatos ... down to Capitola for Labor Day - hmmm! Being in Florida with a bad case of nostalgia does not help my reply much!

Nomad

Thanks for the input. I know Austin is a pretty cool town and have been out some (my y'all and cowboy comments are as more tounge in cheek comments). In fact from the 8 months I dated my wife *then gf* when she lived there I honestly felt it was very similar to Portland. Both have great food, music, funkyness in an otherwise completely different state - just WAY different on the weather. The way I see it I'll be gaining March, April, 1/2 May, 1/2 Sept, Oct & Nov (with options for bits of Feb) and loosing June/July/August - trading grey and blah for damn that's hot!
I'm pretty sure we're going to make the move, just trying to get over some fears...

Thanks again!

I think it's funny that you should think Austin as conservative, because a friend of mine moved to San Diego a few years ago and can't wait to return to liberal Austin. Except for the Bay Area, I have found California very conservative - Reagan, Schratineger(however you spell it), and Cunningham. I have been throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and the Mid-East and I love Austin. I can never wait to get back home. If you already have stereotypes about a place, I would say don't go becuase you are only going to find things that justify your stereotype. You can have fun in Austin if you treat Austinites with respect, but it seems that you already have made broad judgements without even visiting, so I would say don't come. Also, the way you describe yourself is sooo common here. Enlighten yourself, my friend.

Huh??? Where did I say conservative? No idea what you are talking about and the stereotypes you mention I noted were tongue in cheek. A little defensive, try reading everything I wrote.

And San Diego...come on how is that a representation of California? One of the countries largest Navy bases...conservative! Who would have thunk it! But out side the Bay and Hollywood it is pretty conservative.

Anyway I think you are confusing my comment of people being religious with being conservative. I have visited Austin, as I noted several times before, but my scope was limited hence why I was asking for some opinions. Hopefully through trial and error I'll be come "enlightened"...ha

I love Austin. I moved there from the bay area and lived there for 4 years. What finally drove me out was 1)Hay fever 2)bugs and 3)heat. If you have allergies think twice about moving there. Otherwise it's a great place and very much like Portland with hot weather.