Austin Travel Forum

Does anyone happen to know if there's a place to get good quality chocolate in the Austin area that is not a chain store (i.e. - Rocky Mountain, Godiva, etc)?

Thanks in advance.

I live in Maine which doesnt have a lot to do or a lot of oppurtunity. I am single and in my upper 20's and I want to relocate somewhere that will allow me to not only have an oppurtunity to make a lot of money and build a career but also a place where I can have the time of my life and have a lot of fun so I can get it out of my system once and for all.

I was looking real seriously at Austin but someone who lives in the area who moved to Maine said that Austin is really dirty and brown. That the water is unsafe to swim in (cant see what your swimming with snakes,alligators,jellyfish) and is really dirty. This is a concern because it gets so hot. The bigger concern though is that she said that if I cannot speak spanish I will not be able to get a good paying job. I make 12 dollars an hour and pay about 850 a month in bills right now. Thus I would need to be making at least 10 dollars an hour down there. Am I sunk if I can't speak spanish? I have a background in food service, customer service, retail, phones ect and a bachelor degree in business.....but I cant speak spanish.

I realize that Austin has great people and that it is a fun place for music and night life but is it a good idea for me to relocate there given all the drawbacks I have mentioned in addition to the obvious ones? (traffic, heat) The biggest things that concern me are not having safe places to cool off and swim and not being able to get a good job. Please offer me a balanced opinion. Thank you.

Has anyone been on the Austin ghost tour?? My friends and I went on the Warehouse district ghost tour last week and at the very last spot we visited, The Bitter End, something weird happened - someone (or something?!) started pounding on the doors of the supposedly empty building. We're curious to know if this was staged or if it was a prank, has anyone else been on this tour and had the same experience?

I will be in Austin for 24 hours in a couple of weeks and was curious about a few things. Is there a bus from the airport to downtown. How far is it? How long does it take? Is Congress street downtown? Has anyone stayed at The San Jose Hotel? What's it like?

Can anyone recommend a nice hotel, but reasonably priced downtown.

Thanks,

Bill

I am currently 43 years old, single and planning on retiring in the next 3 years. I am looking to relocate in or around the Austin area. Can any-
one recommend a nice section of the city that's safe, has public utilities and where home prices are around $250k to $350K?

hi i am going for a year exchange to st edwards in austin. can any students tell me what its like? is the nightlife good? good university? plenty of team spirit? i am a bit concerned that it is very religious as i am not. any information good or bad would help me know what to expect.

I will be coming to Austin on a business trip and will be staying in the west.

I would like to take this opportunity to tour around in Austin.

I found out that there are no nearby routes to the downtown or anywhere.

And I am afraid the cab fare will be very expensive if I were to take a cab.

Any brilliant idea where I can go to downtown at the most cheapest way.

I will be coming to Austin on a business trip and will be staying in the west.

I would like to take this opportunity to tour around in Austin.

I found out that there are no nearby routes to the downtown or anywhere.

And I am afraid the cab fare will be very expensive if I were to take a cab.

Any brilliant idea where I can go to downtown at the most cheapest way.

I will be coming to Austin on a business trip and will be staying in the west.

I would like to take this opportunity to tour around in Austin.

I found out that there are no nearby routes to the downtown or anywhere.

And I am afraid the cab fare will be very expensive if I were to take a cab.

Any brilliant idea where I can go to downtown at the most cheapest way.

Hello friends,
I am a new member and since I have read so many useful postings, I figured some of you can probably help me in making the right decision regarding my concerns. I reside in Orlando Florida and I am looking into a possible relocation opportunity to Austin in the near future. My questions are the following: How are the the employment opportunities? How about tornadoes? Is the weather hotter than Florida? Can I find a home to purchase with low property taxes? Is the nightlife compatible to Orlando's? I will probably visit Austin sometime in the summer but I wanted to have some sort of information prior to my visit.
thanks in advance for your replies.
Miguel

i will be visiting austin soon are they any places that i should avoid or locations. also are taxis safe to see or tour around austin tks

Does anyone know of a good hair salon or stylist in Austin that specializes in curly hair?

Thanks!!

Does anyone know of a good hair salon or stylist in Austin that specializes in curly hair?

Thanks!!

Does anyone know of a good hair salon or stylist in Austin that specializes in curly hair?

Thanks!!

I am probably moving to Jacksonville, but I've also seen that Austin Texas is a great place to live also. I know that Austin has higher taxes and higher priced houses, so I'm looking at Pflugerville or Round Rock. What are these places like,maybe even in comparison to Jacksonville? How is the education for kids, crime, fun things to do, travel distance to downtown, ect? I am coming from New Jersey and I want to make sure we are making the best decision. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

We are planning a trip to Austin to see my favorite blues singer (Susan Tedeschi) on March 17. She is playing at a club on 6th Street. What bars/clubs would suit our age? I am concerned as I read the information on this web site that 6th Street is for the 18-25 crowd. The music we like is more eclectic... some blues, jazz, or the liking of Texas natives Lyle Lovett, Nanci Griffith, etc. Anything but hard rock/head bangers/rave/wrap. Any suggestions?

Hello, hello!

I've seen quite a few posts from people interested in moving to Austin, and I'm adding myself to the list. My fiance and I want a better climate. We're both teachers from Michigan, and are interested in relocating to the west coast or down to Austin. I've seen that several people have asked this, but haven't read a really straight response...

Is downtown Austin developed enough that it's realistic to live without or with only one car (as a couple where both work)?? Can you get an apartment in a central location that is within a few blocks of the necessities (grocery, post office, bank, etc)?

Thanks! ~Steve

Hi Everyone-

My husband and I are considering moving to the Austin area. My husband is in the remodeling business (particularly kitchen and baths) and I would really like to get some input on the remodeling industry in Austin and/or surrounding areas. Is there a need/demand or is it a weak market for remodeling? Too many contractors? Skilled or unskilled? I would appreciate any input on the subject.
THANKS!

i want to know what are the things to see in austin?and also a little description about that.

Hi, I'm female in her mid30s. I'm in the process of starting a new life from a hectic and stressful lifestyle. I'm choosing between moving to San Antonio or Austin because I'm used to hot weather and I heard such geat things on those places. I don't have a car and I don't have a job offer yet. For the past 8 years I worked in the financial and operations departments for the organizations that I used to work for.

Can someone please give me suggestions on which area is better in terms of
a) affordable yet decent room rentals
b) job opportunities
c) easy access to public transportation to get to work

I don't know anybody in either city. I just want to have some idea on where and how to start my new life when I fly in.

I am new to Austin and need to find a Hair Stylist. Does anyone know a good place online to find one?

I am going to relocate from the Washington DC area--where I spent 25 out of my 32 years of life). I've had Phoenix (where I used to live) and Austin as my relocation prospects.

What I liked about Phoenix, when I used to live there, was that it seemed laid-back on all sides of the social spectrum. I hope that that Austin is as well; that I don't have to be a spoiled brat or completely bourgeoisie to enjoy that envirionment.

Now the question comes down to the social differences between Phoenix and Austin. Does anyone care to comment on how the attitudes differ between people from Phoenix and people from Austin? Not only that but, another reason I think Austin has an edge is that the most common complaint I hear about Phoenix is that it's an extended suburb without a true downtown. Is there anyone on this forum who has lived in Phoenix and Austin? Or at least spent a lot of time in both cities, who could give me a pro and con list?

I am thinking about moving to Texas. One of the cities I am considering is Austin. I have seen new homes for around $100,000 in Kyle and Del Valle. How are these areas and the school districts? What are the property taxes in Austin and does this area of Texas get tornados?

I am arriving in Austin on July 4, and I still have not secured an apartment, which is fine, actually. Many of the apartment locators are trying to get me to move to the Arboretum area. From the sound of it, the Arboretum area seems suburban with lots of strip malls. It does not appear to be near the city at all on the map. Is this the case? I want to be on the busline in case my car breaks down. I also want to be able to go to bookstore, libraries, and restaurants.

Should I stay away from the southeast? Does anyone know anything about the Metropolis Apartments? Does anyone know of safe apartment complexes in the southeast part of town?

Hi All - My husband & I are in are mid thirties and are thinking of splitting from NYC and moving to Austin. We've both lived in NYC all our life & we're tired of it. All my friends are telling me I am in for a culture shock...so if anyone wants to tell me what to expect, I sure would appreicate it!

Here is what I'm looking for info on:
1 - is there young poeple there...or is it a retirement community?
2 - I noticed housing is affordable (in comparison to NYC, at least)...are there neighborhoods I should look into, away from?
3 - what is the job market like (I'm an accountant)?

We are taking a trip down to austin in late August (figure we might as well go during the hotest time of the year to see what we are really getting ourselves into). Anything you can suggest we should look into when we are down here?

Thanks All!!!
Michelle & Randy

I am a young African American woman looking to relocate to Austin this summer. How do you view race relations in Austin? Are there any areas you would discourage me from finding an apartment?

Hi everyone! My bf and I are moving to Austin as he'll be studying at UT Law School. Neither of us are familiar with the city. Can someone please suggest which areas/neighbourhoods we should focus our condo search on. We'd like something within close proximity to the campus.

Also, how is the job market in Austin?
Thank you all in advance.

Chalang

I'm looking for a quiet romantic picnic area with a view. I'm new to austin but I've been researching some of the parks. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Hello All

I am looking for cheap plane tickets from Austin to Zurich Switzerland for one week (about) in June. Doesnt matter when really

please let me know of suggestions or comments, I really need to get this ticket booked.

I want to spend around 600 american

thanks in Advance!

stupid_panda

Moving Boston to Austin... want to share my truck? First week of May.....

Just wanted to ask everyone if someone wants to share space in my 16 foot truck thats going to austin from boston. Its a covered truck, plenty of space, and of course even if your not in boston, but are along my route, please send me a message! Gas and rentals are expensive.

thanks,
nate.