Reviews & Comments
Austin, TX
Both a wonderful and a terrible place to live -
7/7/2017I lived in Austin for 8 years. I grew up in Houston, spent several years living in Denver, Colorado and now live in San Diego, CA for the last 2. After living in San Diego for a couple of years, I am ready to move and I can understand wholeheartedly now why so many people wish to leave beautiful California. With only 11% of San Diegans being able to afford home ownership, the environment feels nothing less than oppressive and the culture: rather bitter, in spite of the stunning beaches and weather we have to experience each day. I have deeply contemplated my next move and will most likely choose Houston, over Austin, for the following reasons.
I am a big city person and love culture and variety. Austin does offer a very unique vibe, but at the same time, it can feel monotonous after living there for only a short time. You must be a very creative person in Austin and extremely socially connected, to enjoy living there, because there simply is not a whole lot to do outside of: the restaurants, bars, live music, and enjoying the lakes and parks.
The winters are cold, so, the lakes and swimming can not be enjoyed during the winter months, so, during winter and holiday seasons - you can really feel that you are lacking for interesting things to do.
There are few museums, none I can think of that I would ever care to tour more than once. There is a very good live music, and, intimate arts scene. We enjoyed many shows at The Zach Theater and my little boy loved attending The Doughtery Arts School summer programs. I have to mention, however, that the traffic in and around Austin is among the worst in the nation and I recall how stressful it could feel to get stuck in hour long+ traffic jams just traveling from my home (10 minutes outside the city) into downtown and getting stuck in traffic so heavy that our 10 minute drive turned into 45 minutes, an hour, in the middle of the day, for no apparent reason. I hope the city does something to relieve it's serious traffic issues. I-35 is an antiquated nightmare.
Austin restaurants are excellent, the housing options are still very nice and plentiful, compared to California. Austin is fun, and it is "hip". We loved going to Central Market on Lamar and have so many wonderful memories at all the parks. When we are able to relocate back to Texas, I will never again take a smiling, kind and open community for granted again, this is something that we simply do not have in California as our residents are mostly: rushed, closed, and *stressed. Austin has a very relaxing vibe (outside of the traffic) and it's lack of culture, which a person who was born and raised in a large city, might find boring initially, then stressful, as it can give you a feeling of being "stuck", not to mention: landlocked.
I also found Austin to be rather cliquish and immature, at times. Many friends and dates I met, turned out to have serious drinking problems. Austin tries too hard to be politically "liberal" and I feel the political atmosphere there is contagious and goes hand in hand with people who live there wanting to fit in to the culture and appear to be progressive, and "hip". I met many nice people and a couple of great friends in Austin. I miss a lot about it, but, it's not a place for everyone.
I found the dating scene to be poor - due to the immature attitudes. It is a fun thought to remain forever young, but, there comes a time when one must grow up a bit? Austin is a good place for intact families to live, not the greatest place for 30-somethings starting over to truly thrive and find love again, in my professional opinion.
My little boy loved the camping and fishing opportunities in Austin but he loves Galveston too - the closest beach to Austin is Corpus (not nearly as nice as Galveston) and still over a 3 hour drive away.
Austin allergins are severe. I suffered from Cedar Fever living there and so did my son who often had a chronic cough. I got allergy headaches all the time. Our allergies have disappeared since moving to San Diego.
The schools in Austin are not that great. We paid a great deal in property taxes and my son's elementary school was pretty terrible. If you want good schools in Austin you can't find many close to the city, you have to think about moving to Lakeway or Steiner Ranch and the commute to the city is pretty brutal from those places.
I still have my favorite spots in Austin and enjoyed many epic nights out too. Austin nightlife is even superior to what can be found in Las Vegas! Austin is very young, fit, and is a city filled with beautiful people. I heard how SoCal is supposed to have such a beautiful population, well, maybe if you like the plastic look (pumped up lips) toxified foreheads, the people of California often look strange, so overdone. Austin has a strong All American feel to it.
If you love the "party life" and can deal with a lack of culture and are comfortable with a simpler life, doing the same things over and over, and/or are raising a family and willing to commute in severe traffic situations to place your children in the good school districts, Austin could be for you. I'm looking forward to renting in the Museum District when we get back to Houston (so my son can attend Poe Elementary), and then buying either in Memorial (great schools too), or, in the suburb of Katy for my child's JH and HS years. Houston suburbs even have strong city feels, vast amenities, and highly functioning toll-roads for commuting.
I do miss Austin, but, think I feel better living in a big city. I always felt as if I was potentially "missing out" on too many things, living in Austin. We are looking forward to spending weekends there, however, and enjoying all of our old favorite stomping grounds.
Houston is very convenient for road-trips and travel. We love taking cruises to vacation and living closer to the ocean. Galveston offers a great deal in the way of nature, history, and multiple cruise lines, including Disney!
Austin has many positives and quite a few negatives that should be seriously considered. If you are considering Austin, spend some time there first, make sure you are ok with the allergins, traffic, schools, dating scene, political environment, being a part of an intense and constant party-scene (drinking), and culture, or, lack thereof.
Houston, TX
Best city I've lived in -
7/7/2017I was born and raised in Houston, lived in Denver, Colorado for 3 years, Austin, Texas for 8 years and now, San Diego, California for 2 years and I can't wait to get back to Houston! - I will be choosing it as my home again, and raising my son there when we move back, next year. Here is why I prefer it over everywhere else I have ever lived. It is a real city with a ton of variety, opportunities, authenticity, and a primarily honest, kind, and genuine population. It is a huge city, but, Houstonians remain community oriented and connected, in spite of this fact.
Houston has something significant, a big edge, culturally and artistically over the smaller cities I have lived. Most lacking in true culture (museums, sports, variety of things to do) was Austin, next San Diego - we have the beaches and hiking and major attractions, but somehow the culture here simply does not feel authentic - the city feels fabricated and sterile. I learned that most of San Diego's historic architecture was torn down many years ago, and the atmosphere is very transient and foreign. I found the most culture and entertainment options to be in Denver, but Houston is a truly rich city as far as arts and culture are concerned, with the most seats in the United States, in it's massive arts district, right behind New York, and, a beautiful and impressive museum district.
Food! Houston has an amazing restaurant scene and grocery stores, (Central Market and HEB are incredible and can't be found in other states). Both the quality and cost of food is highly superior to both Denver and San Diego especially! Austin also had a great foodie scene, but, can't compare to Houston's which is world class, in my opinion.
Houston is a mix of many ethnic backgrounds and economic diversity, which makes it a beautiful and interesting large city in which to live. I have never seen it, but, I have read that Houston has one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the US, but, especially compared to Chicago, I think that Houston is safe. Use caution in Houston, as you would in any big city. I grew up in Houston, lived in a gorgeous home shared with roommates in the historic 3rd ward in my early 20's, worked in and walked in downtown at night before it was built up like it is now and never had an issue, always felt safe.
The cost of living in Houston, is phenomenal compared to most parts of the country! - Houston offers an incredible quality of life...it's a Find. I hate paying 3500.00 a month to rent my townhouse in La Jolla, California. The beaches really are beautiful, but, there's a constant stress here among residents because of the housing crisis, and the unaffordable cost of living. Only 11% of San Diegans can afford to buy a home! Just imagine what this does to the culture? San Diego, for being so beautiful is a truly terrible and oppressive place to live...if it costs you your peace, it's too expensive. I love Houston because the American Dream is alive and well, not just for the ultra-rich, but, for everyone.
Houston has great healthcare, doctors, MD Anderson, and some of the top specialists in the world.
Galveston is 45 minutes from Houston, and is wonderful place to explore nature and history. You can't experience as much turn of the century Victorian architecture, anywhere else, except for, New Orleans, another very culturally rich city I can't wait to live close to again - a road trip away from Houston!
Want Blue water, - well you can also get in your car and drive to Destin, Florida, or, there are many cruises that are SO affordable (especially compared to the cruises we have taken out of LA)! and offer such incredible vacations that depart year round, daily, from Galveston!
I love IAH airport - you can take a direct flight too - Anywhere internationally.
Houston is rich in culture, opportunities, housing options, food choices, fitness centers (can't wait to rejoin Life Time Fitness) - sure isn't anything like it here in San Diego!
Also - as a divorced late 30-something I strongly prefer Houston's dating scene to both San Diego, and, Austin. Austin is a great city if you like to keep your circles tight, if you love live music and running into people you know at outdoor festivals, if you prefer towns to cities and lakes to beaches. The weather is a bit better in Austin in the summers but, the allergens are severe, cedar-fever anyone?
If you are spiritual, Houston has the world-famous Lakewood Church and attracts 2000 young adults to it's services every Sunday night. Opportunities couldn't be found like this in Austin, you had to go out to the bars and I met a lot of people who have serious drinking problems while living in Austin.
Austin is a short drive from Houston, however, and offers a great day, or, weekend getaway.
I Love Texas so much and just can not wait to get back! Houston is an exciting place to live, and quickly on it's way to becoming a world-class city. Galveston even has so many unique entertainment options: Moody Gardens, an amazing amusement park overlooking the ocean, breathtaking historic homes and churches to tour, a homemade ice-cream/candy parlor on the stand from the early 1900's (La King's)!, the best southern food you can imagine, Shlitterbahn water park, The historic Hotel Galvez, The San Luis Hotel.
I can't believe so many people on this forum can complain about such a unique and amazing city. Just come on out to Cali for a bit to experience our housing crisis...or move to Denver for a couple years to see what it's like to scrape ice and snow off of your car in -5 degrees and be stuck in your home for 3 days during a blizzard, to have your sinuses dry up and your skin literally crack and peel. I look years younger than my age as a result of growing up in Houston's sub-tropical environment! I miss the comforting rain and spectacular thunderstorms Houstonians might take for granted. Nothing like falling asleep to the rain. - just don't purchase a home in any of the flood zones! - there are many areas which never flood.
Houston has around 8-9 months a year of great weather and lots of sunshine, year round. The summers months: (June, July, and August) are hot, but, I know we will be taking some amazing summer vacations with all the money I spend on rent living in California and get to live in an affordable home that we own. Thank you Houston, can't wait to come home to you soon!
Houston, TX
re: Best Places to Live - 8/8/2016 -
8/15/2016I'm a Houston native and think I can answer. It depends on what you are looking for (single or married, children or none). If you are single: and work downtown on in the surrounding areas, stay inside the loop for amazing restaurants, nightlife, and culture and social opportunities. My tops picks would be: The West U area, the Museum DIstrict, the fun and funky Montrose area. I also really like The Galleria area, midtown, and the Memorial area. All of these areas also have good schools (except Montrose can be iffy maybe). They are all expensive compared to the suburbs, especially for family housing. The most popular suburbs are: Katy (for schools), and, some say Cy-Fair (super cheap housing but I always found it too far out and rather boring). The Woodlands and Clear Lake are also popular. Clear Lake is great because it's close to Galveston! - a wonderful richly historical beach town. I am so envious that you are moving to Houston and I can not wait until the coming months when I can leave California and return home! Houston is home to the most genuine people I've ever met, and one of the richest cultural melting pots in the USA, all this and low crime too, and a low cost of living. It's very underrated but an amazing place to live. The restaurants and arts scene can only be topped by Maybe New York! It's also got great cruises that leave out of Galveston, a Hub international AP, and is so close to New Orleans and Austin for fun weekend getaways!
San Diego, CA
Not worth it -
6/10/2016We moved here from Austin, TX with high hopes last summer. I sold my house which I did quite well on in Austin (well enough to start a new business), but, not well enough to buy a house in San Diego, or, pay California taxes.
We plan to move back to Austin this summer, but, other places I am considering are the Fort Lauderdale area (family there), Houston (home to me)!, and Portland, Oregon. I would love to hear input from other writers?
I am on my 3rd rental in San Diego. The 1st 2 were "Luxury" apartments which cost 2500 and 2600 per month and felt like Section 8 housing. Do not Ever rent an apartment from Irvine Property Management Company, you will be in for a nightmare! These buildings were so poorly constructed, I was constantly calling maintanence, the 2nd was filled with Black Mold and under the military flight path, the 1st I could hear my neighbors every step and conversations, I could even hear them sneeze! No city is worth it to pay this pricing for this poor quality of housing. I only rented apartments initially because I felt it would be easier than renting a home (please note: only 11% of San Diegans can afford home ownership)! - the housing is grossly inflated and extremely poorly constructed as the California Govt heavily taxes the builders and protects as much land as possible (even the ugly, useless areas) from being built upon, Unless you are the US military of course, who rules the skies here. We have to hear their F-18's and helicopters: at Torrey Pines, on Coronado beach, all over La Jolla, all over north county and the entire city basically and if you are sensitive to loud noises and toxins, you will feel unhappy.
My 3rd rental, I can't wait for this lease to expire in April 1st. It's walking distance to Windansea Beach but it's not worth it. I am paying 3300 a month in rent and can't get the property management firm to fix my solar energy that's built into the townhouse but not working, replace my missing blind that The Travelodge guests can see into, or fix the buildings outdoor lighting and there are stairs everywhere leading up to my place but it is pitch Black!
What else about San Diego?: Awful restaurants compared to Texas, 1-step above disgusting. Terrible grocery stores filled with mediocre, high priced options where everything will expire in a week. We have some amazing grocery stores and restaurants in Texas and beautiful, affordable, quality housing so coming here was a complete shocker to me in both these areas.
There are few decent fitness centers with childcare. I have an 8 year old and also I am so surprised to not be able to find even 1 drop in childcare center in the entire city! Austin and Houston have several quality (Fun)! drop in childcare centers.
It is way too cold here for me a lot, the winters are Very dry. This is not a tropical climate, it is a desert oceanic climate and far from perfect, in my opinion. Many days are overcast and cold. It feels Depressing. May gray and June gloom are NO joke.
The people are: Meh. One of the reasons I wanted to leave Austin was because it's too Liberal, I mean liberally crazy. If you are an Independent, like myself, you are the odd man out, in Austin, TX. The entire city is "progressive" - *Democrats and if you're not, you rather need to be quiet there, or you won't have any friends. I wanted to live in a more open city, where I felt comfortable and I will say that at least I have found that here. People thankfully don't like to be so open about their beliefs: things like politics and religion are simply not discussed here, it's culturally very inappropriate to do so.
Being close to Mexico, I thought there would be lots of good Mexican food options here but the Mexican is disgusting to me. I can barely eat it. It's very poor quality compared to Texas. Eating out here is just not worth it. My taste buds are drying up and dying I think.
What else? - it's very diverse. If you don't like diversity, this is not the place for you. I notice when I take my child to play, we're often the only Americans at the park. Many, many international people here speaking other languages. Some of which I recognize, others I don't. There is a very large Asian population in San Diego. When we go to the Kearney Mesa area for Asian food (which there really are some good places), we are often the only caucasian people in the restaurant. We rarely get good service at these restaurants. I have to mention this too. Things are very different here, than they are in Houston where I grew up - more segregated I guess.
I am divorced, and I rarely see any attractive men out and about. Austin was filled to the rim with attractive men and I had many dates there and there were lots of fun places to go. La Jolla, where we live now, is filled with constipated, uber-wealthy, and many older residents, or, tourists. I don't encounter many single men in my age range (late 30's), another big disappointment. Maybe moving to La Jolla was a bad idea, but, at least the schools are good.
Sorry this is choppy and all over the place: a couple more thoughts: worst water quality I have ever experienced. This place I learned has the hardest water in the US and there is no way to get around it, so, everyday is a bad hair day. Terrible air quality too (all the planes)??
Back to the people: I haven't made many interesting friends either. I can't see myself becoming friends with these blondes who drive Mercedes and look and act like air-headed valley girls. Sorry ladies, the stereotypes ring true, I'm just not that into you. HA!
Back to the men: the few attractive ones that I do see are walking arm and arm with an Asian woman. It's quite a "thing" here. Mover beware...
Things that have lived up to my expectations are few but, the beaches truly are breathtaking and spending time at them anytime we like has been a truly fantastic experience we will miss. Love Balboa Park, Torrey Pines for hiking, The La Jolla Mall, the VIEWS.
California probably used to be a most amazing place, back when my parents met here, that place is sadly gone forever however, and this is now a very dysfunctional and oppressive place to live sold off to the atrocious California Government who continues to run it into the ground with the highest taxes in the nation, a housing Crisis, many poor and homeless, more and more immigrants coming in everyday (with no housing), who knows what the military is really doing here? - probably running tests on us, mandated vaccines or NO access to an education! I'll take Texas heat and humidity anyway over all of this.
San Diego, CA
re: Low quality of life - 10/7/2014 -
3/21/2015Hi Catherine, I grew up in Houston, lived in Denver, and now Austin for the last 8 long years. I am a single Mother in my late 30's. I took a vacay to San Diego and Fell in Love. I did not see these high prices you are speaking of, except for in taxes I've heard, - and home prices. As far as renting, as I plan to do while I sell my house, - I will be paying roughly between 2300-2500 to live in either in Austin, Houston, or, in San Diego. I could get a small house in Houston or Austin. In San Diego, it seems to get me a really Fabulous, resort-like 2/2 apartment for my little boy and I. There is Nothing to do in Austin. No attractions. I don't mind splurging for a day at Balboa Park (there is Nothing like it in TX), the beaches are free? and they are all around. I love New Orleans too. It is expensive as well? How are the People in San Diego? Are they friendly? What else is so expensive there, if you don't plan to purchase a home, it seems okay? How is the dating scene? Thank you so much!