Thanks for Voting!
What BestPlaces Users Say about Austin
Austin, Texas is a rapidly growing city known for its vibrant music scene, outdoor activities, and booming tech industry. With a diverse population and a thriving economy, many people are flocking to this city to live and work. However, as with any place, there are both positive and negative aspects to living in Austin. In order to better understand the experiences of those who have lived in this city, I have gathered a variety of user reviews from BestPlaces.net.
According to user reviews on BestPlaces.net, there are many positive aspects to living in Austin. One user, Grace, shares that "Austin has a great sense of community and a friendly atmosphere. People are generally laid back and open-minded, making it easy to make new friends." Another user, John, praises the city's job market, stating that "Austin offers a wide range of job opportunities, especially in the tech industry. I was able to find a job in my field within a few weeks of moving here." Additionally, user Lily highlights the city's vibrant culture, saying that "there is always something fun to do in Austin, whether it's attending a music festival, trying out a new restaurant, or exploring the city's beautiful parks."
On the other hand, there are also some negative aspects mentioned by users about living in Austin. One user, Mike, expresses his frustration with the city's traffic, stating that "the traffic in Austin is a nightmare, especially during rush hour. It can be stressful and time-consuming to get around." Another user, Samantha, mentions the high cost of living in Austin, saying that "rent prices and property taxes are constantly on the rise, making it difficult for some people to afford to live here." User David brings up an important issue, stating that "while Austin is a diverse city, there are also issues with gentrification and displacement of longtime residents in certain areas."
In conclusion, many user reviews on BestPlaces.net highlight the positive aspects of living in Austin, such as its sense of community, job opportunities, and vibrant culture. However, there are also some challenges and drawbacks mentioned, such as traffic, cost of living, and issues with gentrification. Overall, these user reviews provide valuable insights for anyone considering a move to Austin, allowing them to weigh the pros and cons and make an informed decision for themselves.
based on 449 ReviewsGet to know Austin with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Austin
Austin is no longer the place to be - Can't wait t - 8/24/2014
I moved here 20 years ago and everything that was a positive then, no longer exists. The cost of living is HIGH folks, don't believe the hype that no state income tax equates to a lower cost of living - not in Austin Texas! The property taxes are high, the home value assessments are high and the annual cap on those assessments is 10% - do the math! Wages here are low in the "right to work" state and most jobs are part time only with no benefits. School funding is low. Healthcare is high. All the funky and cool things and places that used to define Austin have moved out because of the high cost of living. That being said, corporate welfare here is king. All the things that we used to love to do here are no longer accessable due to the unbearable crowds and traffic. I saw on this website that Austin's average commute is 23 minutes - no way. I have one of the "better" commutes in Austin and it takes me an hour and half minimum to travel 15 miles to work. We are being surrounded by
Read More
Start Your Review of Austin
Why am I still living here? - 7/31/2014
I have lived in Austin for the past 6 years. I can't take it any more. Austin is the fastest growing city in the United States, it's exploding. It's the only major city that has no loop system, so you can imagine how horrid the traffic is here. And it's not even during rush hour, it's always backed up on I35 and Mopac both ways. Sometimes it takes an hour to drive 10 miles home from work. Second, the weather will make you absolutely miserable if you're sensitive to heat and humidity. The entire summer lasts about 6 months. Day after day Austin ranges from 97F to 100F in July and August. In 2011 we had 110F+ days. The City of Austin controls my apartment's thermostat, so they can shut off my AC during peak hours as they please. The humidity makes the heat stick around at night, and it's not unusual to take a walk at night in 90F temperatures. Imagine how uncomfortable it is to sleep here. Lastly, it is extremely expensive to live here. I'm paying $920 (rent only) for a small 1 bedroom
Read More
Too many people - 7/19/2014
Ok I'm not sure which category fits this best. I love my city. Austin is my home, I've always lived in Austin. I'm a 5th gen. Austinite, 7th gen. Texan. I'm proud to have that title too as we are becoming harder hand harder to find. More and more people come each day to move here and suck us dry of our culture that we so proudly held. They come and only want the music. They come to see all these famous bands playing at our festivals and close to move in so they can here them more often. Well I have something to say, we have too many people in our small town now! It's not built to hold you and your 3 kids and dog, don't move here from California to see Muse and Red Hot Chili Peppers play at ACL. No! Go home. We have enough of a problem trying to stretch to fit everyone else. We're happy to share the music but go home afterword. Please. We don't need more of you. Or your unreasonable laws you want to add. Thank you -from an angry
Read More
Austin is great.....Well, I can remember when it w - 7/7/2014
I have lived in Austin for around 10 years now. Everyday this city is changing and evolving into a metropolitan, corporate city. No more small town Austin! On average 50 people move here a day and we have NO public transportation apart from the awful metro buses that get stuck in traffic like the rest of us. I live two miles from my work and it takes me 45 minutes both ways (morning and evening) to get to and from. The lack of roads and alternate forms of transportation can really change your view of the city. If you plan on moving here, you MUST have a car. All of the artist, hippies, and bohemians are slowly being pushed out of the city because it is too damn expensive to live here! They are tearing down the eclectic Austin homes, shopping centers, etc. and building high rise condos. Austin was the place to be 10 years ago, now, I am looking for a new TOWN to move to. It is the best place to live in Texas hands down but just make sure you're a trust fund baby or fell into a large
Read More
Please Don't Move Here - 7/1/2014
Austin is being overrun with people. 100 people a day are moving here. Many upper class people are moving here and asking weekly "what are the best schools?" The question rings sour. With so many moving here there is almost no chance all of you can fit your kids in "the best schools". Your moving here is making our affordability go away. In one year the conversation about affordable housing changed from being about the poor or low income folks to the middle class and lower middle class not being able to afford Austin. Developers are building luxury apartments all down S. Lamar, a surprise attack. No moderate apartments appear to being built. Who is luring you to our city? Please Don't Move Here. Thank
Read More
Don't move here: A native Austinite's view - 6/26/2014
Austin: Live Music Capitol of the World! Amazing food, tons to do, drink yourself silly, swim to cool off, play in the park, great community. I know, I grew up in Travis Heights, and I love this city. I moved to Berlin for college, thought I was a ski bum in Colorado, but I came back to Austin. It's a great city.
But I'm fed up with it.
Affordability: Don't listen to stats about affordable housing for $200k, or rent at $600. It's not true. The people who live in neighborhoods where housing costs $200k are places you don't want to live. The people who live in those neighborhoods aren't there because they want to be, they are there because they can't afford anything else. These neighborhoods are generally run down, feature small, poorly built houses from the 1970s and 80s, and are not where people want to live.
I'm not just talking "I wish I could live in that super luxurious neighborhood," but just a standard home. Houses in any neighborhood
Read More
Is Austin A Good Place To Live? - 5/1/2014
Austin is great. I've lived here for almost 14 years. Before that, I lived in Saratoga, CA ("Silicon Valley") for 13 years and I grew up in Plano, TX, just north of Dallas. So, I've lived a few places and been to a few more and I can tell you Austin is a good place. It's like living on the West Coast without the taxes, regulations and traffic (although, Austin does have traffic issues). There are many things to do here, especially if you enjoy the arts and outdoor activities. You can see live music all over town every night of the week and huge music festivals, like SXSW and ACL, annually. The outdoor activities are a big part of the city's vibe and the facilities are well-used and well-loved. How many places have, not one, but several, frisbee-golf courses? Hiking, biking, tennis, golf courses and running facilities are all over town. There is also a cool, laid-back feel to the place; people don't usually ask you what you do for a living within 2 minutes of meeting you and
Read More
Surprised by the negativity - 3/19/2014
I love my city. I'm from Maryland originally, but went to high school in Austin and have been here since then, except for a short reprieve in St.Louis. Austin is fantastic, and I'm surprised by all the negative comments about the city. However, I believe that, for the most part, the only people who really ever go on these sites and leave long comments are people who have something to complain about. Or like me, get upset when they read negative comments about a place they love. It's true. Austin is HOT...in the summer...in TEXAS. Texas is hot. It's a thing that is known. I can't stand the heat during the summer and I'm used to it. But that's why you go tubing, or kayaking, or stand up paddle boarding, or visit any of our amazing watering holes/springs. Someone wrote in their comments that there are not a lot of outdoor activities to do in Austin and I have to say, I absolutely don't agree. Any of the activities I mentioned above are easily accessible and relatively affordable. There
Read More
Thinking about moving to Austin from NJ..want some - 2/11/2014
I'm born and raised a jersey girl. I've always loved NJ but have increasingly become more and more discouraged. Between the insanely high property taxes and car insurance my husband and I pay, we feel like our family needs a change. We've heard that Texas is a great place to live, friendly people, good atmosphere, and an all around great place. So if anyone can give me an honest view of Austin or any other good place I'd appreciate it. Thanks
Read More