Austin, TX Reviews


449 Reviews



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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 Reviews
Get to know Austin with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Austin

THINKING OF MOVING - 6/21/2006
I'm from Michigan and I'm thinking of moving to Texas in a few years, and got a few questions. Hows the public transportation there? Is it safe for a single female? and hows the Read More

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Answer to Diversity Post - 6/20/2006
We are non-whites that moved here from CA. I'm pretty surprised by previous comments about racism. Neither of us have felt anything but welcome. In our cul-de-sac, there is a black family, a Latino couple, an Asian family and us. I think people are nicer here than CA and I'm a native Californian!

As for funky neighborhoods...I would recommend Hyde Park (near the university) or the Barton Springs area (pricey) but it's on the Greenbelt. As for local cuisine...it's mostly BBQ and Tex Mex. I know of 2 decent Indian restaurants, maybe one Chinese and definitely NO Ethiopian. There's a really good Thai place downtown. I do miss the diversity of CA. However, cost-of-living is good and there is a sense of community which I found lacking in my neighborhood back in CA. Good Read More

Austin is a fun place to live - 6/19/2006
Austin is a great place to live, the only drawback is the cost of housing and taxes. There is no such thing as Boredom here in Read More

Relativity - 6/18/2006
I lived in Austin for eight years & have since left for higher pay. After reading the previous commnets, I'll add my observations.
I think the reason some people leve Austin & others hate it depends on where you come from. If you are moving from East or West coast, you will be pleased with the home values and cost of living. However, relative to anywhere else in Texas, it is overpriced, and the wages do not keep pace with the cost of living. Again, relative to many places in the south, Austin is more liberal, tolerant, and laid back, to the point of mediocrity in service. Keep in mind, it is almost an island unto itself; if you accept being treated as a second class citizen, it may not be so bad, but I think some of the previous comments regarding people of color illustrate better than I could the level of ignorance you will have to contend with.
Property taxes too high, wages do not keep pace unless you work in techology fields, and the market is very Read More

Austin sounds great but... - 6/18/2006
Was checking websites for executive assistant opportunities, and not many came up for Austin; but plentiful in Dallas. But hands down, from what I've read, Austin sounds like the place to Read More

does Austin tolerate... - 6/17/2006
religious Read More

Considering Austin - 6/14/2006
Considering a move to Austin, We have two boys and one income. My wife and I
would like a diverse city with good schools and culture. Our boys play competitive baseball ages 9 and 12. We also need to make friends, is the city friendly? Need to find good affordable neighborhood that is kid Read More

Nice Place to Live...if You Like It HOT - 6/12/2006
I moved here 3 years ago from the SF Bay Area. People are much friendlier, cost-of-living is reasonable and housing is affordable (compared to CA). However, summers are brutally Read More

Get reeeeeeeel MARK!!! - 6/10/2006
I guess the white-collar crimes that go on in these lily white... so called " safe neighborhoods" don't affect anyone!!! On the contrary, they affect more than just the communities they live in; they affect a lot more people and do much more damage than the petty crimes going on the black communities. You named cities that are mostly African-American. Yet you failed to mention that within these cities, many of the black people there are decent and hard working American citizens. In addition, lets look at how blacks in America came from the total oppressive and depraved conditions set forth by white America. Since you are a realist, is that a fabricated past I’m talking about? I don’t think so!!!! The truth of the matter is that within these cities you’ve mentioned there are more black educated people, professionals, and entrepreneurs than ever before. Take a look at cities such as New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and even Atlanta; the number of the black educated middle Read More

reply to 'not a nice..." - 6/10/2006
Quick comment and observation in regards to Austin not being a nice place to live for African-Americans. It seems to me that you've got the wrong city...I think what you described sounds more like San Antonio, the city I reside in. Austin seems to be generally accepting of cultural and ethnic diversity. Of course I'm only seeing it as a frequent visitor, so I really couldn't make an adequate judgment.

But then Texas has always been considered and holds the reputation of being one of the most racist states in the country. And I can only attest to the fact that in SA, a black man is considered a second or third class citizen...except of course, if he plays for the Spurs. The race issue I'm afraid goes deeper then the outward manifestation of blacks being a majority in crime ridden cities such as Detroit, Camden, Washington, DC, etc. It stems from a social, political, educational program with deep-rooted agenda's.Read More

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