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
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AMAZING ONE STORY HOME IN SCOFIELD (RIDGE) FARMS! - 3/6/2006
EXECELLENT CONDITION! A DAVID WEEKLEY HOME. OPEN FLOORPLAN, LARGE FAMILY ROOM WITH FIREPLACE & BUILT-INS, CROWN MOLDING THROUGH OUT THE HOME, KITCHEN WITH CENTER ISLAND COOKTOP THAT OPENS TO FAMILY ROOM, LARGE MASTER BEDROOM WITH PRIVATE BATH, WOOD DECK, EXTRA-LARGE LOT ON CUL-DE-SAC(1/3 ACRE+). CLOSE TO DELL, IBM & SAMSUNG. AMAZING-MUST SEE!
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Trading up! - 3/6/2006
My husband and I moved out to Austin from California. I'm originally from LA but moved to Austin from San Francisco. Though people complain about the property tax, please note a couple of things: 1. There is NO state income tax; 2. Sales tax is deductible!
If you do the math of 1.5% property tax in California PLUS a 6-9% state income tax, you'll find that a 3% property tax is cheaper overall and the house you can get for $300k in Austin is a PALACE compared to the matchbox in which you are likely living in California.
There is NO reason NOT to make the move. The average price for a house out here is still in the low $200,000. And I know for a fact that $200k can get you 2,000 sq ft. Austin is not like you would expect it to be. Everything outside Austin is what you envision Texas to be like. But Austin itself is an
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Cost of living - 3/4/2006
We are considering a move to Austin and would appreciate information regarding the cost of living in Austin and the surrounding area, especially energy and utility costs such as natural gas, electricity, water & sewer for residential uses, and gasoline and groceries. Any other information concerning the housing market, property taxes, and sales tax would also be very helpful.
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Cool = Austin - 2/26/2006
I was finally able to return to Austin after close to 20 years. It has changed quite a bit since I left in the mid 80's. It still is one of the best place to live in the country and THE best place to live in Texas. People from from other areas may not see the beauty as easily because there is no coast or there are no mountains but it is beautiful here. The CONs are 1. high property taxes - but you get what you pay for - good schools, comparatively decent local government etc. , 2. traffic - it was bad 20 years ago and worse now, but by no means as bad a Houston, Dallas, or any other larger city I've lived in. The PROS are way too many to list but I'll limit them to a few, 1. People, great people, 2. Natural Beauty, I was stuck in a traffic jam on Loop 360 last spring, wild flowers blooming, cool dry breeze blowing, clear blue skies and of course a beautiful view of the lush green hill country, I didn't mind to much being "Stuck" there. 3. Low energy and insurance costs, Gas is a good
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Austin or Dallas? - 2/23/2006
I am a 30 something professional looking to relocate to either Austin or Dallas. I am looking for a more urban experience with plenty of culture, nightlife and shopping, but I also enjoy spending time outdoors particularly on the water. Of course, Austin is the smaller of the two cities, but it has the reputation as beeing much cooler. On the other hand, Dallas seems to have more to offer because of its size. Anyone have any thoughts about which city makes the most
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Austin -Bridget - 2/16/2006
I spent time in Austin last month and found more of a young city (i'm your age). I was thinking about returning to
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All about Austin - 2/16/2006
I agree with a lot of the comments about Austin. I was born in the Dallas area and raised in Houston. The first opportunity my husband and I got, we moved to Austin. I have lived here now 10 years, have traveled the world and US repeatedly looking for another place to call home. I haven't found it yet though. I think the value you get for your money in a home right now is still reasonable but I do see in the near future with the out of state people, namely California, Florida, Las Vegas folks moving in, that this will change. I am a Realtor in Austin and have been for about 6 years and I notice what has been happening with the market here. I believe if you are considering a move, it would be best to make it now. As for the traffic in Austin, it is getting worse but try traveling on a Saturday in the Dallas or Houston areas (which I did both in January of this year) and you will realize it isn't all that bad. Plus the fact that we are still a smaller city in size, it doesn't take long
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From LA to Austin-in response to Gina - 2/16/2006
Regarding relocating from Los Angeles to Austin and starting from scratch, I lived in Austin for a couple of years before relocating for a job. Austin is a nice town,beautiful hill country, very polite/friendly people, things to do, more space than LA, and you can buy more house for the money. Also, The schools in Austin are top notch and that only makes sense since the population in Austin is highly educated. However, consider the property taxes, they are very high compared to LA. Steiner Ranch for example would be approximately $3200 tax/special assessments per $100,000 in value and they have a very high cap of 10%on increasing the house value each year( I believe California is 2 or 3%).Even though there is no income tax, they make up for it with the property owners(the taxes will only keep going up). Other negatives, the drivers in Austin and all of Texas are aggressive, fast and right on your tail if you don't get out of their way. The traffic is getting bad, since Austin is
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Moving to Austin from Los Angeles - 2/11/2006
I am looking to move my family to Austin. I have chosen the community of Steiner Ranch. I have 3 kids and my husband and I are self employeed here in Los Angeles. Moving to Austin we would be starting from scratch maybe investing in real estate or something.
The thought of owning a home outright is very attractive. Can anyone give me reasons NOT to move from Los Angeles to Austin. I would like to look at this from all perspectives.
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