Former New Yorker loving Austin, TX
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3/16/2010
I moved here from the Bronx back in 2000 and at first, compared everything without really trying to accept what Austin if for... Oh, NY has this, Austin doesnt have this... etc. etc.. Once i realized the beauty of Austin, i would say it will be hard for me to move anywhere else...
First - a brief background: I'm a male asian working in the tech industry (i know.. i know)..
Here are some of the things i absolutely love about Austin:
-The people are great - i dont think Austin represents Texas as a state as i've been to Houston, Dallas and the remote areas as well. I've met some great lifelong friends here and have had some great experience with random people in concerts, parks etc...
Housing prices - moving from NYC? C'mon! There's not even a comparison.
I have friends who make 300k a year in NYC and i live better than them! Seriously... i know its crazy but houses here are still affordable and you dont have to take a 2nd job to get one.
-More sunshine and soft winter months: there were days in the winter where i'd ride a motorcyle or wear shorts! In the summer? im out in the water until 9pm. I never was able to do that in NY since its either too far away and by and by the time i got home, its too late due to the crazy commute from NY to my house (goes back to affordability). I really believe that i live more of my life living in Austin - less traffic, more sun, less rain, less winter= more time to play!
Food - ok, its not there yet compared to SF and NY but its more than enough to tray something new everytime i go out! All the exotic food are opening shops. Its not there yet... but its on its way.
Goverment - im democratic and TX is more republican but Austin i think is mostly democratic.. enough of that!
In the years ive lived here, i've learned how to ride a motorcycle, hunt, camp, fish, shoot, skeet and i'm not a gun owner - some of these things i wouldnt even dream of doing in NY. LIke i said, i live more here in Austin
Alistair | Austin, TX