Loving Austin
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11/8/2010
It's been one year since we relocated to Austin from Seattle and we are loving it. No one lied when they said it was really hot in the summer, but I love the sunshine and nice weather now that it's November. I'm still getting used to the critters, like snakes & scorpions, and my garden is a real experiment right now, but over all we love it.
The people are so friendly. There is so much to do here and it is a fabulous place to raise a family. We live up by the lake so we are in the metro area, not downtown, but it is an easy distance if you are used to a larger city.
Austin is up and coming- not quite a big city yet. But there is so much positive momentum here and the unemployment rate is low compared to the rest of the country. Yes, we have traffic but it is nothing like other major cities like Dallas or Houston. We have plenty of roads and they are building more. It's growing fast. Time will tell what Austin will be when it finally grows up. Right now, it's kind of like a cool teenager, kind of awkward, just coming into adulthood.
Sure I am having to reinvent myself. There is no place else like it. The cactus & the live oaks live happily side by side. It's part desert and dramatic hills, but lots of green. It reminds me a little of parts of Greece, the Middle East, and Tuscany. There are lots of new wineries & olive groves going in here, making for new opportunities in Agriculture. Facebook is putting in new offices & jobs. The tech scene is alive & well. Austin is a very digital city. Formula 1 racing is coming here. The arts are becoming well funded so that major exhibits & shows are coming to town and the quality of work being shown is now reaching tier 1 city levels. We already have awesome musicians. People love to go outdoors here & there are many races & events for cyclists, runners, & all types of athletes, not just football fans.
It's a great place to start a business. People don't whine here, they persevere & make new opportunities. You can't manufacture that. I've never met such friendly, hard-working persistent people who just pick themselves up and carry on. When people get a pink slip here they think "maybe it's time I start that business I've been dreaming of instead of "poor me"." People help each other here. The "buy local" vibe is alive & well.
It takes some getting used to, but I am finding myself very much at home here and inspired all the time. Sure, there is the Cali element, but that's not everyone. There are many types of people here so find the folks you'll want to be with and join the party.
If you are going to lament that it is no longer a cow town with a capital building, a college, and a few hippies, then I am sorry for you. But, Austin has many different people from all over the world, shaping its future. If you want to be a part of the future come to Austin.
Amy | Austin, TX