Relativity
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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 erratic- periods of boom and bust.
I also differ with a previous comments about the schools-the are mediocre as well. Being an educator and a parent, I have observed many delude themselves and others about the quality of the schools. Don't beleive the pony show, get an objective assessment of school quality.
Chris | Mansfield, TX