I think I'm Done With Austin...And Here's Why
-
8/19/2013
We've lived in Austin for 16 years. It's been great, but these last few years have finally driven us over the edge. A couple things here:
First, Austin makes every list imaginable (which is surprising, quite honestly), the influx of people has been insane, and of course, our roads remain the same with no additional infrastructure built.
Second, summers SUCK!!! Summers last from early May well into October, and even last November it was still in the 90s. Ugh! It is loooong...way too long. I like heat, but I don't like it for six months straight.
Third: Parks and outdoor stuff is limited. We even have a boat on the lake, so we probably have a better set up than most people, but we find that there is very limited parks and really fun outdoor stuff to do.
Fourth: Austin is simply losing it's edgy charm, especially south Austin. It's quite sad really. When I would drive down south Lamar, you'd find all these funky places and shops, and now they're just overrun with newly built condos. It's so commercial and blah! There's even a condo next to The Broken Spoke! Blasphemy, I say!
Fifth: We don't have children, but wow if I did I'd probably homeschool them. Public education is joke; there's no way in hell I would send my children to these schools.
Sixth: Very expensive. If you want to live in Austin city limits, good luck. First off, there is a very limited supply of houses, and second, they are expensive, especially if you look at what you're paying per square feet. Your utilities will cost a fortune because of the non-stop summer. Our average water bill is well over $200 (thanks to NO rain and water restrictions, kiss your yard goodbye). I have many friends who's electric bill will run them over $500 throughout the summer. This is not a mansion, just a normal 2,000 square foot house.
Seventh: No rain! The climate is changing, this will be your next Arizona. The last few summers have been incredibly dry (brush fires everywhere two years ago). No rain, means no lake, no grass, a dry wasteland and a very expensive water bill if you have a yard or pool. Be prepared...the dessert is coming.
My last point: This is not a place for families, it just isn't. My husband and I moved here when we were in our early 20s and it was perfect for us. Fun stuff to do downtown, city life, festivals, etc., but now, it's just congested, annoying, hot and boring.
Well, that's all I can say. We're looking for jobs elsewhere this year, and hope to be moved by next summer. Wish us luck! And all you newcomers, I'll have a house for sale.
Melissa | Austin, TX