Review of Austin, Texas


One of the most overrated cities ever
Star Rating - 9/13/2009
I lived in Austin for many years. I just don't get it either. It must be one of the most overrated cities in the entire country. Traffic is horrible for a city of this size. Want culture? You can choose from such favorites such as Eeyore's Birthday and Spam-O-Rama. No joke. SXSW is probably the best event Austin has, but it's become way overcrowded and overpriced, so what's the point? No pro sports. The restaurant scene is pretty lame outside of BBQ and Tex-Mex... have to drive to Houston for a a real quality restaurant scene in other categories, as well as decent museums or world-class performing arts. Think Austin is different from the rest of Texas and has no sprawl or strip malls? Think again. Summers are extremely hot. Most of the city is not very walkable. The housing is overpriced for the amenities this city offers (or rather, doesn't offer.) Every time there's a drought, the whole city turns brown and many sources of outdoor recreation like boating (such as Lake Travis) dry up and aren't usable. Does Austin have advantages? Sure... the west side has some nice scenery and decent outdoor recreation. Aside from that, Austin is basically a town with all the big-city problems, but few of the big-city amenities. The college scene here still rules... don't be fooled.
Abhd | Houston, TX
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2 Replies


Austin is the best and anyone that has ever really lived there should understand how culture filled and amazing it is, if not than I think it's about time they go get a cat scan. As for the weather there are the wimps who can't stand Texas heat and than there are the rest of us the 'strong willed appreciative Texas natives' who really understand that hot summers make the winter more enjoyable. If you can't find good food than you must be looking with your eyes closed, try east side cafe. You want to view some real art go check out Blanton or Mexic Arte. Sure there are strip malls sure there is traffic who the hell cares. If things like that bother you so much drive through some neighborhoods and check out the scene. Austin is the best city in the world as far as I'm concerned. Hope I put it into perspective for you.
Tanya | Austin, TX | Report Abuse

Tanya . . . needs to see more of the world. Austin is indeed not all everyone cracks it up to be. It's just been blessed with a fantastic PR team. It's an overgrown, sprawly, college town. I met a guy who put it best: Austin thinks it's a real player on the scene when it's not. People who attempt to put Austin on the same level of true, cosmopolitan cites like San Francisco, Chicago, or New York are either fooling themselves or have had too much of the Kool-Aid. This: "Austin is the best city in the world as far as I'm concerned. Hope I put it into perspective for you." is pretty common from most Austinites. They just can't understand why you just won't shut up and love their hot, stratified, wage-depressed, overhyped town? I've lived in Austin since I was five and CANNOT wait to get the hell out of this place. Alas, I'd need to actually find a job that paid worth a flip . . . good luck with that in this supposedly hip little mecca called Austin.
Tiffany | Austin, TX | Report Abuse
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