Don't be fooled...
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10/9/2012
I went to Austin for over a year. I can say it is a fine place if you have money coming in and can afford a reasonable property but if you cannot, it can be a hard place. Renting prices are very steep, properties are poorly maintained overall and the bus system is the cheapest in the country but also one of the worse for a city of its size. Property tax is high! People claim it is a democratic city, which is totally untrue. I come from one of the most democratic areas in the US so this is how I am able to compare it. People are mostly friendly and easy to talk to but there is a problem with reverse discrimination big time and also homelessness. Many homeless people come to Austin because they are left alone and not kicked or thrown of the streets. There is something in the water (the locals tell you) that makes people crazy (perhaps too much barium). I also must point out that rates of self-abuse with drugs and alcohol as well as mental health disease are some of the highest in the country... Jerry Jeff Walker (a local) is a fine example of this. If you ride the local bus system, you will see what I mean after a few days. And if you are a single woman I cannot warn you enough of the attitude men have there regarding women- it is very sexist in Texas. If you do not believe me check-out the past of their chief of police Art Acevedo. I experienced sexual harassment from a cop myself while living there and the police authorities backed him up to protect him. Male police are also known for bartering sex for extinguishing speeding or traffic tickets (for both men and women). Also temp agencies there can short change you and take more taxes out- 2 Agencies did this to me- I only got reimbursed from one of them after putting up a stink. A state agency did not help me with the other so basically employers can take out anything they want to inconvenience you! Social services are some of the worse- food stamps are given for 3 months only in a 2 year cycle for unemployed and unemployment benefits for 10 weeks. There is a new age and religious demeanor of the place and what I mean is that the reborn people believe they can do no wrong and the new age tend to blame you for anything bad that may happen to you. I found Austin to be one of the most dysfunctional places I ever lived and I never experienced so much discrimination in my life as I did there. The highlights of Austin are the arts and activities offered by the city and the South Southwest Fair happening once a year where you can meet people from all over the world. There are also some decent bike paths for cyclists, especially around the Uni and up North. Art film are cheap and people are easy to talk to. The Uni has some of the best concerts and performances- prices are reasonable. I have lived in both South Austin and North Austin and the best neighborhood I lived in was in South Austin between Manchaca and Westgate. Sunset Valley is also very nice. Up North I like the Shoal Creek and Westover Hills area which is very safe. Whereas people who live in West Austin are very well off and people in East Austin are poorer. Most the computer companies and prominent businesses are on outskirts where buses do not go so you have to have a car. Bee Caves is very prominent and people a style of their own- friendly but it is mainly Caucasian as the wealthier areas are. One thing I must say about Texas is there is little Indian history there which has been wiped out by all the fighting of the Spanish and the white settlers. This is most disappointing because when you go to museums there is little mention of any of Indian life. The main tribes of the area were the Caddo, Wichita and then the Comanche who came much later who are of Aztec descent. Most these tribes have mixed with Hispanic or Mexican people so they are referred to as Hispanic.
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