Objective as possible
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8/31/2009
I've lived here for 11 years, hope this helps: Austin's economy is supported mainly by high-tech companies, the U. of Texas and the State Capitol. If you're in high-tech, some serious money can be made here. There is a high quality of life, mostly on the west side and if you can afford it. You can do outdoor activities almost all year long due to the warm and sunny weather. Hiking, bike trails galore, a fantastic city park system, LOCAL restaurants abound, and a great nightlife downtown. With that being said, the joke is "once you're over 30 there's nothing to do in Austin." An exaggeration yes, but lots of truth to that. It is a COLLEGE TOWN, even though the population of greater Austin area is 900,000. If you're under 35 yrs. the singles scene is fantastic.
Traffic all over the Austin area is heavy. Central Austin does not have the streets and thoroughfare's to handle the influx of population this town has seen in the last 15 yrs. As far as I can tell, there is no way to fix it (widen streets, add lanes). You would have to knock down buildings and historic homes to add lanes to help ease the traffic situation and i don't see that happening. Central Austin schools (or Austin proper) have very poor ratings. Most families live in the suburbs for the better schools, but the parents have nightmare commutes from these suburbs.
The lakes and Hill Country to the immediate West of the city are very nice and take only a few minutes to get there.
No State Income Tax. BUT, property taxes are high. For instance on a $180K condo or home you will pay $4,000 per year in property taxes.
Austin is a fun, hip, conscious, eclectic town (central Austin). Just be aware that we do not have pro sports, symphony, theater or ballet at the level of a more substantial city such as Denver, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Philly etc. More importantly, it is SERIOUSLY hot here in the summer from July through October 15...not a dry heat. The allergies are the worst in North America (documented fact).
Bp | Austin, TX