I lived in Austin 84-87 as a grad student. I was really lucky. Rent was very cheap compared to now, and I had a bicycle and the bus for transportation. I lived on E. 26th across from the law school and later on San Gabriel and 22nd. I visit town once a year, and it's changed so much since my time. At 64 I could not live there again due to the high costs and age difference. I always enjoy my visits to town which are only for a few hours. I drive in from Houston, see a show, go to HP books, check out a museum, and maybe eat out and I'm done. Everyone I dealt with was pleasant and helpful. Many thanks to the Driskill staff--such a cool place. I have a few old friends who still live here from the music scene. I try to hook up with them if they're available. Traffic is bad, but parking is my biggest headache. It's costly, hard to get parked, and I fear being towed. I rarely drive in the city if I can avoid it. I've done so a few times and the streets are very tight. In Houston this is not a problem. One thing Austin doesn't have is hurricanes, tropical storms, and floods. Houston is at risk for all those. I've had 32 yrs. here, and I'd love to leave. It's not a friendly town on any level. Dating is a nightmare. Most quality people live in the suburbs, and traffic here is non-stop unless you're out very late or very early in the morning. From 3pm on, you will face rush hour. The infrastructure is better here, but overall the quality of people is very low. Crime, bad drivers, and high insurance costs make it tough to hang around. Almost all the decent people I've known have left here over 30 yrs. Austin still has a cool vibe. 6th St. is not as safe and fun as it once was in the 80s. I enjoyed the AFF in Oct. 2016, but it was very costly to stay in town. I can't do that again. To close--Austin can still be fun if you're careful where you go, watch what you do, and try to avoid peak drive time. I only come in only on a weekend. Using 290 or 71 to Airport Blvd. helps. I know Austin can never be what it once was, but it can be improved as it moves into the future. High taxes, drugs, gangs, and the homeless are outta control. I was so lucky to have a taste of Austin before it became the urban mess it is today. Aquafest, low traffic, low rent, and cool 6th street clubs from the 80s are all gone.
Michael | Houston, TX | Report Abuse

As seen in this very forum Austin is absolutely great as long as you believe exactly as they believe. If you have an opinion that even slightly differs they call you the "intolerant" one and start hurling insults. There is a MAJOR homeless problem in Austin with panhandlers on nearly every corner. Massive drug problem and just about everyone here complains about something. Especially the humidity and the traffic. I'm from DC and both are FAR worse in DC than it is in Austin - they just like to be the victim so you can feel sorry for how tough their life is. I've been here for a few years and the only positive I've got is that a lot of places are very family friendly, ironically, since half the town refuses to have kids due to "climate change".
robert | Dripping Springs, TX | Report Abuse

If you live in an environment where your “neighbor deliberately crashed” their car into your car “thinking it’s someone else’s”, sounds like the building you live in allows people to live there with that level of character and mentality. Also, disliking the smell of other people’s body odor sounds more like your personal problem, furthermore, I think people who judge Austin harshly either 1. Can not afford it to live in Austin or 2. To just put it simply, are more close minded and not confident enough to get out of their comfort zone. So, yes, please go back to Sunny Isles. It’s close-minded, idiotic, low-level transplants like yourself who, have tarnished awesome cities like Austin; and NO, your “haterade” kind is not tolerated here. THanks.
Luisa | Austin, TX | Report Abuse