Reviews & Comments
Mill Valley, CA
It Used to Be Paradise -
11/17/2006I was raised in Mill Valley and lived there or nearby for 30+ years. I always thought it was paradise until it got too expensive. Former celebrities, former dot-com gazillionaires and yuppies ruined it. It doesn't seem fair but it seems more middle-class, native Californians like me have to live elsewhere to survive. I had to move out-of-state to find an affordable place to live.
I sure miss it but not the Rat Race it's become!
Austin, TX
Round Rock Answer -
7/1/2006Round Rock is in anothre county NORTH of Austin: Williamson County. They are much more conservative there. For example, I read in the paper many more blacks are arrested there routinely than whites. BTW, Dell Corp. is based there.
As far as "Austin proper"...it is quite liberal and fun. There is a big, thriving gay community and music scene. UT is a liberal college and influences the culture here....
Austin, TX
Conservative Couple Would HATE Austin -
7/1/2006I love it here because I relocated from San Francisco. I would recommend that the conservative, Baptist couple consider the Ft. Worth area. There is a community growing rapidly there that is ultra conservative that they would like.
Austin, TX
Answer to Diversity Post -
6/20/2006We are non-whites that moved here from CA. I'm pretty surprised by previous comments about racism. Neither of us have felt anything but welcome. In our cul-de-sac, there is a black family, a Latino couple, an Asian family and us. I think people are nicer here than CA and I'm a native Californian!
As for funky neighborhoods...I would recommend Hyde Park (near the university) or the Barton Springs area (pricey) but it's on the Greenbelt. As for local cuisine...it's mostly BBQ and Tex Mex. I know of 2 decent Indian restaurants, maybe one Chinese and definitely NO Ethiopian. There's a really good Thai place downtown. I do miss the diversity of CA. However, cost-of-living is good and there is a sense of community which I found lacking in my neighborhood back in CA. Good luck!
Austin, TX
Nice Place to Live...if You Like It HOT -
6/12/2006I moved here 3 years ago from the SF Bay Area. People are much friendlier, cost-of-living is reasonable and housing is affordable (compared to CA). However, summers are brutally hot!
Austin, TX
Down Home Charm -
5/7/2006We moved to Austin, Texas in May 2003 from the San Francisco Bay Area. We were looking for a change because we were tired of the Bay Area. It'd gotten too expensive, crowded and stressful.
Austin is a great city. The people are friendly and it's incredibly dog-friendly. I don't have any regrets about moving here. That said, the two major drawbacks are the heat in the summer and lack of reliable public transportation. You'd think coming from the BA I'd be used to driving a lot but I drive more here than I have in my 20+ years driving in CA. Go figure!