Calling everyone from Austin, TX

[azcummins]

I'll be in austin at the end of the month to see about moving there (Colorado is just too cold), so I'd like to hear from everyone from Austin to tell what are some good places to eat, great things to do and see...



thanks!

 

[lschultz]

I lived in Austin for about 20yrs and got out of the city finally. To many people looking,watching what you do,stuck up. I could go on but I best quit. I still work here been working here since 69. Moved 72 miles from here so I commute now. Traffic in Austin sucks. If I had it to do over again I would of never moved up here in the first place but I was young and foolish. Things are high in Austin,taxes are high but its got about anything you want. Are you transferring here from your job or what?

 

[Mike Ellis]

I lived in Austin for several years when I was going to school at UT. Around the campus is like just about every other large state college town - intensely liberal political atmosphere, lots of dining / drinking / music venues, many things to do and see. It is the state capitol as well, so there is a large government presence and lots of state workers, offices, etc.



Austin has a fairly large high-tech industry in the area, and about 10 billion Californians have moved into town there. They all sold their 2-bedroom studio homes in Malibu for $2,000,000 and upon moving to Austin invested the same sum in a 20-room mansion on the west side of town on the edge of the Hill Country along the Colorado River.



The politics of the city are pretty liberal, basically Los Angeles style. As mentioned before, the traffic can be terrible - lots of folks moving in to a city that was just a couple of hundred thousand people back in the 80's. They are trying to expand the roadways but it is an ongoing battle.



It is one of the prettiest cities in America, right on the edge of the hills and LOADS of stuff to see and do. Neat things to see while you are there:



- Barton Springs

- 6th Street

- Texas Capitol

- UT Campus

- Art collection at UT Ransom Center

- Hill Country west of town

- Town Lake

- Lake Austin

- Lake Travis

- Hamilton Pool (west of town)



Within 75 miles there are lots of neat things to see. San Antonio has the Alamo and loads of things to see and do. North on I-35 in Georgetown is Inner Space caverns, south on I-35 is San Marcos and New Braunfels (check out the Comal River and water park there). Travel west and you get into the Hill Country and lots of interesting small towns.



As far as places to eat, I was a poor college student back then and the highlite of our existence was being able to buy a Conan's Pizza now and then. Don't know of any current restaurants to recommend.

 

[JConley]

One of the best view of the hill country is at a place called the Oasis Restraunt. Its on the side of a hill that overlooks Lake Travis. Go at sunset, and drink a few Margaritas.



Another place that has a good view is called Mount Bonnell. It overlooks multi million dollar mansions on Lake Austin, and it is one of the highest points in Travis County.



The area west of Austin (the Hill Country) is beautiful. Drive to Fredricksburg for great German food (about 70 miles) Its a great place to take the wife and shop. The main street is full of shops, and its a very nice place if you want to stay at a bed and breakfast. Bandera, and Kerrville are also nice places to see.



In Austin the Arboretum area (Hwy 360 and 183 area) is a real nice place to shop and eat. A nice relaxing place to eat on lake Travis is called Carlos and Charlie's. If you drive Hwy 360 around the west side of Austin, you will see why people move to Austin.



Yup... Traffic sucks

 

[azcummins]

thanks for all your replies!



I think the traffic thing I can deal with. I've lived in Phoenix and now Denver. Both places have traffic that sucks. Denver is worse though.