There are times when I certainly adore residing in Austin: when I’m paddleboarding on City Lake, when I’m consuming a frozen margarita at Maudie’s, when I’m hanging out in hip East Austin beneath string lights.
That being explained, there are certain matters I’m considerably less fond of: the sweltering summers, the isolation, the deficiency of walkability.
I’ve lived in Austin for pretty much two many years. Here’s what I’ve arrive to like and detest about it:
What I like about Austin
The Persons
By and large, Texans are exceptionally awesome individuals: generous, funny, and sincerely form. When I had Covid, several neighbors brought me tortilla soup and walked my pet dog. People today say hi to you on the avenue right here, even if they really don’t know you. Austin is by considerably the friendliest place I’ve ever lived.
The Foods
Another positive – the food. Austin’s foods scene is thriving: you can discover great TexMex, Thai, Vietnamese, and of system, barbecue. Some of my beloved spots are Uchiko (sushi), Odd Duck (new American), and Loro (Asian/barbecue fusion). I have also grown to Enjoy frozen margaritas, ha.
The Drinking water
As a born-and-lifted Michigander, I desperately will need to reside in close proximity to drinking water (that was 1 of the points I identified toughest about dwelling in Colorado). The good news is, Austin has a good deal of it: City Lake, Barton Springs, and Lake Travis, to name a handful of.
The Winters
The winters listed here are delightful – the temperature hovers all around 70 levels, and the skies are generally crisp and blue. Even though we do have the odd snow day, the winter temperature is very mild.
Reside New music
I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out Austin’s internationally renowned stay new music scene. I enjoy how you can wander into a random bar on a Tuesday and hear an incredible effectiveness for the price tag of a Shiner Bock.
The Pet-friendliness
In Austin, you can deliver your dog just about wherever — I provide my pup almost all over the place I go. My nearby CVS is even pet-helpful.
What I Hate
The Crowds
Because of to its massive level of popularity in recent many years, Austin feels insanely crowded at moments. Parking is tricky to come across, restaurants are packed, and the weekends especially can be frantic.
The Superior Value of Residing
Austin is quite expensive. To acquire a plot of land – not even a residence – in my neighborhood, prices a million bucks.
Lousy Walkability
Unfortunately, Austin is not a walkable city. Bisected by two highways, Austin is a extremely motor vehicle-dependent town for walkability, it ranks 42nd in the US, between Las Vegas and Pheonix. As another person who loves to walk, this is a big downside.
The Allergic reactions
Central Texas has been named the “Allergy Cash of the World.” There’s even a daily allergy report on the regional news, in which formal pollen counts for ragweed, grass, and mould are measured. I in no way experienced allergies in my lifetime until I moved right here — ugh.
The Heat
The summers in Austin are brutal. Temperatures can achieve 110 degrees (or higher). Following this year’s scorching summer season, 90 levels bizarrely feels rather awesome to me.
The Isolation
Austin is near to only a few metropolitan areas: Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Before this calendar year I built the mistake of driving to New Orleans, which took 10 hrs. At times I sense so envious of the East Coast – consider driving a handful of hours and becoming capable to access Boston, Philly, and NYC? Sigh.
All this to say, I’ve been quite satisfied in this article. I’m not sure if it’s my endlessly household (I’m not guaranteed I have a endlessly residence, time period), but I prepare to continue to be at least a several much more a long time. And delight in lots of extra lake days and frozen margs.
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