Decided to take a promotion that comes with full relo package to Austin Tx. They kept upping and upping the offer to convince me and they just did it. I have no clue what I am getting my self into by moving there, but first off where are the nice neighborhoods in and around ATX and besides Austin Westlake who can I become a fan of to follow for the next 10 years?
Quote from: AztecPadre on Jul 15, 2026, 04:43 PMDecided to take a promotion that comes with full relo package to Austin Tx. They kept upping and upping the offer to convince me and they just did it. I have no clue what I am getting my self into by moving there, but first off where are the nice neighborhoods in and around ATX and besides Austin Westlake who can I become a fan of to follow for the next 10 years?
I like the city of Austin myself.
I lived there for a year in 2001-2002. It's grown quite a bit since then of course. But, my favorite area right in Austin was the south/west of downtown area. I think it was called Zilker. Generally, westerly areas- like where Austin Westlake H.S. is are best as they are in or near the hills. Northwest of Austin in the hills and along Lake Travis (which is really a river or resovoir) are the most scenic, "California-esque" parts of the state.
Quote from: AztecPadre on Jul 15, 2026, 04:43 PMDecided to take a promotion that comes with full relo package to Austin Tx. They kept upping and upping the offer to convince me and they just did it. I have no clue what I am getting my self into by moving there, but first off where are the nice neighborhoods in and around ATX and besides Austin Westlake who can I become a fan of to follow for the next 10 years?
Congrats. I went to Austin last year and really enjoyed it. Had a great time. Of course visiting and living in a place are totally different, so don't know actual city.
Quote from: DreadnaughtAlum on Jul 16, 2026, 12:02 PMI lived there for a year in 2001-2002. It's grown quite a bit since then of course. But, my favorite area right in Austin was the south/west of downtown area. I think it was called Zilker. Generally, westerly areas- like where Austin Westlake H.S. is are best as they are in or near the hills. Northwest of Austin in the hills and along Lake Travis (which is really a river or resovoir) are the most scenic, "California-esque" parts of the state.
I really want to stay somewhere where its less hot and humid. I will be seriously missing my ocean breezes. Living close or on the hills sounds like a good start. Especially by a lake.
Go here. You won't regret it!
https://www.saltlickbbq.com/
Quote from: AztecPadre on Jul 17, 2026, 12:15 PMI really want to stay somewhere where its less hot and humid. I will be seriously missing my ocean breezes. Living close or on the hills sounds like a good start. Especially by a lake.
Congrats, Aztec! I hope you enjoy it,
@ChimpGrip would probably have the best scoop on everything Austin.
If at all possible keep a NorCal place. Moving to Arizona one thing I learned, nobody is actually a full time Arizona resident here lol. Whether the upper Mid-West, East coast, California or Rocky Point nobody lives in this state year round they all got a place escape and snow bird.
Austin should not be as hot and rough, but being land locked and not near the ocean is a big adjustment. Was in monsoon and 102 with sticky humidity earlier this week and just got back from Stinson Beach and 70 with fresh marine air today! 🌊 ✌️
Quote from: Cossacks on Jul 19, 2026, 08:35 PMIf at all possible keep a NorCal place. Moving to Arizona one thing I learned, nobody is actually a full time Arizona resident here lol. Whether the upper Mid-West, East coast, California or Rocky Point nobody lives in this state year round they all got a place escape and snow bird.
Austin should not be as hot and rough, but being land locked and not near the ocean is a big adjustment. Was in monsoon and 102 with sticky humidity earlier this week and just got back from Stinson Beach and 70 with fresh marine air today! 🌊 ✌️
I'm not selling any of my NorCal homes. Austin is only for the next 10 years at most. I am excited though for some TX bbq and HSFB..
You'll either love it or hate it. Austin isnt considered "Texas" by many Texans these days because of the influx of transplants (lots of Californians) and their extreme liberal political views. So many transplants there now, it's almost hard to find a native Texan.
Overall, Texas is still a great state, and the BBQ and TexMex cant be matched anywhere.
Also get ready. You havent experienced heat like a Texas summer. 100-105 and throw in some humidity.
Congrats on your promotion, but here are things you'll want to know about Austin (and Texas, in general). I used to work in Austin a bunch in the late 20-teens.
1. Austin does get hot. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
2. TexMex is garbage.
3. Not all "Mexican" places in Texas are TexMex. No self-respecting Mexican joint would serve "queso".
4. Most "Mexican" food in Texas is terrible (don't let anyone tell you otherwise). Places there rarely take chances with bold flavors. For the first several years of going to Austin, the hottest hot sauce I had was at Taco Bell.
5. If you are driving down a road and see that the far right or left lane is completely open, don't be fooled. Those lanes are about to disappear without any signs or warnings.
6. The automatic u-turns under overpasses are awesome. Wish we had those in California.
7. The music scene in downtown, generally on 6th street, is fun to a point. A lot of college kids.
8. I hope you like bats (not the baseball kind) because Austin has a few overpasses and/or bridges where they live.
9. Don't be fooled by the "Keep Austin Weird" shirts in the airport. Austin is only weird relative to the rest of Texas. This isn't Portland.
10. Not all BBQ places in Austin, or Texas in general, are good. Stiles Switch on N Lamar Blvd was good back then. Please don't go to Rudy's. There was supposed to be some great place just outside of town, but I was told it often closed around 2 pm because it ran out of food.
11. For good ethnic food, Houston is probably your best choice. Just don't go there in June.
12. Don't expect good food in San Antonio along the River Walk. It's pretty, but every meal I've had there was terrible.
13. Jack Allen's Kitchen in Round Rock (Chisholm Trail Road) is a great farm-to-table restaurant. Also try Roaring Fork on Stoneblake Blvd in Austin.
14. There are an unusual few highways for such a big city in Austin. Some are toll roads.
15. Some drivers there are aggressive, but some seem to need written invitations to merge into your lane after you've given them space for the last 10 minutes.
Quote from: AztecPadre on Jul 15, 2026, 04:43 PMDecided to take a promotion that comes with full relo package to Austin Tx. They kept upping and upping the offer to convince me and they just did it. I have no clue what I am getting my self into by moving there, but first off where are the nice neighborhoods in and around ATX and besides Austin Westlake who can I become a fan of to follow for the next 10 years?
inching closer to a game at West Monroe ;)
Wishing you the best with your move, my family is in San Antonio... basically one big city from Austin to SA
Quote from: RockinL on Jul 24, 2026, 09:00 AMYou'll either love it or hate it. Austin isnt considered "Texas" by many Texans these days because of the influx of transplants (lots of Californians) and their extreme liberal political views. So many transplants there now, it's almost hard to find a native Texan.
Overall, Texas is still a great state, and the BBQ and TexMex cant be matched anywhere.
Also get ready. You havent experienced heat like a Texas summer. 100-105 and throw in some humidity.
This heat and humidity is beyond insane!!!!! Its miserable. I don't know how football teams practice or play in this weather. Hats off to them.
Quote from: Cal 14 on Jul 28, 2026, 06:36 PMCongrats on your promotion, but here are things you'll want to know about Austin (and Texas, in general). I used to work in Austin a bunch in the late 20-teens.
1. Austin does get hot. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
2. TexMex is garbage.
3. Not all "Mexican" places in Texas are TexMex. No self-respecting Mexican joint would serve "queso".
4. Most "Mexican" food in Texas is terrible (don't let anyone tell you otherwise). Places there rarely take chances with bold flavors. For the first several years of going to Austin, the hottest hot sauce I had was at Taco Bell.
5. If you are driving down a road and see that the far right or left lane is completely open, don't be fooled. Those lanes are about to disappear without any signs or warnings.
6. The automatic u-turns under overpasses are awesome. Wish we had those in California.
7. The music scene in downtown, generally on 6th street, is fun to a point. A lot of college kids.
8. I hope you like bats (not the baseball kind) because Austin has a few overpasses and/or bridges where they live.
9. Don't be fooled by the "Keep Austin Weird" shirts in the airport. Austin is only weird relative to the rest of Texas. This isn't Portland.
10. Not all BBQ places in Austin, or Texas in general, are good. Stiles Switch on N Lamar Blvd was good back then. Please don't go to Rudy's. There was supposed to be some great place just outside of town, but I was told it often closed around 2 pm because it ran out of food.
11. For good ethnic food, Houston is probably your best choice. Just don't go there in June.
12. Don't expect good food in San Antonio along the River Walk. It's pretty, but every meal I've had there was terrible.
13. Jack Allen's Kitchen in Round Rock (Chisholm Trail Road) is a great farm-to-table restaurant. Also try Roaring Fork on Stoneblake Blvd in Austin.
14. There are an unusual few highways for such a big city in Austin. Some are toll roads.
15. Some drivers there are aggressive, but some seem to need written invitations to merge into your lane after you've given them space for the last 10 minutes.
Thanks Cal!! Great info. I've so far had great experiences with drivers being very respectful and courteous. Till I got to Austin where many are dicks. Im not finding many grocery stores. What the eff is H.E.B??? If the heat and humidity dies down Ill be taking in some local hsfb games in a couple of weeks. Other than that its 3 days in the office then back to my cell till late night when its only in the low 80's. Lol.
Quote from: AztecPadre on Aug 07, 2026, 07:03 AMThanks Cal!! Great info. I've so far had great experiences with drivers being very respectful and courteous. Till I got to Austin where many are dicks. Im not finding many grocery stores. What the eff is H.E.B??? If the heat and humidity dies down Ill be taking in some local hsfb games in a couple of weeks. Other than that its 3 days in the office then back to my cell till late night when its only in the low 80's. Lol.
HEB is one of the more popular grocery chains in TX. I personally like them.
Quote from: Horsefly on Aug 07, 2026, 09:44 AMHEB is one of the more popular grocery chains in TX. I personally like them.
When I was stationed in Del Rio in the late 90s I remember HEB having some sort of tortilla chip that was bomb! I forget the name of the bag of chips.
Quote from: Omaha Vol on Aug 07, 2026, 11:07 PMWhen I was stationed in Del Rio in the late 90s I remember HEB having some sort of tortilla chip that was bomb! I forget the name of the bag of chips.
Doritos ?
Just went to the costco in Cedar Park and Im assuming this is the India/China neighborhood?
Quote from: AztecPadre on Aug 08, 2026, 12:29 PMJust went to the costco in Cedar Park and Im assuming this is the India/China neighborhood?
Oh and thank you for shopping at Costco. Tits worked there for 35+ years and your contribution to our retirement/401k is greatly appreciated 🤣🤣🤣. When all my buddies tell me they just got back from a Costco run and complain they dropped 500 to a grand they tell me, "Fucking beers are on you, I'm contributing to your fat ass living off your wife." 🤣🤣.
Quote from: Cossacks on Aug 08, 2026, 03:21 PMOh and thank you for shopping at Costco. Tits worked there for 35+ years and your contribution to our retirement/401k is greatly appreciated 🤣🤣🤣. When all my buddies tell me they just got back from a Costco run and complain they dropped 500 to a grand they tell me, "Fucking beers are on you, I'm contributing to your fat ass living off your wife." 🤣🤣.
Haha!!!!
Quote from: Cossacks on Aug 08, 2026, 03:21 PMOh and thank you for shopping at Costco. Tits worked there for 35+ years and your contribution to our retirement/401k is greatly appreciated 🤣🤣🤣. When all my buddies tell me they just got back from a Costco run and complain they dropped 500 to a grand they tell me, "Fucking beers are on you, I'm contributing to your fat ass living off your wife." 🤣🤣.
😂😂
Quote from: SeaShells21 on Aug 08, 2026, 04:47 AMDoritos ?
LMFAO!!!!
Seriously, does anyone in Texas know what I'm talking about?
Quote from: Cal 14 on Jul 28, 2026, 06:36 PMCongrats on your promotion, but here are things you'll want to know about Austin (and Texas, in general). I used to work in Austin a bunch in the late 20-teens.
1. Austin does get hot. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
2. TexMex is garbage.
3. Not all "Mexican" places in Texas are TexMex. No self-respecting Mexican joint would serve "queso".
4. Most "Mexican" food in Texas is terrible (don't let anyone tell you otherwise). Places there rarely take chances with bold flavors. For the first several years of going to Austin, the hottest hot sauce I had was at Taco Bell.
5. If you are driving down a road and see that the far right or left lane is completely open, don't be fooled. Those lanes are about to disappear without any signs or warnings.
6. The automatic u-turns under overpasses are awesome. Wish we had those in California.
7. The music scene in downtown, generally on 6th street, is fun to a point. A lot of college kids.
8. I hope you like bats (not the baseball kind) because Austin has a few overpasses and/or bridges where they live.
9. Don't be fooled by the "Keep Austin Weird" shirts in the airport. Austin is only weird relative to the rest of Texas. This isn't Portland.
10. Not all BBQ places in Austin, or Texas in general, are good. Stiles Switch on N Lamar Blvd was good back then. Please don't go to Rudy's. There was supposed to be some great place just outside of town, but I was told it often closed around 2 pm because it ran out of food.
11. For good ethnic food, Houston is probably your best choice. Just don't go there in June.
12. Don't expect good food in San Antonio along the River Walk. It's pretty, but every meal I've had there was terrible.
13. Jack Allen's Kitchen in Round Rock (Chisholm Trail Road) is a great farm-to-table restaurant. Also try Roaring Fork on Stoneblake Blvd in Austin.
14. There are an unusual few highways for such a big city in Austin. Some are toll roads.
15. Some drivers there are aggressive, but some seem to need written invitations to merge into your lane after you've given them space for the last 10 minutes.
There are authentic Mexican places in South Texas. Rudy's isn't even top 20 or Top 50 BBQ.
Quote from: RockinL on Jul 24, 2026, 09:00 AMYou'll either love it or hate it. Austin isnt considered "Texas" by many Texans these days because of the influx of transplants (lots of Californians) and their extreme liberal political views. So many transplants there now, it's almost hard to find a native Texan.
Overall, Texas is still a great state, and the BBQ and TexMex cant be matched anywhere.
Also get ready. You havent experienced heat like a Texas summer. 100-105 and throw in some humidity.
The transplants comment is correct but there are plenty of native Texans in Austin.
Austin is great but I prefer Lakeway/hills area. Scenic, beautiful, etc.
Lots of great food and places to see, whether it's History (lots of it in downtown), music or outdoor stuff. Robert Plant used to live in Austin, living legend and a Rock god! Austin also trans-friendly
Quote from: Cossacks on Jul 16, 2026, 01:00 PMCongrats. I went to Austin last year and really enjoyed it. Had a great time. Of course visiting and living in a place are totally different, so don't know actual city.
Which part of the city? You didn't see me around there? Haha. Austin is fun though.
Quote from: ChimpGrip on Aug 16, 2026, 10:58 AMAustin is great but I prefer Lakeway/hills area. Scenic, beautiful, etc.
Lots of great food and places to see, whether it's History (lots of it in downtown), music or outdoor stuff. Robert Plant used to live in Austin, living legend and a Rock god! Austin also trans-friendly
What is considered the nicest neighborhood in Austin/Cedarpark/Round Rock area?
Quote from: AztecPadre on Aug 17, 2026, 08:27 AMWhat is considered the nicest neighborhood in Austin/Cedarpark/Round Rock area?
Cedar Park is nice and then Lakeway is a step up from that. For the nicest (or maybe most prestigious and expensive) is West Lake Hills. Michael Dell lives there (worth $207 billion) and Elon Musk has a house there. There's a plethora of celebrities who live there/own homes there too (I know Brad Pitt and Madonna had places there).
Congrats Aztec. Best of luck. Keep us informed on how it is for you. It's a different world. At least Texas wants to be.
Quote from: World Citizen on Aug 17, 2026, 01:45 PMCongrats Aztec. Best of luck. Keep us informed on how it is for you. It's a different world. At least Texas wants to be.
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Thanks brother! Every where you go and every item sold its ALLLLL about Texas this and Texas that. Lol. The heat I'm sort of getting used to, but the freaking humidity is just stupid!!!
Quote from: AztecPadre on Aug 19, 2026, 06:26 AMQuote from: World Citizen on Aug 17, 2026, 01:45 PMCongrats Aztec. Best of luck. Keep us informed on how it is for you. It's a different world. At least Texas wants to be.
[/quote
Thanks brother! Every where you go and every item sold its ALLLLL about Texas this and Texas that. Lol. The heat I'm sort of getting used to, but the freaking humidity is just stupid!!!
Come try the humidity in Houston! It's much worse! 😂
Quote from: ChimpGrip on Aug 19, 2026, 12:30 PMCome try the humidity in Houston! It's much worse! 😂
If its worse then I'll never visit Houston!!!!
Crap, I guess I will be going to Houston since North Shore is there.