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