amirpc Posted November 26, 2009 Posted November 26, 2009 Just move to Austin and save yourself the time. Lived here for 3 years and I've already convinced other friends to move here (who now say moving here was the best thing they ever did), I moved in my early 20s. You'll love it.
Author Vertex Posted November 27, 2009 Author Posted November 27, 2009 food is the same in both places – there's a wide variety offered, at reasonable rates, and it's pretty damned good Asian population – after reading the other posts, I realized I completely left out the UT student body and the big technology companies that attract folks to Austin. OOPS, mind fart! what someone else pointed out about Austin not being that expensive compared to other places throughout the country, that's also true. Best part about Austin is that it's pretty much smack in the middle of the Texas Hill Country, so there are a lot of good ways to spend your time. best part about Austin is that you're within a 3-4 radius of the major cities within the state, which comes in handy if you're the kind of person that likes to do things in other places. Ruby: HAWAIIAN ICE!? WHERE?! lol, in my world, they're called raspas It seems like everyone's praising Austin over Houston... I'm just worried that the Asian population is near-nonexistent! Other than that, it seems pretty damn sweet.
Author Vertex Posted November 27, 2009 Author Posted November 27, 2009 The problem is that I've already graduated... I don't want to be seen as that weird, creepy older guy who hits on all the young college prey! If most of the Asian demographic comes from the college, I may be out of luck.
quankanne Posted November 27, 2009 Posted November 27, 2009 there is a lot of technological industry in Austin, which attracts people from all over the globe – Dell comes to mind. And San Antonio, which is about 90 minutes away, has a HUGE medical community, also which attracts folks from all over. Who don't necessarily live in SA but around SA ... check with the Austin Chamber of Commerce for a list of demographics on the city, you'll get a better idea of what to expect.
spookie Posted November 27, 2009 Posted November 27, 2009 $375/month!? Holy crap that is cheap. What do you think of Texas compared to San Fran? I was actually trying to move there at one point but had difficulty finding work/housing there, especially since I didn't have enough for the high apartment prices, but the demographics of San Fran and the city life seemed appealing to me. San Francisco has amazing weather, and it takes years to stop missing the ocean. I could not deal with the climate in Texas. More specifically, I could not deal with my seasonal allergies and outrageous reactions to fire ants. They are really different, though. SF can feel like a big city and a small town at the same time, but it's more polished. Austin is funky and really really laid-back. SF is also like 10 times more expensive. In Austin I think you can get by for years being almost unemployed. Living in SF would be financially stressful even if you had a good job, IMO.
Author Vertex Posted November 27, 2009 Author Posted November 27, 2009 I'd love to relocate to SF but finding work/housing over there is tough. I am leaning towards Austin right now, but I wonder if Houston would give me a better chance at finding the kind of girl I want.
Ruby Slippers Posted November 27, 2009 Posted November 27, 2009 Can anyone list some pros about Houston over Austin besides the lower housing prices? Is the Asian population there significantly greater? Is the food better? Is public transport easier? Houston is bigger and has more of all the stuff that comes along with bigger cities (shopping, variety of restaurants, etc.). It is a major air travel hub. And honestly, those are the only significant points I can come up with to top Austin, and IMO, they don't come close to making Houston win out. There are PLENTY of Asians in Austin, and it is just a way cooler city with a lot more energy and variety overall. I suggest you visit each city for a couple of days, drive around, eat at some restaurants, just get a feel for the place. That will help cement all the information we've provided. And if ya go to Austin, let me know -- I can recommend some incredible restaurants.
Ruby Slippers Posted November 27, 2009 Posted November 27, 2009 Oh, and the Hawaiian ice stand used to be on the Northwest corner of S Lamar and Barton Springs Rd. Not sure if it's still there, but it was legendary at the time. Ask anyone around Barton Springs pool and they should know.
Ruby Slippers Posted November 27, 2009 Posted November 27, 2009 US Census data (as of 2000): Houston: 5.3% Asian of 1,953,631 people = 103,542 Asian people Austin: 4.7% Asian of 656,562 people = 30,858 Asian people A negligible difference as far as percentage of population goes. Three times more Asian individuals in Houston due to approx. triple population. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin,_Texas#Demographics http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_texas#Demographics
Author Vertex Posted November 27, 2009 Author Posted November 27, 2009 That triple differential is very persuasive to me... but at the same time, I feel like I'd be happier at a place like Austin, and I also figure that the concentration of finance/tech/education in Austin would probably imply a better fit for me anyway (in terms of work as well as the types of girls). I scouted both of the cities out on Google Maps using the Street View function... Austin is indeed much prettier. Houston is pretty sprawled-out and a bit lifeless. I think I'm deciding on Austin. Now I just have to figure out housing and work XD
Author Vertex Posted November 27, 2009 Author Posted November 27, 2009 Yeah... I'm deciding on Austin. Gulp.
quankanne Posted November 27, 2009 Posted November 27, 2009 you won't regret it. Maybe the stultifying humidity, but never the decision to be in the Hill Country. hey! Maybe in about 15-20 me and the hubby will have moved down there, that's my fantasy area to retire to!
Author Vertex Posted November 27, 2009 Author Posted November 27, 2009 Now I just need to find work there XD
Alma Mobley Posted November 28, 2009 Posted November 28, 2009 Glad you decided on Austin. Definitely a better city, better quality of life than Houston. I went to school in Austin and also lived in Dallas. I'm in San Fran now -- yes, it's crazy expensive compared to Tx but I love it here.
Author Vertex Posted November 28, 2009 Author Posted November 28, 2009 How old were you when you moved to San Fran? Do you like it better than Texas? San Fran was my ideal "final destination to live life in," but I can't afford it yet, and the economy's too far in the tanker for a college graduate like myself.
spookie Posted November 28, 2009 Posted November 28, 2009 That triple differential is very persuasive to me... but at the same time, I feel like I'd be happier at a place like Austin, and I also figure that the concentration of finance/tech/education in Austin would probably imply a better fit for me anyway (in terms of work as well as the types of girls). I scouted both of the cities out on Google Maps using the Street View function... Austin is indeed much prettier. Houston is pretty sprawled-out and a bit lifeless. I think I'm deciding on Austin. Now I just have to figure out housing and work XD You're in freaking lakeview, that's 10 minutes away! You can jog to Austin in the time you spent reading this thread!!! Stop being so lazy.
Author Vertex Posted November 28, 2009 Author Posted November 28, 2009 I'm in Lakeway, not Lakeview -- it takes a bit of time to drive to the city. That is my next question, though. Is downtown Austin technically "central" Austin? How would you characterize the city's relative location?
spookie Posted November 28, 2009 Posted November 28, 2009 I'm in Lakeway, not Lakeview -- it takes a bit of time to drive to the city. That is my next question, though. Is downtown Austin technically "central" Austin? How would you characterize the city's relative location? That's what I meant, you're in Lakeway!! You're approaching this far too academically for being 10 miles away.
Author Vertex Posted November 28, 2009 Author Posted November 28, 2009 It's a 40 minute drive from where I live, and I don't have a car
jerbear Posted November 29, 2009 Posted November 29, 2009 Have you considered Toronto? It has one of the largest Chinatowns outside of China. Anyway, have you visited either city and be a tourist for a day? When I was in Texas, it was just to darn hot and I didn't see anyone outside. Talking about cars, you might need to get one in Texas.
Author Vertex Posted November 29, 2009 Author Posted November 29, 2009 Have you considered Toronto? It has one of the largest Chinatowns outside of China. Anyway, have you visited either city and be a tourist for a day? When I was in Texas, it was just to darn hot and I didn't see anyone outside. Talking about cars, you might need to get one in Texas. Yeah, I'm well aware unfortunately -_- Nice to hear from you again Jer, haha. This economy is crap and a half -- even with Wharton.
jerbear Posted November 29, 2009 Posted November 29, 2009 Yeah, I'm well aware unfortunately -_- Nice to hear from you again Jer, haha. This economy is crap and a half -- even with Wharton. Have you talked to the Alumni association in TX? They will tell you the truth when it comes to prospects. Even with the "take the call" initiatives, the alumni will try to answer your call, but it is rough out there. Also, do not hesitate to ask the other Ivy's for help, hint hint.
Author Vertex Posted November 29, 2009 Author Posted November 29, 2009 I'm notoriously bad at asking for help. I wouldn't really know who to contact/what to say/what to ask/etc. I've basically just been resume spamming. Totally inefficient, but I don't really have a family network or any friends from my school here in TX. Gaarrghggh.
Alma Mobley Posted November 29, 2009 Posted November 29, 2009 How old were you when you moved to San Fran? Do you like it better than Texas? San Fran was my ideal "final destination to live life in," but I can't afford it yet, and the economy's too far in the tanker for a college graduate like myself. I was around 30 and a grad student, so I was poor. It was still fun though. I learned how to be frugal. I would NEVER move back to Texas.
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