This month marks the one-year anniversary that our family arrived in Austin.
Austin was never one of our top choices of a place to live once we arrived in America. I knew very little about this city, other than it being the capital of Texas, and I've never been fond of Texas. I had always dismissed Texas as a state full of too many gun-totin', cowboy-hat wearin' rednecks. Those people do exist here, but not in Austin. Thankfully, Austin is different.
As luck would have it, we live in the most liberal, open minded city of Texas. The wide cross-section of people who live in Austin is probably its best feature. It's just too bad there aren't more interesting things to do here. Weekends are a challenge to find something that our family can do for fun. We often have to drive far outside the city just for some excitement. Also, it seems like most major concert tours seem to bypass Austin completely. Yes, we did have Bruce Springsteen here last month, but what about The Eagles, AC/DC, Coldplay, Green Day, Metallica, Elton John & Billy Joel, Fleetwood Mac, ZZ Top, and many others? All of these bands are playing (or played) either in Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio, but NOT Austin. Austin is the "music capital of the world", so what's going on? To give the city some credit though, they DO have "Austin City Limits" (ACL), which will feature Pearl Jam, in early October.
Like I had mentioned before, I grew up in Southern California, so it's tough to compare Austin to L.A. I do miss the beaches and the palm trees. I miss the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, The Getty Center, the Griffith Park Observatory, the shops and restaurants on 2nd street in Long Beach, and so much more. Maybe if I had grown up in Emporia, Kansas, I would think Austin was the greatest city ever, but that's not the case.
The only major city we have yet to see here in Texas is Houston. I expect there is probably a lot to see and do there, since it's the biggest city in Texas. However, I have heard only negative comments about Houston from people who live here in Austin. They seem to think it's an overcrowded city that has no charm whatsoever. We'll find out pretty soon. My wife Christy just discovered that one of her old friends from Taiwan lives in Houston, so we'll be going out for a visit within the next month or so.
A lot has happened in the last year. Our family went from living in a studio sized room at the "Extended Stay America" hotel, with no jobs and an uncertain future, to a pretty decent, two bedroom apartment. Christy and I both still have jobs, but the future is still uncertain. It's just not quite as bad as it was. In this economy, though, our luck can change very quick.
As long as we're still making (and saving) money, we'll stay in Austin for a while. It's inexpensive here, and there are far worse places we could be living (Detroit, anyone?)
Austin was never one of our top choices of a place to live once we arrived in America. I knew very little about this city, other than it being the capital of Texas, and I've never been fond of Texas. I had always dismissed Texas as a state full of too many gun-totin', cowboy-hat wearin' rednecks. Those people do exist here, but not in Austin. Thankfully, Austin is different.
As luck would have it, we live in the most liberal, open minded city of Texas. The wide cross-section of people who live in Austin is probably its best feature. It's just too bad there aren't more interesting things to do here. Weekends are a challenge to find something that our family can do for fun. We often have to drive far outside the city just for some excitement. Also, it seems like most major concert tours seem to bypass Austin completely. Yes, we did have Bruce Springsteen here last month, but what about The Eagles, AC/DC, Coldplay, Green Day, Metallica, Elton John & Billy Joel, Fleetwood Mac, ZZ Top, and many others? All of these bands are playing (or played) either in Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio, but NOT Austin. Austin is the "music capital of the world", so what's going on? To give the city some credit though, they DO have "Austin City Limits" (ACL), which will feature Pearl Jam, in early October.
Like I had mentioned before, I grew up in Southern California, so it's tough to compare Austin to L.A. I do miss the beaches and the palm trees. I miss the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, The Getty Center, the Griffith Park Observatory, the shops and restaurants on 2nd street in Long Beach, and so much more. Maybe if I had grown up in Emporia, Kansas, I would think Austin was the greatest city ever, but that's not the case.
The only major city we have yet to see here in Texas is Houston. I expect there is probably a lot to see and do there, since it's the biggest city in Texas. However, I have heard only negative comments about Houston from people who live here in Austin. They seem to think it's an overcrowded city that has no charm whatsoever. We'll find out pretty soon. My wife Christy just discovered that one of her old friends from Taiwan lives in Houston, so we'll be going out for a visit within the next month or so.
A lot has happened in the last year. Our family went from living in a studio sized room at the "Extended Stay America" hotel, with no jobs and an uncertain future, to a pretty decent, two bedroom apartment. Christy and I both still have jobs, but the future is still uncertain. It's just not quite as bad as it was. In this economy, though, our luck can change very quick.
As long as we're still making (and saving) money, we'll stay in Austin for a while. It's inexpensive here, and there are far worse places we could be living (Detroit, anyone?)
(Picture: Austin at night)
How do you actually define a city as being "liberal" and "open-minded"? Does it have to do with strange hairstyles, tatoos, and tongue-rings? I'm not trying to be facetious. I just don't see how more dependence on the government, more abortions, more drugs & alcohol, and more same-gender relationships are seen as a benefit to a city/society.
ReplyDeleteHere are just some of the definitions of liberal:
ReplyDelete1. favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.
2. favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, esp. as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.
3. favoring or permitting freedom of action, esp. with respect to matters of personal belief or expression: a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers.
4. free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant: a liberal attitude toward foreigners.
5. open-minded or tolerant, esp. free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.
These are good definitions and what I look for in a city where I would like to live.
Thanks for responding so soon. As for number 1, it seems that such a description actually means MORE "politics" and LESS "religion". As for 2 and 3, they sound more like definitions of LIBERTY instead of LIBERALISM. I think a lot of people get these mixed-up. I'm sure that Austin does well on Number 4--unlike places such as North Korea, Iran and Venezuela. As for number 5, I think it's America's traditions and values that make this country a Great place to live.
ReplyDeleteOther than the people of Austin, who calls Austin the music capital of the world?
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure it's 雲林.
Hey found your blog by accident. I'm living in Hsinchu right now, studying Chinese and teaching part time. But Austin is my home. I think you lived in Hsinchu as well? Crazy coincidence.
ReplyDeleteAnyways man I've traveled a lot throughout the states, and extensively in western Europe. But I'll always return to Austin. The music scene is not bad at all , much better than other major cities, you gotta love a city where you can see 2 to 3 shows a night (even weeknights) without even having to drive your car from one place to another. As for the big venues, I'm not into the main stream stuff but if you like indy, blues, jazz, punk, plenty of bands run through Austin.
My GF is from Houston and I've spent lots of time there. She is an ABC, so spends lots of time in Houston's China Town. You'll be surprised by Houston's China Town its very good and very big. There is a big Taiwanese population, so you're wife would fit right in.
Houston is Urban Sprawl though, for a hippie like me its not my thing. But it looks like your already doing the 9 to 5, 2 cars, 2.4 kids, mortgage thing, so maybe Houston would be better for you and especially your wife.
Although Austin has a big Taiwanese population too. But it is all students. I dunno if your wife would want to hang out with people a lot younger. The big groups are TSA and TASA, you can google them.
Austin is much more laid back and never a shortage of things to do. Not to mention Travis county is the only county in Texas where a police will ticket you for marijuana possession rather than running you off to jail. And on Campus/downtown, you can smoke weed in the open and noone will think anything of it. Thats liberty for you.
What have you checked out in Austin so far?? Maybe I can recommend something for you. There was never a shortage of things to do, especially when it came to outdoor activities. Although I admit Austin must be different with a wife and kid. Austin is geared more toward the young professionals with a lot more time to play.
Music wise, Austin is mainly for "local" artists/bands, which is why major acts bypass Austin all together and head for the surrounding areas (Houston, San Antone, Dallas). It sucks I know but what can be done? Remember, I would always (still do) go to the other cities to see the shows. Sad thing is, even if a major act like Metallica, Eagles, Slipknot, etc came, the show would only sell 1/2 of the tickets they would get in another city..thus not really making it profitable for them or their company.
ReplyDelete....Anissa