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Ralph S. best-worst

Arlington vs Austin — which is better?

Hi all, I work in food service and Median household income is $73,519, which feels about average for the area. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. What would you do? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
9 upvotes

6 Replies

Carter
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Ethan James
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Meadowbrook for 15 years. Moved from LA for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.

**Employment:**
education is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are decent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.

**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Winters are long and cold. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And public transit can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Owen Kim
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is decent in most areas.
10 upvotes
Sophia Diaz
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much established but now it's pretty good.
7 upvotes
Riley C.
wish I knew this sooner
6 upvotes
Miles R.
Totally agree!
6 upvotes
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