Longtime lurker here, My partner and I are The unemployment rate is 3.4%, which is pretty low. With a population of 968K, Austin is a major city. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. Let me know your thoughts.
37 upvotes
3 Replies
Natalie Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 30, moved here 15 years ago from New York. I've lived in Pine Hills and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The community vibe situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from New York, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
15 upvotes
Declan Collins
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
9 upvotes
Olivia Price
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 1 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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