Things to dislike about Austin (Dallas, San Antonio: neighborhoods, gated, living)

[sinking]

1. Glut of job seekers for each job.
2. Hot, hot summers.
3. No real character...just people telling you there is character.
4. Vanilla personality people with too much Texas pride.
5. Football fanaticism. (love/hate. I like it because I know when to go shopping)
6. Bland Italian food, seafood, deli.
7. High RE prices, high taxes, low wages.
8. Horrible traffic.
9. Horrible drivers. I am thinking of funding a PSA to remind people that their cars have directionals.
10. Customer service is generally friendly but low quality.
11. Yes, the radio stations suck...but they suck everywhere now. Same songs several times in the 8 hours I'm at work.

I will counter my gripes with some things I like to be fair.

1. My sports car doesn't have to just be a summer car.
2. Amazing barbecue.
3. Good Tex-Mex.

[Exiled Texan]

TO MUCH RELIANCE ON PROPERTY TAXES

Low wages.

Too much sprawl. No longer a small town.

[orbius]

The traffic has gone past annoying and into the dangerous territory. Its only my extreme focus while driving that prevents the 1 to 2 serious accidents that would otherwise occur per week due to the driving idiocy around here.
I've had road ragers try to crash me off the road twice for the high crime of tapping my brakes when the morons were literally inches off my bumper in the past year in fast moving traffic. Its amazing how long they can go on with their rage threatening me. I just give them the thumbs up sign and smile.

[mimimomx3]

I will counter my negative rant with the top three things I love about Austin.

1. The heat (and native plants that can live in the heat and look beautiful)
2. BBQ
3. Hills/Sunsets

[burlshoe114]

Yeah, but these are the same complaints any medium-sized town sees when they become larger or popular. I don't think this is anything exclusive to Austin.

[CarnivalGal]

Austin is NOT diverse. If you look at the percentage of minorities, it may seem as though it is. But the problem is that most of that minority percentage is Hispanic. The percentage of people who are neither white nor Hispanic is pitifully small. Even among the white population, there is little diversity. There is no significant Italian, Russian, Polish, etc. populations. Same for Hispanics. There is no measurable Puerto Rican, Honduran, etc. population. I know, I know - someone will reply with, "My neighbor is Puerto Rican," and therefore assume that there is a big Puerto Rican presence here. But face it, folks, it's really not that diverse.

Here's what I also don't like:
- No delis (or at least no good ones)
- Whole city shuts down at 1am (or 2 on weekends)
- Not walkable
- Lack of good museums (Yes, we have some. But they are far from great museums)
- The heat
- The bugs
- Not much to do. And before someone mentions Zilker Park, let me point out that most cities the size of Austin (or smaller) have parks just like it. It's not unique to Austin.
- Landlocked
- Lack of big music shows / tours. Funny how I have to drive to San Antonio or Houston to see so many big concerts that don't pass through the "Live Music Capital."
- No good bagel shops

[mark311]

Originally Posted by mm57553

Here's what I also don't like:
- Whole city shuts down at 1am (or 2 on weekends)

"Nothing good happens at 1am (or 2 on weekends)" --Jim Rome

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by mm57553

Austin is NOT diverse. If you look at the percentage of minorities, it may seem as though it is. But the problem is that most of that minority percentage is Hispanic. The percentage of people who are neither white nor Hispanic is pitifully small. Even among the white population, there is little diversity. There is no significant Italian, Russian, Polish, etc. populations. Same for Hispanics. There is no measurable Puerto Rican, Honduran, etc. population. I know, I know - someone will reply with, "My neighbor is Puerto Rican," and therefore assume that there is a big Puerto Rican presence here. But face it, folks, it's really not that diverse.

Here's what I also don't like:
- No delis (or at least no good ones)
- Whole city shuts down at 1am (or 2 on weekends)
- Not walkable
- Lack of good museums (Yes, we have some. But they are far from great museums)
- The heat
- The bugs
- Not much to do. And before someone mentions Zilker Park, let me point out that most cities the size of Austin (or smaller) have parks just like it. It's not unique to Austin.
- Landlocked
- Lack of big music shows / tours. Funny how I have to drive to San Antonio or Houston to see so many big concerts that don't pass through the "Live Music Capital."
- No good bagel shops

Looking at what you're describing, I'm suspecting that you're homesick for someplace just like where you came from. (Wherever that might be, and I'm suspecting East Coast just by the things you seem to miss.)

There are two cures for homesickness. One is to go back home. The other is to set aside those things you're used to, that are your comfort zone, and explore with enthusiasm the joys of the place you are. Trust me, every place has them.

Which you choose depends on you a heck of a lot more than it does the place you happen to be.

[kbchitown]

1. Lack of services evening hours and weekends. So far, we can't find a doctor/dentist/vet, etc that has evening or Saturday hours!
2. The Texas-California "centric-ness" of this city.
3. Hearing "well, we have no state income tax" as an attempt to rationalize the insanely high property taxes.
4. "You won't miss the winters....". Yes, I will. I like the change of seasons.
5. The food. Tex-Mex and BBQ and burgers are stellar, but everything else is pretty much marginal and over-priced. Pizza? Italian? Sandwiches/deli? A good bakery? Hard to find.
6. Dogs. C'mon, large dogs (even one) should not be kept in apartments.
7. The "lock" of Boars Head meats at the deli counter.

We find Austin a great "small" big city, but is kinda ten years behind (there's a long way to go as far as the recycling efforts here)...sorry, just my opinion.

I do LOVE the scenery. And that most restaurants have outdoor seating. The efforts to "green" the city. The love and protection of open spaces, parks.

[jobert]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Looking at what you're describing, I'm suspecting that you're homesick for someplace just like where you came from. (Wherever that might be, and I'm suspecting East Coast just by the things you seem to miss.)

There are two cures for homesickness. One is to go back home. The other is to set aside those things you're used to, that are your comfort zone, and explore with enthusiasm the joys of the place you are. Trust me, every place has them.

Which you choose depends on you a heck of a lot more than it does the place you happen to be.

I miss Dallas. I used to be able to drive 15 miles from place to place and paying exorbitant prices to sit back and be entertained. Now I'm expected to be healthy, active, creative and outgoing since moving here to Austin. This town has really taken me out of my comfort zone.