pros/cons of living in Austin? (San Antonio, Spring: transplants, school, university)

[grad2012]

Hey all,

I'm graduating soon and I'm looking into different places I might want to work and live during the year or so before I go to graduate school. Texas and South Carolina are two of my top choices right now (i'd like to stay down south, since I'm from MS and 7ish hours away is the most i'm willing to go).

I've been told that Austin is better for young people than many other places in TX?

What are the pros and cons of living here as a young grad?

Thank you!



edit: I want to clarify that i'd be finding a job and THEN moving down, not just moving all willy-nilly. ;D

[StreetBAller85]

austin is an amazing place....the only thing thats difficult is the public transportation, but if you elive dowtown its all good. i just moved here 4 months ago from nyc and i absolutely love, austin is the bomb!

way better than SC, cmon now.....

[centralaustinite]

One of the main advantages is also a drawback! That is, the very large number of recent college grads in the city. It can be wonderful -- lots of peers and things to do -- but it also means that there is FIERCE competition for entry level jobs, internships, and "first-rung-on-the-ladder" jobs. And you will lack the built-in network that UT grads have. It can be incredibly tough to get a "real" job here for twenty somethings. And because of all the competition, wages will be lower too.

And I agree, way better than SC! Have you considered Atlanta, Memphis, Nashville, or Louisville?

[Jink]

Originally Posted by grad2012

Hey all,

I'm graduating soon and I'm looking into different places I might want to work and live during the year or so before I go to graduate school. Texas and South Carolina are two of my top choices right now (i'd like to stay down south, since I'm from MS and 7ish hours away is the most i'm willing to go).

I've been told that Austin is better for young people than many other places in TX?

What are the pros and cons of living here as a young grad?

Thank you!



edit: I want to clarify that i'd be finding a job and THEN moving down, not just moving all willy-nilly. ;D

I'm from Mississippi as well and Austin is a huge upgrade from anything MS has to offer. Come and visit. What college are you graduating from? MSU graduate here.

[grad2012]

Thanks for everyone's input!

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

One of the main advantages is also a drawback! That is, the very large number of recent college grads in the city. It can be wonderful -- lots of peers and things to do -- but it also means that there is FIERCE competition for entry level jobs, internships, and "first-rung-on-the-ladder" jobs. And you will lack the built-in network that UT grads have. It can be incredibly tough to get a "real" job here for twenty somethings. And because of all the competition, wages will be lower too.

And I agree, way better than SC! Have you considered Atlanta, Memphis, Nashville, or Louisville?

Yeah that's the thing that scares me. My college has pretty far reaching networks, so that may end up being my saving grace. I'm hoping(maybe) to go to UT for grad, so that's also one reason i'm thinking about testing out a year there.

I am considering all of those as well! Primarily Memphis, but part of me wants to go a bit further to somewhere I'm NOT as comfortable with.

I've never been to Louisville, but I'm hearing more and more people talking about it as a great place post-grad.

[bgrn198]

Originally Posted by grad2012

Thanks for everyone's input!



Yeah that's the thing that scares me. My college has pretty far reaching networks, so that may end up being my saving grace. I'm hoping(maybe) to go to UT for grad, so that's also one reason i'm thinking about testing out a year there.

I am considering all of those as well! Primarily Memphis, but part of me wants to go a bit further to somewhere I'm NOT as comfortable with.

I've never been to Louisville, but I'm hearing more and more people talking about it as a great place post-grad.

You could also consider San Antonio UTSA

Welcome to The University of Texas at San Antonio | UTSA

San Antonio Texas official vacation and visitor information. San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau. :: VisitSanAntonio.com

San Antonio named a top spot for college grads - San Antonio Business Journal

[Shredding_Gnar78]

I moved here about 18 months ago.

Pros: good culture. lots of stuff to do. the weather is nice 4 months/year. the best people you'll ever meet are from Austin. cheaper than socal or boston, but relatively speaking, not cheap. open minded and diverse, the progressive culture here has just about everyone from every background and lots of music and art.

Cons: After a year, I still can't find a good job. There are a lot of $10/hr no benefit type jobs tho, if you can feel good about living on $1360 a month for full time everyday work. all us transplants have caused growth without sufficient urban planning. last summer was like living in a toaster oven. its starting to a look like yuppie playground. rents, electricity and water are all going up up up! i heard some dude from new york say "people move here but most of them keep on moving"

[Daveydoe]

Originally Posted by Shredding_Gnar78

the weather is nice 4 months/year.

which 4?

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by Daveydoe

which 4?

November, December, January, February!

Summer can easily run from May 1st to October 31st!

Others might say the best months are February, March, April, May, spring can be glorious here.

[love roses]

Spring can be good, except for the crazy tornado producing spring storms.