A Hawaiian in Austin? Not another 'I wanna move to Austin' post! (Houston: houses, buy)

[WorkingGrl]

Aloha all y'all!

We extricated ourselves this summer from lovely Hawaii, where we lived for 5 years. We're currently in the NW, thinking that we'd like to remain here, but the weather (rain/cold) is just too much for these warm-weather bodies.

Here's what we believe to be true about Austin:

1. Warm weather (except for a bit in the winter). Humid. Some critters.
2. Liberal and Libertarian - live and let live type of people.
3. Lots of outdoor activities - hiking, biking, good swimming holes.
4. Great food, solid farmers' markets.
5. Inexpensive (compared to Hawaii), good housing (y'all have some mac-daddy houses out there!).
6. Beautiful countryside, farmland and hills.
7. A rather educated population.

About us:

Married, with no children, in our early 40s. We own a business so we take our jobs with us (technology is our 'fallback' as we're IT specialists). We like hot weather and humidity (we know this is weird) and enjoy hiking and getting out into nature. Not big shoppers, but are big eaters (we are foodies).

I am planning on a trip to your fair city as soon as airfares go down a bit (first class is over $1000 right now) and yes, I am a coach class wimp and can't do it.

We left Hawaii because taxes were extremely high, the population is rather---uh---casual with their educational standards, cost of living is extreme. And while there are great beaches, there are not a lot of things for grown up non-surfers to do. Food (on small neighbor islands) is pretty bad and expensive. Our half million dollar house was literally a shack in the Hawaiian barrio.

We'd like a larger home, in the exurbs (I like to garden big), with a pool and some land. I want to live smaller in terms of my pocket book, so we are thinking the mid to upper 200s should do it.

I am a contrarian by nature, so I am concerned about joining the hoards of folks entering TX and Austin area in particular. Should I be?

So my questions:
1. Are my assumptions listed above correct?
2. Would we be welcomed and feel at home in TX?
3. Would Austin be a good fit for us?
4. What outlying areas would work for us?

Mahalos to y'all for your help!

[MtnLion512]

Originally Posted by WorkingGrl

Aloha all y'all!

We extricated ourselves this summer from lovely Hawaii, where we lived for 5 years. We're currently in the NW, thinking that we'd like to remain here, but the weather (rain/cold) is just too much for these warm-weather bodies.

Here's what we believe to be true about Austin:

1. Warm weather (except for a bit in the winter). Humid. Some critters. Yes. Upgrade that to hot for a solid chunk of the year.

2. Liberal and Libertarian - live and let live type of people. Most definitely, however if you'd like to be out in the suburbs it'll be predominantly conservative (doesn't necessarily mean everyone will be all up in your business...)

3. Lots of outdoor activities - hiking, biking, good swimming holes. As an extremely active person, I thrive in Austin. It doesn't have the BEST biking, the BEST hiking, the MOST outdoor activities...the part that's great is that it's pleasant to do these things just about year-round, especially if you can stand the heat & humidity! This was not possible where I moved from due to a long cold/snowy season.

4. Great food, solid farmers' markets. Indeed. We're self-proclaimed foodies and love the options here. Two words: Food trailers Farmer's markets have been so-so in our experience.

5. Inexpensive (compared to Hawaii), good housing (y'all have some mac-daddy houses out there!). Based on what you're looking for housing-wise, I'd say this is going to be a win for you.

6. Beautiful countryside, farmland and hills. I wouldn't go as far to say beautiful, save for a couple spots. I'd describe the Hill Country as lovely, pleasant, pretty, etc.

7. A rather educated population. Indeed!

I am a contrarian by nature, so I am concerned about joining the hoards of folks entering TX and Austin area in particular. Should I be?

So my questions:
1. Are my assumptions listed above correct/Would Austin be a good fit for us? Don't expect the land of milk and honey (like many apparently do), but it sounds like you're expectations are realistic and based on your previous living experience, your description of yourselves and what you're looking for it seems like you'd be downright happy as clams here.

2. Would we be welcomed and feel at home in TX? Oh, most definitely

4. What outlying areas would work for us? I live in Central Austin but I'm sure someone else can help you out on this.

Mahalos to y'all for your help! Backatcha!

My answers are bolded.

[Jink]

lovely job there, wag. definitely need to upgrade that "warm" to "extremely hot".

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by WorkingGrl

Aloha all y'all!

We extricated ourselves this summer from lovely Hawaii, where we lived for 5 years. We're currently in the NW, thinking that we'd like to remain here, but the weather (rain/cold) is just too much for these warm-weather bodies.

Here's what we believe to be true about Austin:

1. Warm weather (except for a bit in the winter). Humid. Some critters.
2. Liberal and Libertarian - live and let live type of people.
3. Lots of outdoor activities - hiking, biking, good swimming holes.
4. Great food, solid farmers' markets.
5. Inexpensive (compared to Hawaii), good housing (y'all have some mac-daddy houses out there!).
6. Beautiful countryside, farmland and hills.
7. A rather educated population.

About us:

Married, with no children, in our early 40s. We own a business so we take our jobs with us (technology is our 'fallback' as we're IT specialists). We like hot weather and humidity (we know this is weird) and enjoy hiking and getting out into nature. Not big shoppers, but are big eaters (we are foodies).

I am planning on a trip to your fair city as soon as airfares go down a bit (first class is over $1000 right now) and yes, I am a coach class wimp and can't do it.

We left Hawaii because taxes were extremely high, the population is rather---uh---casual with their educational standards, cost of living is extreme. And while there are great beaches, there are not a lot of things for grown up non-surfers to do. Food (on small neighbor islands) is pretty bad and expensive. Our half million dollar house was literally a shack in the Hawaiian barrio.

We'd like a larger home, in the exurbs (I like to garden big), with a pool and some land. I want to live smaller in terms of my pocket book, so we are thinking the mid to upper 200s should do it.

I am a contrarian by nature, so I am concerned about joining the hoards of folks entering TX and Austin area in particular. Should I be?

So my questions:
1. Are my assumptions listed above correct?
2. Would we be welcomed and feel at home in TX?
3. Would Austin be a good fit for us?
4. What outlying areas would work for us?

Mahalos to y'all for your help!

If I were you I would go to florida - miami, key west etc. Austin is a great city, but primarily because the cost of living is low compared to the amenities. If you arent concerned about costs there are much better warmer places to go with bigger cities with better food and entertainment. Florida got hammered really hard during the recession so housing prices out there are great.

[iloveflowers]

Farmers' markets are nicer in the PNW (more things to offer) from my experience, although on the flip-side, the farmers' markets here serve hot food and have LIVE MUSIC.

[lemonlime22]

1. Warm weather (except for a bit in the winter). Humid. Some critters.

Some warm, but more HOT, and actually some very cold and dreary (too much for me) from Thanksgiving until March. That's also when we get our rain. And I don't understand why people say it's humid here. Houston is humid, Florida is humid. I think it's dry as a bone here.

2. Liberal and Libertarian - live and let live type of people.

Austin is more liberal than most of Texas (but less than the NW) and the suburbs (where I can afford to live with children) are shockingly conservative, with lots of talk about guns/hunting, the Bible, football, scrap-booking, etc. Not much common ground for a Yankee like me.

3. Lots of outdoor activities - hiking, biking, good swimming holes.

Yes.

4. Great food, solid farmers' markets.

Restaurants are not "great" here. Not much ethnic diversity/choices. Farmer's markets are lame.

5. Inexpensive (compared to Hawaii), good housing (y'all have some mac-daddy houses out there!).

Yes.

6. Beautiful countryside, farmland and hills.

"Beautiful"? No. I don't even know if I'd personally say "pretty". The only hills around here are south of town, northern suburbs are flat. Our countryside is the opposite of the LUSH that you live around now or in Hawaii.

7. A rather educated population.

In Austin proper, yes.

[winkosmosis]

The hill country looks a lot like the leeward side of the islands, because it's semi arid. If you live in a suburb in the hill country (NW side of Austin), you will get all the nature you could possibly want. There are a lot of trails, lakes, etc.

I've lived on Maui for the last year and if I got a chance to move to Austin I wouldn't even hesitate.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by winkosmosis

The hill country looks a lot like the leeward side of the islands, because it's semi arid. If you live in a suburb in the hill country (NW side of Austin), you will get all the nature you could possibly want. There are a lot of trails, lakes, etc.

I've lived on Maui for the last year and if I got a chance to move to Austin I wouldn't even hesitate.

I kitesurf and would love to live in maui. Let's switch houses

[Tim_Barton]

Austin should fit for you folks for sure. Come'on down.

[RooCeleste]

Wish you'd buy the house that is being built across the street from us or in the area being built behind us!! We have a lot of things in common, namely no kids, educated, and love to blow and go and have fun (but we don't fly first class...my husband is a pilot and he says the back seats get you there in the same tube as the front seats. lol)!! It sounds like Austin will be a good fit for you...no worries there. Drop me an email at celeste.havis@gmail.com with any questions about life in Austin without kids...and welcome!