I am going to Texas soon for work, and I have a choice of two cities..... Is Austin Texas better than Houston?

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nicolerichieslovechild

Austin is currently experiencing unprecedented growth. It is getting crowded like it never has been. Traffic is getting worse, but it is a small town so you probably wouldn't have a terribly long commute. I think where you move might depend a little more on your career path.

DemonFox

It depends on what you want. I've lived in both Austin and Houston and both have their good/bad attributes. Houston is a much more diverse city and housing in the suburbs is much less expensive than Austin. There are far more restaurants, clubs and theater seats in Houston than Austin will ever have. Houston is much more humid and rainier but is NOT the rainiest city in the U.S. like some uninformed shmoe said above. I included a website here for you to view to verify it: http://web2.airmail.net/danb1/usrecords.htm

Austin is smaller but the traffic is still bad. I -35 in Austin is just as bad as any freeway in Houston. The city and surrounding areas have grown but the freeway systems in Austin have not grown to accommodate the population. Austin is the Nashvlle of Texas so there is no end to live entertainment and music festivals. It also has the hillcountry beauty that Texas Boasts and is especially gorgeous March through May with wildflowers. Austin suburbs were less affordable than Houston suburbs. I lived in Austin for 7 years and have lived in Houston for 5 and owned homes in both cities. Austin has great ambience that Houston can not boast but Houston is much more international with quicker access to beaches, international airports and the like.

If you're a young adult or college kid, Austin definitely has it's appeal. If you're an adult with children, you tend to fair better in the Houston area. I have quite a few friends who abandoned Austin for Houston in their adult years as there are much better job opportunities in Houston. I guess it depends where you are in life.

DCDARLING

Austin is awesome for young people, but the job market is WAY oversaturated. I went to UT, and have many friends that stayed in Austin trying to find a job and they eventually had to move to Houston or Dallas for more job opportunity. I would look and try to find a job in Houston and Austin and see which you get a better salary and job in.... There is no way I would move to a new city without having a solid job or even visiting once---

Both are good choices, and both have the hot Texas heat!

melp1010

Austin is a place that I love to visit but I can't see myself living there. The party scene is so big that it seems difficult to just have a calm night at a bar because no one else is calm! If you like the outdoors you would love the springs and lakes they have there... they are very pretty!
I'd say live in Houston, Austin is close enough that you can go for the weekend (which if you ask me is enough). We have a lot to do and see here... and all the food you could ever need!

mrsjendec

Go to Houston. It is a very large diverse city with many opportunities. Pasaden as a great little city located just a few miles from Houston. LOVE IT!

William K

Houston has more jobs, and in a more varied number of fields. You can live with humidity. I have for 30-plus years. We have air conditioning pretty much everywhere. If the "music scene" is more important than establishing a good career, then Houston isn't your choice.

I'm not a fan of Austin. I never have been. Austin is where you go if you have a bone in your nose, eighty-four tattoos, and hate your parents because they raised you upper-middle class. I disliked Austin back in the 70s, and my opinion hasn't changed despite two of my brothers living in the area. Add to that the fact that the city is far more left wing than even back during the Carter administration... (shudder)

nickisbox

what this really comes down to is what kind of job are you looking for and where is it going to be available? its never a good idea just to move somewhere and hope you get a job later. austin is a very expensive city to live in, houston can be quite affordable if you dont have to live near the galleria. as for austin being a younger crowd and a great music scene, it is less than a 3 hour drive away. so you could go for the weekend or even the day. of the two, i would rather be in austin, i just love everything that there is and the area of texas around it. but the jobs arent there and without the right pay, we wouldnt have as nice of a place as i do in houston. i lived in austin for 4 years and houston almost 3. houston does have its benefits, but it is a huge place. it would be nice to know where you are coming from and i know everyone could give you a better idea of what to expect. the two places are so very different, what you are looking for and used to will greatly influence which place would be best for you. as someone else said, spending some time in each place is ideal so you can get a feel. just up and moving rarely works out for anyone.

Texas Happy Horn

Austin is more liberal and Houston is more conservative.

HIS!

Depends on your personality and political beliefs. If you're extremely liberal, you'll love Austin. If you're more conservative then you might feel more at home in Houston. But, that's generalizing. Austin is a beautiful city, but I would hate to live there because of the atmosphere and most of the people I've met. Just not my kind of place. I love living in Houston though.

yenny d

houston

Green Eyes

Since you're young, I'm more inclined to suggest Austin. There are a lot more activities for people our age there (nightlife, festivals, etc). But, if you're conservative, Austin probably won't be the best place for you.

Houston on the other hand, has professional sports teams, an awesome zoo, and museums. So, you should choose based upon your interests.

anthony d

I am a Houston native but have lived in both cities. I personally prefer Austin to live in because the city is completely different from the norm of most other cities. The location is great, the weather isn't as humid and the natural scenary is much more impressive. The night life in Austin is great (6th street for example) although south Austin (the city) is as much of a slum as Houston's downtown, if not worse. Although, Houston is a great city as well. Fantastic job opportunities, always warm (sometimes too warm), a great sports town and a great surrounding area (Sugar Land, the Woodlands). It really just depends on what you prefer. If you like the big city with lots of growth, job opportunities and things of that sort, I would say Houston. If you want something you've never experienced before and great scenary and cultural diversity.....Austin. Keep in mind however, that Austin is home to the Texas Longhorns and they'll let you know it immediately. Something to consider.

kittydoormat

I don't know where everybody gets that Houston is more conservative - Houston has a large gay/lesbian community, which is generally liberal. I work at a book store and we have more titles from liberal authors than conservative. I would describe Autin as having a more hippie vibe - very low-key and relaxed. There's a reason why the motto is "Keep Austin weird." I love Houston, but it seems more like a city, while Austin has more of a small-town feel while still being a large city (although not as large as Houston!).

Save Me From Insanity...

Both are great in their own ways. Houston has a lot of people, lots of diversity, and is close to many vacation spots like Galveston. Austin does have great music, is more of a younger generation town, and had less traffic. I honestly would stay a week or so in both to decide which you like better. I prefer Houston, but that's because I live here. Just stay on the right side of town... For Houston, it's either the north or west side...

Pink Lantana

It depends on what you are wanting. Houston does have more crime but you are closer to the beach and have beatiful tropical type plants and they do have wonderful restraunts I assure you. They do have lively spots also. I was born in Houston and my Dad is still there and so is my sister. Just do some research to see what city suits you best or just flip a coin and go for it. It would be a good start for a new adventure. Good luck with what ever you choose..

sky_blue_bill

Austin is a really good, social city. There is so much to do, and see. It's a great hub for singles.
Music, clubs...
If you like to party, Austin's the place.
Houston...you got The Astros, and Science/NASA,....
Go With Austin! Yee-Haw~and, woot-woot!
(Watch out for Flag-Wavers, though...They're still rippin 'round there, lookin' like Ron Paul on acid!)

Matt

I would go to Austin, so much nicer there, and alot less crime

Henry J

I like Houston but I love Austin
given the chance I`d take Austin anytime

johnny boy

Well, in Austin, the neighborhood is very friendly and have less crimes than Houston. Also, you are most likely to get jobs as carpenters, teachers, engineer, or at beauty parlors in Austin. In Houston, they have better food and have very good and experienced house builders (very fancy and big houses that aren't as expensive)!Also, i think there are bigger chances of working in a restaurant, as a dentist, a life gaurd (at the beach),or any job at a store.
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I hope this will help you make a decision and make a wise choice! GOOD LUCK!!!
=D

Sofia M

Go to Austin - less crime and better restaurants.

Low_Jac

I live south of Houston, so I can say.....Head for Austin, you will like it much better than Houston, you can always come to Houston, there are more Hospitals in Houston for a reason....All the chemical plants here make people sick.

Austin has more fun things to do and better weather all around.

randall_nd

Austin would be less humid, also smaller. Houston has a reputation for rude drivers and it's the rainiest city in the US, Seattle is #2 for rain. The Lone Star State rocks. As long as you live near a What-A-Burger, your set!!!

corneliusxlax

AUSTIN, unless you're a young, uptight Republican.

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