Hello all from the nice cold (2 degrees right now), snowy (4+ feet since Dec 1st) Northeast!
I am currently living in Western massachusetts, and looking to relocate. One of the places on my radar is Austin, TX. Hoping people can give me opinions, info, etc!
It seems like a desireable place to live from what I have read (I have not visited yet). I am a 29 year old, single, working professional and a home owner. so it will be a little bit of a change for me. I have lived my whole life in the Northeast (MA and Vermont).
Money magazine rated it number 2 for 'green' living. Bicycling magazine rates it high for cycling and quality of living. (I am an avid road cyclist still,but my mountain riding has tapered off) There is a huge live music scene (is it a diversity of music, or mainly around country/western type)?
Few things people can help me out with
Real estate - it seems DIRT CHEAP. But then this is compared to up here which it isnt. Browsing realtor.com, it seems you can get a decent 1500 SQ 3 bed home with garage for sub $150K with a lawn, etc. Is this common, or are they bad neighborhoods (obviously, I cant tell the areas from realtor.com).
are all houses built on slab? or do they have full basements? Are they normally built around full electric (heat, AC, cooking)?
As a comparison, my 1200 SQ colonial with a 2 car garage in Western MA is appraised at over $200K, and to get a 1200 sq condo with a parking spot in Boston (which I am considering moving back to if I stay in the NE) is about $300-$450K
Work/jobs - I know there is a heavy tech influence in Austin. What are other businesses that are strong? (or should I assume since it is such a large city, anything is available). I currently work as a business/finance manager at an auto dealership. i wouldnt be staying with this job, but would be going into management/sales/finance/banking of some sort. Also, do salaries seem to be on an even keel with other parts of the country (I know I will be taking a pay cut, but dont want it to be a 75% cut. haha)
cost of living - real estate seems inexpensive enough. How about other factors. Food, fuel, electric, cable, internet, etc.
entertainment - besides obviously live music. But what about bars, clubs, and other activities. cycling clubs, auto organizations, etc.
i think that is all I can think of. if anyone can chime in, give me more info, it would be great!
And feel free to ask any questions about me if you need in relation to this.
thanks in advance!
Barry
edit: also (and this should get some good responses). availability of sports packages for cable tv/satellite? Basically, with I be able to get celtics/red sox/patriots/bruins games down in texas to watch!
I am currently living in Western massachusetts, and looking to relocate. One of the places on my radar is Austin, TX. Hoping people can give me opinions, info, etc!
It seems like a desireable place to live from what I have read (I have not visited yet). I am a 29 year old, single, working professional and a home owner. so it will be a little bit of a change for me. I have lived my whole life in the Northeast (MA and Vermont).
Money magazine rated it number 2 for 'green' living. Bicycling magazine rates it high for cycling and quality of living. (I am an avid road cyclist still,but my mountain riding has tapered off) There is a huge live music scene (is it a diversity of music, or mainly around country/western type)?
Few things people can help me out with
Real estate - it seems DIRT CHEAP. But then this is compared to up here which it isnt. Browsing realtor.com, it seems you can get a decent 1500 SQ 3 bed home with garage for sub $150K with a lawn, etc. Is this common, or are they bad neighborhoods (obviously, I cant tell the areas from realtor.com).
are all houses built on slab? or do they have full basements? Are they normally built around full electric (heat, AC, cooking)?
As a comparison, my 1200 SQ colonial with a 2 car garage in Western MA is appraised at over $200K, and to get a 1200 sq condo with a parking spot in Boston (which I am considering moving back to if I stay in the NE) is about $300-$450K
Work/jobs - I know there is a heavy tech influence in Austin. What are other businesses that are strong? (or should I assume since it is such a large city, anything is available). I currently work as a business/finance manager at an auto dealership. i wouldnt be staying with this job, but would be going into management/sales/finance/banking of some sort. Also, do salaries seem to be on an even keel with other parts of the country (I know I will be taking a pay cut, but dont want it to be a 75% cut. haha)
cost of living - real estate seems inexpensive enough. How about other factors. Food, fuel, electric, cable, internet, etc.
entertainment - besides obviously live music. But what about bars, clubs, and other activities. cycling clubs, auto organizations, etc.
i think that is all I can think of. if anyone can chime in, give me more info, it would be great!
And feel free to ask any questions about me if you need in relation to this.
thanks in advance!
Barry
edit: also (and this should get some good responses). availability of sports packages for cable tv/satellite? Basically, with I be able to get celtics/red sox/patriots/bruins games down in texas to watch!