Moving

[dboat]

Looks like I am moving back to Texas.. I will probably have a choice of Dallas or Austin.. what do you guys think? I am leaning towards Austin.

I posted a poll, so post up and vote.. let me know your thoughts.

Dana

[Wht95Lightning]

Is this a trick question? :d

BIG D!!

[Ohmsby]

Austin for sure having you back in DFW scares the bears......... :evil

We would be delighted to have you back in Big D if the cards work out.

However Austin is a groovy town and if you move there it would mean reduced lodging rates for some of us:D

[L8 APEX]

Austin no doubt. Get with Logan and find a nice place in Round Rock. My brother lives west of Austin in the city limits. A house on Travis would be nice. Dallas is a piss hole. I am only here for the crappy paycheck.

[dboat]

We are actually looking at some lots on the north side of Austin, in Lago Vista. The lot we were looking at has lake and hill country views. Lots on the lake have taxes that are just out of this world. But having a view of the lake and of the hill country would be nice.
We like Dallas but became concerned about crime and traffic. However, since I work from home, commuting isnt much of an issue and I can find a reason to have a meeting in Dallas on Talon get together nights so that the gas is paid for, well kind of. But at 5M in population, its just getting so darned big there.
I am still interested in what people have to say so post up.. and John you are correct, with me in Austin, it would cut down on the overnight stay costs..heck, we might even have a Talon wear your jammy jams party;)..
Dana

[Shiner1]

I vote for north Texas. Find a nice burb north of DFW. Got nothing against Austin other than it's a little orange for me...:evil

[L8 APEX]

I have been stuck on the tollway a few times lately. It is insanity to pay money to sit bumper to bumper for miles on end. Too many folks for the infrastructure. Water restrictions all summer long and traffic till 7pm... There should be some population density limits like occupancy limitations to maintain quality of life for the residents..

[mikelemoine]

Austin seems very nice and lots of outdoor things to do with the Colorado River and Lake Travis down there. The only thing I disliked about DFW was it was a sea of housing developments and highways, not much natural beauty. If I were in your shoes, I'd pick Austin:tu:

[L8 APEX]

I would get a boat and a good sport cruiser if I lived down there. Tons of sweet water and curvy roads. Just watch out for the little deers.

[WA 2 FST]

I have been stuck on the tollway a few times lately. It is insanity to pay money to sit bumper to bumper for miles on end. Too many folks for the infrastructure. Water restrictions all summer long and traffic till 7pm... There should be some population density limits like occupancy limitations to maintain quality of life for the residents..

Traffic in Austin is worse than Dallas. That may be hard to believe, but it is true.

You've got to live AND work in an Austin suburb to enjoy less than horrific traffic.

[dboat]

Traffic in Austin is worse than Dallas. That may be hard to believe, but it is true.

You've got to live AND work in an Austin suburb to enjoy less than horrific traffic.

Wes, I have been there and done that.. but since I will be working from home, I will be able to mitigate some of that. When I have to fly out of town, I usually leave pretty early and get back late, also, I can take the toll road to the north side where I would live.. but the same could be said of Dallas. Except, traffic in Austin outside of rush hour isnt as bad as Dallas'. Well, except during a TU football game.
I am hoping to make this my last move, EVER. I am pushing 52 and just dont want to have to do this again. Wherever we land, we would prefer to build our last house, so it will be a custom house, and stay there until we pass, or at least until I pass.
The voting is very close though..
Another option might have been Houston. I lived there for 35 years and dont think I will move back. It just doesnt have the allure for me that it used to. I do still like Houston though.

Post up

Dana

[WA 2 FST]

What about SW Austin... the real hill country. My in-laws live _on_ Lake Travis (the channel) in Spicewood. It is absolutely gorgeous, and you are 35 mins from the Austin airport.

Traffic is minimal, and you're close to Marble Falls for shopping.

Like you said, since you're working from home, you have a lot more options.

[dboat]

What about SW Austin... the real hill country. My in-laws live _on_ Lake Travis (the channel) in Spicewood. It is absolutely gorgeous, and you are 35 mins from the Austin airport.

Traffic is minimal, and you're close to Marble Falls for shopping.

Like you said, since you're working from home, you have a lot more options.

We were looking at Bee Cave as well... the mayor is a friend of ours.. but that isnt out of the question either.. I liked the north side because the elevation there is a bit higher.. am thinking of building a really green house and wanted to get to the wind to stay cooler and maybe put in a windmill for energy generation..
Dana

[Ohmsby]

I am closer to the OK border than downtown Dallas for a reason I hate traffic but Wes makes a valid point Austin Traffic is no bargain

I would live south of Austin if not for Family and DFW being such an easy airport to go worldwide

wherever you land welcome back to Texas

[L8 APEX]

Home basing degates most traffic concerns. Then it goes straight to activities and quality of life. Again, I would choose hill country and great lakes and rivers over Dallas...

[Ohmsby]

what about Laredo:tu:

[dboat]

as of this post... the voting is 4-4... interesting..

Dana

John and Terry, traffic is an issue in a couple of ways. Even though I home base, I will take into consideration off time traffic. You can get around both, but I think that Austin is easier for now. Then you have to look at where things will be in the 10-20 years from now since I plan to stay there forever. I am thinking that the traffic in Dallas is going to get worse quicker than Austin. Austin will have to give in to the Big Loop around town idea to negate the traffic in I - 35.. when it does, then things get a lot better there. I wouldnt mind being farther out of town but since I have to travel 2-3 times per month on average, I need to be close enough to the airport for the next 10-13 years. Otherwise, I would live farther out.
But you guys are helping me make my decision.

Thanks
Dana

[L8 APEX]

It is a sad day when you value our opinions....:icon_eek:

[Aggie Mom]

I live a little more than an hour from Austin verses 4 1/2 hours to Dallas. If you move to Austin, me and Kim can go SHOPPING! Seriously though, Austin is a really cool town. People seem alittle more laid back than in Dallas. The traffic is bad. Afternoon rush hour starts around 3 pm and last till about 7:30 pm. But, it was ranked number 3 as the best places to retire. The hill country is nice as are the bats from the Congress Street bridge. (If you move there, you'll understand the bat thing.) Insurance (home and auto) is cheaper in Travis county than in Dallas county. Atleast it is at my insurance company. Here's a link/blog about Austin. Hope this helps. http://www.city-data.com/forum/austin/

[dboat]

It is a sad day when you value our opinions....:icon_eek:

well most of you:evil I hope everyone is voting on this one.. I am curious as to how it comes out.. It is just a piece of the decision making process right now.

Dana

[dboat]

I live a little more than an hour from Austin verses 4 1/2 hours to Dallas. If you move to Austin, me and Kim can go SHOPPING! Seriously though, Austin is a really cool town. People seem alittle more laid back than in Dallas. The traffic is bad. Afternoon rush hour starts around 3 pm and last till about 7:30 pm. But, it was ranked number 3 as the best places to retire. The hill country is nice as are the bats from the Congress Street bridge. (If you move there, you'll understand the bat thing.) Insurance (home and auto) is cheaper in Travis county than in Dallas county. Atleast it is at my insurance company. Here's a link/blog about Austin. Hope this helps. http://www.city-data.com/forum/austin/

Kim would like that.. :(

Yes, going through town on I35 would be painful and I have done it recently during rush hour to see how bad it was.. but since I control most of my schedule and most of my traveling will be to the airport or shopping, I dont see it as much of an issue.. if we live on the north side, there is the toll road that goes to the airport as well. If I am traveling out of town to Dallas or Houston, then I will most likely drive it.. I can take 281 up to Dallas and 290 to Houston.. not sure that I will have huge traffic issues that way and the time it takes to travel will be the same or less than flying.
I didnt even think about insurance but you are prob right about the rates.. I was focused on taxes.. those monthly bill really get me down..

thanks and dont forget to vote.

Dana

[tiffo60]

I lived in Austin for a while, right out of High School, traffic sucks down there, and it will only get worse. I was not far from downtown Austin so I am sure I was in the worst part of it.

[my2002lightning]

Go around the Mo-Pac, Dana.

Trust me.:cool:

[toddwarren]

Dana you dont know me but here goes! Austin is very pretty outside the city (Hill country,lakes) We all know that.
Dallas with its size has better chance for the average guy to make more money. Austin has alot of high tech jobs I understand.
Crime is no worse here than Austin just pick a good area.
Austin is very liberal, meaning if you hate democrats you will not like it :icon_eek:
If you like the Longhorns, Austin is for you.
If you like the Cowboys, Mavericks, rangers, Stars, Dallas is for you if you like to attend games.
You can buy some nice homes in Dallas right now after the mortgage mess for a reasnable price I am sure Austin is affected to however.

good luck

[dboat]

Dana you dont know me but here goes! Austin is very pretty outside the city (Hill country,lakes) We all know that.
Dallas with its size has better chance for the average guy to make more money. Austin has alot of high tech jobs I understand.
Crime is no worse here than Austin just pick a good area.
Austin is very liberal, meaning if you hate democrats you will not like it :icon_eek:
If you like the Longhorns, Austin is for you.
If you like the Cowboys, Mavericks, rangers, Stars, Dallas is for you if you like to attend games.
You can buy some nice homes in Dallas right now after the mortgage mess for a reasnable price I am sure Austin is affected to however.

good luck

Todd, thanks...

I can live pretty much anywhere there since I will be working from home. So I am looking at Lago Vista pretty hard.. one acre lot.. with the idea, me being 51, that this is my last move.
Nice thing about living in Austin is that you can get all of the Cowboys games on tv, since they wont be blacked out.. I cant/wont afford a game ticket anymore so tv is the only way I will watch them, as for the rest of the teams, well they arent all that important to me.. I can get The Ticket off of the internet, but will miss it in my car, but I am not in my car that much.
As for the Libs, well, I watch Fox News and get it fair and balanced..

I dont work in the IT world so that part isnt so important to me either.. just looking for a good place to live. We lived in Dallas for 6 yrs prior to moving to Erie and we loved it there, however, we were becoming increasingly concerned about the crime. We are still very concerned about crime and feel that Austin might be a bit better in that area.

Dana

[99bolt]

I wouldn't base my decision off of crime. Look at the olympics, all kinds of security and there was still a loss of life. The only safe place around here, is the moon. From what I read so far, Austin sounds like the place you want to be. North, south, west, its all beatiful country. East is not bad, just not as pretty. Good luck and welcome back to Texas.:beer:

[dboat]

I wouldn't base my decision off of crime. Look at the olympics, all kinds of security and there was still a loss of life. The only safe place around here, is the moon. From what I read so far, Austin sounds like the place you want to be. North, south, west, its all beatiful country. East is not bad, just not as pretty. Good luck and welcome back to Texas.:beer:
Thanks for the insight, although the voting on the board right now is Dallas - 8 and Austin - 7... there are some real home boys on the board.

Dana

[Ohmsby]

and still no votes for Laredo:cool:

[dboat]

and still no votes for Laredo:cool:


Or Lubbock, or Dumas, or Amarillo.... there are a few places I just wont go to.. although the highest on my list is probably New Orleans.. no way no how... the people I worked with were very nice, but that town..

Dana

[gagspa]

We go to Austin (Round Rock) regularly and the traffic there makes DFW traffic look like nothing. I'd take DFW any day over Austin!

[Moonshine]

Well, I'll tie it back up at 9/9. I was born in Austin, raised in Dallas, and then lived in Austin through college until moving back to the Metroplex for work.

Dana, you say the traffic and liberals aren't an issue for you in Austin, and for my money, if you take those two issues off the board, then Austin is the hands down winner. If I had to factor the Austin traffic back in it'd be a real toss up.

Either way, welcome back. :tu:

P.S. I really like the idea of a green house. If you end up doing that I'd be curious to hear deatails, as I've dreamed of buildiung a green house for a retirement house.

[dboat]

Well, I'll tie it back up at 9/9. I was born in Austin, raised in Dallas, and then lived in Austin through college until moving back to the Metroplex for work.

Dana, you say the traffic and liberals aren't an issue for you in Austin, and for my money, if you take those two issues off the board, then Austin is the hands down winner. If I had to factor the Austin traffic back in it'd be a real toss up.

Either way, welcome back. :tu:

P.S. I really like the idea of a green house. If you end up doing that I'd be curious to hear deatails, as I've dreamed of buildiung a green house for a retirement house.

Brian,, thanks!!!

will do, I would like to talk to you about it.. we are going for solar panels (the big electric company in Austin is giving big rebates right now) I am also going to look into windwheel. Going to store rainwater for watering and toilet flushing.. just trying to do everything I can to be off of the grid and not use water.. most likely its Austin and will have to do my own septic system.. have seen where some use the runoff from the septic to water the plants.. and use rainwater after filtering and UV treatment to use in the house for consumption.. if we can do that, and not have to use local electric or only to borrow against and then send it back.. I would be one happy camper.. probably will do the concrete between the styrofoam form building as well.. fire and termite proof..
I need to talk to Rocks about an idea on air conditioning I have in mind. I also want to have a separate garage/work area about 3 cars wide with a car lift in it too..

Dana

[Moonshine]

Most septic systems in tx these days are aerobic, so you have sprinklers that distribute the treated water anywhere you want, so they could be used for watering the yard. I've looked at some wind powered generators, as I have enough wind to make good use of one, but haven't found any that look like they actually work for less than about $15k.

[dboat]

I've looked at some wind powered generators, as I have enough wind to make good use of one, but haven't found any that look like they actually work for less than about $15k.

That has been my concern too.. I think I will get plenty of wind, its just the initial cost looks high.. and if demand is going up, I am doubting the price will come down. But we shall see.. if there are rebates for them as well, it could be made to be worthwhile..

As I get farther along in the process, want to have a confab on this?
Dana

[Moonshine]

Sure. I'll let you experiment and then let me know what works and what doesn't. :icon_mrgreen:

[L8 APEX]

My buddy Brad is an engineer bastard. He has a lot of ideas on self sufficient home design as well. We don't call it green or anything. It is more for off the grid war time survival housing...:icon_eek:

[dboat]

My buddy Brad is an engineer bastard. He has a lot of ideas on self sufficient home design as well. We don't call it green or anything. It is more for off the grid war time survival housing...:icon_eek:


zactly

[Silver_2000]

you guys need these

take a look at the silos its next to

[dboat]

you guys need these take a look at the silos its next to


ok, way overkill, but there would be enough electricity generated to run all the house lights all the time..
but the much much smaller ones are gaining in popularity..


the vote is tied at nine right now.. interesting

Dana

[L8 APEX]

The batteries and inverter banks are pricey as well. We have toured a few of the old AT&T cold war relay communication sites and they had huge battery banks and inverter cabinets..

[dboat]

The batteries and inverter banks are pricey as well. We have toured a few of the old AT&T cold war relay communication sites and they had huge battery banks and inverter cabinets..


At this point, what I am thinking about doing is just hooking up to the grid and pushing the extra power back to the grid and then getting it from the grid when I need it.. the batteries are really expensive and I think the technology on that part is really going to change over the next 10 years. I may bury a propane tank and have a generator for backup in case of total power loss.. it may be cheaper.. or just go at risk.. What my goal would be is to get my overall grid useage to be at 0-20% of total so that bills are negligible. I think that folks are seeing that not only foreign powers but weather is a factor as well..

:0fftopic it becomes more apparent every day that we have to become energy independent every day.. more drilling, more refineries, more clean coal, natural gas, hydro power (btw, we, as a a nation, havent even really touched all there is in this area), wind, etc etc..

Dana

[jeff56]

Austin, hands down. Wife and I love that town and are down there all the time. Tons more culture, the diversity down there is good for keeping things in perspective, and its much more about local flavor than big box. The only reason we dont move down is because it would require us to completely start over. I'm ten years into a career that doesn't really provide for latereal moves. The home prices are definitely higher, but outside of town may be better. Lago Vista is a beautiful spot.

We're just one lotto ticket away fom moving there. Down around Lamar and Barton Springs would be right up my alley.