Thinking about moving to Austin, TX

Chris, I would be one of the first to say go where your heart takes you. But, I just gotta throw a little pragmatism on the situation. Have you checked out the possible differences in costs of living from where you are now and Austin? Especially, have you checked into the cost of housing? Have you done serious research on the job market there? I believe you that you were sure that with your qualifications you could find work.... are you sure? Do you know the top five companies in Austin that hire folks with your qualifications? Do you know what parts of the city you should look for housing in, and what parts of the city you should avoid even venturing into after dark? (Every city has that). I am NOT trying to dissuade you from moving to Austin, I am just trying to encourage you to be very informed about it when you do. There is a lot to know about making a huge cross country move, lord knows, I have done it (from the south to Detroit). Just do me a favor and do it EYES WIDE OPEN!.
 
Mom? :-) Yes, I have thought about all of those things, I can't even buy a coffee maker without a month of research. I don't do this lightly, been dealing with it heavily for a couple months, and in the background for much longer. Cost of living is actually about the same or a little less depending on which calculator you look at and if I was there now, there are actually several quality jobs that I am more than qualified for, now of course I have no idea what will be going as the holidays approach. I am taking a chance but it is educated chance. I do appreciate the rational thoughts though, but an over abundance of rationality is what kept me from doing this until now.








David G. Smith said:
Chris, I would be one of the first to say go where your heart takes you. But, I just gotta throw a little pragmatism on the situation. Have you checked out the possible differences in costs of living from where you are now and Austin? Especially, have you checked into the cost of housing? Have you done serious research on the job market there? I believe you that you were sure that with your qualifications you could find work.... are you sure? Do you know the top five companies in Austin that hire folks with your qualifications? Do you know what parts of the city you should look for housing in, and what parts of the city you should avoid even venturing into after dark? (Every city has that). I am NOT trying to dissuade you from moving to Austin, I am just trying to encourage you to be very informed about it when you do. There is a lot to know about making a huge cross country move, lord knows, I have done it (from the south to Detroit). Just do me a favor and do it EYES WIDE OPEN!.
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chriscurl said:
Mom? :-) Yes, I have thought about all of those things, I can't even buy a coffee maker without a month of research. I don't do this lightly, been dealing with it heavily for a couple months, and in the background for much longer. Cost of living is actually about the same or a little less depending on which calculator you look at and if I was there now, there are actually several quality jobs that I am more than qualified for, now of course I have no idea what will be going as the holidays approach. I am taking a chance but it is educated chance. I do appreciate the rational thoughts though, but an over abundance of rationality is what kept me from doing this until now.
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Cool. GO FOR IT!!!
 
Another Austinite! Welcome Chris!

I got here last year, this is my second time living in Austin. I can't stay away for very long. Recently while I was living up north my roommate Zach Anner became famous. It was nuts.

Now I live on Riverside and spend all my time in the Austin improv community. You should come see some shows! There's a HUGE talent pool here.
 
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You don't know the half of it. Did you hear "Keep Portland Weird?" They literally stole our slogan. And they know it. "Keep Portland Plagiarizing" more like it...
 
Odd you mention Portland...

I've been looking at moving there in the future.

I HATE HATE HATE Texas weather. Sticky, hot, disgusting, depressing, hot, sunny, sticky, hot, never snows, when it rains it pours, and then it gets sticky. I want SNOW. And real rain, not this drizzle - TSUNAMI - drizzle business. My campus flooded and they had to close 3 buildings a couple weeks ago. WTF?

I want real weather...not this amalgam of conditions - I call it the weatherman's grab bag.
 
Oh I got a little of that myself. No rain. No rain. No rain. RAIN. RAIN. RAIN. For like 24 hours.

Like someone flipped the on/off switch. People are like "Oh but we needed the rain". Yes we do need the rain. It never rains unless it pours. What The F.
 
Knoxworth, was that you that left me the comment on Vimeo?

As an update, my condo finally got on the market last week, so we will see how that goes... ya know, since the recession is over, it shouldn't be an issue.
 
OK, February 2011 it is, finalizing my website, start job hunting at the first of the year. Hoping my condo sells before then, if not, it will be an interesting few months until it does...
 
A few more DVXUsers move to Austin and it could start to reach critical mass... you already have Caffesse, Mick, Ott, Rudd, Boggs, and a few more... and I know at least one or two of the flown-in crew members were seriously considering it... :)
 
I loved Austin. It was not what I expected... lots of interesting architecture, very unique houses (not cookie-cutter like here in STL)... varied landscape with lots of elevation changes (think of the huge rolling hills in Hollywood)... and of course, really nice weather.

Austin just made my lotto list.
 
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