Hello everyone

Im bringing the wife down to Austin soon with the idea of selling her on moving to the area.

Any suggestions on great-nice-incredible places to see?

Also, any info on good areas in and around Austin I should consider to live are appreciated. Have a family of five with younger children so thats definetly a factor regarding housing and schools etc.

From my persepective, I grew up in Socal racing cars and bikes in the canyons, and hanging out at the beach. Have a brother in Dallas but would like to live somewhere with hills not just water so Austin seems like a good fit not to mention a good music scene.

Currently we are in the Northern midwest and not only am I tired of the extremely cold, dark, and long winters, but all the car destroying salt they pour all over the roads six months out of the year.

Ive always liked visiting Texas so why not just live there?

All comments and suggestions are welcome-

Thanks

 

http://www.texasoutside.com/views.htm

This should help.

 

As for places to live--where you live dictates what school you're in. The best public high school is Westlake, but it's also where the majority of the expensive homes are (Michael Dell lives in the area). You might also want to look into farther north, around the 360/183 area, as that will lead into the Westwood area, which is also a very good school. Lake Travis is also a good school, although it's not exactly Austin.

The Westlake and Westwood districts are basically West Austin, which is much different from actually being in town. Tarrytown is a really nice area to live in, as it is very close to downtown Austin and has much of that Austin life.

If you're looking for places to see in Austin, you should probably go down South Congress, as it has a lot of nice restaurants and shops. Also, Zilker Park and that stretch of Barton Springs Road is very unique. Some places that are good to try are Magnolia's and Austin Java, although there are just too many restaurants to try.

 

al3xx pretty much has some of the good stuff covered.

You need to see Lake Austin (Ladybird Lake), Lake Travis, Zilker Park, etc. I grew up in Dripping Springs (very southwest Austin), and went to school there. It's an excellent place to raise a family, and it's expanding at an incredible rate. THAT is the hill country, seriously. I still stay out there, and I love it. You should drive through Buda and Kyle too, and see if you like it.
Music scene? There's nowhere better. Live music anywhere and everywhere, every night. We have the best BBQ also (Salt Lick).

As far as streets to check out, Congress, South 1st, Lamar, Barton Springs...you still haven't even hit downtown yet, but that's a whole nother story. Around 6th street gets pretty crazy at night, lots of fun too. But definitely check out the Lakeway/Bee Caves area around Lake Travis, I think you'll like it. You WILL NOT find anywhere around here that's like California beaches, but rather a more "cozy hill country" sort of feeling- It's nice.

If you have toys, Austin is the place to be. I race cars, bikes, and boats ANYWHERE I GO. There are more windy roads here than you could ever hit. Lime Creek, Bee Creek, etc.

I work and go to school in South Austin now, around William Cannon/Slaughter/Congress/Stassney/Manchaca area. Tons of nice little neighborhoods with families raising children. Its ALWAYS nice weather dude. I think what it will really come down to is what your family wants out of a home. If you want a rural hill country home with a spread out community, you'll find it here in Dripping Springs, Lakeway, etc. If you want a nice little close neighborhood home and close-knit community and school system, try South Austin.

I don't think I'll ever leave Austin. I've never really been anywhere I could say I liked more than Austin. Whether it's the car scene, bike scene, boating scene, whatever. If you think you need more specific suggestions that would appeal to your wife (since she's the one you have to sell on the idea), let me know. Good luck man.