Moving from Oregon to Texas (newbie post)

[truthandlogic]

Greetings, We (me, my wife, and our dog) are moving to rual Austin area (Bastrop, Elgin, Buda, etc..). Maybe some freepers are from there or currently live there. I will likely comute to Austin high tech for employment. We have already visited this area and fell in love with it. We have been praying hard that these doors will be open to us. Can anyone give me feedback on these areas and what it is like to live there?

Looking forward to the best move we ever made. Gota get out of the peoples republic of Portland, too expensive, too liberal, high taxes, activist judges, etc....

Go GW!!!!!

[SaintDismas]

Fantastic!!! But Foat Wuth is mo betta. I sure hope ura Dallas Cowboys fan. LOL

[El Gato]

If you choose Bastrop, plan on going the long way, through Elgin, into Austin. Most of the High Tech companies are on the north side of Austin, and you don't want to be driving through Austin. Traffic is really, really bad through central Austin, mainly because the city is strung out north to south, and there are really only two north-south freeways, I-35 and MoPac (TX 1). Although the area is nice, I wouldn't want to commute from Buda. That said you might consider the area to either the northeast or even better, the northwest. Marble Falls, while a bit far to commute (people do though, both ways) is great. Generally the hill country to the west is considered more desirable than the plain to the east, but that's a personal preference thing.

Both my daughters live in the north Austin area. I'm a bit farther north in Killeen, where I'm in process of moving to from San Antonio due to a work transfer. I'm gonna miss San Antonio. :(.

[wildbill]

There are so many nice semi-rural towns around Austin with folks who are real people.

But I noticed you've begun your search to the east and southeast of Austin.

Have you done any checking to the west in the hill country or around the Highland lakes? The area is a lot cooler in the summertime and the lakes are wonderful, even if you don't choose to live right on the water.

Look at Leander, Dripping Springs, Cedar Pk and Wimberley before you make up your mind.

[SerpentDove]

You will love Austin. My sister and her family live there; I'm going there next weekend (live in Dallas).

Freepers are always welcome to Texas!

[tje]

I moved from Albany, OR to Houston two years ago. Best move of my life.. What I paid for state income tax in Oregon pays for my house here.

If my experience is any indication.. You will love it!

[Jaysun]

I'm from Texas and now live in Alabama. We go back home frequently - love it! Hey, be sure to visit the capital building and check out the first bridge on the street to the south of the capital (Congress Ave.) It's home to millions of bats that come out every night at about 8:00-9:00 every night.

[Jarhead1957]

You are so right about the food. In the Lakeway area Rocco's is at the top of the list. Feeding the fish at Shades is fun, but their food is not that great.

[austinaero]

I haven't been to Rocco's, thanks for the tip..we will have to check that out!

[rock58seg]

,,you can forget about snow,,,,,,it's very rare here for obvious reason.

Come on we have plenty of snow. It just snowed in 1984. What more do you want?
sheeesh!!

Bush/Cheney in 2004

[ExtremeUnction]

It is a great place, plus no state income tax.

But man, the property taxes are sky-high!! We moved to the Plano area in 95'. Our taxes on a $195,000 house were $4,000 a year. In Washington State we were paying half that on a house with the same value.

[austinaero]

You got me on that one!!! I wasn't here in 1984.

I have been here when the Austin area has gotten some overnight ice freezing on the bridges. Since Austin doesn't have sand or salt trucks,,the bridges just get closed. That is such a huge difference from life in the Midwest where the salt trucks sling the salt, which makes the slush and starts the potholes and covers your car with slushy muck that eats the paint off. Having fun with this, but I'm describing some of the culture shock that occurred when I moved here. I said to my husband,,what do you mean the bridges are CLOSED? I had never heard of such a thing. Well, now that I've seen some of the multi-story highrise flyover roads Austin has,,,I can appreciate the decision!

[Jarhead1957]

Is there some reason for you picking the area east of Austin? In which area of Austin will you be working? Look at your map and look at LagoVista, Jonestown, Lakeway, and other towns around the lake. Why drive to the lake to have fun, when you can live at the lake.

I go downtown in peak traffic in forty five minutes.

I have traveled from Bastrop at high traffic time and it is just as bad or worse.

[MeekOneGOP]

C'mon down ! :^D

[Jarhead1957]

You are right about the snow, I went to St Edwards High School and I have seen snow many times in the Austin area. Shucks I'll bet it has been at least four times.

[Arrowhead1952]

It would be fun to get some of the Central Texas Freepers together say at,,,"The Oasis" to give the newbie a welcome to Texas party once the family arrives. While the food is not so great, the view of the lake cannot be beat...

That would be a good idea. We've given up on The Oasis because the quality of the food. Shades Restaurant, a floating marina and restaurant is at Point Venture, but that closes at the end of this month.

[austinaero]

You know, there's a thread here by basil that is inviting Texas freepers (or anyone) for that matter to their home on the 24th to get together and watch "Stolen Honor". You may want to check it out...maybe something like a restaurant outing will evolve from that....

There is strength and comfort in numbers, at least for me anyway. I know there is a Central Texas Freeper List but I am so new I cannot tell you who runs it,,I may be able to check my mail and find out because they have contacted me before...and I'll post it back to you,,either here or in your mail...

The more the merrier is what I say!(ewww,does that sound like Bubba?)

[ValerieUSA]

Sunset from The Oasis Sept. 11

[austinaero]

Now THAT's what I'm talking about!

And yes,,their food is well,,,

hmmm,,,
(ick!)

Their 'ritas aren't so hot either. I sure wish they would fix that!

[txlurker]

I prefer the DFW area. Lots more to see and do. Plenty of jobs too! Either way, you will love Texas!

[ValerieUSA]

I live in Cedar Park (NW of Austin), and while the traffic is terrible during the 5 hours deemed "rush hour," it's not bad to get to town any other time.
I'm hoping some big businesses in town will offer flex time for employees who commute.
I moved to central Texas from Washington state (90 miles north of Portland OR) in January 2000 and love it here.