British Expatriate Network

Just as we were getting ready to pack up and head back to the UK (again), I get a sniff of what might be a dream job here in the US. Only problem is, it's in Austin, Texas. Never been there, and it's a long way away from New Jersey, but it sounds enticing enough to bear serious consideration.

So, is there anyone here living in Austin, or anyone who's spent much time there? If so, can you tell me a bit about it?

I'm in Texas but down on the Gulf Coast but have been to the Austin area a lot of times in the last 20 years.

It is a very nice area, beautiful countryside with rolling hills around (known as the Texas Hill country)

We are hoping to maybe retire to that area one of these days.

Anyway to answer your question you need to speak to Johna............who I'm sure will be around shortly.... :wink:

? What do you want to know about austin?
its got the reputations as the music city capital of texas .
many many bars dors town on 6th st (i think ) and many restuarants abound in the capital . its quite laid back and there are many things to do in the area that is know as texas hill country

starting from san antonio about 100 mls south on INTER 35 we have the ALAMO . the river walk , restuarants, and many other attractions .

moving north towards austin we have NEW BRUANFELS the tradititional home of german immigrants , and SCHITTERBAHN the #1 water park in the us .

GRUENE is a tourist attraction with its many historic building and where you will find GRUENE HALL the oldest running dance hall in texas built in 1878 .


KLYE my home town just a little to the south of austin is the 5th biggest growing city in texas and has been named the #1 hot spot on the IN35 corridor

good homes at reasonable prices can be found here, and we have just signed a contract to have the largest single development project being built in hays county SETON HOSPITAL projected to be completed by 2010 at a cost of 438 mill .

austin and its nieghbours on the I 35 corridor remain some of the brightest and best places to live with many prospects for growth , career opportunities , and less than average cost for homes .



just a few things about the area of the top of my head

Sounds good, but the missus has vetoed the idea since we'd be almost as far away from her family there as we would be if we moved back to the UK. (

We'd just like to recapture some of the lifestyle we enjoyed back in the UK - you know the sort of thing, being able to walk places, having decent pubs to go to, and so on. Not sure there's anywhere over here that can give us that. (

That's a shame. It would be good to just go and visit though before you leave as it might surprise you. The Austin area is quite a bit different from most of the rest of Texas.

Good luck anyway in whatever you decide on :)

I think you've hit the nail on the head there unless you think strip malls and MacDonald's are cultre.

We've found that the lifestyle here doesn't lend itself well to socialising unless you're 12 and the mall and Maccy D's are the centres of your social world. And I've been wanting to actually go places and meet people and make friends, and I appear to have very few options to do that. Everyone here makes their friends back during their schooldays.

Also, there's no point going to a bar/pub if I have to drive there...

You are correct about that most folks here start friendships with schools friends church work etc and thers not much social action outside of those perimeters .
i did okay cus im rather gregarious and had a bunch of friends here already in the area i lived in .and i am in sales so introducing mayself and holdind conversation withj a complete strangers comes naturaly to me .

its not that easy for most folks and its not a matter of being shy ,just the social structure here doesnt blend well for making casual friends
.As i said most relationships here are born thou school , church ,work etc

if you need help in meeting folks joining a local club , sport , special interest , nieghbour hood assn etc helps a lot .
and these days the internet can put you in touch with similar interest parties ( not sex keep clear of that its filled with danger ).

many folks here have become personal friends thou joining this chat rooom

You'd be mistaken.

You could move out here...if you can afford the houses/rent that is...

Andrew :)

Well, I never went to school here, I'm not a churchgoer and not ever likely to become one, and I work with only three other people, all of which I have absolutely nothing in common with (incidentally, I've heard that a lot of employers over here actively discourage employees from seeing each other socially - in some cases, you can get the sack for it).

We do have my wife's friends, but I've found I don't have an awful lot in common with them either - they're most certainly her friends, as opposed to our friends.

:cry:

Where's "out here"? :)

I'm a Brit living in Austin for eight years now. There's no need for a car in the downtown area, you can walk to the pubs etc easy, and there's a lot of new condos being built so plenty of choices. Outside the downtown area you do need a car.

Austin is very misunderstood I think. It does have tons of live music if that's your thing, but it also has tons of bars & clubs, plus the highest number of hi-tech startups outside silicon valley, great weather, and cheap housing.

Like I said.........it's not like the rest of Texas

Santa Cruz/Capitola...

Although things are a little exciting out here right now as there is a forest fire up in the Santa Cruz mountains - expected to be up to 10,000 acres..

It's kinda smoky and very windy right now

Andrew