5 ms·

you pretty much need a car in Austin. best public transit in Texas, but that's not saying much.

by dnaquin 18y ago

natrius 18y ago
Austin is pretty bikeable, and there is (limited) car sharing for the few times you actually need a car. The buses seem like they'd work well enough and were fine the couple of times I used them, but biking is faster and more fun. I think Dallas and Houston have Austin beat in terms of public transit. Dallas has plenty of rail, Houston has some rail with a lot in the works, and Austin has a commuter rail line that's about to open but doesn't actually get you anywhere without transferring to a bus that will be stuck in traffic. There's more to a good transit system than rail, but it's the best indicator I have since I've only used Austin's system in Texas.
- quellhorst 18y ago
  I have lived in Houston for years, that city is designed for having a car. Drivers in big trucks and SUVs are very aggressive around cyclists and pedestrians. A plus is that it was cheap to live there. I did see a coworking place is located on 7th street in Austin for only $350/month.
  - stcredzero 18y ago
    I'm thinking of moving my home base to Austin. And yes, Houston is definitely designed for driving. Even "the cool shops near the university" district near Rice U is essentially just a mall with streets running through it. Things are way too spread out.
- dnaquin 18y ago
  i came from houston. austin wins hands down. the bus system's a lot better. the houston rail line is mostly useless unless you work in the medical center. besides it's possible to bike in austin.
utnick 18y ago
I used to have a car there, but I still would take the buses or walk most places. You only really need a car if you live in the suburbs of Austin. Buses in central austin take you anywhere you need to go. And its a pretty small town anyways so if worse comes to worse you can just walk home.
msluyter 18y ago
Yes, I agree that you need a car unless you happen to live in central Austin or downtown, or in certain parts of South Austin. The downside of course is that those areas are generally more expensive. The median house price in Austin last I heard was something like 190K, but in central Austin I'd imagine it's over 300 if not more. IMHO, Austin's upside is the low cost of living (see above median house price, low taxes (no state income tax)) and overall livability -- lots of live music, universities, etc. I think the tech scene here is better than a lot of places, though no doubt it's not nearly as good as Silicon Valley. Still, there are few places I'd rather live.

you pretty much need a car in Austin. best public transit in Texas, but that's not saying much.

by dnaquin 18y ago

you pretty much need a car in Austin. best public transit in Texas, but that's not saying much.

Austin is pretty bikeable, and there is (limited) car sharing for the few times you actually need a car. The buses seem like they'd work well enough and were fine the couple of times I used them, but biking is faster and more fun. I think Dallas and Houston have Austin beat in terms of public transit. Dallas has plenty of rail, Houston has some rail with a lot in the works, and Austin has a commuter rail line that's about to open but doesn't actually get you anywhere without transferring to a bus that will be stuck in traffic. There's more to a good transit system than rail, but it's the best indicator I have since I've only used Austin's system in Texas.

quellhorst 18y ago
I have lived in Houston for years, that city is designed for having a car. Drivers in big trucks and SUVs are very aggressive around cyclists and pedestrians. A plus is that it was cheap to live there. I did see a coworking place is located on 7th street in Austin for only $350/month.
- stcredzero 18y ago
  I'm thinking of moving my home base to Austin. And yes, Houston is definitely designed for driving. Even "the cool shops near the university" district near Rice U is essentially just a mall with streets running through it. Things are way too spread out.
dnaquin 18y ago
i came from houston. austin wins hands down. the bus system's a lot better. the houston rail line is mostly useless unless you work in the medical center. besides it's possible to bike in austin.

utnick 18y ago

I used to have a car there, but I still would take the buses or walk most places. You only really need a car if you live in the suburbs of Austin. Buses in central austin take you anywhere you need to go. And its a pretty small town anyways so if worse comes to worse you can just walk home.

msluyter 18y ago

Yes, I agree that you need a car unless you happen to live in central Austin or downtown, or in certain parts of South Austin. The downside of course is that those areas are generally more expensive. The median house price in Austin last I heard was something like 190K, but in central Austin I'd imagine it's over 300 if not more. IMHO, Austin's upside is the low cost of living (see above median house price, low taxes (no state income tax)) and overall livability -- lots of live music, universities, etc. I think the tech scene here is better than a lot of places, though no doubt it's not nearly as good as Silicon Valley. Still, there are few places I'd rather live.