Hey Team Blind, Looking to make a move from NYC to a lower COL, tier 2 city. I've started narrowing it down to a few cities and Miami/FLL (wife's favorite city) and Austin keeps coming up as an options. Our ideal city is San Diego/SoCal but COL there just seems to be too much. Things that are important to us: - Looking to buy a single home - Safe neighborhood - Suburban lifestyle with easy access to city (we're city folks but are planning to settle down a little bit more, have kids, etc.) - Things to do outside of the city (i.e. national parks, interesting close-by cities, etc.) I just wanted to poll the community to see, from their collective experiences, which is the better place to live. Thanks in advanced! TC: 220k #housing #austin #miami #col
Austin is boring. Miami/FLL is way better in terms of food, culture, diversity, beaches, lifestyle and COL. Austin is a sprawling town in the Midwest with good music and tech jobs and not much else. The weather is debatably a tie. Traffic isn't as bad as other major US metros either. For your needs, FLL > Miami. That said, schools in Austin may be better.
I really enjoyed FLL. Airport was a lot more convenient, beaches were less crowded and it seemed like it was more laid back (in a good way) than Miami. Out of curiosity, why was Austin boring for you? My wife and I both love getting out and about in nature and exploring cities. I visited Austin a few times and there seemed to be a lot of nature-based options.
1) Austin has low population density, so none of it is walkable. Thus the vibrant, high density urban scene that one can find in NYC, Chicago, SF, Boston, DC, Miami or any European or Indian city is nonexistent there. Driving everywhere is also a huge drag imo. Miami (and neighboring Miami Beach) is one of the few cities in the US that is comfortable without a car. 2) The food in Austin is mostly Mexican, BBQ and standard American. In Miami, there is everything and especially all kinds of Latin American and Caribbean food. Imo the food in Miami and SF is better in terms of average quality than in NYC. Not sure about FLL, though 3) The beaches in Miami are way better than anything you'll find on the lakes by Austin (and cleaner/nicer than LA and NYC beaches), although San Diego, Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara still have better beaches imo. 4) When it comes to cultural diversity, >75% of people in Miami were born abroad. Compare this with <20% in Austin and 35-40% in LA, NYC and SF. 5) This won't be a concern for you but people in Miami are WAY more attractive than in Austin. I spent 4 days in downtown Austin and saw exactly 4 attractive women there in that time, which is pretty bad by the standards of any major American city. 6) Nightlife in Miami is 1000x better for the above reasons. 7) I'll admit that it's easier to meet smart people in NYC and especially SF than in Miami. Not sure how Austin compares in this regard
Miami will be underwater in 25 years
Miami is pretty ridiculous. South Central LA meets Vegas meets Hawaii. Absolutely nuts. Honestly, San Diego is worth it. I'd hit that. Have you considered Denver?
Lol that's quite the mix. I mean, I love Vegas and Hawaii so it sounds great. I'm assuming by ridiculous you mean bad? I'd love San Diego (top target) but home prices, tax and increasing natural disasters are big deterrents. I haven't considered Denver as we neither my wife and I have ever visited but I'm also not entirely hot on Colorado in general. Colder climate and doesn't seem to have much cultural diversity. Has your experience been different?
My priorities may be different. Denver is tied with San Diego for favorite city for me. I don't mind cold and diversity isn't crucial to me. So long as there is plenty of culture. Miami... If you can handle it, LGTM. Good food, plenty to do... I might visit again someday. There's just so much police / banger stuff going on everywhere. Too intense for me.
Less Tech in Miami, other than that Miami or FLL beats Austin in everything. No such a thing as winter in Miami/FLL, lowest temperature I saw was 62, and lasted for 3 days only, you can enjoy pools, beaches, etc. Food nd night life is not bad in Austin but both Miami/ML kicks Austin's ass, FLL's nickname-> Fort Liquordale. Vegetation is prettier by Far in Sunny South Florida vs Austin, Palm trees and green grass year round. I'm in Austin now because of Tech, if I ever retire -> Sunny South Florida is the place to go
How is humidity and summers in Miami vs Austin?
humidity is high in South Florida, that's not a problem for me and is worth the warm weather year around.
I’m sorry but Miami is a shithole. It’s like a cheesier version of New Orleans and Las Vegas (if that’s possible). Anyone who moves to Miami for the ‘nightlife’ needs to grow up. Miami is where boring people go to be entertained. Can’t do much better than the western suburbs of Austin (e.g. Lakeway or Bee Cave) if you’re looking for great schools, sunny weather and general shit to do at a reasonable price. It’s what we in the business call ‘an adult decision’ Source: lived in Austin for two years
Both LV and NOLA have great local scenes. Yeah like NYC is cheesy too if you never left Times Square... Maybe you’re the boring one? Oh wait, Western Suburbs of Austin.. LMFAO don’t have too much fun there with your great schools and big things to do!
@HkM maybe! or maybe I don’t have time for bullshit. no serious person over the age 23 finds Miami, New Orleans or Las Vegas livable. Just the thought of someone saying South Beach, Bourbon Street or the Strip are pivotal to where they move makes me lulz. maybe fly in for an occasional weekend then gtfo
Miami is terrible. Seriously it doesn’t fell like US. Feels like I’m somewhere in the Caribbean, on a vacation but I never get to enjoy it. I have lived here for almost year and I can’t wait till my lease is over so I can leave this place. Summer is unbearable. It’s either too hot to step outside or it’s raining the whole time. If you’re not planning on leaving downtown it might be bearable to some point.
I vote Tampa. Miami is good for single but not sure it's good for raising a family
I lived in San Diego for 3 years before moving out to Austin and been here for past 7 years. San Diego is my number one choice. Austin is number 2, reasons I like it , I have a family and its still affordable, great schools, nice tech scene. Austin also has nice music scene, night life is actually quite nice here, no beach but lakes offer good activities and ppl are often surprised to find that it’s quite green here. With regards to food , it’s been evolving besides the best BBQ, Asian options are expanding and future looks good. Traffic is ok not as bad as Bay Area. I got offers in Miami and I would not move there , primarily due to bad tech scene and man those hurricanes! When I had to make the choice to leave San Diego due to bad tech scene, Austin seemed like the best choice. Nature wise there is stuff to do, but if you want to go skiing or hike big mountains your only choice is to fly out of state, and Austin is decently connected.
Where did you ski when you lived in SD?
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There is not much to do Austin. After 1 year, you’ll exhaust all things. Traffic is terrible. It’s getting expensive. Only good thing is that sunny for most of the year. Summer is unbearable.
Everything about this is wrong except the last sentence
Yeah I'm definitely not thrilled for the summers. Traffic is not a huge issue (at least during the pandemic) as we're both currently remote. Also I'm used to NYC traffic so shouldn't be as bad, right? Where would you recommend?