Any Texans Here?

[Llava]

Hi.

Do/did you live in Texas?

Sweet.

Hey.

Do/did you have a job?

Cool.

Hey.

How much do you pay in taxes?
How about utility things?
Cable, internet, groceries, mortgage/rent, gas?

Got any information about Austin specifically?  What's it like?   Weather?  People?  Entertainment?  Overall "feel" of the city?  Industry?

Why I'm asking these questions:
I have a phone interview on Tuesday for a job that I really, really, really want and I'm trying to figure out if the money they will pay me (35k-45k, probably 35k as I'm freshly out of college without experience) is enough to support myself and my girlfriend with enough left over to justify uprooting from Arizona and moving there.  She is convinced it's not.  I'm not sure.  I'm doing other research, naturally, but any shortcuts you can give me would be fantastic.

This job is quite possibly the opportunity of a lifetime for me.  Having said that, and I know some folks will find it hard to understand, I value my girlfriend more.  At nearly 5 years together, we're not far from the Big Step into a lifetime of irritating each other for fun.  So no matter what the job, I'm not going without her.  Commuting isn't an option, believe me I've wracked my brain.  Telecommuting is, likewise, not an option... I wish it was, but they apparently want me to actually be present at the office to do the work.  Join the 21st century, am I right?  Anyways.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

I would start flipping out and talking about the job but I don't know if that's appropriate, especially since it isn't even mine yet.  I'm one of 6 remaining candidates from a much larger pool, so my chances are decent but not concrete.

[schild]

Oh, ok. What's the job?

Edit: Don't hate the player, hate the game. Or somesuch. Really though, making games? Killing game designers?

[Margalis]

Austin is not too expensive to live in, although a car is not optional. I think you could get by on 35K.

Also Austin is 10x better than the rest of Texas. Austin is pretty cosmopolitan and liberal compared to the rest of Texas. You still have your Tex-Mex and people in boots but it's nothing like Dallas say. There are a lot of young people who are transplants from all over, as it is a large tech employment area. It's really not like the rest of Texas at all honestly.

Austin itself looks nice (not run down) and has nice weather. There is a lot of live music and other cultural events. I would say go for it for sure, it's a really nice place. Also rent tends to be pretty cheap. (Or at least, WAY cheaper than Boston that's for sure)

I would say Austin doesn't have a big city feel. It's sort of like a Boston/Cambridge except more spread out and sunnier. Maybe like Long Island in a way sort of.

35-45k should be doable, even if your GF doesn't find a job.

[Signe]

Some guy told me Austin is the live music capital of the

[Trippy]

To convince your girlfriend to move I think you'll need to take a trip over there together and see what it's like yourselves.

I've only been to Austin once and saw only a very small part of it (the usual business trip type of thing) but what I saw of it I liked. It reminded me a lot of Silicon Valley where am I now with lots of high tech businesses feed by a top-notch university (similar to the Bay Area with Stanford and U.C. Berkeley).

[schild]

Some guy told me Austin is the live music capital of the

State of Texas?

[Signe]

Some guy told me Austin is the live music capital of the WORLD!  THE WHOLE WORLD!  Of course, he's from Austin and he's in a band.

Can't help you with the rest of the stuff, though.  Sorry. 

[Signe]

Some thing went loopy with my post.  You people are toying with me, aren't you?  You're driving me crazy mad!

[Samwise]

I agree, Austin is nice.  Very similar feel to Berkeley, except fewer hippies and more scorching heat.

[Llava]

Oh, ok. What's the job?

Edit: Don't hate the player, hate the game. Or somesuch. Really though, making games? Killing game designers?

[edit by admin, I should have known better than to ask - schild]

My reaction: 

And thanks Margalis.  That's what I thought.  But if it's the techy city, why the hell can't we find any decent Graphic Designer jobs there for her whereas there are a crapload here?  It makes me angsty.

[schild]

Everyone wants to live in Austin right now. Phoenix actually has a mess of gamey companies moving in. Or at least that's how it seems. I could be totally wrong. Smoke meet ass, etc. But really, Austin is the shiznit. I almost moved out there. But instead I chose Phoenix. Close proximity to David Bowman. It wasn't planned, I swear. _{I just need to keep tabs on my marks.}

[Llava]

The producer for Horizons works at NCAustin now and is producing Auto Assault.  Though he makes fun of Horizons more than anyone else I've heard and is a generally likable and funny guy, so I wouldn't put a hit on him.

[schild]

I'm surprised he didn't commit seppuku for crimes against the state with the rest of the staff. I might have just made that up. I'm not sure. It should have happened though.

[stray]

Some guy told me Austin is the live music capital of the

It is. 3rd coast for films too. And one of the largest tech industries to boot.

Anyways, you can get by on much less in Austin than 35k. More like 20k-25k in a townhouse or apartment. Southside Austin would be the cheapest area to live in, but not necessarily the most desirable (it isn't Compton though either, so don't worry).
Northside and Lakeside is the most expensive, and Roundrock for the people who want a Northside lifestyle, but cheaper since it's out of city limits. Everywhere else is inbetween.

[edit] Btw, I first lived in Austin with just under 20k, but I had roomies. Later, I lived on my own with about 30k. 35k is enough, even for two people. Now I'm in SA living off bingo money......But I digress.

Bottom line is that Texas isn't that expensive. Dallas is probably the most expensive, while San Antonio/Austin is in the midrange (with Austin being just a little more pricey than S.A.). It's roughly in the same range as any metro area in Arizona, give or take a couple thousand dollars.

Another thing: Can your girl work? I'm not saying that you can't do it on your own (because you can, easily), but you'd be set up pretty well even if she worked part-time.

[edit] Oh yeah, I almost forgot:

Do it.

The city is full of young people, and there's never a lack of anything to do. Whether that be outdoors, or on the streets. I don't know your line of work, but as far as off the job, it's just pleasant enough to feel cozy, and just wild enough to feel like a big city. You'll love it.

[Llava]

Another thing: Can your girl work? I'm not saying that you can't do it on your own (because you can, easily), but you'd be set up pretty well even if she worked part-time.

That's the rub.

She can work.  As a matter of fact, she practically HAS to work... or she starts going nuts.  She's not the type of person who can sit around the house all day playing video games.  I know, weird, right?  She's completely lacking any inner catass.  Anyway.  She's a graphic designer and for whatever reason, we're having a much harder time finding postings for Graphic Designers there than we do here.

Freelance is an option, but a crappy one at best.  She really needs constant work.  She won't work (and I wouldn't let her) some bullshit receptionist job.  So we really need a full time graphic designer job in the area.  So far, I've found 1 very good candidate.  The rest have been... not great.  So that's trouble.

She wouldn't need INSTANT employment once we got there, but really the sooner the better.  I plan to ask during the interview if they expect any openings in that field.

But yeah, if we can both get good jobs there then I'd be ecstatic.

But if it's just going to be me with the Kick Ass Job there and her stuck with some shitty job, it's not worth it.  As it is, she has the Pretty Damn Good Job and I'm the one stuck with the bullshit job.  And I'm not selfish enough to think that a reversal of roles there is really any better.

[stray]

Heh, that's partly why I don't live there anymore. I don't want to consider myself a designer per se, but my brother is (multimedia and web to be exact, but it partly applies, so hear me out). I had steady employment and learned from working with him for about 10 years. The thing is, I was lucky. He happens to be one of the most lucrative in the entire industry, and even when he moved to NYC, I still had a nice income working long distance. The sad thing is, there were many people who were more talented than I that couldn't find a job on their own (or at least a good one) for shit. Designers (of all types) are a dime a dozen in Austin.

Anyways.....Long story short, I had a kind of falling out with him, and once I was on my own, I decided to downgrade (i.e. move). I need a change in scenery anyways. Now I'm just floating around in catass mode. 

Sorry to give my life story there, but my point is: While I may have some marketable skills, it just wasn't worth the bother doing it without him. It's a pretty tough area to compete in, or even be noticed. Even if you're good.

She may kick ass, so I don't take my words to heart too much. Just count yourself lucky that at least you are going to be employed. If she hits a wall, and still wants to keep busy doing something else in the meantime though, then let just her. There's nothing wrong with more money, no matter where it comes from (err....you know what I mean).

[Llava]

Hm.

That's rough, and it's going to be a problem.

But thanks for the heads up.

[stray]

Hm.

That's rough

Heh, well, it's not as bad as other paths I've taken. I'm also a musician and an actor. Maybe I should try joining a professional sport too? I've got nowhere to go but up  :-D

So, when you say that it's going to be a problem, do you mean: She won't be interested in moving unless a full time graphic design position is in the works? That is a problem.

I didn't say it couldn't happen though. It's just going to be a bit of work in and of itself.

Nothing wrong with freelancing either. Just about everyone does it.

[Nazrat]

As an Aggie and a right wing conservative, I can say that Austin is the largest blue county in Texas and is full of liberals and hippies.  So, that is probably a plus for you.   :-D

You have to remember that the local university has over 50,000 students.  Therefore, there are plenty of liberal arts types running around working for nothing after graduation.  Austin's lifestyle is very focused on its music scene, arts community, and the college scene.  Hell, even Aggies go to Austin for the live music.

35-45k should be plenty.  Austin is not cheap by Texas standards but you have to remember that there is no state income tax.  There is no state tax on owning a car.  Pay off the feds and you are home free unless you own property.  Property owners pay all school taxes under current law.  In fact, there is an appeal at the Texas Supreme Court on the issue of property taxes and the state legislature is in its 3rd special session this year to argue about it.

Austin is growing rapidly and traffic is much worse there than in the past.  However, it doesn't rival Houston, Dallas, or LA.  The main problem in Austin is that the population centers are largely on the same roads and rush hour is a pain due to everyone trying to get from the suburbs to their jobs.  South Austin is more inexpensive.  There are quite a few bedroom communities within 30 minutes where a few workers reside. 

I hope that helps.  I try not to spend much time in Austin as I work for the state government, attended the arch rival Texas A&M, and don't enjoy homeless on every street corner.  Your mileage may vary.

Here is a market report from a fine university:  http://recenter.tamu.edu/mreports/AustinRRock.html

[stray]

See, but the homeless in Austin are just slackers and kooks. Loiterers maybe, but nothing too bad. Some of them are actually pretty talented, in fact. Haha. In every other fairly big city I've been in, including the ones that some of the people on this board live in, I almost always have to make a threat. Most of the bums in Austin, on the other hand, don't even pay attention to you, let alone try to stalk you.

Anyways, here's a pic just for you  :-D:


Thomas Van Orden
Homeless Austin Lawyer

[Signe]

Do you have a colour photo?  I don't think I'm appreciating the work of art that the tie probably is. 

[ahoythematey]

Traffic here is bullshit, I barely get through each day without wanting to gun down some dumbfuck teenager/college kid pushing the limits of total ignorance by way of alcoholism and sparking up, and you will spend most days having your sinuses reemed if you have allergies.

However...the city is quite nice as a whole, the job market seems pretty diverse, there are quite a few gorgeous women living here, and Ziegen Bock is available.  I still live here despite the dunce-population.

[Kenrick]

You can get by here in Austin on much less than 35K, although I wish I didn't have to.   

North Austin is for teh gay homosexuals.  Stay south of the river, baby.

[schild]

North Austin is for teh gay homosexuals.  Stay south of the river, baby.

Gay Homosexuals? They must be really gay to be superfluous. Is the river rainbow colored? 

[Triforcer]

North Austin is for teh gay homosexuals.  Stay south of the river, baby.

Gay Homosexuals? They must be really gay to be superfluous. Is the river rainbow colored? 

Wouldn't a gay homosexual be straight?

[Llava]

North Austin is for teh gay homosexuals.  Stay south of the river, baby.

Gay Homosexuals? They must be really gay to be superfluous. Is the river rainbow colored? 

Wouldn't a gay homosexual be straight?

Or maybe just unusually happy to be a homosexual.

[Llava]

Oh, I nearly forgot to ask this one-
About what percent did you former residents pay out in taxes, if you remember?

[Lum]

The producer for Horizons works at NCAustin now and is producing Auto Assault.  Though he makes fun of Horizons more than anyone else I've heard and is a generally likable and funny guy, so I wouldn't put a hit on him.

If you're talking about Steve Snow, yeah. When I was at a party at GDC, he saw me across a VERY crowded room, and yelled, at the top of his lungs, "LUM! OH MY GOD! I LOVE WHAT YOU DID ON THE [Camelot] HERALD AND I AM GOING TO STEAL IT ALLLLLLL!". It was pretty, um, well, it was actually kind of frightening, but then it got better. I think he also soaked our producer for a lot of poker money later.

(Schild, it's a bit of a stretch to blame him for Horizons touching you in Teh Bad Place. As I'm sure you know the team had, uh, some turnover.)

Austin's a great town. Great music, great people, and you never have to be sober, ever. And no income tax.

[schild]

(Schild, it's a bit of a stretch to blame him for Horizons touching you in Teh Bad Place. As I'm sure you know the team had, uh, some turnover.)

I don't blame Snow at all, I was just messing around. Really, just David Bowman. Who lives in Phoenix. 

[Signe]

Is Lum short for Lumber?  Is your first name Lumber?  If so, I admire it. 

[Nazrat]

Click on that real estate center link from my previous post.  Go to the housing section and you will see the actual property tax rate for Austin.

I forgot to mention sales tax.  Sales taxes fund everything else in Texas.  Most cities have sales tax in excess of 8%.  Texans take it as a matter of course but many new residents are in for sticker shock during their first visit to a restaurant.

Mr. Van Orden is a legend among the Texas bar.  Unfortunately, most of us are familiar with his "work."

[Shockeye]

Most Phoenix area cities are around 8% sales tax.

[Llava]

Most Phoenix area cities are around 8% sales tax.

Just what I was going to say.  I was expecting you to say something like 30%.  Hell, in Scottsdale taxes are slightly higher than that because we have to be all snobby and have decorations on our freeway and crap like that.

And yeah, I was talking about Snow.  He's a pretty funny fucking guy.  He was over at my university giving a talk on the game development process and it was a riot.  He likened the whole thing to getting someone to pay for you to make a painting.

"I have this great idea for a painting, it's going to be a painting of a park and it'll have grass and trees and it's going to be FUCKING AWESOME!"
"Hey, that's a really cool idea for a painting!  How much money do you think you'll need to make it happen?"
"I don't know... maybe... $600?"
"$600?  Really?  Cause that Grand Theft Auto painting we just had done cost about $5000."
"I mean $5000."
"Oh okay, that sounds about right.  Hey, while you're painting this park, though, could you fit in some rocks?"
"Rocks?  Sure, we can do rocks.  No problem."

It goes from there with the supplier suddenly wanting a river, and children playing games, etc etc, and in the end you realize you've spent three months trying to make this really awesome grass, but two of your painters had an argument about it so half the grass is brown and half the grass is green.  By the time you're done, all you have is a rock- BUT IT'S THE MOST AMAZING FUCKING ROCK THAT'S EVER BEEN PAINTED.

[Shockeye]

Most Phoenix area cities are around 8% sales tax.

Just what I was going to say.  I was expecting you to say something like 30%.  Hell, in Scottsdale taxes are slightly higher than that because we have to be all snobby and have decorations on our freeway and crap like that.

Ok, I have to bitch about something here.

It's Squaw Peak / Squaw Peak Parkway. That's it, that's all.

[Llava]

Most Phoenix area cities are around 8% sales tax.

Just what I was going to say.  I was expecting you to say something like 30%.  Hell, in Scottsdale taxes are slightly higher than that because we have to be all snobby and have decorations on our freeway and crap like that.

Ok, I have to bitch about something here.

It's Squaw Peak / Squaw Peak Parkway. That's it, that's all.

Um.

Okay.