Brian

Hi Folks!

So my girlfriend and I are considering moving to Austin...

...and since our primary modes of entertainment are camping, hiking, and mt. biking I was hoping you good people of "Wild Texas" could share your thoughts on how Austin stacks up to other cities that you have experienced.

Especially interested in opinions relative to Charlotte, San Diego, either of the Portlands.

I'd say outdoor fun = solitude*(scenery+activity)/(milesdriven*traffic^n)

dwalsdorf

Well, if you're after "miles driven" then Austin is definitely a plus. TONS of day trips. Only visited SD twice. Unless you are an ocean boater, I wouldn't think that "outdoors" comes to mind. Portland, OR, is surrounded by drop dead gorgeous scenery. Way too much fun to have there. Don't know how their camping system works, but I'm sure it is terrific. Know nothing about Charlotte, but from what I have seen at other spots on the mid-A coast (Charleston, GA coast, MD coast), not too impressed. Heat of a Charlotte summer vs. the cold of a Portland, Maine winter?....hmmmmm.....

Honestly, I would rank Austin above all choices except Portland, OR. Beware, you will get all different ops others---you should try and visit for yourself b4 the plunge...

__________________
In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell...it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort. :asleep:

DALEoutside

Well, I live in Austin and have visited most other cities you mentioned. Austin is a very young town, obviously with the college, so there's tons of outdoors stuff to do. The Balcones Canyonland Preserve is full of trails, there are many, many parks for camping and hiking in the area, and of course the lakes. Austin is a very conservation oriented city, so the parks and wildlife are really important to the people who live here. And because of Lance, there's tons of cycling, on road and off.

I'd agree that Portland OR is the only other city you mentioned that would make my list - I love Oregon, but not that weather! I prefer the Bend OR area more...it's gorgeous and the weather is fabulous! San Diego is just too expensive to make it worthwhile.

That's my $.02.

Brian

Thanks to the two of you for your opinions.

I grew up in Portland, OR...so that was more my point of reference than an option to relocate. But I agree, few places can match the beauty and variety of Oregon. I used to love camping in the high desert east of the Cascades, which is probably why I liked the Austin area so much when I visited. There's just something beautiful about life taking hold in arid land.

Now to only find a job...

CyberCelt

Live outside of Austin. Traffic is really bad.

I would not live on the west coast. Its a toss up whether it will be taken out by major earthquate, tsunami or volcano first.

Austin area is a mecca for hikers and bikers. Here is a link to relocation site. Here is another site to give you the flavor of the city.

Welcome to Texas.

__________________
Keep Your Wheels on the Road!

CyberCelt

USAer.com ~ RVing Texas
USAer Blog ~ Scenic Byways and Backroads