Originally Posted by
psirue
yeah, maybe in the '90s when it was nearly exactly like slacker or when the music scene in the '80s (scratch acid & all that) was psychotic and brilliant but these days it just seems to have become more pedestrian and vanilla. Last time I was there, I felt like I was in williamsburg jr but with people that talked funny. I dont know if it's gentrification or the effect of sxsw, but it's certainly not the same. That said, I do enjoy austin very much (like I can enjoy savannah or nashville or parts of atlanta) -- the rest of Texas and the south can eat a bag of d.
It depends which part of Austin you are in. Parts of it have become yuppie-fied, but it is still an AMAZING city. It has grown and become more modern since the '90s but it hasn't changed.
I think you are just too caught up in the physical changes that have taken place (high rise condo buildings and chic chic boutique stores). It is still the same city it has always been.
Also, Texas is what makes Austin a great city. People always make it sound like Austin is the only redeemable part of Texas but that's bull. The redneck element is what separates Austin from other liberal cities in other parts of the country. It's the only place where I see a huge, diesel, farm truck w/ a Ron Paul bumper sticker. It's great.
As far as the heat goes, you get used to it. I can ride my bike around in 105f heat no problem. I don't deal well w/ the cold at all. Anything below 50 and I'm really uncomfortable. But I have been in Texas my whole life so I'm sure that has something to do w/ it.
Also, what do you mean by gentrification effect of sxsw and vanilla and pedestrian?