Visiting Austin, Texas
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The Hipster Capital Of The World
Written by: Brandon Renbaum
12/10/21
Relocation Hotspot:
U.S. News & World Report ranks Austin number one in the country for relocation. They say it has so much going for it, but why? What’s going on down there that makes the city so special? I will give you my take on Austin, but you might not like it.. especially if you are the classic vintage clothing wearing hipster.
Before I dive into Austin, let’s first just talk about Texas. When you land in Texas the first thing that hits you is the climate. Humid, hot, wet and super flat: welcome to Texas! Yet, this large state that is composed mostly of plains and desert is home to some of the most rich and unique cultures in America.
Texas embodies the cultures of both America and Mexico. You can see it in the architecture, taste it in the food, and witness it in almost every Texas town. Texas really should be its own country and I believe it came close to accomplishing that in 1845.
Austin is a relocation hotspot because of its location and job opportunities, especially in the tech sector. Texas represents traditional American values: God, family, country, and guns. Yet, Austin is the red headed stepchild in the state. It goes against the stereotypical, conservative Texan values that we associate Texas with in the first place. Perhaps that is why it is so popular, it’s different! Yet, I very much felt like I was in Texas while in Austin, perhaps it was the BBQ that permeated the air or the iconic state capitol that just screams Texan pride. Let’s take a closer look at this hipster paradise and see what all the fuss is about.
What Makes Austin unique:
Austin really isn’t that big when you compare it to other major cities. It’s an old city that shows its vintage character when you visit. Situated right along the Colorado River, it has that Nashville vibe at first glance. Yet, these two cities are very different worlds. The downtown Austin area has some nice restaurants, apartment buildings, and bike paths that run through its core. Really not anything out of the norm for a medium sized city. The one thing that caught my attention was the architecture of the new condo/apartment buildings. They looked like some kind of leggo project, basically concrete blocks stacked on top of each other in asymmetrical fashion. Physical graffiti is everywhere in Austin and I think it’s viewed as “art” rather than desecration. The motto in this town is, “Keep Austin Weird.” Yes Austin, you are weird!
Cost Of Living & Hype:
Austin is also one of the most expensive places to live in now. Most apartments start at $2,000 for a one bedroom in the downtown area.
I just don’t think the town is deserving of all the hype and cost of admission. Yes, 6th street is a great experience and you can have some of the greatest tacos of your life in this town…but what else is attracting people here? Ahh..it must be those tech jobs or the huge Amazon facilities popping up everywhere who need busy hands. Indeed and Facebook also have offices here, so I guess this combination makes the place a techies paradise.
Anyway, Austin is dubbed an “outdoorsy town” by it’s inhabitants. If you consider hundreds of bodies converging in a giant cesspool during the summers called Barton Springs, yes..you guys sometimes are “outdoorsy.” But wait..you can hike here they say. Yes, you can call Mt. Bonnell a mountain, but in reality it’s a medium sized rock ledge you can walk up for a decent view of the city. Well, I guess my Colorado snobbery is showing now…oops!
Southern Culture:
Am I being too harsh on Austin? Maybe, but I really did expect more from the town given it’s stellar reputation. So let’s talk about the good, what makes Austin unique? Well for starters it’s uniquely southern in its culture. Yes, Austin is considered the south. Large cedar trees line the streets in quaint, small single family homes on the outskirts of the city. Local restaurants that look like luncheonettes are housed in old colonial mansions. You can get some pretty legit soul food in Austin, not to mention greasy, fat filled dishes that feel sinful to eat. The suburbs of Austin really do feel like the old south and the kindness of the people follow suit.
Life is relatively slow down here. People take their time and treat you with more generosity than I’m comfortable with. The weather is subtropical in Austin; wet and humid. I don’t know how anyone could handle the summers down there, it just sounds miserable.
6th Street Music Scene:
So we need to talk about the music scene, what Austin is really known for. Yes, you will find some of the best local musicians in the country here. They are a different breed of local musician than the kind that Nashville houses, but we will dive into that debate another day.
6th street is the equivalent to Nashville’s Broadway Street. This is where all those extremely talented, mostly young hipsters musicians are trying to make a name for themselves. This is what Austin is all about, supporting local musicians. I saw some of the best live music ever in Austin, from old blues to modern pop..you will hear it all on 6th street. You can even hear techno gibberish on 6th street, but I don’t recommend it. I saw this one band towards the end of 6th street that had about two other people in the bar, just some old drunks yelling out horrible cover requests. This particular band was playing nothing but old classic rock and blues, so it was heaven to me. The lead singer called himself Howlin Sonny, after Howlin’ Wolf and Sonny Boy Williams. He just breathed Texas blues. His version of George Thorogood’s “Bad To The Bone” was one I will never forget, he just put his own mark on the song that was super unique.
Locals say 6th street is not what it used to be. You will find pop cover bands and other mediocre musicians in certain bars, but for every sub par act there were about a dozen others that were amazing. Bar hopping on 6th street is like entering a new state in each bar. You can find just about any musical genre while bar hopping on 6th street. It’s a uniquely Austin experience that differs from rival music cities like Nashville.
Conclusion:
Austin is definitely unique regarding its identity within Texas. You can grab some amazing tacos at about three dozen food trucks scattered across the city. Music and hip culture permeate through the city streets as people enjoy beers and BBQ. However, for all it’s “uniqueness,” I believe Austin is still overrated. Perhaps my perspective is dull or I didn’t see the side of Austin that is truly “local.” I enjoyed my time in Austin regardless, but I was expecting much more from this live music capital.