Sxsw 2020

[mattdavis11]

In case anyone here was planning a trip to Austin, Texas for this years festival, unpack your bags, SXSW is canceled. Beer virus fears got to the mayor. Nearly all big corporations had dropped out already.

(South by South West)

[stomachmonkey]

I’ll be down tomorrow for a long weekend.

We’ve got a place out by Lake Travis / Steiner Ranch area.

[mattdavis11]

Nice! Did you guys get hooked up with emergency services, and all that other stuff the city doesn't or didn't provide?

I've vacated Austin, but am on 620 a couple times a month. Brother lives on the south end of 620 at 71 in Spanish Oaks.

[stomachmonkey]

It’s a rental.

We usually stay in the city proper but the wife wants to get a feel for being farther out.

I like Spanish Oaks, little South of our target area but who knows, not ruling anything out.

[mattdavis11]

I guess you are looking around for a new place in/near Austin... Scott, I would not want to be in the 620 and 2222 (Four Points) area when the kids are going in and out of Vandergriff High. They are also going to be doing a ton of road work there pretty soon (already have some started). I'm going to try to avoid that area like the plague.

[stomachmonkey]

Yeah heading down there in ~2 years after the boy finishes HS.

He's high functioning Aspergers, really smart, nearly zero executive function and social interaction skills.

Texas State has accommodations for him but we will need to be nearby.

Daughter is at Wash U for undergrad and is eyeing UT for her law degree so she'll be back in two years as well.

Plus we hate Dallas, Austin is more our speed.

I know, it's changing daily.

I've been hanging out in Austin nearly 30 years now.

Our AAA studio was there.

I remember The Oasis when it was barely a shack with a dirt parking lot.

[mattdavis11]

Austin surely isn't what it was 30 years ago, or for that matter, 2 years ago. I moved there in 1994, lived in Onion Creek for 12, went back to school in your neck of the woods (concrete) in 2006, then came back to Austin in 2010.

The rapid growth and other unpleasantries in Austin led us to Seguin in 2018. I'm in Austin almost daily, and it is sad to see such a nice city deteriorate such as it has. You should be fine anywhere west of 360, unless the homeless set up in the hills and burn it out.

I know they have moved as far west as 360, how much farther I'm not sure.

[flatbutt]

I'm glad I decided to not buy tix to the MotoGP for me and Flatbutt III. Maybe next year.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

Austin surely isn't what it was 30 years ago, or for that matter, 2 years ago. I moved there in 1994, lived in Onion Creek for 12, went back to school in your neck of the woods (concrete) in 2006, then came back to Austin in 2010.

The rapid growth and other unpleasantries in Austin led us to Seguin in 2018. I'm in Austin almost daily, and it is sad to see such a nice city deteriorate such as it has. You should be fine anywhere west of 360, unless the homeless set up in the hills and burn it out.

I know they have moved as far west as 360, how much farther I'm not sure.

I always want to remember Austin the way it was in the 70s. You are bringing a tear to my eyes.

[mattdavis11]

They should have everything cleaned up by then.

Seriously, I see the work the city is now doing to a motel, that the city bought at 4x the property value, to house the homeless. The city intends to buy more motels, spread about the area. It's nuts.

Scott, if you are looking for a couple of great restaurants on the other side of the dam, the good side, try Cafe Blue and Shore Raw Bar & Grill.

The chef from Hudson's on the Bend runs the kitchen at Shore. It's fantastic! BBQ, Valentina's 11500 Menchaca Rd. Used to be Manchaca road, city changed the spelling.

I think that was the last straw from my brother, he just sold his place right down the street from the BBQ place.

[mattdavis11]

Originally Posted by DanielDudley

I always want to remember Austin the way it was in the 70s. You are bringing a tear to my eyes.

I didn't mean to do so. It's growing up, and in doing so brings the bad. The official bird of Austin is the steel crane. Parts of town are actually being revamped, and are nicer than ever. It's not Detroit or San Francisco, yet. However, they have the welcome mat out for homeless and here they come.

[stomachmonkey]

Actually our favorite restaurant is Justines on 5th east of 35.

Don’t know why I remember Spanish Oaks being farther west on 71 than it is. Forgot it was right at the 620/71 split.

We are looking around Serenity Hills, Rough Hollow area, couple miles west between 620 and 71.

[rattlsnak]

I go there a lot for work and am still shocked/surprised every time at the amount of homeless people in the downtown area...

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

I remember The Oasis when it was barely a shack with a dirt parking lot.

Sounds like the kinda place I would like to meet up with you for a beer.

[mattdavis11]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

I go there a lot for work and am still shocked/surprised every time at the amount of homeless people in the downtown area...

The city made it worse. In a nut shell, they wanted the homeless to come from the woods and be a part of the community. Camping allowed. When you entitle people to take a dump on the door step of your business, they will do it, and it's a serious problem. Law enforcement has been told to turn a blind eye.

Here's how they think, the leaders of the community. The Mayor takes a vacation to San Fran and Seattle to figure out how to deal with homelessness, realizes that Austin could benefit from fed $$ and throws out flyers and starts buying motels. The Mayor is an atty, his wife deals in real estate. Total corruption.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Sounds like the kinda place I would like to meet up with you for a beer.

The old place burned down and they put in this huge complex with several restaurants and shops.

It’s now a massive tourist trap.

The Oasis is always mobbed, the rest of the businesses, I’m not sure how they stay in business.

Food, drinks and service are average, you go for the view.

https://www.google.com/search?q=the+oasis&rlz=1C9BKJA_enUS875US875&hl=en-US&prmd=minv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjAnM6SgYvoAhUPbKwKHcPqCRcQ_AUoAnoECBYQA g&biw=1366&bih=911

[stomachmonkey]

Brunch at Steiner Ranch Steak House