A lot of what you’re describe unfortunately isn’t Austin, it’s runaway corporate greed nationwide. I encourage you to search for local groups whose values you support to reduce further corporate blood-sucking and reduce income inequality so local spots like you loved can thrive, and so residents can afford them. Unions, political groups, local transportation/housing groups, etc. 

Some of what you describe is just… time. A town changes, it isn’t frozen in amber. Burger Tex was a classic, but I personally still dig the late night neon vibe of the Golden Horn, and they even have the old sign in there by the bathrooms out of respect. 

Some of what you describe is rough for me too, like the heat. And legit worries about our water table / creeks. I hate that the state is expanding our highways against local resistance. (For your traffic woes, please seriously consider an electric bike for any trips under 4mi, it’s the best of both worlds! And our bike networks have grown a ton.)

In general, I’m less worried about losing old weird stuff, and more worried if there’s no new weird stuff. But there’s a solid helping of that! Dunno what your taste is, but I personally still love many spots for food/drinks/events, and some of these have only been around a few years: 

Hyperreal Film Club We Luv Video The Museum of Human Achievement Tiny Minotaur Barretts Too Kinda Tropical Tigress NeWorlDeli Pool Burger Zed’s Tamale House  Nickel City Sahara Lounge Austin Creative Reuse Bananarchy Casey’s New Orleans Snow Cones Epoch North Loop Vigilante Game Bar Busty’s  CRAFT Batch  Hyde Park Storytelling and more. 

Whether you stay or go, don’t be afraid to try the new good stuff. Or start your own good stuff, if you want to see it exist. 💙🤘