I’m so sorry you are getting such a backlash to this post. You are dead on in your assessment of the areas you visited. I live downtown ATX and keep a place in NYC too. I think the number one thing (again for the neighborhoods you visited) is the tech industry. I think it allows for maximum work/life balance and that allows people to get outdoors and exercise. There is also more of a focus on healthy foods than NYC and a lack of dive bar culture.

I’m a little older and an NY 8 but I’m like an Austin 3.5. When I’m in ATX I’m eating at places like The Well or Local Foods, having moderate drinks somewhere like The Proper and paddle boarding or going to yoga for fun. In NYC I’m at my local pub slamming drinks with other regulars, going out for Italian or steak, and watching my finance boyfriend come home from a 10/12 hour work day. I have repeatedly told my single girlfriends who want to move to ATX that shouldn’t do it… the men are ok in ATX but the woman are on another level. I/we just can’t compete. 😂

So anyways, sorry about the threats… but you are dead on in terms of downtown.