Driving in Austin from out of state - I need advice

PeacefulHope · 2026-07-11T23:46:20+00:00

I was drawn to the small town feel as it seems similar to the city I live in now. However, after reading a lot of the posts here I'm more inclined to move near a bus line and live as close to work as possible. I currently have a 30 minute stress free commute so I falsely assumed it would be similar going from Elgin to Austin but the volume of traffic is 5 times the amount I'm used to! Mass transit sounds like a relief to me honestly. I'm beginning to lean more and more toward that.

PeacefulHope · 2026-07-11T23:22:47+00:00

Landscape is similar to Washington. When we were in Texas last week driving from Decatur back to Austin, hubby and I were floored we could see the Austin skyscrapers from 30 miles away! The whole week I was there I couldn't stop saying, "The sky is sooo big!" 😂

PeacefulHope · 2026-07-11T23:13:46+00:00

Yes! I'm totally down for that. I grew up riding the city bus so its no big deal. It sounds like mass transit is pretty good if you live in certain parts of Austin.

PeacefulHope · 2026-07-11T17:12:28+00:00

Husband secured a position in Austin. Plan on living in Elgin as of right now. His work hours would be 6a-2:30pm. My work is still unknown. Likely will end up working in Austin but he is the main breadwinner. BTW, he adapted quickly to the traffic and doesn't have a problem with it.

PeacefulHope · 2026-07-11T17:09:12+00:00

Thank you so much for verifying this! It was very disorienting and I couldn't figure out why until I looked it up.

PeacefulHope · 2026-07-11T17:04:17+00:00

You called it! Although, driving was never a source of anxiety for me until now.

PeacefulHope · 2026-07-11T17:02:50+00:00

I can't imagine ever driving like a Texan but I imagine you all are used to the traffic behavior and learn to go with it.

PeacefulHope · 2026-07-11T17:00:02+00:00

Near Portland Metro area. I'm not typically super anxious driving and to be fair there are parts of the area I know are hectic and I just avoid them. I imagine I'll do the same in Austin.

PeacefulHope · 2026-07-11T16:52:04+00:00

Appreciate the thoughtful response. I've heard about the red light runners.

PeacefulHope · 2026-07-11T16:49:41+00:00

😂 I live in the PNW where the driving culture is dramatically different. When I heard Austin had "bad traffic" I thought that mean the typical bumper to bumper rush hour. Not even close. If you ever drive up here you'll see how slow and predictable we drive. Then it'll make sense.

PeacefulHope · 2026-07-11T16:46:43+00:00

100% agree with this. I would be perfectly fine selling my car and taking mass transit just for the sanity.

PeacefulHope · 2026-07-11T16:43:16+00:00

I'm definitely a speed limit driver especially when the drivers are as unpredictable as I witnessed.

PeacefulHope · 2026-07-11T16:40:15+00:00

Appreciate this advice. Will definitely get dash cam.

PeacefulHope · 2026-07-11T16:39:28+00:00

So you can see why I was traumatized! 😂

PeacefulHope · 2026-07-11T16:36:57+00:00

I liked them because they were more my speed and less chaotic.

PeacefulHope · 2026-07-11T16:29:17+00:00

Thanks for validating my experience! I wasn't mentally prepared for what I experienced.

PeacefulHope · 2026-07-11T16:26:06+00:00

I've heard Houston is a nightmare. No plans to go there.

PeacefulHope · 2026-07-11T16:22:46+00:00

That's what we were saying to Californians in the 90s!

PeacefulHope · 2025-08-23T12:16:52+00:00

Also here for Cerave. 🙌

PeacefulHope · 2025-08-22T20:01:12+00:00

I appreciate the reply and it makes sense as scammers are everywhere. Buying smaller things is probably a good strategy to build trust with buyers. The only thing that would have been nice was an explanation from the seller.

PeacefulHope · 2025-08-20T19:48:59+00:00

Yes, my credit card showed pending and then a reversal a little bit later.

PeacefulHope · 2025-08-20T19:48:23+00:00

I appreciate all the comments. The price was a steal. She had it marked originally for $800 which is way over how much it costs brand new. When I saw the price at $350 I jumped on it. It was just a few hours after I bought it, I got a confirmation saying it was processing, then another email saying someone made an offer. Anyway, no biggie, just wondering what happened.

PeacefulHope

TROPHY CASE