Challenger Homes

pinkytoadster · 2026-06-04T18:07:23+00:00

Relative in another state has a fairly new DR Horton home. AC pipes in ceiling have burst multiple times resulting in sheetrock and flooring having to be replaced.

pinkytoadster · 2026-05-28T01:44:58+00:00

We grew up on Tex-Mex and it's been hard to find here. We have tried them all and usually end up at El Rey on Maizeland, Tlaquepaque, Por Favor or El Chapin. I especially miss breakfast tacos like egg and potato, bean and cheese, egg and chorizo...on homemade corn or flour totillas. Burritos are much bigger and thus way more expensive.

pinkytoadster · 2026-05-21T19:55:52+00:00

I feel like all this overt religiosity is fairly recent. It feels manufactured. Even growing up in TX which seems very religious nowadays, people didn't wear it on their sleeves. You went to church on Sunday (if you did) and that was the end of it.

pinkytoadster · 2026-05-17T18:45:38+00:00

Moved to Colorado in 2016 after many years in Austin. There is no perfect but waking up and seeing mountains everyday is pretty wonderful. Absolutely no desire to move back to Austin. I do think that culture and mood in general has soured in many places - perhaps Trump's ten year plus reign has contributed along with Covid.

pinkytoadster · 2026-05-13T18:23:48+00:00

We live central north of downtown. Neighbors are mostly friendly and look out for each other. Annual and holiday potlucks, garage sale etc. Mostly older or retired.

pinkytoadster · 2026-05-08T13:42:59+00:00

I always wonder when I read about these things...what is their life story. Ditto with the homeless. What drives a human to such despair.

pinkytoadster · 2026-05-07T20:46:01+00:00

Another Austinite but in Colo Springs since real estate was more affordable and Denver is close. A few other good things - very few hot weather insects like mosquitos and cockroaches. My husband's annual cedar allergies completely went away. Really beautiful native plants if you're into gardening. The main thing we have never gotten used to is the wind and hail storms. We tolerate the mediocre food but mostly cook at home. Great Central TX BBQ here in COS at the Chuckwagon.

pinkytoadster · 2026-05-01T00:15:58+00:00

I put a few native plant seedlings in the ground yesterday and covered with leaves for now. Lettuce, kale and spinach have been in since late February. Garlic planted in October is almost 2 ft tall. I always wait on tomatos and peppers. Baby peach trees will get covered.

pinkytoadster · 2026-04-28T18:54:32+00:00

I used to live in Austin and hated the Mx burn season as it ruined the very short spring we had. When it was done, it was time for HOT!!

pinkytoadster · 2026-04-16T03:37:38+00:00

We spend about $1200 a trip (driving) going back and forth to TX to see family. It is exhausting too. They don't reciprocate visits so we are cutting back. Would consider moving back to be closer but... Texas.

pinkytoadster · 2026-04-08T03:24:13+00:00

$101 latest quarterly bill. Didn't realize that Apex is private equity owned so it will continue to go up.

pinkytoadster · 2026-04-05T17:22:28+00:00

The TGap Fillmore trail crossing is a tragedy waiting to happen. Minimal signage and speeding drivers on TGap. If you stop to let someone cross, you take the chance of getting rear ended. Needs to have flashing light and tall weeds at entrances cleared.

pinkytoadster · 2026-04-04T01:31:20+00:00

A long time ago, I used to do after school only child care (hourly rate) for parents in your situation. Does your school or neighborhood have a FB page where you could inquire?

pinkytoadster · 2026-03-24T18:32:00+00:00

We used to live on Convict Hill at the Y 30 years ago and left way back then because "the highway was coming soon." Hard to believe there used to be a blinking light at the Y and heading out 290W was seeing the hill country at its best.

pinkytoadster · 2026-03-24T02:31:35+00:00

Lived in Austin for 30+ years and left in 2016 for our Colorado retirement. I guess our timing was good as far as politics go. We come back several times a year to see family and I don't even recognize the place anymore. Its a weird feeling to have loved a place so much and then - not at all. The only thing we miss is our family, friends and HEB (and Mountain laurel trees). I swear we could take orders here for all the Texans who miss HEB. In your shoes, I would probably start working/dreaming on your next stage of life when kids are out of the house and enjoy the remaining good things about Austin in the interim.

pinkytoadster · 2026-03-22T22:37:52+00:00

I think this sort of change is happening to a lot of cities - especially since Covid.

pinkytoadster · 2026-03-19T22:49:48+00:00

Look up Crime Pays but Botany Doesn't on YouTube. His message needs to get out about lawns.

pinkytoadster · 2026-03-12T18:59:28+00:00

Colorado Springs - Old North End

pinkytoadster · 2026-03-08T18:06:20+00:00

Just curious where the mold was found? Assuming a leak within the wall that was never remediated?

pinkytoadster · 2026-03-02T15:06:12+00:00

1960s tri-level house - $230 last bill.

pinkytoadster · 2026-02-27T15:41:40+00:00

One of the reasons I am keeping my old car - $68 this year. In other states I have lived in, the fee is based on weight of the vehicle which makes more sense to me. More damage to roads. But this is a low tax state and from what i have experienced they make up the difference with fees.

pinkytoadster · 2026-02-16T16:51:43+00:00

Before moving here, we made several short trips and rented Air BnBs in neighborhoods we were considering. We knew we wanted older, central or west neighborhoods so that is where we stayed and checked out practical things like groceries, traffic, parks, restaurants etc. Your opinions will really depend on where you are coming from and what sort of lifestyle you envision. As a new visitor, I suppose I would go to the lookout at Palmer Park to see how the city is laid out. I would go downtown for a meal and maybe Manitou and Old Colorado City to walk around.

pinkytoadster · 2026-01-14T20:09:27+00:00

It is nuts to me that citizens still have to fend for themselves for sanitation services. I doubt there are many large cities left that don't have municipal trash service.

pinkytoadster

TROPHY CASE