Is 2024 Austin Still Worth Loving?
Four reasons why I think so
Ripping on 2024 Austin is hardly novel, in fact it can be easily argued that it has become a very in vogue blood sport on social media and beyond. While often done with my tongue super-glued to my cheek, I’m hardly beyond dipping into this bountiful well myself.
In fact, many if not most of y’all would say that Austin has gOtTeN wOrSe since you arrived here, apparently without much accompanying introspection into that particular cause and effect situation (if you follow me). This is only being fanned/amplified by media outlets from both coasts.
While the pace of Austin newbies rolling into town has slowed a bit recently, the fact remains that our fair city remains a meaty destination for forever home-minded humans. This made me stop to think a bit about why I love Austin in 2024.
I’m not worrying myself here with it being a Bachelorette party Mecca or having trendy food trucks or Matthew McConaughey. It has to be more fundamental than that, right?
So, here are four vitally important reasons why I believe Austin is still worth loving, even in 2024.
Physical Beauty is a Thing: There are certainly many cities with more impressive skylines, geography, and landmarks than Austin’s. But what makes ours special is how close and tangible they feel. Yes, there are still a lot of soulless strip malls and big box establishments here, and (as many are very quick to point out) blights associated with a place this size. But there are also enough cool views and gorgeous natural settings—many close to the center of town—that I feel comfortable labeling Austin a beautiful city. We boast picturesque cliffs, parks, lakes, rivers, perfect swimming holes right out of a travel magazine, and prime vistas galore. Even suburbanites in places like Circle C have massive, well-maintained metro parks and other green spaces to enjoy. So not getting down with the physical bounty of this place sounds like a big time you problem.
It’s Really Fun: It’s really easy to get lost in why Austin’s past is worth missing, but the reality is that this place is a goddamn hoot if you’re truly in the mood to enjoy yourself. Yes, prices have spiked for a lot of things, making a lot of this a bit trickier from a budget standpoint, but many cool things here are cheap/free (see the last category), including Zilker Park, more trails than you could hope to explore in a year, live music that isn’t $300 for a concert with $20 beers (I’m looking at you, Moody Center), swimming, rec sports, the Veloway, museums, happy hours—are you sensing a trend here? And if y’all want to splurge and shell out some dough, it’s easy to layer on a ton more like Broadway shows, Longhorn Football, Austin FC, or a single, bespoke doughnut. The reality is that not enjoying Austin is a choice.
Traffic Isn’t That Bad Here (Yet): Look, my bread and butter since 2016 has been selling the drama that gridlock in Austin is an existentialist problem. And while it has gotten a lot worse since the halcyon days of the 80s/90s and I-35 sucks major ass, in comparison to other large American cities, it really isn’t that bad…yet. A 45-minute commute to/from Downtown to a suburb most days is bothersome but not in the same ballpark as many places. My issues nowadays are more with the type of driver Austin has than how many drivers there are. But an important side note: Austin has much untapped potential in the form of light rail and other things that can reduce traffic and make it less obtrusive and gross. This is a very worthy goal for several reasons that I fully support. A city of 1 million should have more than one goddamn train in 2024, and absolutely has the ability to bury a major highway expansion—or, even better, route it around downtown to make it healthier and more visually pleasing. Austin can do better.
Austinites Are Actually Pretty Cool: Yes, I lean into the meme of the clueless, elitist California taintlord spoiling our fair city, and there is definitely some anecdotal evidence to support aspects of this. Guilty as charged. But the reality is that Austin is a big city full of people from a lot of places, as it has been for a long time, and that’s part of what makes it so cool. Having a meaty mix of ages, backgrounds, and geographical origins is a good thing. Sure, it’s disarming to hear a new neighbor from San Jose say “HOOK THEM” after a Texas touchdown, but at least they’re trying, right? Different perspectives are cool, even if they differ from the “Austin Was Amazing in 1995” orthodoxy. Or maybe because they do. Does this mean that a lot of dicks haven’t moved to the area? No, many absolutely have. Having a fucknugget in an oversized lifted truck bumper-humping you is unsettling. But have you ever driven in Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Miami, or L.A.? This is par for the course, and I’d speculate that we have fewer soulless roadcocks per capita than most large cities.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on any/all of these in the comments.
Yes Austin does some of the best people! I have recently been volunteering at the Lamar Senior Activity Center and discovered a plethora of the coolest people! Cheers to Austin Parks and Rec! 💚