Anyone from Austin?

[RawPaw]

How's the organic foods scene?

Are there a lot of farmer's markets and CO-OPS? There are about 3-4 in Houston, but they are so spread out and far, it's almost a waste to drive out all the way.

I live in Houston and have been contemplating a move to Austin because 1. it's pretty 2. it's small and 3. it has more culture (but lacks racial diversity).

[Raine]

Austin is nice.....as long as I'm on my Harley and just riding through to the hill country! ;)

I'm in Dallas and Farmer's Market is 9 blocks from me to the southwest and Whole Foods and Central Market are close by as well. I live in the Deep Ellum area (nightclubs, tattoo parlors, restaurants, etc.). Everyone from Stevie Ray Vaughan to Vanilla Ice to Erykah Badu have honed their chops down here.

Downtown is 7 blocks west (with lots of residential options in renovated, historic buildings) and Baylor Hospital is a block north and everyone in my lofts building either takes the bus from the stop right outside the building, bikes or walks to work...most everyone is in a "professional" field. I don't know what career field you're in but there are a lot of options in this city - plus we are one of the few cities not to be hit by the economy downfall. Another bit of trivia, Dallas is actually greener than Austin in terms of recycling, transportation, etc.

And there are quite a few raw groups here.

I'd get out of Houston too....it's humid and ya'll get hurricane's down there! By the time they make it up here it's nothing more than a gentle shower.

[RawPaw]

The only thing good about Houston are the museums. Dallas is a bit too conservative for me, though you mentioned what sounds like a more bohemian part of town.

[Raine]

That always cracks me up when they think we're conservative. Maybe out in the suburban wastelands but not downtown.

Amazing Arts District with the museums, Nasher Sculpture Center, one of the acoustically best Symphony halls in the world, Opera, one of the top performing arts high schools in the country, etc.

For cultural diversity you can check out: http://www.dfwinternational.org/. There are so many corporations with their headquarters here that they pull in the best talent from around the world.

[Raene]

How's the organic foods scene?

Are there a lot of farmer's markets and CO-OPS? There are about 3-4 in Houston, but they are so spread out and far, it's almost a waste to drive out all the way.

I live in Houston and have been contemplating a move to Austin because 1. it's pretty 2. it's small and 3. it has more culture (but lacks racial diversity).

Austin is SMALL? LOL. That could only come from someone in Houston. It's sooo big. Which is why I left...but I did live there 12 years. There's a co-op, one, and it's pretty measly. Farmer's markets abound though! They're great. I'd move there from Houston in a heartbeat.

[Eva]

Plenty of juice bars and HF places, went to a farmer's market with live music etc. I have only visited Austin, but it seemed to me like it would be a great place to be raw!

[WendyLouWho]

Great Whole Foods with raw section and raw cafe. I've heard rumor of a raw restaurant opening soon (beets?). We go to the Austin farmer's market quite a few times in the summer.

I love Austin. It's grown soooo much since I grew up there, but it's still got a wonderful vibe and we love to visit.