Austin, TX vs. Phoenix, AZ

[imsocrabby]

austin.

[Southpaw Hack]

I went to Oklahoma State, lived in TX, been to all of this country and abroad. Heat is heat and humidity is crazy. When I was in the Army in GA I remember 100 degree days with 100% humidity and that is no picnic, let alone golfing in it... I have been in 115+ degree weather with no/low humidity and that is a cake walk compared to humid states..

LOVE Phoenix, in fact I am looking to move there in the spring/summer.

for me I will always remember what my drill sgt.'s said during basic training.... DRINK WATER!!!!

[smuthswing86]

Well i may be a little bias because i live in Austin, but within a 45 mi range from downtown Austin you can experience so many different varieties of golf. There is 5 great Municipal courses all with their own historical flair. I don't even know how many public courses. I myself have played 10 and that's just the tip of the iceberg and never had a bad experience at any of them. All well kept and challenging courses. As far as private and high end resort courses go I have played two of the ten private clubs that i know of in the Area. Onion Creek and Barton Creek which both have multiple courses and great amenities. Plus you can't be the Austin scene. 6th street, Warehouse district, hill country, anything you could want is here.

[golfingchuck]

Are you wanting to start your own business? Texas is very business friendly! Never lived in Arizona but grew up in Houston and love Austin. Yes traffic is horrible but just like any major commuting city you have to pick the right time of the day to come and go to work. I'm from Texas so i'm biased!

In Austin you are 45 minutes to San Antonio and a few hours from Dallas and 1:30-2:00 hours from Houston, so any given weekend you can go play 100's of courses within driving distance. Austin is to liberal for me but has a great night life if your into the music and social scene.

As I saw someone post that the humidity is bad in Austin, it is not!! You're far enough from the coast that you don't get much humidity, yes it does get hot in Austin but it doesn't rain a lot. And if you like fishing or boating activities there are a bunch of lakes within 1 hour of Austin to go play on.

Oh by the way, there is SPRING BREAK on SOUTH PADRE EVERY SPRING BREAK!!! Only about 2 hours at the most down I-35

[ksavy17]

It doesnt get any better than Scottsdale

[fore_life]

aka "snottsdale" lol

[theelvis510]

I've been to both several times and like both. With that I would have to say Austin. I feel a better sense of community in Austin than in Phoenix. Austin has some great golf combined with a great music scene is what would draw me there. Hard to lose either way, espically with the ladies. Let us know how it goes.

[imsocrabby]

[url="http://www.chuys.com/#/sauces"]As if you need another reason to choose Austin....this one....pwns.[/url]

[TML]

would be interesting if the OP posted his current thoughts or which way he is leaning.

[puttnforthe8]

Phx has closer access to San Diego, Mexico(rocky point), vegas, Colorado(skiing), which I think puts it over the edge.

South Valley of Phx is very good place to buy now and close to plenty of top golf.

[falken19150]

Just got back from Austin after taking a business trip there for the first time. I've been to Phoenix probably 10 times in my life and Austin only once. Here's my thoughts:

1) Economy and jobs suck in Arizona
2) Better golf in Arizona
3) Younger and hotter women in Austin
4) The "dimes" in Arizona want dudes with $$$$ (They don't want to work, they want to party)
5) Downtown Austin is 100% better for nightlife (there are 10 square blocks of restaurants and bars)
6) The scene at the W in Scottsdale is the best single place I've ever experienced
7) Housing cheaper in Arizona and will continue to fall

Just some thoughts.....

Additionally the OP said his line of work was physical therapy. Texas has the largest Medicare / Medicaid programs around. You will find much better opportunity for physical therapy jobs in Austin.

[WesleyD]

[quote name='imsocrabby' post='2045110' date='Nov 4 2009, 07:40 AM'][url="http://www.chuys.com/#/sauces"]As if you need another reason to choose Austin....this one....pwns.[/url][/quote]

I can't tell you how much I miss that place...

I was deciding the same thing only I was also considering las vegas and san diego. MY goal was to play golf 365, so I had to rule out Austin pretty quickly, even though I have a bunch of fam there and lived there when I was little. It just can't be done. And SD was too expensive. So I picked Vegas, been living here for about 5 years. I actually moved to phoenix for about 6 months, it's very similar to Vegas actually, except everything closes early and there's no casino's. To be blunt, there's not much culture in Phoenix compared to Austin. It's a transient city, just didn't feel like homey at all if that makes sense. I would stick to the north and far eastern areas if you move there. Oh, and you're going to miss trees. When I see a golf course with trees I get so excited!

p.s. I've played golf here in 120 weather, 90 holes in three days once, no problem. You get used to it, just get some UA heat gear.

[TML]

this week in phoenix, 72, 72, 73, 71 deg, no rain....this week in austin, 36, 38, 42, 46 deg some rain, some cloud.

[SDGolfing]

[quote name='TML' post='2166207' date='Jan 6 2010, 08:07 PM']this week in phoenix, 72, 72, 73, 71 deg, no rain....this week in austin, 36, 38, 42, 46 deg some rain, some cloud.[/quote]

Next 365 days in san diego 65-85

[amerza18]

I've never played in Austin, so I don't have a comparison. As for the women, I have to say that the Phoenix area has some of the best looking women I've seen. Most of the "named" courses are in N. Scottsdale, but there are a plethera of courses to choose. Plus we have the best non-major (I consider the Players the 5th major) tournament, the Phoenix Open. Just the eye-candy alone is worth the price of admission.

If you need a Realtor, send me a PM and I can send you a few guys that specialize in the forclosure market, you should be able to pick up a home for a decent price.

[TML]

[quote name='SDGolfing ' post='2166428' date='Jan 6 2010, 10:44 PM'][quote name='TML' post='2166207' date='Jan 6 2010, 08:07 PM']this week in phoenix, 72, 72, 73, 71 deg, no rain....this week in austin, 36, 38, 42, 46 deg some rain, some cloud.[/quote]

Next 365 days in san diego 65-85
[/quote]
SD is great. But I love the golf and # of courses in Phoenix.....and no ocean fog.

[SDGolfing]

[quote name='TML' post='2166818' date='Jan 7 2010, 07:41 AM'][quote name='SDGolfing ' post='2166428' date='Jan 6 2010, 10:44 PM'][quote name='TML' post='2166207' date='Jan 6 2010, 08:07 PM']this week in phoenix, 72, 72, 73, 71 deg, no rain....this week in austin, 36, 38, 42, 46 deg some rain, some cloud.[/quote]

Next 365 days in san diego 65-85
[/quote]
SD is great. But I love the golf and # of courses in Phoenix.....and no ocean fog.
[/quote]

Only one course on the ocean that gets fog (Torrey) and I will put up with a little fog on some days to play one of the nicest public tracks in America for under 50 dollars. Let's see ocean fog on occasion versus 100 degrees plus in the summer....

[TML]

what? you can't handle a 105 degree round in the summer? wahhhhhh.....j/k

You can take my spot at Torrey. I'd rather be playing at Pacific Dunes.

[SDGolfing]

[quote name='TML' post='2166942' date='Jan 7 2010, 08:36 AM']what? you can't handle a 105 degree round in the summer? wahhhhhh.....j/k

You can take my spot at Torrey. I'd rather be playing at Pacific Dunes. [/quote]

Let me know when they move it to PHX and I will meet you there.

[d373rm1ned]

What's up guys? Sorry for the long absence. I've been busy with school. I am still unsure of which place I am leaning toward. I'll be in Albuquerque for about 8 weeks and plan on visiting both Austin and Phoenix in that time period. I would love to hear some more thoughts on the matter. Thanks again guys.

[nybluebird]

[quote name='d373rm1ned' date='21 February 2010 - 09:54 PM' timestamp='1266807290' post='2268178']
What's up guys? Sorry for the long absence. I've been busy with school. I am still unsure of which place I am leaning toward. I'll be in Albuquerque for about 8 weeks and plan on visiting both Austin and Phoenix in that time period. I would love to hear some more thoughts on the matter. Thanks again guys.
[/quote]

Funny, I was thinking of relocating (in the next few years) to New Mexico, somewhere between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Let us know how Albuquerque and vicinity is (I hear the City itself is crime ridden).

I have a couple of friends (non-golfers unfortunately) who moved to Austin in the past year or so and love it. Great people, great food, great nightlife.

[Pepperturbo]

Another thought to keep in mind if those in Texas get secession granted That could influence golf and taxes in ways beyond the imagination.

[Par Fore]

Have you got a job in either location? Don't just assume it will be as easy as you think to grab one, I know that golf is important but maybe you should not put that as your number one deal maker or breaker. Get a job you like and are comfortable with, don't just assume that one PT practice will be like another one. If you are happy at work then the golf will be good regardless. I have a cousin who is a PT in the Phoenix area, PM me and I can give you some info on work in the area or even give you his number.

[BigLeftyinAZ]

I would never choose phoenix.Too darn hot and I just don't see how some say the golf is great.Too expensive to play in the winter time.I'd choose Austin out of those two.

[gwlee7]

LOL at folks comparing being cooked to death in hot dog steamer with being brolied alive in an oven. They both suck.

[acresi]

I live in Austin and I absolutely love it. Year round golf, however can be pretty challenging, mostly because in the winter here it does freeze 3-4 times a year, the ground usually stays pretty wet, and the wind BLOWS.

I've played golf this whole winter and I think only once or twice have I played on a day that didn't have at least a 15-20 mph wind. One day I went to the course intending to play and left without checking in because the wind was literally blowing 35 mph.


Austin is absolutely an amazing place to live, and golf in the summer is awesome as well. Winter golf in Texas can be a beating, though.

[fore_life]

[quote name='nybluebird' timestamp='1266820141' post='2268579']
[quote name='d373rm1ned' date='21 February 2010 - 09:54 PM' timestamp='1266807290' post='2268178']
What's up guys? Sorry for the long absence. I've been busy with school. I am still unsure of which place I am leaning toward. I'll be in Albuquerque for about 8 weeks and plan on visiting both Austin and Phoenix in that time period. I would love to hear some more thoughts on the matter. Thanks again guys.
[/quote]

Funny, I was thinking of relocating (in the next few years) to New Mexico, somewhere between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Let us know how Albuquerque and vicinity is (I hear the City itself is crime ridden).

I have a couple of friends (non-golfers unfortunately) who moved to Austin in the past year or so and love it. Great people, great food, great nightlife.

[/quote]


ABQ has some fantastic golf courses, but I don't think I could ever live there. Four Hills is a nice area, but everywhere else looks dirty and gross, like Grand Ave in Phoenix.