• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover the Best Things to Do in Austin, Food & Drink deals and more!

  • Things To Do
    • Things To Do This Weekend
    • Kids Events in Austin this Weekend
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

13 Signs That Austin Has Ruined You

September 9, 2016 by Kristin Leigh 13 Comments

Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue in Austin

Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial (Credit: Knowsphotos via Flickr CC)

Step off the plane into Austin-Bergstrom Airport, and the wafting scent of Salt Lick BBQ is one of the first indicators this town is going to woo you. Try not to swoon over the unmistakable guitar riffs of Stevie Ray Vaughan ubiquitous in bars around town. And if your heart doesn’t do a back flip when gazing at the skyline from a grassy corner of Barton Springs, then you’re beyond help.

I had to leave Austin for it to sink in: living in this overgrown college town is something that ruins a person for living elsewhere. While it’s impossible to completely describe what makes this town so lovely to call home, here are some of the reasons I can never hang my hat anywhere else.

1/ You expect bakeries, video stores and coffee shops to be open late.

Halcyon Austin TX

Halcyon serves coffee and drinks, and also has a humidor (Credit: David Ingram via Flickr CC)

Wanna grab a drink at the same bakery where you picked up your morning coffee? No problem! In Austin, no one blinks an eye when a bakery doubles as a bar, art space and live music venue.

2/ You don’t think twice when you’re invited to a free after party.

Not only is Austin the “Live Music Capital of the World,” but it’s a city packed with festivals. With those festivals come after parties. No ticket? No worries. If you can’t see the headliner on the main stage, with a little bit of detective work, the odds are in your favor that you can still witness a set or two later in the night.

3/ You expect an entire bar of salsas when you go out for tacos.

La Condesa Salsa and Guacamole

Try different salsas and guacamoles from various regions at La Condesa (Credit: La Condesa)

From smoky avocado to roasted tomatillo and hatch green chili, Austinites are trained to sniff out the red and green rainbow of salsas in every Tex-Mex restaurant in town. Forget the wine menu, in Austin salsa spreads are de rigeur. If they don’t serve up an array at your table, a generous spread in the center of the restaurant of awaits you to dress up your dinner.

4/ It’s assumed that grown adults can still join a kickball league.

Austin Sports and Social Club Kickball

A close play during an Austin Sports & Social Club kickball game (Credit: ASSC)

We’re an unabashedly active city, where there’s nothing we love more than hanging out, drinking cheap Lone Stars and kicking a ball around together. Whether it’s soccer, kickball, geocaching, softball, rowing or ultimate frisbee–if it’s a sport that can be played, then there’s a Meetup group for it!

5/ You don’t have to search hard to find an amazing backdrop for your next Instagram selfie.

Selfie Spots in Austin

Explore our favorite selfie spots in Austin (Credit: Mathis Kennington)

One-of-a-kind murals and street art bedeck practically every corner, with new work popping up constantly. The HOPE Outdoor Gallery alone is a constant source of visual inspiration.

6/ You never pack your t-shirts and flip flops away. Ever.

Whether it’s Austin’s casual dress code or the fact that we’re always two weeks away from what the rest of the country considers “spring” weather, you can wear the same clothes 52 weeks out of the year. Seasons are only a thing in Austin if you’re talking about allergies.

7/ You can get groceries at Austin’s Disneyland for healthy adults: the Whole Foods flagship.

Austin Ice Skating at Whole Foods

The Whole Foods flagship store in Austin (Credit: Brittany Highland)

Walk in beer fridge? Got it. Tucked away seafood restaurant? Yes, right over there. The flagship Whole Foods on North Lamar Boulevard is an over-the-top embarrassment of riches. I give thanks for this gift to the city every single time I choose a bottle of kombucha from over eight local brands on display.

8/ You can rent actual movies from physical stores here.

I Luv Video Austin

I Luv Video (Credit: Robert Luke)

Independent video stores are still a thing in Austin. Vulcan Video and I Luv Video both do an amazing job of keeping the dream alive, doling out hard-to-find films and blockbusters seven days a week.

9/ You expect to chat it up with hipsters and good ole’ boys alike.

Driving through the southwest on my road trip back to Austin, I knew I had hit Central Texas when a sweet couple made small talk with me while I pumped my gas. We’re friendly here and it’s contagious.

10/ When you go out to dinner, you expect decent live music while you enjoy your margarita. And bottomless chips and salsa, please.

Manuel's North Austin Outdoor patio

Unwind on the outdoor patio at Manuel’s Great Hills (Credit: David Ingram via Flickr CC)

This is not normal, y’all. Austin’s patio game is hard to beat. There are few pleasures that top listening to gritty honky tonk outside Guero’s while drinking cheap, top-quality margaritas and munching on chips and salsa.

11/ You expect a yoga class every day of the week.

Practice Yoga Austin

Credit: Practice Yoga Austin

In an art museum, with your newborn, high-powered and aerobic-focused, intention-setting and contemplative, donation-based to super elite. Try every yoga style under the sun in Austin.

12/ Your dog is your co-pilot and you can take him just about anywhere.

We love our pets here! Between the array of dog parks and accommodating restaurants where patios are filled with diners and their pooches, it’s low stress to bring your dog along for a fun day around Austin.

13/ You can enjoy a breakfast taco all day, every day.

Veracruz All Natural Migas Taco

Migas breakfast taco bliss at Veracruz All Natural (Credit: Edwin Ochoa)

At a food truck, in a bar, dressed up on a paper menu. However you want it, we’ve got one with your name on it. If you want breakfast tacos with savory deliciousness tucked inside, Austin serves them up like no where else.

 

@kristinmleigh wants to know:

How was Austin ruined you for living anywhere else?

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Kristin Leigh
Kristin Leigh
Kristin Leigh
Latest posts by Kristin Leigh (see all)
  • 13 Signs That Austin Has Ruined You - September 9, 2016
  • 5 Reasons Austin Is a Perfect Home for Dedicated Runners - August 29, 2016
  • How to Keep Active While Staying Cool in Austin This Summer - August 10, 2016

Filed Under: Activities, Austinot Loves, Discoveries

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Comments

  1. setting_the_record_straight says

    September 9, 2016 at 9:17 am

    Very well stated!

    Log in to Reply
  2. Michele 'Mike' Murphy says

    September 9, 2016 at 12:49 pm

    God I hate hipsters who ruined a good thing. I hate you. Austin ruined itself…to find ‘AUSTIN’ again, you’d have to start over somewhere that only a loser would love.

    Log in to Reply
    • Dr_XX says

      September 9, 2016 at 4:35 pm

      You need to re-read #9.

      Log in to Reply
    • Jason A Rains-Love says

      September 10, 2016 at 8:09 pm

      Howdy, Please go away and never come back. Thanks.

      Log in to Reply
    • butter says

      September 15, 2016 at 3:35 pm

      It’s awfully crowded here. I bet you’d like living somewhere else really well. I hear California is nice. You can go complain about Texas there, I hear they all do that.

      Log in to Reply
    • milesb says

      September 15, 2016 at 4:50 pm

      born and raised here. the city isnt ruined, just avoid rush hour and try harder to find hidden gems. the bars along south lamar arent packed.

      Log in to Reply
    • Go_Down_Moses says

      January 29, 2018 at 6:16 pm

      Born and raised in Austin. Lived here 55 years. Austin’s not ruined, it’s just different. It has evolved. It has to. We all do. Michele Murphy sounds like that old joke: you know how many old Austinites it takes to change a lightbulb? Four. One to change it and three to stand around and talk about how great it used to be in the 60s. Having said that, there is a lot more traffic. So, Michele, if you want to move somewhere else, please do so. The rest of us would appreciate it.

      Log in to Reply
  3. NurseGayle says

    September 10, 2016 at 5:19 am

    We are in NE Ohio. Two things we can’t find: Real Texas style brisket and excellent mexican food. We measure the quality of mexican food by the salsa. Nothing comes up to the standard that we got used to in Austin.

    Log in to Reply
  4. Charlie Prime says

    September 10, 2016 at 8:41 am

    I’m Ruined too.

    * No expectation of Uber.

    * No expectation government will ever build new roads.

    * Prompt food service due to THC concentrates being a felony.

    * No annoying, noisy train service except to Leander penal colony.

    * High taxes keep out smelly working people, but provide for charming urban campers and vibrant POCs.

    Never change Austin!

    Log in to Reply
    • butter says

      September 15, 2016 at 3:37 pm

      What about San Antonio or Dallas? I’m sure they’d love to have you.

      Log in to Reply
  5. 1000000suns says

    September 10, 2016 at 1:29 pm

    same regurgitated austin listicle of “dogs and breakfast tacos” as last week and the week before and the week before and

    Log in to Reply
    • butter says

      September 15, 2016 at 3:37 pm

      Try New York. Junie thinks it’s great!

      Log in to Reply
  6. Junie Tune says

    September 11, 2016 at 1:48 pm

    Don’t really miss your list but miss my old school Austin friends … I now have NYC … It is a pretty cool city that has seasons, the weather for outdoor patios and rooftop bars and I get to wear all my cool coats! Dogs are everywhere and I think great food was born here! Get over yourself, Austin.

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Popular Right Now

Best Fun Events in Austin this Weekend of June 20, 2025

Best Fun Events in Austin this Weekend of June 20 Include Jaws on the Water, City-Wide Vintage Sale, and More!

Top Kids Events in Austin June 20-22, 2025

Top Kids Events in Austin June 20 – June 22 include DRUMLine Live- Juneteenth Tour, Young Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, and More!

Juneteenth Events Austin

Juneteenth Events Austin 2025 – Celebrations, Concerts, and more!

Top Father’s Day Picks Austin

Top Father’s Day Picks in Austin – Jun 15, 2025

Father's Day Deals Austin

Father’s Day Deals Austin 2025| Brunch, Retail, Tech & More

Recent Posts

  • Best Fun Events in Austin this Weekend of June 20 Include Jaws on the Water, City-Wide Vintage Sale, and More!
  • Top Kids Events in Austin June 20 – June 22 include DRUMLine Live- Juneteenth Tour, Young Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, and More!
  • Juneteenth Events Austin 2025 – Celebrations, Concerts, and more!
  • Top Father’s Day Picks in Austin – Jun 15, 2025
  • Father’s Day Deals Austin 2025| Brunch, Retail, Tech & More

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in