Yes, You Should Move to Austin

But only if …


Image by Zeke Barbaro / Getty Images

If you're a burnt-out Hollywood screenwriter who wants to make movies more than deals, move here. If you're the kind of person who brings a speaker and a joint when you paddleboard and passes both to total strangers, move here. If you like golfing but you can't stand dress codes, move here. If you want your kids to speak Spanish at home and at school, move here. If you want to play music five nights a week and live in a house full of other people who do too, move here, and I'll invite you to park on my lawn if you can't find a spot on the street. If you're the kind of person who's growing shrooms in your basement but doesn't mess around with pills and powders, move here. If your evangelical parents kicked you out at the age of 15 because you liked boys instead of girls, and if you've spent years looking for a family and haven't found them yet, please, move here.

Just do it. Stuff your car to the max. Don't sweat it if you've got shit poking out the windows and flapping in the wind. And then when you get here, bringing all of your vibrance and hope for a better life with you – don't forget to show up at City Council meetings. Don't forget to register to vote. Don't forget to pick up the Chronicle every week and read the news section. Yes, move here. And then help us figure out how to keep Austin working for you and for all the dreamers who made this city the place that welcomes you now, and for all the dreamers who haven't made it here yet.

In this issue, we're looking at the latest news on several of the most pressing issues in Austin. I encourage you: Look at the bylines. These writers are gonna be watching out for you when you get here.

Got something to say? The Chronicle welcomes opinion pieces on any topic from the community. Submit yours now at austinchronicle.com/opinion.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

Support the Chronicle  

READ MORE
It's in the Rivets: The Secret Passion of Loungefly
It's in the Rivets: The Secret Passion of Loungefly
The "geeky Gucci" designer brand makes its SXSW debut

Richard Whittaker, March 12, 2023

DAWA Announces a Historic Week of BIPOC-Led SXSW Programming
DAWA Announces a Historic Week of BIPOC-Led SXSW Programming
All-free Vision:8291 events kick off Tuesday at Stubb’s

Kahron Spearman, March 6, 2023

More by Maggie Q. Thompson
These Anti-Trans, Border, and Water Bills Gained Steam This Week
These Anti-Trans, Border, and Water Bills Gained Steam This Week
Making moves in the Lege this week ...

March 24, 2023

Given 911 Call Taker Shortages, When Should You Call 911?
Given 911 Call Taker Shortages, When Should You Call 911?
A helpful flowchart to let you know when you're out of line

March 17, 2023

KEYWORDS FOR THIS STORY

SXSW, Austin, City Council, housing supply

MORE IN THE ARCHIVES
NEWSLETTERS
One click gets you all the newsletters listed below

Breaking news, arts coverage, and daily events

Can't keep up with happenings around town? We can help.

Austin's queerest news and events

Eric Goodman's Austin FC column, other soccer news

All questions answered (satisfaction not guaranteed)

Information is power. Support the free press, so we can support Austin.   Support the Chronicle