Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Georgina Toland on April 17, 2011 at 10:53pm

For better schools and fewer hipsters, you might consider Round Rock, which is just north of Austin. The cost of a house or an apartment will be more reasonably priced as well. There are very active hooping communities in both cities, with the larger one in Austin (of course). Check out Austin Hoopers Meetup (http://www.meetup.com/AustinHoopers) and Round Rock Hoopers Meetup (http://www.meetup.com/Round-Rock-Hoopers) for more details. There are classes and HoopJams all over the place! Laura Scarborough (http://www.hoopcircle.com), Raven Hinojosa, Kim Patty, and Cedar, (as well as myself) are just a few of the hooping instructors in the area. Cedar is currently teaching intermediate level classes at the VORTEX (alt. theater and bar) in Austin.

 

Welcome to Austin! You will like it here! :-)

Permalink Reply by HoopStatic ~ Chloe on May 9, 2011 at 12:16pm

I've looked at a few houses online in the Round Rock area. The prices are definitely better but I don't usually like to live way out in the suburban wasteland. What's that area like? Is it all minivans, chain restaurants, and strip malls or is there anything interesting to do in the area? Maybe Austin is different so I probably have the wrong impression of the Round Rock area, but in Memphis the burbs are very religious and full of soccer moms so it's not really my scene, but unfortunately I'm not sure I can afford the kind of house I'm looking for closer to town. I'm looking for an area that has a decent amount of hippie mamas and green/progressive/music type family things to do like regular drum circles in the park, farmers markets, family friendly concerts, etc. Think I'd find that in Round Rock?

Permalink Reply by Georgina Toland on May 12, 2011 at 2:46pm

If you look at Round Rock from the highway, you will see some suburban icky stuff. But that's only to keep the uncool people from seeing the *real* Round Rock! We have:

* TWO Farmers Markets (http://www.gtfma.com/Round_Rock.html and http://www.discoverroundrock.com/round-rock-farms-to-market/)

* An organic produce grocery store (Sprouts)

* An organic & fair trade coffee shop (Star Co.)

* A world-famous donut shop (Round Rock Donuts)

* A very casual and family-friendly cafe (620 Cafe & Bakery)

* Diverse ethnic restaurants (Teji's Indian food and grocery is my fave)

The local library, in addition to the usual storyhours you'd expect to find, shows free movies. If you like sports, we have the Dell Diamond and we shoot fireworks off for pretty much any and every baseball game. And since the town doesn't have any skyscrapers, chances are very good that you'll be able to see fireworks from wherever you live. (On the 4th of July I can see the Dell Diamond fireworks show in the north AND the fireworks in Pflugerville to the south.)

This weekend we're having a boat regatta (http://www.roundrocktexas.gov/rocktheboat) and in June the kids at orchestra camp are giving a free concert (http://www.roundrocksymphony.org/orchestracamp.htm).

Oh, and my apartment complex offers their big lawn to me and my friends to have NightSpins (LED hoops/staffs/poi) any night we feel like hooping under the moon and stars.

The only thing I can think of that might not be in Round Rock is a regular drum circle. But hey, maybe you could start one! Most of the local government is on Twitter. Whenever I have a question, I tweet and they respond quickly. Nothing but loving and supporting folks here! I joke that Round Rock is like Austin, but cheaper and with more parking! :-D

 

Permalink Reply by Georgina Toland on April 17, 2011 at 11:01pm

Oh...and if you will definitely wanna check out C.U.@Circus! They meet every Sunday downtown. More info at their Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=82633093786&ref=ts

Permalink Reply by katie ely on May 9, 2011 at 4:37pm

i'm thinking about moving to austin too :)

Permalink Reply by Georgina Toland on May 12, 2011 at 2:54pm

There's been a 7.7% increase in rent rates in Austin:

http://austin.ynn.com/content/headlines/278313/rental-rates-escalat...