9 things I miss about living in Austin after moving to New York 6 years ago — and 3 things I'm happy I left behind

Joey Hadden lived in Austin for six years before relocating to New York City.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderI moved from Austin to New York City in June 2019.Six years later, there's a lot I miss about Austin, from the kombucha to the hiking trails.But there were also things I was happy to leave behind.It's been just over six years since I kissed my mom goodbye to start my career across the country, and I still think about the life I left behind.I moved from Austin to New York City in 2019. With big-city dreams, it felt like a natural next step after graduating from college.Nowadays, the Big Apple feels like home, but I think about Austin nostalgically. While not a perfect fit for my lifestyle, the Texas city has characteristics I still long for.I lived in Austin for six years. It's the city where I fell in love with photography and journalism.The author's life in Austin, Texas, consisted of exploring and photographing the city.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderI moved to Austin in 2013 from Rockwall, Texas, as a senior in high school after my band and my parents broke up at roughly the same time.At first, life in Austin was lonely. While I found my feet, I turned to photography as an outlet, capturing Austin's mix of urban and natural elements through my lens.But I knew that when my skills were sharp, I wanted to live and work in New York City.The author visits NYC as a senior in college.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderEventually, I landed a spot in the photocommunications department at St. Edward's University in Austin. I minored in journalism and learned the ins and outs of printing a weekly publication at a college level.A media conference in New York City during my senior year at St. Ed's reminded me of my East Coast roots (I grew up in Stamford, Connecticut) and desire to live in the big city — a childhood craving I let go of sometime between high school and college.I was even more motivated to move as a musician because NYC is full of aspiring artists.I moved to NYC in 2019 to pursue music and journalism.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderI've spent the last six years working as a reporter and playing music in multiple bands.I love my life in New York — it feels more like home than any place I've lived before, and the best part is that I made it happen all by myself.But I still think about Austin every day. I miss my family, my friends, and my favorite foods. At the same time, things like sweltering summers and limited public transit remind me why I chose a life in New York City.In Austin, musicians seem more accessible on a personal level than they do in New York.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderNew York is known for being home to many celebrities, but I've seen several of my favorite musicians in Austin.Events like SXSW, a weeklong music festival that takes place in intimate clubs and pop-up venues around town, make it easier to run into your heroes.In 2015, I saw my favorite band, Ball Park Music, play seven times around Austin — in tents, in restaurants, and on small stages. Even better, I talked to them after several shows about their experiences and musicianship. It felt surreal, and I don't think it could have happened in a place like New York.However, limited public transit in Austin makes it challenging to get around town if you don't drive.Austin MetroRail train stopped at the light rail station in Austin, TexasPeter Tsai Photography / Contributor/Getty ImagesI'm not a driver, so taking trains in New York has given me the freedom I didn't have in Austin, where I would rely on friends and ride-hailing apps and sometimes walk upward of 20 minutes to the nearest bus stop.When it comes to food, there's nothing in Austin that I miss more than the queso and kombucha.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderAustin's food scene is exceptional. While New York City seemingly has it all, I think Austin's queso and kombucha are unmatched on the East Coast.From Torchy's Tacos to Velvet Taco, there's no shortage of incredible melted cheesy goodness that I can't seem to find in NYC. The closest thing is the hatch green chile queso at Alamo Drafthouse in Downtown Brooklyn, which comes from the Austin menu anyway.Similarly, kombucha brands like Holy Kombucha and Buddha's Brew make other renditions of the probiotic tea difficult to enjoy. The kombucha drinks I find in New York's bodegas aren't as refreshing as a Prickly Pear or Blood Orange Holy Kombucha. And they don't come close to the delicious flavor of a Peach Mint Buddha's Brew fermented in southwest Austin.I also miss having a night out that I don't have to budget for.The author with company drinking at a brewery in Austin.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderI quit drinking two years into my life in New York, and part of the reason was that a night out in NYC is expensive.I would never dream of spending $12 on a cocktail for a night out in Texas, but that's the norm in New York.My favorite bar in Austin, Buzz Mill, is open all hours, has a huge outdoor patio, and serves $5 drinks infused with fruity, nutty, and other sweet flavors. I catch up with friends there every time I'm in town.Food and drinks aside, I miss living in Hill Country for the views.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderAustin is in Hill Country, a region of central Texas known for its dramatic hills. Compared to Austin, New York City feels flat, which is nice when I go on long walks. But I miss seeing hills in the distance like I did in Austin.It's not just the hills that make me long for Austin — it's the abundance of nature.The author takes photos of Austin's nature trails.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderAustin is great because you get both the convenience of living in a city and access to miles of hiking trails that make you feel like you're in the middle of nowhere.From the Barton Creek Greenbelt to the Wild Basin Creative Research Center, Austin has more than 400 parks and trails within its city limits, which allow for accessible and free outdoor activities like rock climbing, mountain biking, and disc golfing.Here in New York, spaces like Prospect Park are as close as I can get to feeling like I'm not in the city anymore.Austin is full of disc golf courses embedded into natural landscapes, which are less common in NYC.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderWhile I lived in Austin, disc golf became one of my favorite social pastimes.My friends and I used to meet at parks like Zilker and Well Branch to toss discs toward baskets. I've never been into sports, but I appreciated disc golf because it felt like hiking while playing a game. My buds and I would spend a few hours walking and talking with an air of competitive energy.There are only two disc golf courses in NYC that I'm aware of, so I try to squeeze a game in when I visit Austin.Oftentimes, hikes in Austin lead to swimming holes shaded by trees.A body of water the author found while hiking.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderOne thing I miss about hiking in Austin is stumbling upon a body of water to swim in. It's nothing like a beach day at Coney Island, but I sometimes miss swimming in the shade.While I love spending time outdoors in Austin, I'm happy to leave the heat — and my heat-inspired haircut — behind.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderI'd rather be cold than hot, and in Austin, it's hot most of the time.It's the worst in the summer, when temperatures regularly exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. While I lived there, it was so unbearable that I cut my hair just to cool off.But after New Year's in the city, I often miss the warm winter days in Austin.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderA cold winter makes me appreciate the spring when it finally comes around. But in my experience, January, February, and March weather in NYC is often so bitterly cold that it feels like spring will never come.On these days, I miss the 60-70-degree winter afternoons in Austin.Being in the southwest made New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado much more accessible.A silhouette of the author holding a camera with a sunset and cable towers in the background.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderWhen I lived in Austin, I frequently road-tripped with friends to nearby states with epic natural sites, like caves in New Mexico and canyons in Utah. I miss being able to escape to these places when I need a break from the city.At the same time, Austin is, geographically, in a really inconvenient area of Texas for road-tripping: the middle.Austin is in Central Texas.Google MapsBeing in the middle of a state as large as Texas means that your first day of travel on any road trip will likely just consist of getting out of Texas. Much of the state is flat, making it a pretty boring drive.New York is home, but Austin will always have a place in my heart.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderLuckily, I have so much family in Austin that I get to visit all the time. And I always make time for a taco, a hike, and a round of disc golf.Read the original article on Business Insider

Comments

Business News

First Minister has met President Trump to discuss whisky tariffs

Evening Standard

The terrifying signals that have left me convinced Rachel Reeves is about to axe vital tax breaks on pensions: JEFF PRESTRIDGE

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

Are YOU rich and do you earn more than your neighbours? Our calculator reveals how your salary stacks up for your town and job

about 2 hours ago

France labelled 'a problem child for the bond markets' as borrowing rockets on confidence vote

Dailymail

I'm a New Yorker who spent 48 hours in Berlin for the first time. 7 surprises made me sure I'll return for a longer trip.

about 3 hours ago

Reeves warned decision by mining giant to close London HQ in favour of Canada is ‘a wake up call’

Independent

Comments

Similar News

Gas prices in Metro Vancouver to jump 9 cents a litre on Tuesday night

‘The Studio’ Leads 2025 Creative Arts Emmys Night One With 9 Wins

I flew Delta One on a 9-hour overseas flight. Here's what surprised me about the business class seat.

'I'm a money expert and here are 9 things you must do to sell your home faster'

Photos: Biggest Celebrities Attending 2025 U.S. Open Days 9-12

Weekend Wishlist: 9 fashion and beauty picks to kick off September in style

‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Season 3, Episode 9 Recap—Belly Starts New In Paris

Amazon launches first-ever offer that saves shoppers £75 on Apple Watch Series 9

Calgary home sales down 9 per cent in August as high inventory driving price declines: CREB

What Time Does ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Season 3, Episode 9 Come Out?

A Delta flight to China faced a 2,000-mile detour and a 9-hour delay when one of the pilots fell ill

A former Microsoft worker has been job-hunting for 9 months. He says it feels like companies are 'looking for Superman.'

Shop £75 Mountain Warehouse waterproof jacket that 'keeps you dry for hours' for £9

9 tips for making the perfect burger at home, according to Chili's head chef

Shoppers rush for Sainsbury’s £9 faux suede jacket that rivals Zara’s viral buy

Pothole-related breakdowns jumped 9% between April and June - here's how to claim for compensation if your car is damaged by a crater

Ancestry used to need 9 months to scan census records and make connections for users. AI cut it to under 9 days.

Inside happiness scientist and Harvard professor Arthur C. Brooks' daily routine, from a 5 a.m. workout to a 9 p.m. bedtime

FTSE ends above 9,300 for first time amid brighter PMI print

9 ways you're making your wedding look cheap, according to a luxury planner

Business News

First Minister has met President Trump to discuss whisky tariffs

New Business Secretary Peter Kyle to reopen UK-China trade talks in Beijing

‘Godfather of AI’ warns tech will bring massive unemployment: ‘A few people much richer and most people poorer’

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon warns US economy is ‘weakening’ after jobs revision

Ford Recalls 1.45 Million Vehicles Over Rearview Cameras Displaying ‘Blank’ Or ‘Distorted’ Images

Chicago Bulls Re-Sign Josh Giddey To A Deal Striking A Needed Balance

Suspect In Stabbing Of Ukrainian Refugee Faces Federal Charge—As Trump Puts Attack In Culture War Spotlight

Solving MLB’s Salary Cap Battle

Want To Buy 2026 FIFA World Cup Tickets? The Process Starts Sept. 10

BTS Breaks Back Into The Top 10 With A Years-Old Fan-Favorite

This AI Startup Is Training The Next Generation Of Accountants

Injuries Like Daniel Palencia Hurting Chicago Cubs’ Playoff Picture

Anglo American goes big on copper - but will its rivals now look to get in on the act? asks ALEX BRUMMER

National Express owner Mobico crashes to record low after drop in half-year earnings

HSBC and Standard Chartered slammed in pensions row: MP hails Mail reports on Hong Kong scandal

Anglo American to quit London HQ after agreeing £40bn copper mega- merger with Canadian rival

We want out of Magnum spin-off, Ben & Jerry's founders tell parent company Unilever

My Chinese takeaway turned up cold -should the restaurant or delivery firm reimburse me? DEAN DUNHAM replies

Cheeky duty free bag trick to bust your hand luggage allowance (and get around Ryanair's harsh new £75 penalty!)

The terrifying signals that have left me convinced Rachel Reeves is about to axe vital tax breaks on pensions: JEFF PRESTRIDGE

Are YOU rich and do you earn more than your neighbours? Our calculator reveals how your salary stacks up for your town and job

France labelled 'a problem child for the bond markets' as borrowing rockets on confidence vote

Frank founder Charlie Javice cites fertility struggles, Holocaust-surviving grandmother, in bid for no prison

The cheapest 'Pro' version of Apple's new iPhone is now $100 more expensive &mdash; but you get more storage

Snapchat and Instagram are starting to chase the same growth strategy

Supreme Court agrees to hear challenge to some of Trump's sweeping tariffs

Supreme Court says it will weigh in on Trump's tariffs

First Minister has met President Trump to discuss whisky tariffs

Proposed $70B Teck, Anglo American merger would see mining giant HQ in Vancouver

Supreme Court to decide if Trump's global tariffs are legal

What Travelers Need to Know About the Upcoming Strike in France

Why Mark S. Zuckerberg Is Suing Facebook’s Parent Company

Supreme Court Agrees to Review Trump’s Sprawling Tariffs

First Minister has met President Trump to discuss whisky tariffs

Ferrari evokes spirit of 1980s with new 849 Testarossa hybrid

ALL(H)OURS Sets The Clock And Tone For EP Album, “VCF”

Fantasy Football Stock Report Week 2: 5 Risers And Fallers

Josh Giddey And Chicago Bulls Agree On $100 Million Contract

The Perfect 100% Critic Scored Amazon Prime Show Few People Know About

New York Mets’ Prospect Jack Wenninger Becoming A Reliable Winning-er

Apple Announces iPhone 17 Models—What We Know About The Newest Products

How ‘Conjuring: Last Rites’ Inspired Vera Farmiga’s Haunting New Song

White House Says It Would ‘Support’ Analysis Of ‘Donald’ Signature In Epstein Book—As Trump Denies It’s His

Ukraine And Russia Race To Deploy Advanced Interceptor Drones

Jaguar Land Rover getting 'daily' support as workers told to stay at home

Here are all the big product announcements from Apple's iPhone 17 event

I'm a New Yorker who spent 48 hours in Berlin for the first time. 7 surprises made me sure I'll return for a longer trip.

Reeves warned decision by mining giant to close London HQ in favour of Canada is ‘a wake up call’

Ontario gas prices climb, erasing consumer carbon pricing repeal savings

How tariffs could force Apple to raise prices for iPhones, other products

Ontario electric vehicle plant to reopen at less than half its capacity

Business chiefs urge Trump to ease up on immigration crackdown after Georgia raid

Shows Created by Women Rise Sharply, but Only on Streaming TV

US Poverty Rate Was Stable in 2024, as Household Income Rose Slightly

Apple reveals next generation of iPhone 17s, including super-thin ‘iPhone Air’ at keynote event

Don Lemon denies ex-CNN colleague Chris Cuomo’s claim that their ‘bromance’ was fake

Jobs growth revised down by staggering 911K — all but sealing case for Fed to cut rates next week

The cheapest 'Pro' version of Apple's new iPhone is now $100 more expensive — but you get more storage