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Looking for advice...Possible Relo from WA State to Austin
Hello Austin Nesties!
DH and I are considering a possible relo to Austin and I'm looking for advice from the Austin Nesties/Bumpies.
I'm a mortgage loan officer for a large national builder based mortgage company which is based out of Austin and DH is has worked for the same asphalt company for 22 years as an estimator, bidding on state/county roadway work. I've been looking into job opportunities at our corporate office in Austin. DH and I have always lived in Washington State approx 2 1/2 hours southwest of Seattle in a very small town. (grew up here) Both of our families live here and this would be a huge change for us.
Our corporate office is located fairly close to The Domain (which I fell in love with by the way). I'm not sure what part of Austin that is considered since I really don't know Austin all that well but that's the area I would be working.
We have booked a personal trip to Austin mid May for 5 days to check out different areas and really look at it from a "living there" aspect. We're staying near downtown but we are open to traveling all over the city and outlying areas to explore, we plan to just get in the car and go. We want to really "experience" Austin while we're there. We are huge sports fans and I've already purchased tickets for the UT/Baylor womens fastpitch game so we will be doing that while we're there. What other things should be consider doing and seeing while we're there?
Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Would love to hear about the area and "must do/visit" suggestions while we're there.
TIA! 
Re: Looking for advice...Possible Relo from WA State to Austin
(this was a quote from nestie/bumpie libbyann) We love Austin! I've lived here for about 15 years now and really can't see myself ever moving.
#1 - Yes, Austin has a great children's hospital. Dell Children's Medical Center: http://www.dellchildrens.net/. We personally haven't had to visit it, but I know a ton of other ladies on this board that have and can give you more info on it.
#2 - Where you'd want to live really depends on where you're working. If you're going to work south, I know Circle C is a popular area wit good schools. We're in Round Rock, a suburb of Austin (about 20 minutes from downtown), but I would hate the traffic/commute every morning if one of us worked downtown! Great schools up here though - same with Cedar Park ISD and Georgetown ISD.
#3 - I'd probably recommend staying downtown to really get the feel for Austin. Like I said in #2, I'd really recommend living on the same side of town as you work due to traffic. There's tons of great neighborhoods all throughout Austin - it just depends on where you want to be! (/quote)
Pretty much this. Although I've lived here my entire life and never want to leave. Ditto verbatim, #1 and #2
For #3 I would also recommend staying in the downtown area. For kid friendly activities around that area you have Town/Lady Bird Lake (Kayaking and ducks!), Congress Avenue, Zilker Park, Barton Springs Pool, the Capitol, Austin Children's museum. Or you could see a show at the Paramount Theater and there's also an Alamo Drafthouse theater. The bats on the Congress Bridge. If you want to go farther south there is the Wildflower center. Austin is THE BEST!
Oh, and I would consider the Domain what's known as the "arboretum" area of Austin. Although you could just call it North Austin as well.
It will be hot by then, so you could go swimming at Barton Springs and walk around Zilker Botanical Gardens. Then go to Chuy's for Tex-Mex afterward. Then go to Amy's ice cream or Sandy's for a custard.
We also love the Alamo Drafthouse and mini-golf at Peter Pan. Another fun natural spring for swimming is Hamilton Pool.
One thing that is kind of unique to Austin are the breakfast tacos that you can get at tons of places. Our favorites are Maria's Taco Express on S. Lamar and Mi Madre's and El Chilito in East Austin. Other fun restaurants are Kerbey Lane (we like the original one on Kerbey Lane), Chez Zee, Moonshine, South Congress Cafe, The Woodland, Matt's El Rancho, Serrano's, Rudy's BBQ (or Salt Lick, among many other BBQ places), and Blue Star Cafeteria. A lot of people like all of the food trailers, which are a big thing closer to downtown. Have fun!
My dad lives in Yelm- I'll be up there the same time you'll be here.
Austin is very fantastic and welcoming. Both pp's had great recs. Domain is considered N/ NCentral. I know there are other nesties in that area- hopefully they'll chime in with neighborhood info. My only addition is to rent kayaks on Ladybird Lake.
If you do move here, be prepared for the hot and humid summers. I know it's been hot up in the NW lately, but this goes on from March to October. Thankfully there's tons of great food and outdoor water activities. There are plenty of gtg's on the boards to meet new people as well.
What a small world! I work in Lacey which is close to Yelm. My office is located on Yelm Hwy in a new home construction development. Stop in if you're in the neighborhood. We are in Austin the 12th-16th.
Thanks for all the great advice. The bump/nest boards have been great. Lots of helpful ladies here.