Finding a local Austinite is a rarity. In a city full of transplants, it’s often difficult to find people who have been here for even 10 years, let alone their entire lives. Each tried-and-true Austinite has a series of quirky traits. These are 11 legitimate signs that you grew up in Austin.
- People call you a unicorn.
Earl McGehee/Flickr Austin locals are as rare as mystical unicorns. When people spot them, they want to savor the moment and pick their brain about this fair city.
- You have several photos taken with Leslie
Clay Junell/Flickr Full of life and unapologetically herself, Leslie was a ray of sunshine. Those of you who grew up in Austin were hopefully lucky enough to meet her in person.
- You remember when Austin was truly weird.
Sean Davis/Flickr And you lovingly long for the days when rent was cheap and traffic was rare.
- You still have your ticket stubs from Willie Nelson concerts.
Bob Jagendorf/Flickr Bonus points if some of those shows were at The Armadillo.
- You have at least three breakfast tacos every week.
Tom Ipri/Flickr Austinites’ love for breakfast tacos knows no bounds. It’s hard to feel like yourself without a few migas tacos in the morning.
- You long for the days when you could see the capitol from every angle of the city.
David Ingram/Flickr For a while, it was illegal to build a skyscraper taller than the Texas State Capitol. This meant that, everywhere you looked, you could catch a glimpse of pure, Texas pride. Today’s skyline is hardly recognizable from what it was even 10 years ago.
- You avoid SXSW like the plague.
Ian Aberle/Flickr After a while, the appeal of this massive festival loses its luster. Long time locals prefer to call this annual shindig “South By So What.” If you’re truly lucky, you can leave town for the week and rent out your home for some extra cash.
- Your home is full of instruments
South Austin Music/Facebook The love of music slips into your veins when you grow up in Austin. Chances are, an Austinite’s home is covered with guitars, mandolins, keyboards, and cajons.
- You still call the Texas-Colorado River “Town Lake”
J Dimas/Flickr Yes, the name was changed to Lady Bird Lake, but old habits die hard.
- As you drive across town, you can’t help but reminisce about all the places that came and went.
K B/Flickr It may even bring a tear to your eye.
- Even with all of the change, you couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.
David Ingram/Flickr You’ll always be an Austin unicorn.
Are you an Austin unicorn? How long have you lived in Texas’ capital city?
Earl McGehee/Flickr
Austin locals are as rare as mystical unicorns. When people spot them, they want to savor the moment and pick their brain about this fair city.
Clay Junell/Flickr
Full of life and unapologetically herself, Leslie was a ray of sunshine. Those of you who grew up in Austin were hopefully lucky enough to meet her in person.
Sean Davis/Flickr
And you lovingly long for the days when rent was cheap and traffic was rare.
Bob Jagendorf/Flickr
Bonus points if some of those shows were at The Armadillo.
Tom Ipri/Flickr
Austinites’ love for breakfast tacos knows no bounds. It’s hard to feel like yourself without a few migas tacos in the morning.
David Ingram/Flickr
For a while, it was illegal to build a skyscraper taller than the Texas State Capitol. This meant that, everywhere you looked, you could catch a glimpse of pure, Texas pride. Today’s skyline is hardly recognizable from what it was even 10 years ago.
Ian Aberle/Flickr
After a while, the appeal of this massive festival loses its luster. Long time locals prefer to call this annual shindig “South By So What.” If you’re truly lucky, you can leave town for the week and rent out your home for some extra cash.
South Austin Music/Facebook
The love of music slips into your veins when you grow up in Austin. Chances are, an Austinite’s home is covered with guitars, mandolins, keyboards, and cajons.
J Dimas/Flickr
Yes, the name was changed to Lady Bird Lake, but old habits die hard.
K B/Flickr
It may even bring a tear to your eye.
You’ll always be an Austin unicorn.
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