There is a cliche in Austin that everyone thinks the city became overpopulated right after they moved in. This is crazy because, in my opinion, it only really got out of control after I moved here in January.

On my first day in Austin, I took a long walk through the city. One of the first things to catch my eye was stickers posted on signage that read ‘F*** New Austin.’ 

It was unsurprising. A brief stroll through East Austin shows a fast-changing neighborhood.

Every other house is what I call a ‘Soulless Tech House.’ Two-story sleek houses with flat wooden walls painted with a single deep color, huge windows, a tall fence, a security system, outdoor LED lights, and a small driveway with two Teslas parked side by side. 

Or you have the old Texas houses built of cement brick painted multiple shallow colors, a short see-through fence, Cacti and Yuccas adorning the landscape, either a pair of longhorns attached to the wall or a mural of Our Lady of Guadalupe painted somewhere on the property, and finished off with a pickup in the driveway.

Nor could I ignore the 8-10 cranes over the downtown skyline. Given the 400% population growth over the past 40 years, I figure the cranes are a constant presence.

East Austin is still littered with grungy Mexican restaurants, eclectic street art, and food trucks as far as the eye can see. Bars are full. Zilker Park is packed. Dog walkers have invaded. Many young professionals bring an energy you don’t see in other cities.

But with this energy it has become land of pickleball. Basketball courts and Tennis courts are painted over in the name of pickleball. 

Pickleball is a digital nomad’s dream. After work, head down to the courts and play some pickup pickleball. You quickly get inducted into pickleball groups that play and go out for drinks. Pickleball captures the transient young professional ethos unlike anything. Maybe that’s why it has taken over Austin.

Austin Natives I talk to have varied perspectives on the newcomers. Many love the energy, the jobs, and the increase in the value of their houses. Others resent the displacement of the culture, neighborhoods, and people.

The USA seems to abide by the mottos: ‘New is always better’ and ‘live in the future, die in the past.’ We may be nostalgic for a world gone by, but the communities we love usually go the way of the dodo to make way for the new thing of the day.

Unlike most countries, Power is always on the side of a certain kind of change in the US of A. It’s up to us as individuals to preserve what we love.

What makes me feel most conflicted about my adventure is its transience. I want to respect what is local and be as present to the community as possible, no matter how short my stay. 

FYI: Pickleball championship this weekend. We are in 1st place and I always get 2nd or 3rd in social leagues. Pressure is on…