Life in Austin: My personal recommendations
Introduction
Welcome to Austin, the city that's taking the nation by storm. Austin's meteoric rise in popularity is no accident. This guide is intended to help provide insights about moving to Austin, TX, the live music capital of the world. With its thriving job market, unique neighborhoods, and a vibrant cultural scene, it's easy to see why this Texas capital has become one of the most desirable places to live in the United States.
Austin: Fastest Growing City
Over the past five years, Austin has consistently ranked as one of the Best Places to Live and Relocate in the nation. According to the 2020 decennial census, Austin experienced a staggering 33% growth rate, adding 567,082 residents. From my experience, I saw a lot of families moved from San Francisco, San Diego, Boston, and other major cities from across the United States.
This growth reflects the city's appeal to a wide range of demographics, from young professionals to families, students, and retirees. Slogans like Keep Austin Weird, delicious food, booming job market, and affordable living in the surrounding area, might have played a big role to bring people to the lone star state and to this amazing city and made moving to Austin a trend in 2020 - 2023.
I had personally witness this immense growth. West Campus, which is a residential area that a lot of University of Texas students live in, had construction happening everyday for the past few years due to high demands from the UT students. This booming city keeps bringing new residents, and turn families to call this city home.
Austin Neighborhoods
Downtown Austin
Downtown Austin is the beating heart of the city, offering a mix of vibrant lifestyles, arts and culture, and an exciting nightlife. This urban core features residential skyscrapers and is home to the lively entertainment districts of Sixth Street and Rainey Street.
6th Street is University of Texas's student favorite for a Thursday night out. I had a great time hanging out there. Rainey is more for working professionals but both streets have their own vibes.
But families who enjoy peace and quiet might prefer to live in areas outside of downtown Austin, where they have more space and lower cost of living.
North Austin
North Austin provides scenic views and easy access to downtown and the University of Austin, making it an ideal choice for those who want the best of both worlds. Being in the North Austin area gives access to a ton of amenities like trendy restaurants yet opportunities to run traill, parks, and be immersed in nature.
This area also has access to some big name tech companies like IBM, Apple, and Amazon. Other major companies also have strong presence here, providing endless opportunities for employment.
Personally, this is one of my favorite areas to stay in Austin, Texas. Since graduating college, I had stayed in this area due to its safe, peaceful environments. The rents are more affordable cost when compared to downtown, and it has more space. You should definitely check this area out if you are moving to Austin, Texas.
South Austin
Just south of the Colorado River, South Austin is known for its trendy and bohemian vibe, boasting quirky homes, eclectic shops, and urban landscapes. It's also home to Zilker Park and the Barton Springs Pool, offering plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities.
Being the live music capital of the world, South Austin might be the center of that capital. Events like ACL, SXSW are hosted around here and downtown Austin.
As someone who enjoys some outdoor recreation activities, South Austin has great access to McKinney Falls State Park, which is a must see if you are visiting Austin, Texas.
I also enjoy walking in South Congress, grabbing a slice of pizza, then walk to Congress Ave Bridge to enjoy the Austin Bats and Sunset.
East Austin
With historic homes, established neighborhoods, and diverse communities, East Austin captures the essence of the city's past while embracing its future. This up-and-coming area has a lot of new construction homes with big back yards.
I had the best tacos here. Since this is an up-and-coming area, with Tesla moving their HQ to here, people with different backgrounds also moved here from other cities. The low cost of living (at least before the pandemic) here provided opportunities for people to move into their dream home. If you are moving to Austin, Texas, this area deserves some considerations.
I am a realtor here in Austin, if you are looking for someone to show you around Austin Proper and the greater Austin area, reach out to me via text, email, call. I look forward to helping you.
West Austin
West Austin offers natural beauty and top-notch schools, making it a highly desirable neighborhood for families and professionals alike.
This area has neighborhoods that are what I considered to be the Maibu of Austin. Part of the reason Austin has good healthcare, is because the doctors who live in this area. Being closer to a lake and the Colorado River, homes here seems to be in great weather all the time.
If you are considering a move to Austin from expensive areas like New York City, then this might be an area you should visit. Home prices are on the more expensive side, but compared to other big cities, you get a lot more space, more bang for your buck.
If you are looking for the best neighborhoods in Austin that's for families, be sure to check out the blog post.
Finding the Right Austin Neighborhood
Choosing the right Austin neighborhood to relocate to involves considering various factors such as budget, local home prices, proximity to amenities and services, walkability, safety, and the quality of schools. Some of the best neighborhoods include Barton Hills, Clarksville, and Hyde Park, each with its unique charm and advantages.
Barton Hills is a quiet and charming neighborhood in South Austin’s 78704, an excellent neighborhood for families with children. If you’re looking for a neighborhood outside Downtown yet still accessible with close proximity to things to do, this could be the right neighborhood for you.
For a neighborhood that is just a few minutes away from Downtown Austin, Clarksville, located just a minute north of downtown, offers relatively affordable homes with a wide range of designs.
Hyde Park is perfect for young professionals in their 20s and 30s as well as people living near the university area that are looking for a quiet neighborhood. Families that have active lifestyles will enjoy this area a lot as well.
Cost of Living in Austin
Austin's cost of living is slightly higher than the national average, with a score of 119.3. However, the city's affordability varies based on factors like career choice, salary, and the real estate market. Housing expenses are slightly higher than the national average, but utility and grocery prices are lower, providing a balanced and affordable cost of living.
Since the pandemic migration, I've seen and experienced a higher cost of living here. The most noticeable is housing, where homes valued at $200,000 appreciated to $320,000 in two years, due to low supply and high demand. Other costs like food has gone up as well, this could be cost of labor, higher ingredients costs, or higher cost for restaurants to stay open in general. But compared to other big cities like New York City or San Francisco, I think Austin is still much more affordable.
Home Prices in Austin
Whether you're looking to rent or buy a home in Austin, prices can vary significantly. However due to an influx of transplant to the city, rental rates and homes prices have increased quite a bit. Rents range from $867 for a studio to $2100 for a four-bedroom home, depnding on the area, access to amenities, and many other factors.
If you're considering buying a home, prices range from $300,000 to $580,000, depending on the neighborhoods, condition of the homes, and many other factors.
I personally live in Pflugerville, Texas, which is north east of Austin downtown. It's peaceful and quiet, and has much more affordable home prices, compared to other areas of Austin.
Jobs in Austin
Austin's thriving job market is a major draw for newcomers. The city is often referred to as "Silicon Hills" due to its strong tech sector, and it continues to attract major tech companies, such as Tesla and Oracle Corporation in the South East Austin area, Apple and Amazon in the North Austin Area, Google and Meta in downtown area, and many other major corporations.
Besides tech, the medical and education sectors are also experiencing significant growth, offering diverse employment opportunities.
Major Employers in Austin
Technology, business, professional services, healthcare, education, and government are the top employment sectors in Austin. Major corporations headquartered in Austin include Dell Technologies, Oracle Corporation, IBM, Meta, Indeed, and Whole Foods Market.
Notably, Apple Inc. and Tesla have also established a significant presence in the city.
Major employers such as Apple Inc., where their new campus expected to accommodate 5,000 employees and the potential to grow up to 15,000. Dell Technologies employs over 13,000 employees.
Austin Independent School District has over 12,000 employees. Oracle Corporation has over 4,500 employees in Texas and with its recent relocation in Austin can grow to as many as 10,000. Tesla’s Gigafactory has hired 20,000 people to staff their new facility in Del Valle. Tesla has also moved their headquarters from California to Austin, TX.
Even in the public sector, Austin as the caiptal of Texas, has 13,500 employees working for the city.
As a fast growing city, Austin businesses have demand for more jobs in this area. So it means there's more opportunities for people who are looking to find jobs and start a life here.
Things to Do in Austin
Events and Activities
Austin offers a wide range of events and activities, from kayaking on Lady Bird Lake to exploring the live music scene that permeates the city. Austin's many outdoor recreation offerings are abundant, with parks, greenbelts, and seasonal events ensuring there's always something to enjoy.
Music Scene
Austin is renowned for its live music, people do call here the live music capital. With performances happening everywhere, from the airport to grocery stores, central Texas and South Austin is where thie vibrant city comes to live.
The city hosts music festivals and is home to popular venues like ACL Live at the Moody Theater and The Contemporary Austin – Jones Center. SXSW is also hosted in Austin downtown, even though now other major cities are also hosting SXSW. But just remember, SXSW was founded in Austin in 1987.
Murals
Austin's streets are adorned with eye-catching murals, including the famous "Hi, How Are You," "Don't Mess with Texas," "i love you so much," and "Greetings from Austin." If you're interested in museums, the Blanton Museum of Art, Bullock Texas State History Museum, and Texas Memorial Museum offer a rich cultural experience.
I have seen a lot of these murals, and taken photos of them. But as more development start happening in the city, some most recognized murals started going away due to new housing developments. But I am sure as long as the culture scene of Austin remain weird, we will find new murals and take photos there.
Outdoor Activities
Austinites are health-conscious, and the city provides numerous opportunities for outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, yoga sessions, paddle-boarding, swimming, and cycling. The city is surrounded by natural attractions like Barton Springs, McKinney Falls State Park, and Hamilton Pool.
I enjoy hiking trails, shooting photos of nature here is truly a joyful experience. During cooler weathers like March - June, October through December, hiking in McKinney Falls, having picnic at Zilker Park, these are the great pleasures of a life in Austin, Texas.
Restaurants in Austin
Austin's culinary scene caters to all tastes, from traditional BBQ to farm-to-table cuisine, Tex-Mex, Asian fusion, and more. The city's own food scene and culture is diverse, with food trucks and outdoor dining making it convenient for on-the-go foodies.
I love the food scene here in Austin. Since Austin has a blend of diverse culture, I have experienced Japanese Ramen with Mexican twist, Chinese food with American influence, new food trucks pop up all the time, all of these contributes to a great living in Austin, Texas.
Coffee Shops
Coffee lovers will find a haven in Austin, with numerous options for locally roasted organic coffee and espresso, along with delightful pastries.
I also enjoy having Boba here in Austin. It's a competitive market for boba shop, but it also adds more choices for people living here. My favorite is Gong Cha and 99 Ranch boba. I know. I'm kinda weird like that.
Breweries
Austin boasts a vibrant brewery scene, with establishments like Zilker Brewing Company, St. Elmo Brewing Co., Jester King Brewery, and Austin Beerworks offering a wide range of craft beers.
And just driving a few minutes west, there's more vineyards and winery that provides tasting, touring, and grape picking (during the right seasons). If you are visiting Austin, you must seek them out to truly experience Austin.
Austin Nightlife
Austin's nightlife is legendary, with districts like South Congress, Rainey Street, and 6th Street offering a myriad of bars, clubs, and music venues. Whether you're into live music or dancing the night away, Austin's nightlife has it all.
Schools in Austin
The city is home to a variety of educational options, including public, charter, private, and home schools. Austin's highly-acclaimed school districts, including Austin Independent School District, Round Rock Independent School District, and Leander Independent School District, offer quality education.
Additionally, the University of Texas – Austin ranks among the top 50 universities in the United States, making it a desirable destination for higher education.
Driving and Transportation
Navigating Austin is relatively easy, whether by car or public transportation. CapMetro, Austin's public bus system, provides access to various parts of the city. While traffic can be an issue during rush hours, the city's overall infrastructure facilitates convenient commuting.
Weather and Climate
Austin enjoys a moderate climate, with temperatures ranging from 62°F in January to 97°F in August. The city experiences a wet season in May but generally offers pleasant weather year-round, making it an attractive place to live.
In conclusion, Austin is a city that truly has it all. Whether you're seeking a thriving job market, diverse neighborhoods, a rich cultural scene, or a relaxed lifestyle, Austin offers something for everyone. So, why wait? Discover the charm of Austin for yourself and make it your new home.
Are you ready to make the move?
If you’re looking for a new place to call home that holds ample opportunities, diverse and vibrant culture, and abundant things to do, Austin will be the best place for you!
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