Located in Central Texas is the beautiful city of Austin. It is the capital of Texas and a lot of people move to the city each year. Residents love the relaxed and laid back vibe that Austin gives.
If you have been pondering on whether Austin is a good place to live, then you should really read this article. And we will answer you right away. Yes, the city is an amazing place to reside in. There are a lot of things that residents of Austin get to enjoy which include an affordable cost of living, wonderful job opportunities as well amazing entertainment options which include fantastic live music.
Austin keeps growing into a spectacular city with a lot to offer those living in it. It is a very good choice for families, young professionals, and retirees. Here are some of the titles that Austin has come to be known for; happiest big city in Texas, 11th safest city in the U.S, and Live Music Capital of the World.
Things to Know Before Relocating to Austin
By now you must have realized that moving to Austin is indeed a good choice. We will now go on to discuss the things that you should know before packing your bags and making the move.
1. Cost of living
2. Job opportunities
3. Outdoor Activities
4. Amazing Food Scene
5. Live music is everywhere
6. Sustainability
7. Excellent school system
1. Cost of living
Knowing the cost of living of a particular place before making a move is a very wise decision. You will be glad to know that Austin has an affordable cost of living. In fact, the cost of living in Austin is 3% below the national average.
However, when you compare Austin with other cities in Texas, you will find that Austin is a bit on the high side. That notwithstanding, the city offers high wages to make up for the higher cost of living.
You will need an average annual salary of about $70,000 to $98,000 to live comfortably in the city. Another incentive that we have to point out is the fact that there is no state income tax in the state of Texas.
When it comes to housing, you can either rent or purchase a home. For those who are looking to acquire a home, just know that housing costs in Austin is 2% above the national average. But even at that, it is still a better deal compared it with the housing costs of places like New York City and San Francisco.
2. Job opportunities
Austin has a booming job sector and this makes it a really attractive place for recent college graduates. There are many industries that are thriving there such as tech, healthcare, government services and education.
There are a lot of job opportunities that these industries make available thanks to the tech startups, Fortune 500 companies, and several businesses that are set up in the city.
One of the biggest industries in Austin is the tech industry. The low taxes and plenty job opportunities attracts entrepreneurs in the field of technology as well as technology lovers. In fact Austin has been dubbed “Silicon Hills” – the cheaper version of the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley.
Some of the most popular companies in the city include Facebook, Amazon, PayPal, Google, and Apple.
Clearly, Austin is one of the best places to move to if you are in the job market.
3. Outdoor Activities
Austin has a lovely weather – Long summers and mild winters. So what do you do with the many warm and sunny days if not enjoy amazing outdoor activities which thankfully, Austin has in abundance.
For outdoor enthusiasts and for people who love adventure, Austin is a paradise. The beautiful landscape and natural wonders of Austin makes available a ton of outdoor recreational activities that you can take on in your free time.
Some of these activities include; zip lining, canoeing, camping, hiking, kayaking, stargazing, biking, etc.
Some of the fun outdoor recreational spots in Austin are as follows;
Zilker Park: Most persons refer to Zilker Park as “Austin’s most-loved park,” and the reason for this is not far-fetched. The park is made up of 351 acres of green spaces and recreational areas. It has natural swimming pools and lovely gardens. It also provides an amazing view of the Austin skyline. It is indeed a place to be for a fun, relaxing and enjoyable time.
Mount Bonell: If you enjoy rock climbing and hiking, head over to Mount Bonell. You can be assured of an amazing experience and you can bring your dog along.
Lady Bird Lake: The Lady Bird Lake is the place to be for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboard or good old swimming. Please note that you cannot take Alcohol on the lake. Another requirement is that anyone below 16 years of age must put on a life jacket.
4. Amazing Food Scene in Austin
The food scene in Austin is so wonderful. The city is very popular for its breakfast tacos, excellent Tex-Mex, as well as its Texas barbecue. There are several eateries and restaurants in Austin where you can have delicious and mouthwatering meals. Apart from the various cuisines from different places available, you also get the classic flavors with interesting twists.
Apart from the many dining establishments and restaurants in Austin, food trucks are very common sights. There are over 1,000 food trucks in the city serving different meals including tacos and classic southern cuisine.
Some of the most popular food trucks in Austin include; Las Trancas Taco Stand, Luke’s Inside Out, Wham Bam Bagels and Coffee Truck, Micklethwait Craft Meats and Revolution Vegan Kitchen.
5. Live music is everywhere in Austin
As we said earlier, Austin is dubbed the “Live Music Capital of the World”. Live music is so much a part of Austin and you are sure to hear it at various festivals and events, even outside of restaurants.
It is a staple in the nightlife scene of the city. There are over 250 music venues in the city, where local musicians display their skills and creativity. Head over to 6th Street in downtown Austin for a live music experience you won’t forget in a hurry.
Some of the best venues where you can go to for amazing live music in Austin include; Elephant Room, Cedar Street Courtyard, the Continental Club and Antone’s Nightclub.
6. Austin Prides Itself on Sustainability
When it comes to list of greenest cities in the U.S, Austin comes in at the 11th place and that is quite impressive. The city is doing a lot to stay green, remain clean and be as sustainable as possible. A lot of Austin’s public buildings run on renewable energy.
The city plans to have at least 35% of its power from renewable sources. Plans are already being carried out for energy-efficient LEED residential homes and commercial spaces. This is to help reduce the city’s carbon footprint.
Already, about 15% of the city’s total land area comprises of green spaces, lakes and parks. You can find out more about what the city is doing with regards to sustainability from the official website of the office of sustainability in Austin.
7. Excellent school system
Families with school-aged children will be glad to know that Austin has a brilliant public school system. In fact, Austin’s Public School System is one of the best in the U.S. It covers over 130 schools, teaches more than 84,000 students and boasts of a very impressive graduation rate.
Examples of the wonderful public schools in Austin include Canyon Vista Middle School, Westwood High School, and Canyon Creek Elementary School.
If the educational institutions that you are looking for are for higher education, then you will be glad to know that there are various colleges and universities to select from. Examples are; The University of Texas, Texas Health and Science University, and Lipscomb University, all situated in Austin.
As you can see, there are a lot of advantages of moving to Austin. If you are not bothered by the lack of professional sports team or the heavy traffic you might be experiencing, just get that U-haul, pack your bags and move to your choice neighborhood in the beautiful city of Austin.
In addition to all we have discussed about the city, we should also point out that it has a high safety rating. Indeed, there is everything to love about Austin.
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