For the approximately 948,000 people living in Austin, it’s no secret that this bustling metro area is a special place to call home. Whether you’re a new transplant from another part of Texas, another state or another country, we’ll help you navigate the fastest growing city in Texas.
A thriving metro, Austin is the fourth-largest city in Texas, with thousands moving here monthly!
Austin is the place to be if you’re drawn to outdoor spaces, a toe-tapping music scene, historical sights, a seemingly unending array of dining options and a place that locals proudly want to “keep weird.” The unofficial motto “Keep Austin Weird,” was established as a call to residents to support local businesses, artists and everything and anything indie. It came about when Red Wassenich, an Austin Community College librarian, grew increasingly frustrated that “Austin had been moving away from its funkier roots.” Luckily, it has remained true to being wonderfully weird, which is what makes living in Austin so unique.
Living in Austin – What the Locals Do
While the phrase, “there’s something for everyone” is often overused, when it comes to Austin, it definitely rings true. Ranked number one (for the second time in a row) in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Places to Live, you won’t hear too many people complaining that they’re bored. In fact, now is the time to buy a house in Austin.
So, why should you be living in Austin? Well, the music is one reason. Named the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin offers lovers of every music genre something to enjoy. In addition to hosting the always popular Austin City Limits and South by Southwest, it also offers many other lesser-known, but equally popular music festivals, such as Urban Music Festival and Old Settler’s Music Fest. There are also over 250 live music venues from which to choose in Austin. Here’s a look at some of Austin’s best bands.
Austin is also ranked one of the fittest cities in the country. Fitness enthusiasts and lovers of the great outdoors can enjoy cycling, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking or simply strolling to take in the sights in Austin’s many parks and open, green spaces.
When all that physical activity makes you hungry, try some of the quality regional Mexican cuisine, Tex-Mex offerings, bar-b-que, along with world-renowned chefs and their remarkable cuisines. For dining with a view, try Hula Hut on Lake Austin or the lakeside restaurant, Oasis. Don’t forget to stop by and try one of the many food truck parks or off-the-beaten-track eateries.
If you’re moving to Austin, be sure to check out our Austin Newcomer’s Guide for more information on things to check out.
Living in Austin: Where to work
While it’s true that living in Austin is fun and exciting, it’s also one of the best places to work. Its low unemployment rate and fantastic job opportunities are some of the main reasons why people settle here. Austin is the second fasted growing major metro, and according to the Austin Chamber of Commerce, 35,700 new jobs have been added in the past 12 months.
The area’s healthy job market is largely due to population growth that has fueled growth in retail sales, construction jobs and financial services and trade.
Mainly known as a tech hub, renowned companies that have offices in the area include Google, eBay, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, 3M, Intel, Samsung, Oracle, Facebook, Indeed. IBM and Apple.
Tech companies, however, aren’t the only opportunities. Professional and business services have experienced a 37.1 percent growth in the area since 2006.
Where to live when You’re Living in Austin
This is where our expertise really comes into play. Austin neighborhoods and communities offer their own unique appeal. As one of the top real estate agencies in Austin, we can help you choose an Austin neighborhood that best fits your personality, future goals and budget. When you’re ready to start your Austin home search, be sure to give us a call.
Downtown Austin is the place to be if you want to experience living in the heart of the dining, entertaining and cultural scene. It also comes with the heftiest price tag and plenty of traffic.
If you want to be close to the center, but away from the traffic and fast-paced lifestyle, North Austin may be your ideal fit. More affordable than downtown, here you’ll find such popular areas as North Loop and Anderson Lane. Those, and many others, have more of a laid-back feel, yet offers restaurants, bars and vintage shops.
If you prefer living in the peaceful countryside to raise a family, West Austin will be your picturesque choice. Home to Lake Travis, Westlake Hills and Lake Austin, this area offers acclaimed schools, less traffic and plenty of open spaces.
For a more detailed breakdown, be sure to check out our article on the Best Places to Live in Austin.
While it’s true that the Austin real estate market has seen prices go up approximately 3.7 percent, it’s important to remember that Austin is still much more affordable compared to other major metros.
If you’ve been considering making the move towards living in Austin, you likely have many questions. Contact our team of Austin Realtors® to help you navigate the ins and outs of living in this fast-growing city.
