Is the Live Music Capital of the World your Next Home?

Austin is the capital of Texas and the 11th most populous city in the nation. Austin is consistently ranked among the top ten in both best cities in Texas and best cities in the U.S. lists, highlighted by it’s diverse residents, world-famous eats, and of course, its iconic venues and festivals.

 Thinking of relocating to Austin? Here are a few reasons to consider the Texas capital as your next home. 

Neighborhoods

 Austin is a huge city and can feel overwhelming at first if you don’t know your way around. Fortunately, there is a neighborhood for every type of person thinking about moving to Austin.

Downtown there is Rainey Street, the Red River Cultural District, and the Warehouse District. In Central Austin, there is the University of Texas and museums such as the Lyndon B. Johnson Library & Museum and the Blanton Art Museum. In South Austin, there’s South Congress Ave, or SoCo, and South. 1st street.

There are also plenty of other famous and iconic neighborhoods such as Clarksville, Cherrywood, Hyde Park, and North Loop. But perhaps it’s Austin’s wealth of outdoor activities that keep it highly ranked amongst the best places to live. There are many state parks and nature preserves, such as Pease Park, McKinney Falls, and River Place that offer hiking and cycling trails. There are also plenty of lakes and caves like Onion Creek for swimming and camping.

The one drawback? Austin is one of the more expensive cities to live in. According to PayScale, the cost of living in Austin is around 3% lower than the national average. However, Austin is still a lot cheaper than other major metropolitan cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco.

Education 

Austin is heralded as one of the top ten smartest cities in America due in large to it’s phenomenal public and private school systems. Austin is home to around 29 public school districts and over 100 private schools.

Austin is also home to many colleges and universities, the most prestigious being the University of Texas, which currently enrolls over 50,000 students. There are approximately fifteen other colleges in the Austin area or within driving distance including Franklin University, Texas Health and Science University and Concordia University.

Job Market

Austin has a thriving job market rooted largely in the tech industry. Many Silicon Valley tech giants view Austin as an attractive destination due to the state’s lower tax rates. Companies such as Google, Facebook, Intel, Tesla and many others have headquarters or major offices in Austin.

Austin also has a thriving startup and small business sector, with growing markets in business services, government, education, and health services.

Eating  

Austin is a food lover’s paradise. The city has tons of southern-style dishes and signature cuisines from BBQ to Tex-Mex to American staples. Austin also has tons of breweries, wineries and distilleries to try out some local flavors.

But perhaps the most well-known delicacy of the Austin food scene is its food trucks. Austin has some of the best food trucks in the world. Check out this list for some popular options, or stroll around 5000 Burnet Food Park or any other happening areas– you’re bound to run into one.

Shopping  

Much like Dallas, Austin is a great place to shop. From bookstores and boutiques to high-end retailers, Austin has a wealth of shopping options that cater to every type of consumer.

If you’re looking for high-end retailers and chain stores, try the Domain or Arboretum. If you want to shop local, check out South Congress Avenue, South First Street, or the 2nd Street district. If you want to shop vintage or thrift, check out Coco Coquette, Allen’s Boots, Charm School Vintage or Vintage Around Town. 

Need produce? Check out the Texas Farmers Market, Hana World Market, Central Market or SFC Farmers Market. Like music? Check out a record store like Antone’s Records or Wild about Music. 

Music

Austin Texas is the live music capital of the world and is home to many iconic venues such as The Broken Spoke, Hotel Vegas, Scoot Inn, the Carousel Lounge, and Continental Club. Austin is also flooded with newer and soon-to-be iconic venues such as the Spider House Ballroom and the Moody Center. 

Austin is also home to a plethora of music festivals including South by Southwest, JMBYLA, and Austin City Limits.