Why Is Everyone Moving to Austin, Texas?

, Sep 4, 2023

If you’re thinking about relocating to a city with numerous advantages—affordable living, plentiful outdoor activities, an excellent job market, and a prominent music scene—then Austin, Texas could be the ideal destination for you! Boasting its reputation as ‘The Live Music Capital of the World’, this vibrant city offers both wonderful lifestyle experiences as well as the warm hospitality. So why is everyone moving to Austin, Texas? Let’s find out!

Short Summary

Experience Austin’s amazing job market, affordable living, and vibrant culture!
Embrace the unique “Austin weird” atmosphere with art galleries, street art & eclectic eateries.
Enjoy no state income tax, top-notch education & healthcare plus outdoor adventures in Central Texas!

Booming Job Market

If you’re looking for a vibrant city with an abundance of employment opportunities, consider moving to Austin in Central Texas. Nicknamed “Silicon Hills,” the area is home to tech giants like Apple, Dell, and IBM as well as many startups. The job market has been booming here due to its diverse economy, boasting an unemployment rate below the national average at 2.7%, plus great salaries averaging $51,840 per year, which makes it quite attractive even compared to San Francisco standards! Plus there’s recent news that Tesla will be opening up shop near Southeast Austin too – making this central Texas hot spot look more appealing than ever! So if a thriving job market coupled with culture matters most when relocating, then don’t forget to consider beautiful and welcoming Austin first.

Affordable Living

Living in Austin is an affordable option compared to other major cities like San Francisco and San Diego, with a cost of living that’s only 1% above the U.S. average. The housing market offers buyers a wide range of choices from luxurious single-family homes around West Austin to budget-friendly condos located near East Austin. The median price for home ownership comes up at $400,000, which makes it more reasonable than many larger urban areas.

This vibrant city provides residents with plenty of opportunities no matter what lifestyle they are after. Whether you’re looking for an upbeat downtown or something tranquil away from the hustle and bustle, Austin has welcoming communities waiting while keeping costs down as well!

The Allure of Live Music Capital

As the “Live Music Capital”, Austin has become a destination for those who enjoy live music and entertainment. With over 250 venues, you can find performances from different genres such as hip hop, country, jazz, and blues to rock each night, making it a haven for any fan of music. The city is host to some well-known festivals like Austin City Limits Festival or South by Southwest (SXSW) that make everyone appreciate even more this vibrant culture filled with art experiences! So if you want your life set up in an area focused on celebrating musical heritage at its fullest, consider moving to Austin – it will surely be a delightful experience!

Best Neighborhoods in Central Austin

Embracing Austin’s Weirdness

The Lone Star State’s city of Austin is a place that encourages individuals to live life as authentically and creatively as possible – it embraces the phrase “Austin weird” through its distinctive atmosphere. East Austin in particular has made Forbes’ list at number 7 for being one of America’s hipster neighborhoods, with an abundance of galleries, street art displays, and unique eateries dotted around this vibey area. This metropolis celebrates individual expression while still staying true to itself, perfect for those looking to stand out from other cities but also stay loyal to their own identity!

The Great Outdoors in Central Texas

Austin, located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country and Southern California, is a great destination for outdoor lovers. With an abundance of 20,000 acres of green space throughout its city limits, there are plenty of opportunities to be enjoyed such as hiking trails along with biking spots next to stunning bodies like Lady Bird Lake or Barton Creek Greenbelt that runs alongside the Colorado River. The warm weather, which stays around 70 degrees even over seven months, makes it perfect for having fun outdoors!

Austin offers popular attractions among nature admirers such as Zilker Park where you can do various activities ranging from swimming to paddleboarding all while admiring views made by Mother Nature herself nestled within this Texan oasis-like region. Plus, its eco-friendly culture helps maintain these natural spaces, making sure visitors have wonderful experiences without affecting their surroundings negatively.

No matter what kind of experience people look for, whether urban life related or just some peacetime surrounded by trees breathing fresh air – Austin has it all wrapped into one amazing package ready to explore, offering many options so everyone finds something special about living near hill country down South.

Best Neighborhoods in East Austin

No State Income Tax

For those looking to save money and have a higher discretionary income, one of the great financial benefits of living in Austin is that Texas does not impose state income taxes. This places it among only seven states across America without such taxation laws. In other words, more cash remains available for residents to enjoy all the wonderful activities this city offers, from its delectable food options to renowned music events!

Welcoming Neighborhoods

Austin is known for its varied neighborhoods that attract a wide range of people looking to settle in the city. From bustling downtown life to peaceful countryside vibes found in West Austin, each neighborhood provides something different and embodies an atmosphere perfect for creating community within this ever-growing metropolis. Though newcomers may be given the cold shoulder by longtime locals, engaging with local customs will help make anyone feel welcome. The emphasis on preserving traditional culture amidst growth makes it easy for everyone who resides here to call Austin home.

Celebrating Arts and Culture

Living in Austin means taking part in an array of cultural opportunities. The city is widely known for its live music events, but beyond that, it hosts various galleries, street art displays, performing arts companies, and festivals showcasing both local and foreign talent.

The Contemporary Austin has two locations that provide multi-disciplinary exhibitions. Whereas places like the Mexic-Arte Museum are dedicated to Mexican and Latin American artwork. There have been many public funding grants awarded to support such projects, stressing the commitment held by this city towards promoting creativity within cultural expression forms as well.

Those who appreciate visual or performance art will find themselves right at home when moving into a metropolis so highly devoted not only to celebrating but also embracing the entire spectrum regarding what can be considered artistic appreciation overall.

Top-notch Education and Healthcare

Austin is an ideal place to move for those looking to ensure a high quality of life, as it offers numerous educational and healthcare options. Four public school systems in the city have been ranked among the best in America by Expansion Management Magazine, making Austin attractive for families seeking reliable schooling. Higher education opportunities such as The University of Texas at Austin, St. Edward’s University, and Concordia are also accessible from this urban center.

Moving here will guarantee access to superior health services too – four medical facilities within its boundaries placed on UNews & World Report’s list of top 100 hospitals in the nation with renowned Texas Children’s Hospital ranking third amongst pediatric departments nationwide. As such, moving into this bustling metropolis provides everything needed for comfortable living conditions that allow you to thrive!

Food Paradise

Austin is an incredible place for food lovers to indulge in! There’s a wide selection of cuisine, from tasty Tex-Mex and savory BBQ all the way through to increasing vegan offerings. The city’s growing fleet of food trucks serves up some mouthwatering street eats that appeal to any preference.

If you’re looking for tacos, try out Torchy’s Tacos or Veracruz All Natural, both are local favorites! If beer is more your thing, there are plenty of great craft breweries like Austin Beerworks and The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co. Whatever it may be, no matter what tickles your tastebuds, you can surely find something delicious here in this culinary haven we call home – Texas’ very own playground: Austenites rejoice!

Best Neighborhoods in Downtown Austin

Proximity to Other Major Cities

Austin, with its central location, is the perfect starting point for traveling around America and beyond. The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has connections to multiple major cities across the U.S., plus various international spots as well. Whether you’re looking to take a short trip close by (like San Antonio) or go on an extended journey abroad, being based in Austin makes it very easy for globetrotting adventures!

Eco-Friendly Initiatives

Austin is devoted to protecting the environment and ensuring that future generations can benefit from it. Through projects such as People Organized in Defense of Earth & her Resources (PODER) and its Smart Growth Initiative, the city has made significant strides towards sustainable development while also fostering environmental justice within Austin’s boundaries.

Residents looking to move here will be joining a city which embraces eco-friendly initiatives like Keep Austin Beautiful or Mueller Sustainable Community. The commitment to securing nature’s resources long term shows what kind of care lies at the heart of this vibrant urban center.

Sports and Recreation

Residents of Austin can find plenty of enjoyable sports and recreational activities to take part in. For those looking for an athletic outlet, there are the city’s soccer team Austin FC as well as the Spurs basketball franchise that calls it home. Adventure seekers might go hiking across nearby Hill Country or venture out on kayaks at Lady Bird Lake.

If watching is more your thing, you’re not alone! The Round Rock Express baseball outfit along with the Texas Stars hockey club offer spectator options while still keeping people connected to their passion for sports within this buzzing metropolis too. Altogether, these choices create a vibrant atmosphere filled with plentiful ways residents may partake in recreation if they so desire – from participating actively through active engagement like sports teams leagues, all the way up until simply observing others do likewise without getting directly involved themselves.

Summary

To sum up, if you’re looking for a place to call home that has an abundance of resources such as employment opportunities, lively music and cultural attractions, plus many outdoor activities, Austin Texas is the city for you. Along with its desirable neighborhoods offering high-quality education and healthcare options alongside delicious culinary experiences, there’s no doubt it will become your favorite spot! Enjoy all this amazing community offers from the outdoors to live entertainment. Come be part of one of America’s best cities –Embrace the weirdness in Austin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are so many Californians moving to Austin?

Many Californians have been drawn to Austin due to the low taxes, much lower cost of living, plus employment options – all of which come along with utility expenses that are 20% less than in California! What’s not making them hesitate?

Why is Austin Texas growing so fast?

The city of Austin is experiencing rapid growth due to its strong business environment. Some renowned corporations, like Apple, Samsung, and Tesla, have already relocated there. According to a study done by the American Growth Project (AGP), this place has the potential for industry progression as well as labor flexibility and an available talent pool.

All these factors combine to make it an incredibly prosperous town in no time at all!

What industries contribute to Austin’s thriving job market?

Austin’s job market is increasingly thriving, driven largely by its rapidly growing tech sector as well as a wide variety of other industries offering rewarding employment opportunities. From finance to healthcare and education, there are ample career paths in the city for those looking to work here.

The attractive combination of low-cost living coupled with an excellent lifestyle makes Austin very appealing to anyone seeking jobs. This all adds up to why it’s so popular among professionals these days! With the favorable conditions that abound, it has become one of the best places around when searching for suitable positions.

Are there any financial advantages to living in Austin?

The great financial benefits of living in Austin are hard to overlook. Not only can you keep more money by not paying state income tax, but other taxes such as property tax may be reduced too! That translates into extra funds which you could use for investing or saving towards your future goals. All these advantages make it an attractive place for people who want to get the most out of their finances and still have a quality lifestyle.

What outdoor activities can I enjoy in Austin?

Get ready to experience the great outdoors in Austin with a vast array of activities like hiking, biking, swimming, and paddleboarding! All these can be found within the city’s parks and green spaces. Whatever you’re into, there is sure something for everyone here.

Categories City Guides Relocation Guides

About the Author

Last updated: 09/08/2023

2300+ Client reviews!

Tanner Hunt

Bottom line is Barrett was great! My wife and I were talking after the closing and how remarkable it was that we never had to prod for information or worry that we were asking too many questions. Barrett kept us in the loop, anticipated questions, and was insanely fast at replying and preparing documents. We will definitely be using Barrett when we move from our house.

Jon Petersen

My wife and I had the pleasure of recently conducting two transactions with Bramlett, one purchase and one sale. We had worked with Kasey Gilliam on both, for which I give her my highest endorsement possible. Kasey is without a doubt the best real estate agent I’ve known.

Most importantly, in both transactions, Kasey facilitated outcomes that we were extremely happy with. We found a new home that suits are family perfectly, and our old home was under contract within 24 hours of being listed. Both were at price points that were very satisfactory. Second, the processes throughout were handled with great diligence, which eased a lot of stress! Throughout, Kasey was rock solid dependable who answered our many questions thoroughly and quickly, and always explained to us where we were with each step and what was next so we were always well informed. As a strategist, Kasey is sharp and great with finding that right balance between hard data and intuition which led to outstanding results.

Kasey also has a wonderful team from her assistant Kim and others at the agency who helped with the administrative burden making each transaction seamless. Kasey’s network was also of great value. On the sell side, she knew just the right person to help paint cabinets, make repairs, landscape, and clean windows. Each of these contacts were reliable – we’ve already used one at our new house and will use the others when needed.

Overall, I can’t say enough about how wonderful Kasey and the Bramlett team have been for my family. I recommend her as strongly as I have with any professional!

Bob Kresko

I chose Barrett for many reasons. The primary was that he assisted me in my last
purchase. He is one of the most honest and forthcoming people I know. It’s rare to find that in the industry as commission seems to be the overriding factor for many of the decisions or comments. I never felt that he was in it just for the money. My best interest was always accounted for. I have enough experience between my transactions here in Texas as well as in California to know that you just don’t find agents like him. I would
only choose to do business with him in this market.

Joe and June Maruschak

Barrett Sandefur recently assisted my wife and I with purchasing a home in Buda. We
closed on the property 5/15. We had a wonderful experience with Barrett. He provided
excellent, professional service on all phases. Barrett is very personable and
communicates very effectively. Any time we had questions he responded promptly in a
way that was easy to understand. We appreciated working with Barrett and I’ll do my
best to refer him to my friends.

Justin and Kristin Rickman

My husband and I had a realtor we were working with that kind of fizzled out on us in the beginning and being that this was our first home selling experience we were a bit lost and not sure how to move forward. We came across Barrett Sandefur, and after explaining our situation with the last realtor, he gave us the confidence that this did not have to be a difficult process. Barrett came prepared to our first visit with an answer to every question we had and even an organized booklet so we could have a visual as well. We had a lot of questions night and day that were always promptly answered. Basically every step of the way Barrett made us feel comfortable and not pressured at all. In the end, we sold our home in 2 days at a much higher price than we had ever expected!! Not to mention, Barrett helped us find the perfect home that we will plan to reside in for the next 20 years. A VERY big thank you to Barrett Sandefur! I highly recommend Barrett to anyone who wants to buy or sell a home. We are so glad we got a chance to work with him!

Mitch

I first met Barrett on the golf course several years ago and shortly thereafter we were in the market for a home. Barrett assisted us with the process and showed us a number of homes and we missed on a couple and basically gave up on moving. I felt bad for Barrett that he had done a lot of work for nothing, but fast forward to this year and we got back in the market and Barrett was there and ready to help. Barrett was a true professional through all the house hunting and never once did I feel like Barrett was frustrated with us, even when I told him we were not going to look anymore. In fact, he kept in touch and even played in a golf tournament or two with me and then assisted us in buying and selling this year. My wife and I feel like Barrett is a friend and we can not say enough good things about him.

Eric Weisman

Barrett helped my family sell our house in Austin as part of a move we were making to
Boston, MA. We were looking to sell quickly but at the right price point given that we
were located in the 78703. Not only did we need to sell quickly, but we were also out of
town for two weeks as we were preparing to list the house, adding stress to our
situation. Barrett took care of everything with tremendous professionalism and
graciousness. He knew exactly the right price to list at so that we got multiple offers and
so that we eventually sold well above the asking price. And while we probably could
have driven up the price further, Barrett encouraged us to go with the right buyer,
someone who was not only qualified, but who also who fit the profile of our
neighborhood. He managed the entire process while we were away, staying in constant
communication, and he ensured we had a seamless experience from contract until
close, allowing us to time our move from Austin to Boston perfectly. While we initially
chose Barrett because he was a good friend, I cannot say enough about his skills as a
realtor. Should we ever move back to Austin (not an unlikely possibility sometime in the
future), I wouldn’t have anyone else help us find a home.

Ryan F.,

When we were considering our home sale in Avery Ranch, Barrett Sandefur responded and met me at the house the next day. He already had a market analysis prepared and we briefly discussed options. I was very impressed with his professionalism and always asking me what I wanted to do rather than pushing me in any direction. We decided to wait a year to sell and throughout that time, Barrett would periodically check in just to see if he could help with anything. Again, not pushy at all. I used the opportunity to ask a few questions along the way and he was quick to respond with helpful information. When the time came, I had no doubt who we wanted our agent to be. I called Barrett (now about 1 year after our initial meeting) and we met again. He came prepared with an updated analysis and we again reviewed options. We decided to sell and he started the process. I’ve heard plenty of horror stories about selling a home so I was skeptical about the process. Barrett quickly reassured us that he had everything covered and he truly lived up to that commitment. The entire process from initial presales contract up through closing took about 2 months and Barrett was professional, attentive, and extremely helpful throughout. The experience was actually very positive. He took care of all the heavy lifting and went above and beyond to make sure we were informed and comfortable the whole way through. We don’t plan to buy or sell anytime soon but when we do, I know who I’m calling!!! Thanks Barrett!

Kevin and Jordan Shaughnessy

Our experience working with Barrett was nothing less than amazing. He first came on
our radar when he sold a house on our street before it hit the market. When it came
time to sell our house, Barrett came prepared with market analysis data and confidence
that he would sell our house quickly at a strong price point. Barrett was not pushy and
always gave us the necessary data to make informed decisions. His recommendations
on painters, handymen, landscapers, stagers, and photographers were all a pleasure to
work with and truly got our house looking its best. We received multiple offers within the
first few weeks, and Barrett helped immensely throughout the process to ensure
everything went smoothly. And it did. Thank you, Barrett! It was then a no-brainer to
work with Barrett on our new home purchase. Again, Barrett worked within the
parameters we gave him. Originally, we thought that central Austin would no longer be
an option with our growing family. Barrett was able to locate a new construction home in
Tarrytown that met our needs and then was able to negotiate to stay within our budget.
We couldn’t be happier about our new home. Barrett was fantastic to work with both
selling and buying. Highly recommended.

Amy and Steve Peacock

We, honestly, cannot say enough about Barrett. Knowing he had experience with
relocation companies, and his superb knowledge of our neighborhood is what sold us
on him. He answered every call, text, and email professionally and on time. This was
our first time working with a relocation company, and Barrett took the time to explain
and guide us through the entire process. It is so important to have a good working
relationship with your Realtor, and we feel very fortunate to have worked with him. We
can only hope to find someone close to Barrett in Washington State when we decide to
buy here.

Ashley Laughlin

Barrett is absolutely amazing! He came highly recommended, and I now know why.
Barrett is a go-getter; always available to answer any and all questions, gives sound
advice and recommendations, has great referrals for other services, incredibly
knowledgeable, kind, professional, prompt, I could go on. I am so glad that we used
Barrett to sell our home! He is currently hunting for our next home, and it’s been just as
wonderful. I won’t use anyone else, Barrett is the very best!

Ryan

We recently worked with Barrett Sandefur to sell our home in Circle C. He was
absolutely wonderful to work with, extremely responsive and easy to get a hold of, very
knowledgeable of the market, comps, rules and regulations, etc. and easy to work with
all around. He had several connections to local vendors to get our house in the best
shape possible at a reasonable price (i.e., interior paint, etc.) before getting it on the
market. He held an open the first weekend we were on the market and we closed the
sale in less than 30 days of being on the market. We would highly recommend Barrett to
anyone looking to buy or a sell their home. He truly made the experience as seamless
as possible.

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