People claim everything is bigger and better in Texas. Well, the city of Austin is no exception. Moving to Austin is a good way to cut down on living costs. The city is full of southern charm, endless free adventures, and new experiences. Moving to a new city can be scary at first, but it doesn’t have to be. We’re here to give the top 10 reasons why you should move to Austin, Texas.
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The Capital City
Austin is the capital city of Texas. Founded in 1839, the city started as the national capital when Texas was known as the Republic of Texas. Later in 1846, Austin remained the capital when Texas officially became a state.
The city has been home to three different capitol buildings. The first capitol building was a simple two-room log cabin. The second capitol building was built in 1856 and burned down in 1881. The current capitol building was built in the late 1880s and is still home to the Texas Legislature.
If you are looking to move to a city full of governmental history, Austin is the city for you.
Education Opportunities
Moving to Austin, Texas will open the door to many education opportunities. The city has both K-12 schools and colleges. It’s the perfect city for families and anyone wanting to further their education.
K-12 Schools
There are nineteen different school districts in and surrounding Austin. These districts have a combination of public, private, and charter schools.
The largest school district is the Austin Independent School District. It’s home to over 73,000 students and ranked as the 8th largest district in Texas. The district has 116 schools including pre-K, middle school, high school, early college, and alternative schools.
Austin Independent School District has a 93% graduation rate. They also have an average SAT score of 1042, which is higher than the state average. As a diverse school district, the school has programs for bilingual students, special needs, and diverse learners.
Colleges
If you are looking to further your education, look no further. Austin is home to three different private colleges and one public university. All four of these colleges are four-year institutions.
The public college is the University of Texas at Austin. The Longhorns are the #1 public college in Texas. In addition, they’re ranked in the top 40 best universities in the world. With over 170 fields of study, they have something for everyone.
Live Music Capital of the World
Calling all music lovers, Austin is the city for you. Dubbed the “Live Music Capital of the World,” you will constantly be surrounded by music. You will hear music at coffee shops, stores, on the street, venues, and countless other places.
6th Street is the place to be Thursday to Saturday nights. They close the street to traffic because it’s packed with people instead. The street is full of different live bands and cheap food and drinks. This street is perfect for a night out on the town.
Growing Job Market
The Austin, Texas job market is currently on the rise. In the last year, 56,000 jobs were added which is a 4.4% increase. The unemployment rate in turn decreased to only 3%.
The average salary in Austin is $60,260, which is higher than the national average. This will help balance out the cost of moving to Austin. The city is home to many big corporations. Some top employers are Apple, Whole Foods Market, and The University of Texas at Austin.
Moving to Austin will give you many choices in the job market!
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Eco-Friendly Living
Being eco-friendly is becoming more common in bigger cities such as Austin. The city has four neighborhoods that are known for eco-friendly living. All these areas use sustainable building materials and renewable energy sources.
Texas is the perfect state to focus on solar energy. With all the sunny days, using solar panels is a breeze. Moving to eco-friendly Austin can help cut down on your energy costs and help the environment.
City and Country Living
Whether you are a city person or made for being in nature, Austin has you covered. There is a mix of city sidewalks and worn-down walking trails waiting for you to explore. Moving to Austin will provide you with the best of both worlds.
Life in the City
City living can be a lot of fun in Austin, Texas. They have countless malls, shopping plazas, and local boutiques. Your shopping sprees will be endless.
The city also has many attractions you can visit. Most of these places are within walking distance from each other. Here are some of the top places to visit in downtown Austin.
- Austin Toy Museum
- Blanton Museum of Art
- SFC Farmers Market
- Museum of the Weird
- Paramount Theater
Life in Nature
Nature is also everywhere in the city of Austin. They have areas to enjoy the outdoors both on land and water.
Here are some of the best water areas to go swimming, kayaking, boating, or sunbathing in Austin.
- Barton Springs
- Lady Bird Lake
- Lake Austin
There are also many different areas to walk and bike around in Austin, including…
- Congress Avenue Bridge
- Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Diverse Neighborhoods
Austin has a diverse variety of neighborhoods to choose from. From places in the heart of the town to areas to raise your kids, there is a place for you. A lot of the neighborhoods in Austin are very cost-friendly to move to. There are many great homes to buy or rent no matter your financial standing.
The downtown area is always full of life. If you want to be in the middle of everything this is the area for you. You’ll be within walking distance of all the shops, restaurants, and nightlife.
East Austin is one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods. This area is full of different cultures and history. It’s perfect if you want to be on the edge of the city, yet still within walking distance of the shops.
West Austin is perfect if you want to live on the quiet outskirts of the city. The rolling green hills are an amazing place to raise a family. There are also great schools near the area.
South Austin has a little bit of everything. The area is full of different neighborhoods, both modern and historical. They’re also partially in the city and the country. This area has something for everyone!
Multi-Cultural Cuisine
For all the foodies out there, Austin has a vast variety of different cuisines. The two main food styles in Texas are BBQ and Tex-Mex. While they’re two very different styles of cooking, both are very popular.
Some of the best Tex-Mex restaurants in Austin include…
- Matt’s el Rancho
- Juan in a Million
- Polvos
If you are looking for BBQ, Austin’s popular restaurants are…
- La Barbecue
- Country Line of the Hill
- Franklins Barbecue
Weather
Don’t let the southern location fool you, Austin, Texas still gets all four seasons. However, their year-round temperate range is usually between 43°F to 97°F. While they sometimes get snow, it’s very rare for them to drop below freezing for more than a few days each year. You won’t have to worry too much about shoveling your walkway!
Austin does occasionally experience heat waves, but summer weather typically stays in the mid to high 90’s. Once you get used to the heat, you’ll enjoy being able to spend time in the sun. If it gets too hot, that’s the perfect reason to take a dip in the pool!
Texas Hospitality
Texas is well known for its southern hospitality, and Austin is no exception. The state is well known for its love of food and social gatherings. Social gatherings range from backyard BBQs to town festivals, making everyone feel at home.
Texas lives very true to its stereotypes about politeness. Be prepared to be called “sir” or “ma’am” by everyone you meet. Also, don’t be surprised if the person in front of you waits and holds the door for you. Chivalry is still very popular in the state.
Conclusion
Moving to Austin, Texas comes with many benefits. The Texas state capital is perfect for history lovers. There are also education opportunities to fit everyone’s needs. In addition, the job market is continuously on the rise with a variety of openings.
There are also diverse neighborhoods you can live in. Many of these homes are also eco-friendly. You can also choose either city life, life out in nature, or a mix of both! Moving to Austin is also very cost-friendly, no matter which lifestyle you want.
Austin is also perfect for both foodies and music lovers. There are plenty of fun places to visit from the various cuisines to the outdoor venues. There are also a bunch of beautiful weather days making it easy to take part in local festivals and gatherings.
If you want to be part of a neighborly southern community, Austin is for you. Texas hospitality cannot be matched!
Jessica is a students at the University of Northern Iowa. She is majoring in English Education with a creative writing minor. In her free time she loves to read books of every genre, write short stories, and spend time with friends. In the future she hopes to share her love for reading and writing with her future students.
