The Ultimate Guide to Moving to Austin, TX [2023 UPDATE]

Home to Live Music, panoramic views of the Texas Hill Country, numerous parks and greenbelts you can visit, and dynamic and vibrant event scene. In the past years, Austin has been named as one of the Best Places to Relocate in America due to its quality of living, affordability, and thriving job market.

Austin is a great place for students, young professionals, families, and retirees. If you are considering moving to Austin, this Austin Relocation Guide will navigate you throughout the wonderful Texas capital.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Living in Austin
• Austin Neighborhoods
  • Finding a Neighborhood to Relocate To
• Austin Cost of Living
  • Home Prices in Austin
• Austin Jobs
  • Major Employers in Austin
• Things To Do
  • Events and Activities
  • Restaurants
  • Coffee Shops
  • Breweries
• Austin Nightlife
• Austin Schools
• Driving and Transportation in Austin
• Austin Weather and Climate
• Austin Utility Providers
  • Electric Companies
  • Residential Telephone Service
  • Water
  • Internet and Cable

Life in Austin

What’s it like living in Austin? Austin has grown faster compared to other large metropolitan areas in the United States. The Texas capital boasts itself for its livability, employment opportunities, attractions, event scene, and desirability.

Over the past five years, Austin has been consistent when it comes to being on the top of the Best Places to Live and Best Places to Relocate in the nation. According to the 2020 decennial census by the U.S. Census Bureau, the Austin metropolitan area had the highest growth rate among the top 100 metros in the United States from 2010 to 2020, with a population increase of 567,082 individuals and a growth rate of 33%.

With Austin being one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, it is undeniable that the city is also one of the best places to live in America. The job opportunities and quality of life are some of the factors that make Austin an ideal place for families, young professionals, young and old, and students to live in. If you are a fan of live music, exciting nightlife, and delicious locally-owned restaurants, Austin is the right place for you.

Austin Neighborhoods

Each Austin neighborhood has its own unique setting and characteristics.

Downtown Austin is the center of lively lifestyles, arts and culture, entertainment, home to residential skyscrapers, and the vibrant nightlife scene in Sixth Street and Rainey Street, downtown is the urban core of this Texas capital.

North Austin offers scenic views and close proximity to downtown and the University of Austin. Looking for the trendiest and hippiest region in Austin? South Austin has everything you’re looking for from funky homes, quirky shops, and urban landscapes. The area is also home to Zilker Park where large music festivals are held and the 3-acre Barton Springs Pool, a popular recreational outdoor swimming pool in the south.

For an older section of the city, you’ll find historic homes, established neighborhoods, and diverse communities in East Austin. More amazing natural scenery, and top-notch schools can also be found in West Austin which is also one of the highly desirable neighborhoods to live in. Austin is a place for everyone.

Finding an Austin Neighborhood to Relocate To

When it comes to choosing an Austin neighborhood to relocate to, there are a couple of things to keep in mind such as understanding your budget, familiarizing yourself with the local prices of homes, amenities in the surrounding area, proximity to essential services, and employers, walkability, safety, and if you’re living with children, research about the great schools and independent districts in the neighborhood.

Some of the best neighborhoods in Austin are Barton Hills, Clarksville, and Hyde Park. Barton Hills is a quiet and charming neighborhood in South Austin’s 78704, an ideal neighborhood for families with children. If you’re looking for a neighborhood outside Downtown yet still accessible with close proximity to local attractions, this could be the right neighborhood for you. For a neighborhood that is just a few minutes away from Downtown Austin, Clarksville, located on the north, offers relatively affordable homes with a wide range of styles available. And Hyde Park is perfect for young professionals as well as people living near the university area that are looking for a quiet neighborhood.

Cost of Living in Austin

Based on the US average of 100 where anything below 100 is cheaper than the US average, Austin’s cost of living score is 119.3. According to the website Payscale.com, the cost of living in Austin is 3% lower than the national average, however, the cost of living can vary based on different factors such as career, salary, and the real estate market of your neighborhood area.

Despite housing expenses being 2% higher than the national average, utility prices and grocery prices are 12% lower while transportation expenses such as bus fares and gas prices are 7% lower than the national average.

Home Prices in Austin

When considering renting, the cost of a residence primarily depends on the size of the home. Typically, a studio will cost around $867, a one-bedroom $1200, a two-bedroom $1400, a three-bedroom $1800 and up to $2100 for a 4-bedroom home.

Thinking of buying a home in Austin, TX? The cost of a single-family home can vary greatly depending on the location, with prices ranging from $400,000 to $580,000. However, waterfront homes and downtown condos can be significantly more expensive, with prices sometimes reaching over $4 million. To give you an idea of homes within these price ranges, check out our home search!

Jobs in Austin

One of the reasons why people are moving to Austin is because of the employment opportunities available in the area. Austin has one of the strongest job markets with the tech sector thriving in the area making Austin earn its nickname Silicon Hills. 

There are also several large tech companies moving to Austin. In 2020, Tesla announced the construction of its Gigafactory in Del Valle; while Oracle Corporation stated that it will be relocating its headquarter from California to the Texas capital. Aside from tech, the medical and education sectors are continuously growing as well.

Generally, Austin is a great city to work in even if you’re not in the tech field! Tech is a huge influence on most businesses in the area which provides them a cutting-edge wherever the industry you work at.

Major Employers in Austin

Technology, business, professional services, healthcare, education, and government are the top employment sectors in the Austin area. There are many corporations headquartered in Austin, especially tech companies. Large corporations headquartered in Austin include Ascension Seton Healthcare, Dell Technologies, Oracle Corporation, Samsung Austin Semiconductor, Indeed, and Whole Foods Market.

Major employers in Austin include Apple Inc., where their new campus expected to open in 2022 will accommodate 5,000 employees and the potential to grow up to 15,000. Dell Technologies employs over 13,00 employees. 

Austin Independent School District has over 12,000 employees. Oracle Corporation has over 4,500 employees in Texas and with its recent relocation in Austin can grow to as many as 10,000. Tesla’s Gigafactory has planned to hire 5,000 people to staff their new facility in Del Valle. Tesla has also moved their headquarters from California to Austin, TX.

Things to Do in Austin

Austin is a paradise for people that are fond of music, entertainment, and outdoor attractions. You’ll never run out of entertainment and relaxation places to visit too. Austin is a city renowned for more than just its music scene, with quirky coffee shops, food, parks, greenbelts, seasonal activities, and annual music festivals.

Events and Activities

There are plenty of events and activities in Austin. Watch the sunrise and sunset at Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin. This outdoor destination located downtown offers kayak, paddleboard, and canoe rentals as well as a 10-mile hike and bike trail.

Music Scene

Austin’s music scene is one of the things you’ll want to look forward to in the area. There is live music everywhere you go in Austin. From the airport to grocery stores to the entertainment districts in Downtown Austin, live music follows you wherever you’re at. The live music in Austin is huge making it a haven for fans of music with different genres.

Looking for events venus in downtown? Catch ACL Live at the Moody Theater, the longest-running music series on American TV. It’s also a popular venue for live performances. Get to see contemporary art from all over the world in The Contemporary Austin – Jones Center, a 5,000 sqft museum with multiple exhibitions.

Murals

Snap a photo for your Instagram at various murals in Austin, Hi, How Are You, Don’t Mess with Texas, i love you so much, and Greetings from Austin are some of the popular murals located in downtown and Central Austin. if you are looking for museums, Austin has The Blanton Museum of Art which consists of European paintings and contemporary American and Latin art, Bullock Texas State History Museum located across the Blanton, and Texas Memorial Museum, Austin’s first science museum including dinosaurs, fossils, and science exhibits.

Outdoor Activities

Austinites value their health and fitness which is made the city one of the fittest and healthiest cities in America. You’ll be able to find plenty of workout options in Austin from hiking and biking trails to outdoor yoga sessions, gyms, paddle-boarding, swimming, and cycling. The environment is perfect for keeping or getting in shape, especially with the number of walkable neighborhoods surrounding the area.

There are incredible natural attractions in Austin you’ll surely love. You can take your significant other to watch the sunset or hike and bike at the Greenbelt. Swimming holes are the best destinations to beat the heat in Austin. Some attractions are Barton Springs, McKinney Falls State Park, Jacob’s Well, Hamilton Pool in Dripping Springs, and the Inner Space Cavern!

Some of the most anticipated events in Austin are South by Southwest (SXSW) with venues throughout Austin, Austin City Limits, and Trail of Lights in Zilker Park.

Restaurants in Austin

Foodies will absolutely love Austin. Whether it’s the traditional BBQ, farm-to-table sourced ingredients, Tex-Mex, Asian fusion, and specialties by top chefs and personalities in the kitchen, you can find everything you’re looking for in Austin.

From food trucks to fine and casual dining, Austin is a certified foodie-approved city. Aside from BBQ, there are plenty of restaurants in the area that offers fusion cuisine. Experience outdoor dining at its best in Austin and enjoy the natural views it has to offer. The city also has a massive number of food trucks making it convenient for those that are always on the go!

Brunch out at Patika, enjoy the Asian-fusion cuisine in Loro, visit the most popular restaurant in town that serves seasonal fare on a modern patio at Odd Duck. Stop into the award-winning cafe for New American cuisine at the Launderette, get some hot authentic soul food of Japan at Ramen Tatsu-ya, or dine al fresco while sipping mimosas at Blue Dahlia.

Coffee Shops

Nothing beats a hot or cold cup of coffee any time of the day. When it comes to finding the perfect blend, you have plenty of options in Austin. Find locally roasted organic coffee and espresso, fresh paninis, and delicious salads at Mary’s Cafe. Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery, an old-fashioned bakery, and coffeehouse can be found at Hyde Park in Central Austin. 

Get your coffee fix at Cosmic Coffee and Beer Garden and check out their raised garden and chicken run, you can also get some delicious eats with the food trucks nearby. After snapping a photo from the iconic i love you so much mural, grab an Iced Turbo at Jo’s Coffee. Head over to Easy Tiger for some scrumptious pastries and some oh-so-good coffee to get you hyped up throughout your day.

Breweries

Zilker Brewing Company offers a wide variety of beers and a nice selection of both classic and experimental varieties. At St. Elmo Brewing Co., you’ll find plenty of delicious local beers for all. Along with a bar, beer hall, and beer garden for visitors, it’s where you can enjoy live music with your friends or community pint nights! 

At Jester King Brewery, they make wild ales and fermented beers that reflect the unique characteristics of the Texas Hill Country location. Why not indulge in a tasty, hot pizza at Austin’s Beer Garden Brewing Co. while having a good pint of beer with your friends? 

Take a sample of Austin Beerworks’ core four beers where you’ll find your taste buds refreshed any time of the year. From brewpubs to breweries, there are plenty of options for beer lovers in Austin.

Austin Nightlife

Nothing beats Austin’s nightlife from Downtown to East Austin. The nightlife in South Congress, Rainey Street, and the famous 6th Street are some places you’ll want to first visit for the true Austin nightlife experience. There are plenty of bars, clubs, and music venues that can be found in the area. There’s definitely no shortage of nightlife wherever you go.

Warehouse District is one of the best places to go for nightlife. It has everything that you could ever want from food, live music, dancing and more. 

Rainey Street is a block of bars, restaurants. In the past few years, Rainey Street has been one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in Austin. Not only are people drawn to its nightlife, but it’s also a popular area for housing. Sixth Street is home to a number of bars, restaurants, theaters, and music venues. If you’re not into music but want to party all night, then there are plenty of clubs that play hip-hop and electronic music until midnight.

If you are looking for a place to dance the night away then head to one of the many nightclubs in Austin. If you want live music and drinks then check out some of the live music venues or bars located around town.

Schools in Austin

Austin is a great place for families to live and grow their children. There are many public, charter, private, and home schools that can meet the needs of any family. The highly-acclaimed school districts and education in the area are also one of the reasons why families are moving to Austin.

The Independent School Districts in Austin serve about 50,000 students from preschool to twelfth grade. The three largest Independent School Districts in Austin Independent School District, Round Rock Independent School District, the Leander Independent School District. Austin Independent School District is the largest school district in the whole state of Texas that has more than 125 schools and a total of 82,000 students.

The University of Texas – Austin is one of the best universities and ranked among the top 50 universities in America. There are also other colleges like Austin Community College, St. Edward’s University, and Huston-Tillotson University.

Driving and Transportation

Driving around ATX is mostly done by driving through public transportation is also another way to get around the city. From the airport, there are plenty of car rentals in the area or you can also book an Uber or Lyft. The CapMetro is Austin’s public bus system with over 3,000 stops and 53 routes. There may be traffic in the city where your 30-minute drive can turn into an hour during rush hour.

Weather and Climate

Compared to Houston and Dallas, Austin has more moderate weather. You can relatively expect moderate temperatures although come July and August, temperatures can reach up to 100+ degrees. Some fast climate facts about Austin from TripSavvy: Hottest Month: August (97 F / 36 C), Coldest month: January (62 F / 16 C), Wettest Month: May (5.0 inches).

Utility Providers in Austin

As you move to Austin, don’t forget to make sure you’re familiar with the different utlity providers to ensure that you have what you need in your new home. Here are some of the utility providers in Austin, TX.

Electric and Gas Service Utilities

Residential Telephone Service

Water

Internet and Cable

Are you ready to make the move?

If you’re looking for a new place to call home that holds ample opportunities, diverse culture, and abundant things to do, Austin will be the best place for you!

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