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, delicious locally-owned restaurants, Austin is the right place for you.
Want to know more about the city? We listed down the top 10 things you need to know before moving to Austin. Let’s get into it.
1. Live Capital Music of the World
Austin’s music scene is one of the things you’ll want to look forward to 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.
2. Best Food Scene
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 nature 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!
3. Tech Town
The tech industry in Austin is continuously growing wherein the city earned the nickname Silicon Hills due to the various small tech startups and large established tech companies building campuses in the area. Apple, Oracle, and Tesla Gigafactory are the newly announced companies that are building campuses within the grounds of Austin. Google, Facebook, AMD, PayPal, Dell, Intel, are some of the popular tech companies that are in the area. Aside from that, generally, Austin is a great city to work at 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 industry you work at.
4. Vibrant Event Scene
There are plenty of music festivals in Austin every year. Austin City Limits is one of the largest festivals in Austin that is held at Zilker Park which happens on two weekends with over a hundred artists gather. South by Southwest is also the biggest live music event in Austin with 2,000 bands and artists gather for in more than 100 stages in Central Austin. Mid-February, the Austin Marathon takes place. Food and wine festivals take place in the area as well.
5. The 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.
6. Warm Weather
Compared to Houston and Dallas, Austin has more moderate weather. You can relatively expect moderate temperature 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).
7. College Town
Austin is not just a place for professionals and millennials to be at. The city is also one of the biggest college towns in the country. University of Texas – Austin and St. Edwards University are among the several universities that offer quality education and plays a big role in Austin.
8. Fitness Friendly
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.
9. Getting Around
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.
10. Lakes, Parks, and Swimming Holes
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!
If you’re looking for more information on moving to Austin, check out our other resources here!
