Texas has a reputation for being a conservative haven, full of cowboys and oil tycoons. However, Austin, despite being the capital city, remains one of its more liberal when it comes to both local politics and lifestyle acceptance. While it may have something to do with the consistently low cost of living, the university, and, of course, the unofficial city motto, keep Austin weird, there is no denying that living in Austin, Texas is great for people from all walks of life.
And yes this liberal and laid back attitude may be a major draw for many, there are plenty of other perks and advantages of Texas living. Let’s look at ten great reasons why you should consider moving to Austin.
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1. Low Cost of Living
We mentioned this earlier, but it is important to go over in a little more depth. Austin’s cost of living is lower than that of the national average, as is its unemployment rate. This means it is an ideal place for young, working professionals to settle down and think about buying property for the first time.
And while it may have its fair share of older houses, since it is listed as one of the fastest-growing cities in the US, it also has its fair share of modern homes too. So, no matter what your architectural tastes are, you will be able to find a house that is perfect for you.
2. Seriously Eco-Friendly
On top of being rated one of America’s Top 25 greenest cities by the EPA, Austin is also dedicated to cultivating and using green tech. This means that local government, businesses, and residents are all committed to working toward renewable energy.
Even the University of Texas at Austin invites companies who are working on how to make the world a greener place to come and do research and development on their campus. This means UoT is one of the leaders in innovative green tech ideas and solutions.
3. Education Is Key
On top of being home to the University of Texas’ main campus, there are 10 other colleges and universities within 40 miles of the city. And this isn’t even counting the ongoing training courses offered all over the city. You can get your project management certification or take classes on the latest trends in education and teaching.
Plus, many of these classes are at night. This means you can develop marketable skills without having to sacrifice your job and in some cases have your employer help pay for your further education. So, it really is a win/win.
4. Fantastic Night Life
While Austin may be famous for 6th Street with all of its bars, live music venues, and great late-night eateries, there is way more to Austin than just this one street. In fact, Austin regularly tops the list of best cities for live music, best nightlife scenes in the US, and has three of the top zip codes with the most establishments to grab a drink in.
And if boozy bars and loud crowded music venues aren’t your thing, there are plenty of quiet cafes and coffee shops to grab some artisan coffee and mellow out in.
5. Foodie Paradise
Thanks to its multicultural nature, more on that later, Austin is a haven for traditional and not so traditional cuisines from around the world. Obviously, thanks to its proximity to Mexico, the selection of Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican food is top-notch. However, you can also get quality Indian, Moroccan, Sushi, and, of course, gourmet burgers whenever the mood strikes you.
Add to that, Austin is home to more than 200 craft breweries. This means you can spend about 3/4 of your year sampling all of the different beer options to make sure you find the one you like the best.
6. Festivals, Festivals, Festivals
Austin is a city famous for its festivals. Sure, San Francisco may have Outlands and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Indio may have Coachella, and New Orleans may have Mardi Gras, but Austin has Austin City Limits, South by Southwest, Truck by Truckwest, and that is just to name a few.
In fact, both Austin City Limits and South By South West are two of the longest-running festivals in their respected fields in America. While it is true that City Limits did start out as a radio show in 1976, it has morphed into a weekend-long event. And of course, SXSW is one of the best-known film, visual art, and music festivals in the world.
7. Multicultural Mecca
To say that Austin is diverse is a bit of an understatement. There is no ethnicity or demographic that stands out as a majority within the city. That means there is great mix of young and old, men and women, and a variety of different cultures and religions all residing peacefully together.
One of the great perks of all of this diversity? In 2012, it had one of the lowest crime rates in Texas, making it one of the safest places to live.
8. Tech-Friendly
Every so often you hear “Such and Such city is the next silicon valley”. Well, in Austin’s case it might be true. In fact, Forbes has listed Austin as the top tech hub in the US, which isn’t surprising considering how many startups are taking off there.
9. Active All Year
Thanks to its location, the climate in Austin is pretty great all year round. This means you can cycle, row on one of their many lakes, or just enjoy the ample amount of parks in the area. And if outdoor exercise isn’t your thing, they have more than 250 gyms to help keep you active and healthy.
So, if keeping fit is important to you, living in Austin, Texas can help you stay active all year long.
10. Keep It Weird
Austin’s unofficial motto is “Keep Austin Weird” started in the 70s as a way to promote local businesses and make sure that Austin kept that small-town uniqueness, even as it expanded. However, it is now a way of life for many Austin residence. While the city is still dedicated to promoting and encouraging local businesses, it also embraces its weird in other ways too mainly by bucking natural convention by allowing graffiti in outdoor galleries and making tacos a breakfast food.
Why Living in Austin, Texas Is a Great Choice
These are just ten reasons why living in Austin, Texas makes a lot of sense. But there are plenty more just waiting for you to discover why the capital city of Texas is an ideal place for everyone.
For more lifestyle tips and travel ideas, check out the rest of our blog. You may even find great decorating tips for your new home in Austin.
