Austin, Texas, a city that sports the motto “Keep Austin Weird.” Glance at a map of Texas, though, and you might decide the motto should be “Austin: Yup, We’re Here, Too.”
A major city in the big state would stand out on its own, but when a major city has to share the stage with other major cities in the biggest state in the union, standing out tends to be a bigger challenge. And while Austin does have a decent amount of distance between Dallas, Fort Worth, and El Paso, San Antonio and Houston practically sit next door.
So how does Austin manage the task of being an attractive destination amongst other attractive destinations? By being its own charming, odd self. Austin sports many of the stereotypical Texas attractions like barbeque, football, and hot weather, but throws in a liberal dose of music and inclusiveness that make the city an oasis of sorts near the center of the Lone Star State. Great culture, fantastic nightlife options, and an almost complete lack of winter only represent the tip of the taco for Austin.
Living in Austin
A lot of people have discovered the joys of moving to Austin in the last decade. The Austin Business Journal reported the city’s metro population had grown by an estimated 2.1 million people as of July 2018, a 2.5 percent increase from the previous year. That upswing in population meant Austin had experienced the fasted growth of any metropolitan area with at least 1 million residents.
In other words, Austin real estate has become a gold mine, and everyone’s a-coming round the bend.
As might be expected, the population boom means anyone looking to relocate to Austin needs to consider the realities of moving to a popular area, namely traffic and rent concerns. The public transportation system of Austin gets dominated by either personal vehicles or busses, which means traffic jams and slowdowns will be normal facts of life. Interstate 35 and the TX-1 Loop should be bypassed whenever possible, but eventually, everyone will have to use them.
And just because Austin is a city in Texas does not mean new residents should immediately invest in boots and a 10-gallon hat after unpacking the moving van. Austin has a more laid-back approach to fashion, which means the residents will more likely be sporting sandals and shorts over boots and jeans. Austin also enjoys a relaxed view on dogs in public, which means Man’s Best Friend will be more than welcome at many public establishments including bars, restaurants, and patios, not to mention the numerous dog parks spread throughout the area.
But keep the dogs on their leashes and remember to make full use of any available water and shade, because…
Weather Conditions Need To Be Considered Before Moving to Austin
Austin’s weather leans toward the term “amazing” most of the year. That is to say, moving to Austin means rarely having to deal with winter. The city gets classified as a humid subtropical climate, which means long and hot summers that give way to warm falls, followed by a quick stopover in winter, and then rounding back to a warm spring before the cycle starts again. Basically, if you’re relocating to Austin from a region that requires snow tires and ice scrappers, you can safely leave both behind.
Conversely, moving to Austin will also mean embracing summer weather that can reach triple digits on the Fahrenheit setting. That may sound like heaven for anyone currently enduring a Midwest blizzard or shovelling snow off their driveways again, but care should be taken by anyone moving to Austin, especially if they’ve never dealt with living in a humid subtropical environment. Water will be a constant requirement, sunscreen a definite plus, and shade and functioning air conditioning the saviors of really hot days.
Working in Austin
The Census ACS 1-year survey reported the median household income for the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos Texas metro area was $73,800 in 2017. Austin’s median household income was $14,594 higher than the median Texas household income and $13,464 greater than the US median household income.
Additionally, the ACS 1-year data shows the median family income for Austin was $91,862 in 2017. Compared to the median Texas family income, Austin median family income is $21,726 higher. If everyone really is moving to Austin, they’re bringing their money with them. And based on these numbers, moving to Austin might do wonders for people looking to improve their earning potential.
As with most major U.S. cities, careers in the medical field enjoy a healthy demand in Austin, with computer engineers, marketing managers, and petroleum engineers among the most-sought careers in the area. Real estate and office clerks round out the general profession offerings, and the higher-than-State-average median income indicates people moving here ought to do well in the public sector.
Because traffic and weather can make commuting to work an irritation, new residents should look for work options closer. If logistical realities don’t allow that to work, workers should consider employment opportunities to work remotely.
But you’ll have to move around eventually because…
There’s A Lot To Do Once You’ve Moved to Austin
Austin bills itself as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” and while cities like Nashville and New Orleans may bristle at that suggestion, the nightlife and live music offerings of Austin can impress even the most cynical music critic. And if you like alcohol in shot glasses, take a trip to Dirty Sixth or any number of bungalow bars within the city limits.
Like swimming but bummed because Austin doesn’t provide ready access to a beach? Not a problem; Austin offers swimming options like Barton Springs, Lake Travis, or the Hamilton Pool Preserve. The city doesn’t have any major league sports teams, but Friday nights in the fall belong to high school football and fall Saturdays get dominated by college football.
The Culture of Austin
Austin is a Texas town, which means conservative views and ideals can easily be found just about anywhere. As a college town with a healthy number of intellectuals and artists, Austin has the benefit of a more liberal mindset compared to its neighbors, highlighted by the annual music, film, and interactive conference and festival known as South by Southwest and followed up by the Austin City Limits music festival. And don’t forget the tacos and barbeque, because some things in Texas culture will be forever constant.
Call Colonial and Get Moving to Austin
In a big state with big cities, Austin manages to stand out magnificently. Sound like it could be a fun place to live, but the idea of relocating seems tough? Never fear; we’re here to help.
At Colonial Van Lines, we have the experience and the expertise to make sure your moving experience will be straight forward and stress-free. Call a Colonial Van Lines professional and find out how to start your journey to Austin.
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