As the capital of Texas, Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in the US. Home to a number of Fortune 500 companies – such as Tesla and Oracle – the city has established itself as a leader in the high-tech sector and contributes billions to the Texan economy each year. Not only has Austin made a name for itself in the tech sector (nicknamed ‘Silicon Hills’), but it is also regularly voted one of the best places to live in the US – offering a high standard of living, a more affordable cost of living compared to California, and a quality education system – leading many to permanently relocate to the city. For assignees relocating to Austin, SilverDoor has compiled a list of the top 10 things to you need to know for a smooth move to Austin.
Getting Around in Austin
A multitude of transport methods are available to those relocating to Austin – with public and private methods of transport made easily accessible.
Austin’s primary airport is the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport but smaller more private airports, such as Austin Executive Airport, can also be found nearby. Car rental companies are also conveniently located near these airports and also in the city centre.
There is a plethora of options available to those requiring direct and private transport – rent-a-cars are located throughout the city and home driving licences can be used for the first year of your stay in Austin. Private hire vehicles, such as Lyft, Uber and traditional taxis, are also available. The city is also home to Electric Cab of North Americas which offers a zero-emission, sustainable alternative to traditional private hire vehicles.
Public transport is also made easy with the city’s Capital Metro system which passes through the majority of the city. Many also opt to cycle for their commute (Austin is designated a Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community) and cycle routes can be found here.
Places to Live in Austin
Austin has a variety of vibrant neighbourhoods, and each has their own unique appeal.
The Central Business District, also known as Downtown Austin, is an energetic and buzzing environment perfect for young professionals looking to keep their finger on the pulse of an ever-progressing economy. Close to the CBD, neighbourhoods such as Hyde Park and Old Enfield (rated #1 neighbourhood in Austin) are also popular options with locals.
For those looking for a more relaxed or family-friendly environment, Austin is also home to a number of suburbs and master-planned communities. For example, Avery Ranch is a 30-minute drive from Downtown Austin and is a self-contained community – with its own golf course, hiking trails and social committee.
For those relocating to Austin, there is no shortage of neighbourhoods available to welcome you to the city. At SilverDoor, we recognise that choosing a neighbourhood to permanently relocate to can be a lengthy process – with our Austin serviced apartments conveniently placed throughout the city, you can trial a location before moving there and settle into the area before your belongings are transported over.
Education in Austin
Austin has established itself as a centre for quality education – it’s home to a number of prestigious universities and around 45% of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Many quality public and private schools can be found throughout Austin, 58 of which were recognised in the U.S. News and World’s report of the Best High Schools in the US – for a list of the best school districts in Austin, check out Niche’s ranking.
Not only does the city prioritise education, but it also focuses on getting students career ready. Its Austin Partners in Education programme offers tutoring and mentoring to help students get university and career ready.
The city’s focus on providing quality education and career planning makes it an appealing prospect to families relocating to Austin as well as adults interested in their first-class universities.
Weather in Austin
Weather in Austin is characterised by its subtropical climate. The city has around 300 days of sunshine a year, its hottest month is July and summer temperatures average around 32°C.
In winter months, temperatures reach an average of 20°C.
Economic Opportunity in Austin
Named the fastest growing large city in the US by Forbes, Austin attracts billions of dollars a year in capital and corporate investments. It’s home to a number of Fortune 500 company headquarters – such as Tesla, Oracle and Whole Foods Market – or its regional offices – such as 3M, Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, IBM, and Intel.
Earning the nickname ‘Silicon Hills’ in the 90s, Austin is known for its international presence in the technological sector. In fact, Apple recently invested $1billion into its Austin campus which houses 15,000 of its employees and makes it the largest private employer in Austin.
Aside from the technology industry, Austin is also recognised for its international Media Arts presence as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network; Austin’s creative industries altogether contribute more than $4.5billion to the state’s economy every year, with the city hosting world-renowned festivals such as SXSW and Austin City Limits Music Festival every year.
Things to Do in Austin
Those relocating to Austin will find there is no shortage of things to do – with the city’s natural wonders, live music festivals, and museums offering endless entertainment.
Characterised by its natural beauty, the city has an abundance of hiking trails, public parks and natural pools to enjoy. For example, the Hamilton Pool and Lady Bird Lake can be used for hiking, swimming and water sports such as canoeing, kayaking and rowing.
The city also houses a number of museums and art galleries – Wonderspaces is a live and interactive art gallery that would be great for a family day out, Magic’s Theater is a museum (with pieces from Harry Houdini’s collection) offering private and public art shows, and the Austin Nature and Science Center features hands-on nature exhibits great for all ages.
Of course, the city is also renowned for its music showcases – known as the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’ – and hosts concerts year-round.
Where to Eat in Austin
Whether you’re looking to take business partners or clients out for a bite to eat or wanting to enjoy the local food scene in your spare time, Austin has a multitude of restaurants and bars which are perfect for every occasion.
If you’re looking for the Texan barbeque experience, restaurants such as Garrison Grill (a grill house rated #1 place to eat in Austin by TimeOut) and Kemuri Tatsu-ya (a fusion restaurant combining Japanese and Texan cuisine) are options favoured by locals. For rooftop bars and restaurants with great views of the city, look no further than El Alma (serving Mexican food and cocktails) and Edge Rooftop (an evening lounge serving small bites and a selection of drinks). For those wanting to stay close to the Central Business District, popular restaurants such as Roaring Fork, Hestia and North Italia are all located downtown.
Wherever your relocation to Austin takes you, there will always be renowned restaurants and bars at your doorstep.
Where to Conduct Business in Austin
Attracting countless business professionals to the city every year, there is an abundance of workspaces available to you when relocating to Austin.
For those looking for a more relaxed work environment, there are a number of cafes in Downtown Austin available. Good Things offers strong Wi-Fi, comfy seating, and an extensive menu, and Walton’s Fancy and Staple offers a variety of pastries and your daily coffee fix.
Private, hireable office spaces are also available in the city, with WeWork providing a large number of them. WeWork’s website offers private workspaces suitable for 1-20 people in Downtown Austin and the wider city area. Common Desk also provides workspaces, for a monthly membership fee, for coworking and collaboration.
The city also houses a number of meeting rooms and conference centres. Austin Convention Center houses numerous meeting rooms and exhibit halls and the AT&T Conference Center has a total of 53 meeting rooms which can house anywhere from 6 to 1,000 people.
Learn the Lingo in Austin
Before relocating to Austin, it is essential to learn at least some of the local lingo! Here are a few we think will be helpful to know:
- “Fixin’ to” – About to
- “You can hang your hat on that” – It’s a guarantee
- “We’ve howdy-ed, but we ain’t shook” – We’ve met but haven’t been formally introduced
- “Burnin’ daylight.” – You’re running out of time
Sports in Austin
Fitness and sports are a big part of Austin’s culture, due in most part to the city’s hiking trails and natural swimming pools. Austinites often support their local teams such as Austin F.C., Texas Stars and the Texas Longhorns.
If you’re looking to get involved in sports yourself, the city houses a multitude of sports centres like the Austin Sports Center, Zilker Park and Mary Moore Searight Metro Park.
Altogether, those relocating to Austin will benefit from its booming economy, natural wonders, variety of entertainment, and vibrant food scene. For those looking for short-term accommodation to ease their move into Austin, check out our range of serviced apartments in the city. Thinking of relocating elsewhere in the Americas? Check out our blogs on ‘Relocating to San Francisco?’ and ‘Reasons you should relocate to Toronto’.
