Is Austin a Good Place to Live?

Source: Wikipedia

When moving to a new city, you should consider what makes a place “good” to live in. Below, Movoto breaks down some of the most important factors in moving to Austin, Texas.

Public Safety

It’s always important to know that no city is 100 percent safe. There will always be areas where crime is more prevalent than others, and this is no different in the city of Austin. That being said, the crime in this area is significantly lower than in other major cities. According to a 2011 FBI crime statistic’s report, Austin had the third lowest crime rate of all major U.S cities.
The police department does a great job of keeping residents informed via their website, and residents are always encouraged to participate in public safety by reporting crimes and other suspicious activities. It’s easy for them to do this online, and perhaps is a contributing factor in why the area is considered a very safe place to live.
The measures that the police department have implemented to reduce crime so far have worked, and it’s safe to conclude that Austin definitely has their act together when it comes to public safety.

Employment

Jobs aren’t scarce in the city, but unemployment numbers have increased slightly. In early 2013, the unemployment rate for Austin rose to 5.8 percent from 4.7 percent in December 2012. This situation is quite common when you factor in seasonal employment. When compared to other U.S. cities, the number of unemployed residents is slightly lower than other parts of the country. This is always good news when you’re considering a move to a new area.
The employment opportunities that are available in Austin include a variety of different service jobs and opportunities for people skilled in all facets of business. The City of Austin and the Austin School District are among the top employers in the area. Others include the State of Texas, the Federal Government, and Dell. Each of these businesses employs over 6,000 workers in the city. Other notable companies with over 1,000 workers from the area include State Farm Insurance, AT&T, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and Whole Foods Market.

Cost of Living

While you will definitely need a decent paying job to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, you won’t need to earn a six-figure salary to live well in Austin. The average home price is between $315,000 and $415,000. This is in no sense is a low cost living, but the prices could be a lot higher considering that Austin is a major city, and a desirable place to live. Of course, there are other affordable homes available if you’re not looking to spend that kind of money. Rental prices are competitive, with an average 4 bedroom home going for a little over $2,000 a month.
Other areas that are of common concern to people interested in moving to the area are the costs of food, clothing, and other consumables. You’ll be happy to know that the average cost of goods here are less expensive than in other metropolitan areas.
In reality, the cost associated with settling in any area is based on the type of lifestyle that you plan to live. There are luxury homes in the city, and there are more modest homes to fit your budget. Overall, Austin is a very affordable place to live as long as you have a steady annual income of at least $55,000.

Schools and Education

If you’re moving your family to Austin, you will certainly be pleased with the schools and colleges in the area. In April 2013, U.S. News recognized four high schools in Austin as being some of the best in the nation. Those schools were Bowie High School, Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LSA), Anderson High School, and McCallum High School.
The school district, Austin Independent Schools, has a very good track record of consistent improvements in state test scores over the past several years. There’s a diverse mix of the student population that makes this an ideal social learning environment as well.
Technology is infused into the core curriculums, as well as in the everyday activities of students. Several of the school buses in the district are equipped with Wi-Fi technology, and in February 2013, over 3,000 students received eReaders to use for their studies. The district has also adopted a cloud-based student information system that gives parents and students access to records, grades, and other information online.
On the college front, Texas is home to the award-winning Rice University and Texas A&M College. There are an array of universities and junior colleges for students to pick from, covering a wide range of degree programs.

Pollution

Austin is a large city, so you would naturally expect some levels of air pollution, as with any other heavily populated cities. The overall air quality in the area is good, and there have not been any blatant reports of water impurities either. So, it’s safe to assume that you can take a deep breath without the risk of passing out a few hours later.
The city has dedicated a portion of their website to air quality, and residents can check the levels of pollution each day. It also lists ways that you can keep pollution levels low, including carpooling and just spending less time in your vehicle in general. The site is an impressive effort on behalf of the city to address the issues that not only affect the health of the residents, but also issues that affect the earth in general.