The Vibe: An Electric City Getting Hipper By The Day
Austin is an absolutely eclectic city filled with unique people who take pride in their creativity and one-of-a-kind personalities. The city is known for its energy, which is a direct result of the booming Austin music scene, the frequent festivals and quirky events, the gorgeous weather that keeps everyone outdoors and active, and—perhaps most notably—the generally younger population of people who inhabit the city.
It’s also pretty obvious when you live in Austin that the population is not only young, but liberal. Lovingly dubbed the “Liberal Oasis” of
Texas, it’s no secret that Austinites tend to go Blue when the time comes and you can definitely feel the “liberal” vibe pulsing throughout the city (which will explain all of the tie-dye you’ll see everywhere you go…)
Local Flavor: Weird, Wild, Wonderful
There’s always something fun and different going on in Austin, particularly when it comes to their vibrant music scene. There are several music festivals that draw locals and non locals alike, like the renowned, week-long South By Southwest music festival or (perhaps an even more locally loved festival) the Austin City Limits festival. Plus, there’s the uber rowdy Fun Fun Fun Fest, which celebrates both music and comedy in a hilarious combination of musical talent and comedic genius that accumulates into one giant festival that’ll have you dancing and laughing at the same time.
When it comes to exploring the nature the city has to offer, a local favorite is definitely Barton Springs, a naturally-fed swimming pool in the center of Austin’s Zilker Park. The beautiful pool is three acres in size and is a great way to keep cool during the long summers. Other awesome parks include Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park and Pease District Park.
Cuisine: Best Of The Southwest
The cuisine in Austin is definitely dominated by Tex-Mex and barbeque. For the best Tex-Mex, everyone knows you gotta get your tacos at
Veracruz All Natural. And the best BBQ is for sure at
Franklin Barbecue. But Austin has some other hip food spots like The
Vegan Nom, which is all vegan Mexican food. Tip: if you really want to try Austin cuisine, get into the food truck scene at the annual Austin Food Truck Festival or, better yet, try Trailer Food Tuesdays at The Long Center. East Side King is definitely a favorite.
Nightlife: Austin Comes Alive After Dark
Austin nightlife is always booming and consistently offers something new. You can get a unique cocktail at Whisler’s for only $6 during happy hour. Or you could also try some local brews on tap at Draught House Pub and Brewery (Tip: Tuesday is pint night for $3 dollar beers!). Plus, since the music scene is so incredible, it just wouldn’t be a night out in Austin without a little live music. Some of the better music venues for hearing live music include Continental Club and The Moody Theater.
Weather: The Mild Mild West
Austin winters are consistently mild with an average low of only 52 and it never snows. Plus, the summers are the sunniest summers you’ll ever experience in your life. While it can get pretty hot in the summer (sometimes averaging over 100 degrees), it doesn’t stop Austinites from getting outdoors and exploring what nature has to offer on a gorgeous Austin summer day.
Safety & Crime: A Mixed Bag
Unfortunately, Austin is not as safe as the rest of Texas, or even the rest of the country. The overall crime rate for Austin is 5,213 per 100,000 people annually, while for the entire state of Texas that number is 3,667 and for the nation as a whole it’s 3,099. Although most of the crimes committed in Austin are property crimes, that figure still isn’t great. A more heartening number is 363, the number of violent crimes per 100,000 people in Austin each year. That number is lower than both the Texas and national figures, which are 408 and 368, respectively.
Commute: This Is A Car City For Sure
Austin’s public transportation system is definitely not the greatest. Like many other Southern cities, Austin is a widespread city and could really use a more organized transportation service. So, unfortunately, you’ll probably need 1-2 cars depending on your household size. However, at least there's a Car2Go program, which allows you to pick up a tiny car for rent and then drop it off anywhere around the city (without having to return it). While this isn't always an economical option, it’s definitely great to have this as a backup plan.
On the upside, if you do have a car, at least the average commute time is less than national average. It’s 21.9 minutes compared to the national average of 25.5 minutes.
Cost of Living: Slightly Higher Than Average
The cost of living in Austin is higher than national index. In Austin, the cost of living index is 106, compared to the U.S. index of 100. Additionally, health care and housing are two costs that are slightly higher than national norm.
That being said, you can have a field day at the grocery store! The index when it comes to groceries is 87, compared to the national index of 100. And utilities rate 98 compared to 100, meaning utilities are more affordable in Austin as well.
Austin Is A Tech Nerd’s Paradise
Austin’s tech industry is definitely on the rise. The city has satellite offices for AMD, Apple, AT&T, Dell, Google, Intel, Facebook, 3M, and PayPal. And it only gets better: Austin was also recently named one of the 10 best cities for tech startups in the US. It seems like if you really want to nerd-out on your computer science and tech vibe, then Austin may be the place for you.
Austinites Are Healthy And Active
People in Austin love to get fit. Not only are they constantly surrounded by delicious and nutritious food options for the healthy eater, but Austin was also ranked one of the fittest cities in America by Shape Magazine. Plus, Austin has over 220 parks that have miles and miles of running and biking trails. There are also gorgeous lakes for watersports and over 250 gyms, yoga studios, healthy restaurants, and health food stores. Now that’s a healthy city.
