7 Reasons to Move to Austin, TX

Texas is a state where you go big or go home. And when you are looking at homes in the Lone Star State, not many cities have a bigger appeal than Austin, Texas. 

Located right in the heart of Texas, this land-locked city has a rich culture and is the state capital. People live large in Austin, as there are great work opportunities, plenty of new homes to choose from, and an unrivaled nightlife scene. 

As you consider where to move in Texas, the team at Prevu Real Estate compiled a list of the top reasons to move to Austin, Texas.

Reasons to move to Austin 

• Great weather year-round
• Culture that celebrates the arts
• Growing, tech-driven economy
• New housing development
• Lively music and nightlife
• Unrivaled food scene
• Easy access to the outdoors

Great weather year-round

While some folks chase the seasons, central Texas is perfect for folks looking for fair weather year-round for outdoor activities. 

Winters in Austin reach a low of 60 degrees but typically average around 70 degrees during the daytime. It can get even colder at night, but will rarely drop below freezing. 

Humidity is at its lowest point during the spring and fall seasons, and you will commonly see folks out and about town in February and March with t-shirts and shorts around Zilker Metropolitan Park. 

When the heat rises above 100 degrees, the shores of the Colorado River come alive in the summer. Lake Travis, a reservoir created by the JJ Mansfield Hydroelectric dam, is just west of Austin, and folks love to get their pontoon boats out to cool down. 

Yet, you do not need to leave Austin to beat the heat. There are plenty of museums, restaurants, and cinemas to hang out in to stay cool when the heat is scorching. 

Culture that celebrates the arts 

No matter the weather, it is always a good day to take in the art scene of Austin, Texas. 

The Seaholm and Market Districts host a few galleries, like the Nebula Gallery, La Peña, and the West Chelsea Contemporary. Yet not all the galleries are in or near downtown. 

There are local collectives like the Austin Art Garage and Art For The People galleries in the city's southern Riverside area. While the galleries are great for getting out of the heat, the street art scene in Austin is unrivaled. 

People moving to Austin have to check out the Historic 6th Street Mural, which welcomes folks to this happening side of A-town filled with music venues, restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. One of the most striking murals is at the Mexic-Arte Museum, just an avenue over, on 5th street. The museum donates a multi-story wall to artists so their work can stand tall over Austin for a few months of the year. 

But one of the biggest celebrations of the arts happens each March, in the form of the South by Southwest festival. Originally known as a film festival, the event now hosts movie premiers, art expos, and live music shows for ten days. 

And the art scene will likely continue to grow as more people and firms make their way to Austin. 

A growing, tech-driven economy 

Part of what pulls people to Austin is the booming economy. 

Texas has a large economy, a favorable corporate tax environment, and lower living costs than other tech centers like San Francisco and NYC. And people love moving here because there is no state income tax. YTexas, a business forum focusing on growth in Central Texas and beyond, recorded 61 businesses relocating to Texas, and 29 are in the Central Texas area. 

Tech companies like AMD, Oracle, Apple, National Instruments, and Charles Schwab all have offices in Austin, sweetening the pot for anyone considering a career in A-town. One of the most notable firms moving to Austin is Tesla. The electric car company is building the Tesla Giga Factory in Southeast Austin, which is where homebuyers will find many new developments.

New housing development

People flock to Austin for the lower cost of living, which is below the national average, and developers are working overtime to create housing in the city. 

Downtown and surrounding areas like the West End and Central East Austin feature homes built throughout the 1900s, but new developments are springing up throughout the city's outskirts. 

For instance, places like The Woodlands, Las Cimas, Thunderbird Farms, and University Hills feature brand-new homes. But not everyone wants a large house in a new suburb. Luckily, new condos are popping up all over Austin, some near the University of Texas, while others grace the shores of the Warehouse District near Seaholm. And you can use the Capital Metro public transportation to get around the capital area and downtown to get around the city quick. 

Living in this area is excellent, as you can spend your day exploring the arts and then end the night listening to live music. 

Lively music and nightlife 

There is a reason why people call Austin the "Live Music Capital of the World." 

There are over 200 music venues in Austin, and locals can find a show to watch any night of the week. And while country music is a popular fixture in this central Texas city, musical acts from all genres pull up to help keep Austin weird. 

The Broken Spoke is the mecca for Americana music, and you can expect to hear some honky-tonk seven nights a week and they even offer two-step lessons, so do not forget the cowboy boots and hat. The Historic Scoot Inn is another popular haunt, where folks gather around an outdoor stage to take in local acts. 

Yet one of the bigger venues in town is the ACL Live at the Moody Theater, which hosts Austin City Limits, the longest-running live music series. The venue packs out shows by inviting big acts like Local Natives, The Shins, and classics like Lyle Lovett. And just like South by Southwest, the ACL hosts a multi-day festival in October that is a hit with residents.

The local cuisine helps make these events fun, and you can grab great grub without waiting for your favorite band to hit town. 

Unrivaled food scene

The motto "don't mess with Texas" rings true, especially when you are facing down some food in A-town. 

Grilling, smoking, and sauteeing are all popular ways to cook in Austin, and what meat you eat is up to you. Franklin Barbeque is off the 35 highway near downtown and offers a wide range of brisket, ribs, and pulled pork. Tex-Mex is another staple in Austin, and El Alma restaurant across from Butler Metro Park is a popular haunt where folks dine on arepas and artisan tacos. And near Zilker Park, on the eastern side of Barton Creek, are some great food trucks at the Picnic Food Truck Park, where you can get quick bites at trucks like Coat & Thai.

But fire-grilled meats are not the only delicacy, and there are plenty of opportunities to find fine healthy dining in Austin. The True Food Kitchen, for example, offers vegan options alongside tuna, chicken, and pizzas. In November, locals gather for the Austin Food + Wine Festival, which draws chefs from all over central Texas to show off their skills. 

This time of year is great for grabbing a bite to go before exploring the surrounding landscape of Austin. 

Easy access to the great outdoors 

Those who have never been to Texas may picture the state as a barren desert with cactus and hot sunshine. But Texas is the largest continental state in the US, offering many different biomes. 

Austin is in central Texas, located in the Edwards Plateau area. This area is known as the Texas Hill Country, where rolling hills, natural springs, and limestone canyons characterize the landscape. Because of this geography, people living in Austin have access to some of the most beautiful parks in Texas. 

The Barton Creek Wilderness Park is a perfect example of how city planners in Austin mesh wild nature into an urban city. Large oak and pecan trees surround the edges of Barton Creek, which has several popular waterfalls where locals go to cool off in the height of the summer. 

And in South Austin, you can visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to have a stroll in this manicured botanical garden dedicated to native Texas flowers. 

Waterloo Park is right near the Texas state capital, providing a respite in the middle of the city. The capital's grounds are also like a park, as trails crisscross the land under the trees. 

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