Austin, the capital of Texas, often ranks as one of the best places to live in the United States. With its booming economy, vibrant nightlife, and exotic cuisines, this warm, bustling, and hip metropolitan city will surprise you with many delights. If you’re thinking of relocating to Austin, explore what this city has to offer you. Discover the pros and cons of living in Austin before deciding to make a move.
Pros of living in Austin, TX
Austin has many benefits, including:
1. Booming job market
Austin’s booming job market is likely to grow 47% over the next decade, which is much higher than the national average of 33.5%. Did you know that Austin has a thriving tech and high-tech industry with giants like Tesla, Dell, Google, and Apple as some of the biggest employers? Some of the other leading employers include Austin’s government and educational establishments.
The unemployment rate of 5.1% is lower than the national average of 6.0%. Employees can benefit from relatively high wages to compensate for the high cost of living, with a median annual income of $78,965 and exemption from state income tax.
2. Vibrant entertainment
Austin has a lot to offer for entertainment between arts, music, and outdoor recreational activities. You can enjoy vibrant art exhibits at the Mexic-Arte Museum, George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, Harry Ransom Center, and the Blanton Museum of Art. Performing arts enthusiasts can delight in opera and ballet performances at the Long Center and The Paramount Theatre. As the Live Music Capital of the World, you can experience live music every night and revel in the many indoor and outdoor music festivals, including the Austin City Limits Music Festival, Levitation, and Old Settler’s Music Festival.
You can enjoy a variety of water activities, such as paddling, canoeing, and kayaking in the many swimming holes, lakes, and rivers of Austin. You can also hike and bike at several trails, including the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake, McKinney Falls State Park, and Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve.
3. Amazing culture and lifestyle
As a metropolitan city, Austin offers diverse, affordable, and good-quality cuisines, ranging from barbecues and the local Tex-Mex to oriental Asian varieties. Austin consistently ranks among the top foodie and food truck cities in the nation. You can enjoy some of the finest wines in over 50 wineries in Texas Hill Country.
Throughout the year, you can find several food-focused festivals, including The Texas Monthly BBQ Fest, The Austin Food & Wine Festival, and Live Fire! Austin also offers an electrifying nightlife at several bars, clubs, lounges, and nightlife districts, such as Rainey Street District and Sahara Lounge, among others.
Cons of living in Austin, TX
Living in Austin has a few disadvantages, including:
1. High rent prices
The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,680 per month, which is slightly higher than the national average of $1,048 per month. Rent prices can increase rapidly as the cost of living rises. Heritage Hills, North University, and Pleasant Valley are the most affordable neighborhoods, while Bouldin Creek, Downtown Austin, and Zilker are the most expensive neighborhoods.
2. Unbearably hot summers
Summer temperatures can get quite hot in Austin. It’s not uncommon to experience temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, which may require you to stay indoors in air-conditioned rooms, especially in the afternoon.
3. Lack of public transportation
Although there’s a 32-mile CapMetro rail connecting downtown Austin to Leander with nine stations and a public bus system that serves many parts of the city, they aren’t very efficient or reliable. You’ll likely need a vehicle of your own to reach many neighborhoods, especially in the late evening hours.
Zipcar provides short-term car rental services. Ride-sharing services are also available, including Waze Carpool, MetroRideShare, and myCommuteSolutions. Austin has many bicycle lanes and its Bicycle Program strives to make the city amenable to cyclists. You can even rent a bike any time of the day using the Austin BCycle app.
Frequently asked questions about living in Austin, TX
Learn about the costs, weather, and other aspects of living in Austin below.
Austin is a moderately expensive city to live in and is more expensive than other parts of Texas and the country, but utilities, groceries, and dining at restaurants are comparatively more affordable. The cost of living in Austin is continuously rising.
Among metropolitan cities, consumer prices including rent are much lower than in Los Angeles (10.5%), Boston (15.9%), Seattle (16.6%), and New York (45.5%), but higher than in Dallas (6.2%), Orlando (11.5%), and Houston (16.5%).
In Austin, you’ll likely experience warm, sunny days most of the year. Winters are mild, short, and windy, and temperatures can get as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring temperatures can reach the high 60s. Fall temperatures can range from a low of 50 degrees to the high 80s. Summers can be oppressively hot and dry, reaching as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The summer season is usually between mid-May and late September, while winter is from November to February. Austin experiences rainfall throughout the year, with significant seasonal variations.
San Antonio is the closest major city. Houston, Fort Worth, Arlington, and Dallas are also relatively close, within a distance of 200 miles.
Final thoughts
As a fast-growing metropolitan city, Austin offers renters numerous benefits, including good schooling and education options, a thriving job market with competitive wages, a variety of entertainment options, and a vibrant nightlife. Renters can find lower rental prices compared to other major metropolitan cities in the United States. Austin is a warm and friendly city where renters can enjoy diverse cuisines, a laid-back life, and genuine Southern hospitality.
The post The Pros and Cons of Living in Austin, TX appeared first on The Zumper Blog.
This post first appeared on The Zumper Blog | Rental Market Trends, Real Estat, please read the originial post: here
