Moving to Austin? | Everything You Need to Know When Moving to or Austin, TX
There's something about Austin that makes everyone feel like packing their bags and moving there. If this idea has been lingering on your mind for some time now, you're not alone.
Everybody wants to move to Austin. Think about it, good schools, a booming economy, more diversity than most cities offer, and a relatively affordable charm. Who wouldn't want that?
There's more to Austin than being the capital of the great state of Texas. If your knowledge about Austin is limited, don't fret, we here at College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving created the following guide for people just like you.
Things You Didn't Know About Austin
I bet you know that Austin is the fastest growing city in the United States; it's been that way for the past nine years. However, do you know its demographics and city populations? Well:
Demographics
Austin is a diverse city, something its residents wear with pride like a badge of honor. According to statistics, the demographics of Austin are distributed as
- White- 72.63%
- Black or African American: 7.83%
- Other races 7.77%
- Asian 7.59%
City Populations
The population of Austin in 2021 stands at around 1,011,790 according to World population review. This makes Austin the 4th largest city in Texas and the 10th largest in the United States.
All of Austin's one million people are spread around its 297 square miles. This gives it a population density of about 3,162 people per square mile, according to the same statistics.
However, that's not all if you consider the metropolitan area. Austin lies in the greater Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown metropolitan area that boasts a population of 2.29 million people.
The Job Market and What People in Austin Make
One of the reasons people move to Austin is its promise of prosperity and its attractive job prospects. On that note, Austin has developed a vibrant tech scene that grows larger every year.
Oracle, like many notable tech giants, has made the infamous Silicon Valley- Silicon Hills move. Some that have committed to a move in the near future include Tesla, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, and Canva.
Median Income
According to Census.gov, the median income in Austin is about $71,546. This places Austin a few thousand dollars shy of the national average of $62,843. According to the same statistics, the per capita income as of 2019 stood at $43,043.
Unemployment Rate
As of July, Austin's unemployment rate stood at 4.2 %, making it 1% lower than the national average of 5.2% and one of the best post-pandemic recoveries in the nation.
Largest Employers In Austin
Austin's economic engine and its subsequent job creation pools consist of government institutions, legacy firms, and new tech arrivals. The largest employers in Austin include:
- HEB- 18,035
- Dell Technologies - 14,030
- Ascension Texas- 11,227
- St. David's Healthcare- 10,836
Where Does Austin Fare on Cost Of Living
As someone who wants to move to Austin, you're probably curious about how far your dollars stretch there. Given that Austin is a city (more specifically a tech city), you're probably not expecting much.
Utilities and other expenses
Nonetheless, you'll be glad to know that the cost of living in Austin is 3% below the national average. That's according to Numbeo.
And it doesn't stop there; broken down, the individual expenses are way cheaper:
- Utilities – 12%
- Groceries – 12%
- Transportation – 7%
Average Rental Prices
Relatively speaking, the housing market in Austin is still in good shape for a city growing at its rate. However, it's becoming expensive fast, a direct result of everybody in the nation trying to move there.
The median rental price in Austin, according to the Census Bureau, is $1280, for a one-bedroom apartment.
This price leaves Austin a few hundred dollars above the national average rent for a one-bedroom apartment of $1,098.This is impressive given that Austin is a tech city, which is always notorious for jaw-dropping prices.
Average Home Prices
According to the Census Bureau, it costs a median of about $337,400 to become a homeowner in Austin. This is about $10,000 more than the national median home sales price, which is $374,900 according to Fool.com.
What Is the Quality of Education in Austin?
A study conducted by Wallethub ranks Austin as the 9th most educated city out of 150 cities. Maintaining such an educated populace isn't easy, justifying Austin's massive academic engine composed of a variety of public, private, and charter schools:
- Preschools- 542
- Elementary Schools- 313
- Middle schools- 135
- Public district schools- 200
It doesn't stop with quantity alone, Austin's schools also have a lot to offer in terms of quality, and it shows in the statistics. In a broad nationwide study, 22 Austin schools across 14 school districts were ranked among the best schools in the nation.
What Is Commuting Like in Austin
Like any other city in Texas and the South at large, Austin remains a car town. According to Bestplaces, most people still get to work on four wheels. That said, you can check for local driving conditions on Drive Texas or by calling (800) 452-9292.
Austinites commute as follows:
- 73.8%- drive to work
- 9.5%- carpool with others
- 7.9%- work from home
- 3.9%- take mass transit
However, it's a different story altogether when it comes to downtown Austin. Here public transit is the second-most popular means of commute, thanks to metro rail provided by Capital Metro.
The Austin Capital Metro fares and passes are affordable with a one way fare of $2.00 to one zone and $3.00 to all zones. The Metro ride starts at Leander and goes through Cedar Park, Wells Branch, Kramer, MLK junior and eventually Downtown according to the statistics above.
The average two-way commute in Austin is 40- minutes, which is 8 minutes less than the national average of 48 minutes.
What Is The Nightlife Like In Austin
Austin is the ultimate party town. It's streets offer limitless avenues for having drinks, listening to music, and overall having a good time.
For drinks and bars, nothing beats the famous 6th street. There's also Rainey Street for drinks on the buck, and if you stick around Scholtz Garten, it won't be long before you have the night of your life.
Then there's the Texas Hill Country, which is growing fast as a wine tasting paradise. Drive there and be part of the 5 million yearly visitors who visit its 50 wineries.
If you're a dance lover, karaoke enthusiast, or someone who starts singing after a few shots, you'll love the live music capital.
Don't miss the South by Southwest festival, and while you're waiting for that, be sure to check out ABC Kite Fest.
What's The Austin Food Scene Like
There's a reason why Austin is called the land of Tacos and Meat. Daily reminder, everything is bigger in Texas; come prepared.
If you find yourself sampling the smoked barbecues in the food trucks as you wait in line for Austin Lamb Jam fest, don't be surprised, you moved to Austin.
If you're a foodie, be sure to know where all the Austin food neighborhoods are. Start at South Lamar for some of the best Sushi south of Missouri. Then drive into downtown Austin to sample your coffee and for restaurants serving local delicacies.
What Are the Hot Neighborhoods in Austin?
Austin's neighborhoods are also part of its charm. In almost any part of Austin, you'll always be a few blocks away from a relatively quiet neighborhood, with easy access and good schools.
Some of the best neighborhoods include:
1. Downtown
Of all neighborhoods in this list, Downtown is probably the most convenient. A few miles from the CBD, Downtown Austin sits right at the heart of a booming business district, entertainment center, and cultural district.
Housing options and variety are plenty, from high-rise lofts and luxury condos to garden-style condos, all with a magnificent view of the Colorado River in the distance.
Downtown Austin is also rich in culture and history, with walkable paths, an accessible shopping district, and good schools. If you're young and searching for a city vibe, downtown Austin is your place to be.
2. Hyde Park
Niche ranks Hyde Park as the 6th best neighborhood to live in Austin, and it's not by mistake. Hyde Park offers a suburban mixed feel in a primarily urban neighborhood.
Living there, you'll always be a short walk in its tree-lined streets from local bars, restaurants, parks, and coffee shops.
But that's not the best part yet; the schools in Hyde Park are some of the best in the state, making it ideal for families.
3. Allendale
Allendale is ideal for young professionals, just off-campus and ready to start their careers. Most of the neighborhood comprises one and two-bedroom houses and is ranked by niches as the 4th best neighborhood to live in Austin.
Allendale also boasts good schools, an A+ ranking by niche, and a relatively affordable home price of $478, 021.
4. Barton Hills
Barton Hills offers a small bit of everything and is one of the best neighborhoods to live in Austin. It's a touch of affordability, good schools, and nature tucked into one corner of Austin.
It's one of the few neighborhoods where you can find a small-town charm just a few miles from Downtown in a large city like Austin.
You'll love Barton hills, especially if you're a nature lover; it's an urban green space with views of the city limits and access to various parks like Zilker Park.
Advantages of Living in Austin
Living in Austin comes with plenty of pros; that's why all these people are moving there. Some of the advantages that will come with living in Austin include:
1. Booming Job Market
The job market in Austin is steaming hot, and it's not wearing off soon. Austin will continue its upward economic growth way into the future, bringing with it millions of jobs and opportunities to the young people moving and living there.
2. Growing Tech City
Austin is on the path to join LA and New York as a major tech city. With this will come millions of high-paying jobs, revenue to state governments, and investment that will make Austin way better than it is now.
3. Friendly and Fun People
Making friends in a new city can be challenging, but not in Austin. It's the last place in the South you'll expect to find Southern hospitality. However, Austin still retains its warm and welcoming Southern charm and culture in the midst of millions of transplants.
Disadvantages of Living in Austin
However, like any other place, living in Austin is far from perfect. This city has its fair share of disadvantages which include:
1. Congestion
Austin's explosive growth over the years has created serious congestion issues. Although the congestion is not as bad as LA or New York, it's something most Austin residents complain about.
2. Rising Prices
Another side effect of the massive growth seen in the past years is inflation, especially in the housing market.
We Can Help
Moving from one state to another may seem like an overwhelming task. There's lots of research to be done on the backdrop of gathering information and making consultations.
Our teams here at College HUNKS Hauling Junk and Moving can do the heavy lifting on your behalf. For more information, contact us today, and we will be more than willing to help.