About Austin and Lake Travis Scroll to read a description of our beautiful city, to see how others rank Austin, and for general statistics.   |  | | |
Welcome to Austin, Texas - my hometown!
OK, so maybe I wasn't born in Austin, but I’ve been here for more than 20 years and Austin - in my heart- is my hometown. Austin is… well, Austin. To many of us, the word "Austin” is almost an adjective. A complex one, for sure. So unique that it can’t be summed up succinctly, but here is a taste of what I love about this place...
We are a multi-cultural community that shares a common respect for Texas heritage and enormous pride in our state (usually). Politically diverse, we don’t always agree, but none of us wants to leave Austin, so we find ways to get along. We’re definitely cosmopolitan, but laid back about it – and determined to stay that way. Austin is a college town (UT is the second largest university in the country) with a thriving liberal bent – curiously situated in the capitol of a highly conservative state. High level politicians mix with tech industry executives, students and struggling musicians to create a funky, eclectic mix. We are highly educated (45% of Austinites have a college degree or higher, ranking us as the #5 Most Educated City, according to the US Census Bureau). But all that education doesn’t mean we’re stuffy. Throw out your suit and tie, here – whatever you used to call “casual Friday” is de rigueur in Austin. Work at the lake or in the park on your laptop – Austin routinely ranks in the Top 3 “Most Wired” Cities (and wireless, with convenient WiFi hot spots). Forbes ranks Austin third in Best Places for Business and Careers and #1 Coolest City in America.
After work, see why Austin is the self-proclaimed “Live Music Capital of the World” – where else do you get live music in the airport? Come for Austin City Limits or the world-renowned South by Southwest (SXSW) Music and Film festival, but linger long after the hoopla and see that on any given night there are hundreds of live music venues to choose from. Haunt the stomping grounds of Janice Joplin, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Willie Nelson. Men’s Journal touts Austin as having the Best Nightlife in the U.S.- beating out NYC! Entertainment is as diverse as an evening at the opera or an off-Broadway show (and do expect to see patrons wearing anything from jeans to tuxedos), along with funky Austin festivals like Spam-a-Rama (yes, that Spam.)
And, oh, the food! The best BBQ, steaks, and Tex-Mex you can imagine. Take a cooking class at Central Market. Visit the Whole Foods flagship store downtown – this is not a ‘grocery store’, but a true experience. This epicurean town lists a visit to either Whole Foods or Central Market as a Top 10 “must do” for tourists. (Don't question it - just do it. You'll thank me later.) From hole-in-the-wall dives with mouth-watering fare to more high-brow digs, we’ve got it all. Check out the Hot Sauce Festival. Sample the wineries in the nearby Hill Country as you drive through the rolling green hills that characterize our terrain.
We love our outdoor spaces. Newcomers arrive with visions of dust, tumbleweeds, plains, and cattle. Instead, in the Austin area they find breathtaking vistas of lakes and hills, rolling farmland and pine forests. No wonder Austin is such a destination point. From the moment one arrives, the city’s beauty attracts attention. The Texas Colorado River, the largest river contained wholly within Texas, runs through the middle of town on its way to the Gulf of Mexico. A series of dams on the river has created seven lakes that stretch from the Austin city limits to a point 150 miles upstream. Lake Travis lies on Austin’s western edge; Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake are situated in the heart of the “River City”, dividing its north and south. Lady Bird Johnson, wife of the late President Lyndon B. Johnson, years ago spurred the beautification process that transformed the shores of Town Lake (since renamed Lady Bird Lake) into an inviting, appealing environment, featuring a 28 mile hike-and-bike trail adorned with native plants.
Opportunities for outdoor recreation abound, from cool, spring-fed swimming holes to running trails to outdoor music venues. 25% of all new U.S. golf courses built in the past 5 years have been in Austin. This is the home of Lance Armstrong, 7-time Tour de France champion, and cycling is popular here. The Capital 10,000 and Freescale Marathon attract thousands each year.
Explore on foot. Austin is among the Top 25 Running Cities (per Runners World) and is the #6 TopWalking City (by the American Podiatric Medical Association). Walk your dog on the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail (after all, Dog Fancy magazine names Austin as one of the Top 10 Cities to be a Dog!) Ski or wakeboard on Lake Austin or Lake Travis and then boat up to a waterfront restaurant for a snack and a cocktail. Stand on the Congress Street Bridge at dusk and experience a million tiny bats flitting about just above your head – Austin is home to the largest urban Mexican free-tail bat community in the world, and we’re proud of ‘em! The “tree huggers” among us work tirelessly to protect our natural environment, earning us the #2 spot in the Ten Greenest Cities (by Vegetarian Times). Austin has been listed as the 8th Cleanest City and Lake Travis is the 6th Cleanest Lake in the states. Austin routinely ranks in the Top 25 Fittest Cities – and mayor Will Wynn (who routinely bikes to work) has launched an initiative to make us #1 by 2010. And if you need help relaxing, book at day at the Lake Austin Spa – it ranks as the 10th best spa in the world by Travel & Leisure.
And don't forget the sports! We don't have national teams, but that leaves us time to energetically support our beloved University of Texas sports. Continental Magazine did name Austin the Most Sports-Crazed City in the World in 2006 due to the avid fanaticism of UT sports supporters! Don't be alarmed if your blood turns burnt-orange after you've been here awhile - it goes with the territory (and it gets you invited to alot of parties!) And we've got AAA baseball (the Round Rock Express) and hockey (the Ice Bats) and even an arena football team, too.
Kiplinger ranks Austin as one of the Coolest Cities for Young Professionals, citing UT, musicians, margaritas and cheap rent as factors. We’re also #1 for Relocating Families in the U.S. (Worldwide Employee Relocation Council) due to commute times lower than the national average, no state income tax, average incomes that are high relative to the cost of living, and the third-highest expected job-growth rate in the country. Men’s Journal ranked Austin as #2 in the 50 Best Places to Live, in their search for the perfect combination of adventure, attractiveness, and affordability.
Of course, I could go on and on. But, let me stop here and give you the opportunity to request my Austin Relocation Package. Packed with goodies, it’ll get you hooked on Austin. Fill out the form at the very bottom of this page and I’ll get it right out to you! (But don't tell too many other people about us - we really want Austin to stay.... well, Austin!)
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• #1 Coolest City in America (2003, 2004).
Rank based on nightlife, culture, job growth, number of singles, cost of living alone, coolness, and public opinion. (Forbes, June 2004)
Money Magazine lists Austin as #2 among 10 Best Places to Live", based on financial, educational and quality of life criteria. (July 2006)
Kiplinger's ranks Austin "#5 in 50 Smart Places to Live". (June 2006) • #3 Best Places for Business and Careers.
Economy.com considered "expenses related to labor, energy, taxes and office space" as well as the workforce, job and income growth, migration patterns, crime rates, and culture and leisure. (Forbes, 2003 and 2004)
Inc. Magazine highlighted Austin as one of the hottest entrepreneurial regions in the country. (Sept 2007)
Moody's Economy.com also ranked Austin as the best place for business. (Aug 2007)
The US Census Bureau ranks Austin #5 among the Most Educated Cities in the U.S., with 45% of the population holding a college degree or higher. • #2 in "America’s Favorite Cities" poll. The Travel and Leisure poll considered city dwellers who are "good looking", "friendly", and "proud of their city". (Travel and Leisure, March 2004)
National Geographic Adventure named Austin as Texas' #1 Adventure Town in their list of the "50 Best Places to Live and Play". (September 2007)
National Geographic Traveler dubbed Austin "The Best Little City in America". (Nov/Dec 2006). Sperling's Best Places named Austin #9 among the Top Ten "Chill" Cities, based on the behavior of residents and social opportunities. (July 2006)
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• #1 Top 10 Hottest Wireless Cities. Austin boasts more free wireless hotspots per capita than anywhere else in the country. (Newsweek, June 2004) • #1 Smallest U.S. Gain in 2003 Housing Prices.
Housing prices rose nearly 80% in 2003 but in Austin, prices increased by only 1.23%. (Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, March 2004) • #1 in U.S. for Relocating Families. Austin won because commute times are lower than the national average, there is no state income tax, housing prices have leveled off, average income is high relative to cost of living and the city has the third highest expected job-growth rate in the country. (Worldwide Employee Relocation Council. Sperling’s Best Places, May 2004) Again in 2006, Sperling's rated Austin among the "8 Cheap Places You'd Want to Live". • #1 in Creativity for U.S. Regions. Austin beat San Francisco and Seattle in a survey ranking creativity based on technology, talent and tolerance. (Harvard Business Journal, Feb. 2004)
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• #2 Retail Market in the Nation.
Considered were increased consumer spending, a housing market with low interest rates and rapid population growth. (Austin Business Journal, Jan. 2004) • #1 "Top 10 Cities for Moviemakers."
(MovieMaker magazine, winter 2004) • #1 Airport for all airports its size --
Austin Bergstrom International Airport. (J.D. Power and Associates 2003) ABIA also ranked among the top airports of any size worldwide for overall satisfaction. (J.D. Power and Associates Winter 2004). And again, in 2006, Austin Bergstrom was named the Best Domestic Aiport at the 2006 Aiports Council International Airport Service Quality Awards. • #4 Safest Big City in the Nation
according to a study in the Austin Business Journal (Austin Business Journal, Dec. 2002)
AARP The Magazine considers Austin one of the top 4 cities to watch as a retirement-friendly community. (July 2007) • #3 Best Cities for Entrepreneurs
Top large cities in Southwest— Austin/San Marcos, TX. (Entrepreneur.com 2003) Fast Company magazine lists Austin as a "Startup Hub" with a creative, young population and a high number of wi-fi Internet spots per capita. (July 2007). Expansion Magazine marks Austin as the #1 metropolitan location for future business. (Aug 2006)
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• #3 Best Cities for Singles
Survey - Forbes.com 2004 (Forbes, July 2003) Kiplinger's Personal Finance rates Austin among the "Top 5 Cities for Young Singles". (June 2007)
BizJournals.com names Austin #7 among the Top Job Markets for Young Adults. (Apr 2007)
• #1 Best Big City to Live in the U.S.
(msn.com 2002) Men's Journal names Austin in the top 5 cities "to embrace urban life" (Apr 2007) and #2 among the 50 Best Places to Live based on potential for adventure, attractiveness and affordability. (Apr 2006) • #2 in America's Heart Healthy Cities
(Men’s Journal Aug 2006). Prevention Magazine lists Austin as #2 in "Top 10 Cities for Taking a Stroll". (Mar 2007)
And Natural Home magazine ranks Austin #2 in America's Top 10 Eco-Friendly Communities, citing "neighborhoods you want to live in" featuring walkability, green planning and outdoor orientation. (Jan/Feb 2007)
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) ranks Austin #8 in Top 10 Vegetarian/Vegan-Friendly Large Cities. (Apr 2006)
• Population (2007): 735,088 within the Austin city limits; 1,501,522 in the greater five-county Metro area • Austin, the state capital, ranks 16th in the nation in population • No corporate income tax- state or local • No personal income tax- state or local • Within 200 miles of three of the top 10 largest cities in the U.S. (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio) • 150 mile chain of lakes winds through the Texas Hill Country into Austin • 300 days of sunshine per year. Temperatures in the winter hover around 45 to 65 degrees F, Spring in the 70 to 80 degree range, and Summers 85 to high 90s. We have 31 inches of rain annually. Snow is extremely rare. • 116,000 students enrolled at the University of Texas in Austin and 6 other Austin colleges. 37% of the Austin population over age 25 holds a Bachelor’s degree, and 12% have graduate degrees. • Half of the region’s population is at peak working age, 20 to 44, which lends itself to a strong entrepreneurial culture with creative energy. • Official slogan: “Live Music Capital of the World” • Major employers include Austin Independent School District, City of Austin, Dell, Federal Government, Freescale Semiconductor, IBM, Seton Healthcare Network, State of Texas, St. David’s Healthcare Partnership, and the University of Texas at Austin.  | | | |
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