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They say things are bigger in the Lone Star State, but many folks don’t realize just how big a city Austin, Texas, truly is. With slightly over a million residents, it ranks among the largest cities in the United States. If you’re moving to Austin, you’ll be pleased to know that the city has many outstanding amenities to offer. It’s a major hub for technology companies, for example, and a magnet for startups and entrepreneurs. Combine that with an outstanding climate, a world-renowned music scene, and a strong economy, and it’s easy to see why Austin is so popular.
Looking for more in-depth info about this top Texas city? This Austin, Texas Moving Guide, brought to you by NSA Storage, is perfect! It has everything you need to know to get acquainted with the city! Get the facts, figures, and deep details about Austin, below, and be ready to hit the ground running when you arrive!
Austin is More Affordable Than Other Major U.S. Cities
The cost of living is an important factor when choosing a city to call home. While it would be a stretch to call Austin highly affordable, it’s less expensive than other large U.S. cities.
Here are a few facts that back up Austin’s affordability claim:
- Compared to Seattle, San Francisco, New York, and D.C., the overall cost of living in Austin is noticeably lower.
- Texas, and thus Austin, has no state income tax. Sales taxes, however, are a rather high 8.25%.
- Deregulated energy markets keep utility costs in Austin at or below the national average.
It’s important to note that there is one cost that’s higher in Austin than other cities; housing. The city’s median home price is just over $600,000, and median rent is $1,750. That means a significant amount of your income will be going towards mortgage or rent.
Outdoor Fun and Adventure
If you and your family are big fans of outdoor activities, Austin will be a blast! The reason is the city’s unique geography and natural features. Rolling hills are everywhere you look, and Austin’s city planners have made it easy and convenient to enjoy them.
Here’s a quick look at some of the adventures you can have outdoors when you live in Austin, Texas:
- Kayaking, paddleboarding, and boating on Lady Bird Lake.
- Hiking and mountain biking in the Barton Creek Greenbelt.
- Rock climbing at Reimers Ranch Park.
- Swimming in Barton Springs Pool and local swimming holes like Deep Eddy Pool.
- Camping at McKinney Falls State Park.
- Nature tours in and around Texas Hill Country.
- Golfing at Jimmy Clay Golf Course and Wolfdancer Golf Club.
Adults should note that the city is less than 2 hours from the gorgeous wine region of Texas Hill Country. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area and Lake Travis are also perfect for fun-filled day trips. Lastly, Austin has over 300 parks, with extensive hiking and biking trails.
Live Music in Austin
With over 250 live music venues throughout the city, it’s no wonder Austin was nicknamed the “Live Music Capital of the World” in 1991. It’s possible to see a live show of some kind every day of the year here, which is truly impressive. This is, after all, where Willie Nelson, Janis Joplin, and Gary Clark Jr., got their respective starts!
Check out these fun facts about Austin’s music scene:
- Live music is incorporated into everyday life here, including community events, high school happenings, colleges, and festivals.
- You can find a live performance every night of the week.
- The South by Southwest (SXSW) festival is held here, a major event that showcases new music.
- Legendary music venues like Antone’s, Mohawk Austin, Saxon Pub, Scoot Inn, and The Continental Club are all found in Austin.
- Austin City Limits (ACL) is another major music festival held annually in the city.
- 2022 saw the opening of the 15,000-seat Moody Center, Austin’s major arena for stadium-level music acts.
Festivals, Conventions, and Events
With good weather and plenty of space, it’s no surprise Austin, TX, is known for big events. From festivals and conventions to marathons and farmers markets, something fun and exciting can be found here year-round! Some of them attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually!
Here’s a quick list of the top draws:
- Texas Book Festival – A major literature and author event held in October.
- Pecan Street Festival – Massive arts, crafts, and music festival in Austin’s historic 6th Street district.
- Austin Film Festival – One of the biggest film festivals in the country.
- Austin Trail of Lights – Every December sees this superb Holiday light extravaganza around the city.
- Greater Austin Comic Con – Super heroes, Anime, Manga, and more highlight this popular convention.
- Formula 1 United States Grand Prix – Raving fans flock to this event at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Travis County.
- Austin Marathon & Half Marathon – This yearly running and cultural event happens in February.
- Austin Reggae Festival – If Reggae music and culture float your boat, this is the festival for you!
- Statesman Capitol 10K – The annual 10K that goes right through the heart of downtown Austin.
The Texas Longhorns
You can’t have an Austin, TX, moving guide without a shout out to the Texas Longhorns. They play for the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), competing in NCAA Division I athletics as members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). With powerhouse programs like Alabama, LSU, and Georgia, it’s one of the most competitive and high-profile conferences in college sports.
Although they compete in multiple sports, the city goes wild when the football team is playing. They’re a major tourism draw and economic booster, especially the so-called Lone Star Showdown game with their biggest rival, Texas A&M! If you’re looking for a fantastic college sports culture, few cities beat Austin, Texas!
Austin’s Weather is Well-Suited for Outdoor Living
Texas is a southern state and, with that, comes sweet southern weather. Austin’s climate is subtropical, with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Spring and fall are both lovely, with fall being one of the best times for outdoor festivals and concerts.
Below we’ve listed some weather-related tidbits to give you a better idea of what Mother Nature brings to Austin:
- It only snows once every 5 to 10 years in Austin.
- The city sees about 230 days of sunshine annually.
- The heat index can sometimes exceed 105°F (40°C) during peak summer months.
- Many residents consider fall the best time of year, as there’s less heat and humidity.
- Austin gets about 34 inches or rain annually, although most of it falls in spring.
- Average high temps in winter are between 60 to 65°F (16–18°C).
- Allergy season is a thing in Austin, so be ready for “Cedar Fever” in springtime.
It’s worth noting that Austin is also known as “Flash Flood Alley” since rain doesn’t absorb easily into the thin, rocky, limestone soil. Dramatic temperature swings don’t help either, due to humid Gulf air and dry desert air mixing. If you look closely, you’ll notice low-water crossings and flood gauges around the city.
Austin is a Major Technology Hub
Most everyone has heard about Silicon Valley, but did you know that Austin is known as “Silicon Hills”? It’s true! Thanks to the University of Texas at Austin, a steady supply of engineering and computer science talent has flowed through Austin for decades. That talent pipeline was the foundation for one of the fastest-growing tech markets in the United States.
Here are a few reasons why Austin offers a true innovation ecosystem:
- Major tech players and Fortune 500 companies call Austin home, including Dell Technologies, Apple, and IBM.
- Austin’s regulatory climate is genuinely business-friendly.
- Operating costs in Austin are comparatively lower than coastal tech hubs like San Francisco, Seattle, New York, and Atlanta.
- Major industry gatherings like the aforementioned SXSW are held in Austin.
In the last few years, several major corporations, including Tesla and Oracle, have relocated headquarters or expanded operations in Austin. These moves have drawn national attention to the city’s rapid tech growth.
Count on NSA Storage to Store your Items in Austin
If you’re on your way to Austin (or just arrived) and need storage ASAP, NSA Storage can help. We have several safe, clean storage facilities in Austin, ready to store your belongings securely.
Why would you need an Austin storage unit? Consider these scenarios:
- Your closing fell through, and your stuff can’t be delivered for a few days or weeks.
- You rent a small apartment while you search for a new Austin home, and can’t fit everything inside.
- You’re still house-hunting and need to store your things until you find your forever home.
Whether short or long-term storage, if you need storage units in Austin, Texas, NSA Storage has you covered. Until that need arises, best of luck with all your plans, and welcome to Austin!
