Meet Gary and Sandi. Their goal is to be living in Austin, Texas to raise a family (one is on the way) and to possibly put down roots. The young couple is in their 30s and since the average age in Austin is 37.4, they see the central Texas city as a good fit. Both have good jobs in the tech industry and are aware that Austin is highly active in that field. But Gary and Sandi need help on what to know before moving to Austin, Texas. In this article, we will share with you the things they learn and answer all their questions ranging from the best places to live in Austin to Is Austin, Texas safe? So, let us see what they are researching.
Weather and Climate in Austin
Gary and Sandi are quite active. They ride bicycles, he is a runner having competed in a few marathons and she is a swimmer. Neither of them is all too fond of cold winters and with all of this in mind, the Austin, Texas weather year-round should make both Gary and Sandi quite happy with the decision to consider living in Austin. That is because the weather in Austin is typically warm and hot. Spring will see temperatures from 67F and may even warm up into the 80s.
Summer is the hottest time of year with August recording highs near 100F. Summer averages will see lows not dipping too far below the 70s and that may be a good reason to consider a home with a swimming pool or equipped with central air. Fall is a lot like spring with highs around 70F and lows getting down to the 50s. Winter in Austin is something you must experience to genuinely appreciate.
That is because if you are accustomed to snow and wearing multiple layers of clothing, you may be pleased to find that you will not need to unpack your snow gear. Temperatures will be in the 50s for the most part with highs getting to the 70s and the odd night dropping to around 40F. For Gary and Sandi, the weather in Austin scores high on their checklist.
Moving to Austin, Texas – The Job Market
Since both Gary and Sandi have experience in the tech industry, that is one of the main things that have drawn them to Austin. Austin is known these days as being a tech hub thanks to the high number of technology companies that have moved to the area. To give you an idea of how significant the tech industry is in Austin, most of the tech-related revenue made in Texas comes from Dallas-Fort Worth and then Austin. The influx of technology giants in Austin has earned the region the nickname of Silicon Hills. The names of tech companies in Austin read like a who is who in the industry and includes such big names as 3M, Cisco Systems, Dell, eBay, Facebook, Google, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, and Samsung to name a few.
The two richest people on earth have made the move to Austin. Jeff Bezos and Amazon are completing a massive 820,000 square-foot fulfillment center expected to create over 1,000 jobs. While Elon Musk is leaving California and has purchased 2,100 acres for Tesla’s new factory in Travis county which is expected to create 5,000 jobs. Surely, Gary will be able to find the best job in Austin as Sandi stays home on maternity leave.
How to Get Around in Austin, Texas
Before moving to Austin, Gary and Sandi need to know how they can get around in and through the city. Most in the Austin metroplex own a vehicle and use them to get around town. You can expect interstate 35 and Mopac, the two main freeways in Austin, to be gridlock during morning and evening commutes. If you are like Gary and Sandi then you are an active couple and rather than driving to work daily, Gary may want to reduce his carbon footprint and find alternate modes of transportation to get to work or to take Sandi out to try the variety of dining options throughout the city. Capital Metro is the public transit system in Austin. There are over 80 different bus routes and a 32-mile rail line. A single ride will cost $1.25. Then there’s MetroRail which is a 26-mile rail line. It goes into the downtown core daily and costs $3.50 for a single ride.
Ridesharing is a popular choice for those who wish to reduce the use of their vehicle or do not have one. Uber and Lyft have high profiles in Austin and there is a local app called “RideAustin” that will connect you to ridesharing partners. For transportation to other destinations from Austin, there is the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. It sees over 500 flights coming and going per day and is located a few miles from downtown. Gary and Sandi were pleased to learn that Austin promotes cycling and that there are several Austin BCycle kiosks located throughout the city (membership required). They also found the Micro-Mobility options worth exploring which featured transportation through devices meant for personal mobility. Think skateboards and scooters and you will get a better picture.
Moving to Austin, Texas Pros and Cons – The Rental Market
Although Gary and Sandi plan to eventually buy a home in Austin, for now, they are looking to rent. This means they must figure out what part of the city appeals to them the most and offers the best access to work and schooling (they are planning). Plus, if they find a rental in the perfect neighborhood that meets their needs, they may be able to buy a home near their rental when the time is right to make that jump. Well, the average rental rates in Austin range from $1,400 to $2,400 depending on what neighborhood Gary and Sandi choose to move to. While those rental rates may sound high if you are moving to Austin, Texas alone, that is not the case for Gary and Sandi. Let us look at the neighborhoods in Austin a little closer to see if they find something that fits their budget before they start living in Austin, Texas. South Austin has rentals in the $1,400/month range but gets increases the closer you get to downtown and has a family-friendly atmosphere. It is a contemporary mixture of new trendy places and an old-school city where you will find an eclectic blend of everything from food and entertainment to shopping.
North Austin has rentals slightly higher with an average of $1,500/month and you will see an increase in your rent the closer you are to downtown and The University of Texas. Expect to find a nice combination of single-story homes and modern apartment buildings all located within walking distance of most of the amenities you seek. It is a neighborhood that gives you a lot of city features without being too close to the downtown core. The Domain, located in North Austin is now known as Downtown North, due to all the new sky rises being built. East Austin is a bit more expensive with rentals averaging $1,700 per month. It is a trendy area with a great deal of diversity. If culture, history, and new shops, bars, and restaurants are your magnet, then this is the place you will want to be. This is urban development made sensibly with many unique features to explore and enjoy. West Austin is near the top end of the scale with rentals running at $2,200/month. It offers postcard-perfect countryside and rolling hills for views instead of the skyline of downtown with all the tall buildings. This is also where the more affluent residents live as it contains golf courses, Victorian homes, sprawling estates, and high-end schools that rank #1 on many lists as the best schools in Texas. Downtown Austin happens to be the most expensive part of the city to live in. Rentals here top the $2,300/month mark can get you a 2-bedroom apartment with a view of Austin’s growing skyline. The high price tag makes sense because when you live downtown, everything you want from fine dining to entertainment venues is within walking distance. Plus, if you are an outdoorsy type, you will enjoy proximity to Lady Bird Lake for canoeing and access to miles of hiking and biking trails.
The Cost of Living in Austin, Texas
One more important factor to consider if you are thinking of moving to Austin, TX is the cost of living. When Gary and Sandi started their research, they quickly learned that the population of Austin, Texas metro area (2.25 million) was an important stat. Cracking the list of top ten largest cities in the United States, it is also one of the fastest-growing places in the US. Projections point to an 80-percent increase in population by the year 2030. The size of Austin has pushed real estate values up to where the average home cost is $475,000. When you allow for the average salary in Austin ($71,000 per year) you start to think that maybe this is an expensive place to live. However, Gary and Sandi see it quite differently. With a solid economy, Austin is one of the most affordable places to live in the US when compared to the national average. For example, a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco will cost roughly $3,200 per month. The same thing in Austin is at an average rent of $1,400 per month.
Fun Things to do in Austin, Texas
When Gary and Sandi have settled into their new town, it will be time to have a little fun! Sites like Austin360.com are a valuable resource for new transplants looking for things to do in Austin. No matter your taste in music, Austin has been dubbed the music capital of the world and has a music venue that plays your jams.
During this ongoing pandemic, drive-in concerts are popping up around town for a safe way to rock out in your car while keeping with health and safety guidelines. Most music venues in town have some good eats, but if you have a hankering for a particular flavor, ATX is a flavor town. From Michelin star restaurants to some of the best food trucks in the world, you will not be disappointed. Gary and Sandi want to try the mango sticky rice at DEE DEE, a popular northern Thai food truck located in south Austin.
Related Article: HOW TO ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS IN AUSTIN, TEXAS
In Conclusion
Gary and Sandi are starting a family and are looking to move to Austin, Texas. They did a lot of homework before deciding to make the move. They found many pluses to relocating and plan to settle down in the central Texas city. We hope that by sharing their story that you have learned more about Austin and that the information Gary and Sandi found and shared here has helped you to decide to make Austin your new home as well. For more details contact us today.
