Is Austin a good place to live? Austin is a great place to live. The city’s economy is well-diversified and there are plenty of jobs. The city is also very safe and most residents state they feel safe. The real estate market is somewhat cheap for such a big city. The cost of living is below the US average.
Living in Austin is amazing and the city keeps on growing. In fact, US News ranked Austin as the no.1 place to live in the United States in 2017 and 2018 and I have to concur. The population in Austin is young and vibrant which is evidenced by Forbes rating in the second-best city for Millenials.
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The city also deserves credit for being the most liberal city in Texas. The summers in Austin are fantastic but all the seasons are beautiful to a degree. Before moving to Austin, be prepared for the accent and the residents’ love of barbecue.
Is Austin a good place to live? Prons and Cons.
Austin does have good neighborhoods and rough ones similar to most cities in the world. Therefore, if you rank neighborhoods in Texas according to crime levels, employment opportunities, and access to amenities, you can come up with a list of good and bad neighborhoods in the city. The good neighborhoods in Texas include Rollingwood, Barton Hills, Tarrytown, Allandale, Shady Hollow, West Lake Hills, Mueller, Lakeway, Avery Ranch, Old West Austin, Cedar Park and Round Rock. The bad neighborhoods of Austin are Montopolis, Martin Luther King-Hwy 183, Saint Johns, East Congress, McKinney, North Burnett, Parker Lane, Johnston Terrace, Georgian Acres, South Cherrywood and Riverside.
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The FBI gave credit to Austin in 2012 for being the second safest city in the United States. Austin has a lower crime rate than most cities its size. However, the overall crime rate in Austin is 31% above the national crime rate. There are about 10 crimes per 100,000 people happening every day in Austin. You have a 1in 28 chance of being a crime victim in Austin. The violent crime rate in Austin is low and stands at 4 crimes per 1000 residents. Property crime is higher in Austin with 33 crimes per 1000 residents. Crime has been steadily reducing in Austin for the past few years.
Austin has 29 public school districts, 17 charter schools and 69 private schools. Austin Independent School District is the prominent school district in the city. The rest of Austin is served by other school districts including Round Rock and Lake Travis. The primary and secondary schools in Austin are consistently above average. Austin was ranked “America’s No.1 College Town” by the Travel Channel. Austin’s pre-eminent tertiary education institution is the University of Texas. The university has over 38,000 undergraduate students and 12,000 graduate students. The degree programs at the university are the highest-ranked in the state. Other noteworthy institutions of higher learning are Texas Health and Science University, The Art Institute of Austin and Austin Community College.
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You need to have a car if you live in Austin. Almost three-quarters of the city’s workforce commute to work alone in their cars. Austin had an average of 1.65 cars per household as of 2016. Austin is served by several highways including interstate 35, U.S State Highway 183, State Highway 71, U.S Highway 290 and two toll roads namely State Highway 130 and State Highway 45. Bus services in Austin include the famous Greyhound line and Megabus bus services. The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Capital Metro) offers public bus transport in Austin. Capital Metro also operates the commuter and freight rail service in Austin. Austin is also connected to the national Amtrak system. The major airport in Austin is Austin–Bergstrom International Airport.
The social scene in Austin involves numerous activities of interest happening in places across the city. Whether it is the theatre, cinema, concert hall or stadium, Austin has it all. There is an event every weekend and all through the year. Live music festivals are an Austin specialty.
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Is Austin a good place to work?
Living in Austin reveals that is an incredible place in which to work. The unemployment rate in Austin is 2.9% which well below the national average. The average salary in Austin is $49,560 with the median income per household being $55,216. Popular job titles in Austin include Registered Nurse, Administrative Assistant, Engineer and Software Developer.
The largest industries employing people in Austin are technology and the defense industry. Thousands of Engineering and Computer Science graduates from the University of Texas are employed each year in the city’s abundant tech companies. Austin’s largest employers are the Austin Independent School District, the City of Austin, Dell, the U.S. Federal Government, NXP Semiconductors, IBM, St. David’s Healthcare Partnership, Seton Family of Hospitals, the State of Texas, Texas State University, and the University of Texas.
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Is Austin a good place to buy a house?
The real estate market in Austin is relatively cheap. The average home price in the city is $280,000 whereas the average rent paid is $1,250 per month. The homeownership rate in Austin is 45% with more than 70% of the homes owned by mortgage. Ensure you get home insurance if you purchase property in Austin.
Good neighborhoods in Texas include Rollingwood, Barton Hills, Tarrytown, Allandale, Shady Hollow, West Lake Hills, Mueller, Lakeway, Avery Ranch, Old West Austin, Cedar Park and Round Rock. The bad neighborhoods of Austin are Montopolis, Martin Luther King-Hwy 183, Saint Johns, East Congress, McKinney, North Burnett, Parker Lane, Johnston Terrace, Georgian Acres, South Cherrywood and Riverside.
The mean price of a one-bedroom property in Austin is $250,000. The mean price for a two-bedroom property is $285, 550. The mean price for a three-bedroom property is $330,120. The mean price of a four-bedroom property is $375,680. The mean price of a five-bedroom property is $420,600.
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The mean rent per month for a one-bedroom property in Austin is $1,150. The mean rent per month for a two-bedroom property is $1,475. The mean rent per month for a three-bedroom property is $1,770. The mean rent for a four-bedroom property is $2,110 per month. The mean rent for a five-bedroom property is $2,650 per month.
Is Austin a good place to retire?
U.S News ranks Austin as the 4th best city in which to retire in America. The reasons for receiving such credit are Austin’s relatively low living costs, safety and mild weather. If you retire as an expat in Austin, you should check out the tax code. Most retires pay nothing to state or Federal authorities. You will find great health care facilities and over 250 parks where you can take leisurely evening strolls.
Good neighborhoods in Texas include Rollingwood, Barton Hills, Tarrytown, Allandale, Shady Hollow, West Lake Hills, Mueller, Lakeway, Avery Ranch, Old West Austin, Cedar Park and Round Rock. The bad neighborhoods of Austin are Montopolis, Martin Luther King-Hwy 183, Saint Johns, East Congress, McKinney, North Burnett, Parker Lane, Johnston Terrace, Georgian Acres, South Cherrywood and Riverside.
Retirement properties are equally priced to the rest of the properties in Austin so you can use the real estate data above for reference.
Is Austin a good place to Visit?
The attractions and landmarks in Austin are countless. It would take several months to see them all. The city has a rich history and with its diverse population, caters to every interest imaginable. Since you cannot see everything on a visit to Austin you should ensure you at least follow these places: Lady Bird Lake, Zilker Metropolitan Park, Barton Springs Municipal Pool, The Cathedral of Junk, McKinley Falls State Park, Mount Bonnell, Bullock Texas State History Museum, Lake Travis, Barton Creek Greenbelt, Lake Austin, Barton Creek and Austin Nature & Science Center
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Austin, Texas?
The average cost of living in the city Austin is 7% higher than the national average. Housing is the largest expense in the most household with the housing costs like mortgage payments and rents in Austin 33% above the national mean.
Is Austin a good place to invest in property?
Austin is a good place to invest in property for several reasons. The prices are low so entry to the market is easy. There is an influx of students looking for accommodation every year so demand is constant. The city’s expansion also offers numerous opportunities for investment. Ensure you acquire insurance for your investment, nothing is guaranteed.
Is Austin a good place to raise a family?
The schools in Austin are some of the best in the country. There are over 250 parks for your children to play in and the safety levels are commendable. Austin is a great city for a young family.