Austin Homes For Sale
Living in the Capital City of Texas...
Austin packs a lot of punch for a city with an ever-growing population (currently about 2.5 million in the metropolitan area). Austin certainly knows how to splurge on having a good time – a thriving music scene, oodles of food choices, amazing parks and lakes, endless sunshine, tons of job opportunities (thriving tech market), and a big ‘ole scoop of Texas charm and hospitality!
With all this city has to offer comes a city with many slogans … here are a few:
- Keep Austin Weird (originally started as a promotion for small businesses)
- Live Music Capital of the World (with more live music venues per capita than anywhere else in the nation)
- Silicon Hills (starting in the 1990’s large tech companies flocked to the hilly terrain of the area)
- The Capital of Texas (This city was deemed the capital in 1839 – the capitol building is wonderful)
- Love The Odd Side of Austin (again, referring to unique events and businesses)
- Music Comes Alive in Austin (just like it says LIVE music … always!)
What is Driving the Growth in this Area?
With a lot of heavy-hitting tech companies moving to this city, or having a large presence here, the job opportunities are tremendous. Venture Capital is going gangbusters in the metro area, and top this all off with a highly educated population … this city is growing!!!
Overall, the demographics show a younger generation taking on Austin (now the 10th largest city proper in the nation). This is likely tied to the growth of tech companies, but this Real Estate Guide believes it is also the vibrant culture, music scene, and amazing outdoor activities providing an incentive to live in this city.
It’s easy to make friends here: if you like fun, you will find friends! Music. Parks. Food. Festivals. Museums. Events.
Job opportunities include several sectors (business, manufacturing, healthcare, education) but tech has exploded with tech companies like Tesla, Oracle, Google, Space X, Apple, etc. Consult Indeed and you will get a sense of the opportunities here!
Outside Action:
- One of the most attractive features in Austin is the scenic Colorado River that flows through the center of town, creating Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake. At nearly 865 miles long, the Texas Colorado River is the longest river to start and end in Texas.
- Lady Bird Lake Trail winds right through downtown and is a great place to bike, walk, run, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city.
- The scenic hills of the area afford folks lots of hiking trails and nature venues.
- Growing like mad, but LOTS of green space – even downtown!
- Super dog-friendly …
- Parks – and more parks …
- A city always in motion with paddleboarding, pickleball courts, volleyball, kayaking, soccer, walking, running, picnics, yoga, you name it … active!!!
Festivals:
- Austin Reggae Fest
- South by Southwest (sxsw)
- Austin City Limits
- Art Festivals
- Wine and Food Festivals
- Bat Fest
- Moontower Comedy Festival
- Rodeo Austin
- ATX Television Festival
- Film Festivals
- Car Festivals
This Real Estate Guide says: If unsure – attend everything! Local vendors show up here in Austin! Local culinary delights, local art, local music, and local fun!
Food:
This Real Estate Guide can assure you there is no shortage of options! There are food truck parks everywhere! So, you have your indecisive significant other, or friends, or family, or co-worker(s) … food truck parks are the answer!!! Local is a big thing in Austin, not as many chain restaurants, Austin is big on supporting local businesses.
Breweries, beer gardens, outdoor patios, casual to elegant – your options are amazing. With all of this, Austin is a very dietary-friendly city – don’t be shy about requesting foods to pair with allergy and dietary restrictions.
For the latest and greatest ideas on the food scene, the Austin Real Estate Guide suggests looking through Eater Austin’s recommendations!
Real Estate, Economics, and Education:
The Austin Real Estate Guide has it easy; this is a welcoming and accepting city. Currently a real hot-spot for relocation means there are lots of folks living here who are not from here – making the city a “melting pot” with loads of diversity. Austin retains a small city vibe (lots of suburbs and not much public transportation option … you will need a vehicle here!).
The median home price in Austin proper is running about $600K, with options at every price point. Here are some options:
- Tarrytown is a tightknit neighborhood with tree-lined streets, parks, stunning homes, many historic homes, established in 1915, and a median home price of $1.9M
- Mueller is a neighborhood near downtown and just two miles from the University of Texas campus, a master planned community with 20% of the land dedicated to parks/green space, a wide range of home options, median home price of $850K
- Hyde Park is in central Austin and one of the first planned suburbs of the city. Bungalows, craftsman-style, Victorian, etc. Median price $580K
The Austin Real Estate Guide is well-versed in the metropolitan area and notes prices are generally more affordable in the suburbs. That said, downtown is the beating heart of the city and offers a unique living experience with options including condos, lofts, and single-family dwellings.
The education system in Austin is strong! Austin Independent School District has a strategic plan, monitors their own progress, pays attention to scoring, and cares about the success of all students. Plenty of private school options also exist in the city. Higher education options in and around Austin are many.
General economics of the area include growth – big time growth, but a strong city government with economic development at the forefront. Infrastructure with growth brings on some growing pains, specifically with traffic and no public transportation options – just be aware! Toll roads and increased speed limits on same are certainly a driver’s best option when time is of the essence. Oh, and there is no state income tax here … how’s that for a little bonus?!
Final tidbits and thoughts …
The Austin Real Estate Guide loves this city and all it has to offer. Another favorite activity is all the farmer’s markets – so much local food and retail here – year around! The city is a hotbed of health options and treatments (vitamins, hydration boutiques, yoga, acupuncture, holistic, wholesome).
Austin is also central to so many cute small towns – day trips are so much fun in these parts! There are natural springs, wineries, antiquing, museums, etc. – all within day trip drive times.
The Austin Real Estate Guide stands ready to search for your next address here in Austin – a welcoming and accepting place to live – let’s get started!