Relocating to Austin, Texas

If you're considering a move to a new city, Austin is a wonderful place to call home.

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Welcome to Austin   

There are many aspects to research before you start to pack – but we are here to help you through the experience. Not only are we experts in the Central Austin real estate market, we’ve lived in Austin for over 25 years. We love it here, and bet you will too!

Austin was ranked the #1 best place to live in the U.S. for three years straight by U.S. News and World Report in 2017 - 2019, was ranked #3 in 2020, and #5 in 2021.   We’re not surprised.  We’ve got a strong economy, mild weather (if you discount summer), low unemployment rate, great music, beautiful outdoor surroundings, a nice mix of culture, and of course, the University of Texas Longhorn football. 

Check out our essential tips for what you should know when moving to Austin.

There's a lot to love about Austin

We are a diverse city, and each of our neighborhoods has a different vibe, often with a different type of architecture.  Artsy and creative? We’ve got it in East Austin. Historic homes with mature trees? Check out Hyde Park. Rolling hills and great schools? Well, that’s Northwest Hills. High rises and walkable to activities? Look no further than Downtown.  Custom luxury homes?  We’ve got those too.  

Explore Central Austin neighborhoods and discover where you fit in.

Explore Austin neighborhoods

Real estate value is strong

Austin home values are on the rise.    In 2013 the average sales price in Austin proper was about $373,000. By 2018 the average sales price jumped to $497,000. That’s 33% over 6 years – equating to an average appreciation rate of 5.5%. 

In terms of affordability, the salary needed to purchase the average home in 2013 was $99,611 with a 3.5% interest rate. By 2018, you needed to earn around $144,775 with a 4.625% interest rate.   While some locals dislike our rising property values, Austin is still a deal compared to similarly sized metro areas.

We're the live music capital of the world 

You’ll never run out of entertaining things to do in Austin.  From family-friendly activities to a night out on the town with friends, this city has it all. For starters, there are live music performances nearly every single night at some of the most popular clubs and bars.  We weren’t named the “Live Music Capital of the World” for nothing!  You can experience the vibrant sound of the city.  We've put together a Spotify playlist sampling Austin musicians current and past, popular and less known that has a musical option for every taste.  This is the heartbeat of Austin.

Give it a listen >> 


It's almost always a beautiful day in the neighborhood

An outdoors lifestyle is common among Austinites, and there are plenty of hiking trails and lakes to enjoy a day in the sun. Austin has notoriously beautiful weather, with an average high of 79.7 degrees -- except in the summer when it is hot and humid.  When the weather warms up, we highly recommend visiting one of Austin’s local swim spots like Barton Springs, Deep Eddy, or Hamilton pool, a gorgeous, natural grotto that is as beautiful as it is fun.

And there are plenty of excellent eating choices

After a day in the sun, stop by one of Austin’s many mouthwatering restaurants. When it comes to food, Austin has no shortage of Texas-style barbecue. Franklin Barbeque and LeRoy & Lewis are the hottest spots for smoked meats and homemade sides. Melt-in-your-mouth pork belly and mac and cheese stuffed quail are must-try menu items. But don’t worry – if barbecue isn’t your style, there are hundreds of eateries to choose from including rooftop bars and food trucks.   Indeed, Austin was ranked one of the top five best foodie cities in the U.S. by WalletHub in 2021.  Check out our personal list of tried and true favorite restaurants or explore our curated list of restaurants with patios for outdoor dining.

Austin also doesn’t skimp out on great annual food events either such as the Austin Ice Cream Festival, Austin Food & Wine Festival and many more.   You can get the scoop on Austin’s restaurant scene from one of our city’s many popular bloggers, including A Taste of KokoEater Austin, or Sushi Girl ATX,  to name a few.

We're known for keeping it weird

Austin is known for being weird, zany, and slightly off-kilter.  And for being the big blue dot in the middle of a red state.  So yes, in Austin people may walk their pig down the street, keep goats in the backyard, take their parrot on a walk in the neighborhood, or paint their chimney like a purple cat.  And we wouldn't have it any other way.  Witness these five ways we keep it weird.


And yes, we're cultured too...

Sometimes Texas gets a bad rap.  We actually have an abundance of cultural activities to entertain you.  Look no further than the Blanton Museum of Art, the Long Center for Performing Arts, the Austin Symphony, Ballet Austin, or the LBJ Presidential Library.   Plus, we have a nationally acclaimed public library.  (And tons more we’re probably leaving out…)  Where else can you watch the largest colony of bats fly out from under a bridge or watch cars zip by during Formula One? Austin surely has something for everyone!


Austin is sought after by millennials and retirees alike

Regardless of your stage in life, it is easy to create a personalized lifestyle while living and working in Austin.  Whether you’re starting your career or ending one, Austin is ideal.  Neighborhood Loans ranked Austin as the second best city in the U.S. for millennials in 2021, while AARP gave Austin an above-average livability score.  Overall, World Population Review ranks Austin as the #1 most livable city in the United States for 2021.   

School choices abound

For families with children, there are a variety of school choices to help your child achieve their full potential.    The public schools in Austin Independent School District offer assorted programming, like language immersion, International Baccalaureate programs, and more.  Charter schools and private schools throughout the city offer additional choices. We can guide you through the process of figuring out which neighborhood aligns with your family priorities.

Plus, Austin is big business

Our local economy continues to be a big attraction.  But don’t take our word for it; the rankings speak for themselves.  

In 2020 alone, the Milken Institute ranked Austin as the third best performing economy of large cities in the U.S.  Likewise, in 2018 Glassdoor ranked Austin as one of the top ten destinations for job movers.  In 2020 Inc. Magazine ranked Austin as the number one city to start a business in the U.S., and Pods ranked Austin in the top five best cities to start a business in 2022.

On the downside: traffic and allergies are congested

And then there’s traffic --one of Austin’s less appealing aspects.  Commute time varies depending on the neighborhood, but the average commute time for a working person in Austin ranges from 16 to 35 minutes.  On the bright side, if travel is in your plans the Austin Bergstrom International Airport has flights into most major cities – and direct flights to Cancun.

And while we're being honest, Austin is usually rated in the top 5 worst places for allergies because it has three distinct pollen seasons.   Just ask someone about cedar fever...

Hooked on Austin

If you have any questions or need a local expert to guide you through the process of moving to Austin and buying a home, please reach out.  We’re always happy to chat, and you can count on us for friendly, no BS advice. 

In the meantime, use our visitor guide to live like a local on your next visit. We think you’ll be hooked in no time.  

Want to learn more about your options?  We can help.


Ready to find an Austin home you love?


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