Austin, Texas – “Live Music Capital of the World”
Money Magazine selected Austin as the No. 2 Best Big City in “Best Places to Live” in 2006, and MSN called Austin the “Greenest City in America”, referring to sustainable living. Austinites celebrate diversity and eclectic, progressive lifestyles. The official slogan promotes Austin as “Live Music Capital of the World”. The city is populated by a diverse mix of students, university professors, lobbyists, politicians, state employees, musicians, high-tech workers, blue-collar workers, and white-collar workers. Some people call Austin “Silicon Hills” due to the numerous major technology companies that have facilities in the city.
Living in Austin
Austin's climate is humid subtropical, which includes hot humid summers and mild dry winters. Austin has less expensive housing costs than Silicon Valley, but more expensive housing costs than other parts of Texas due to the proximity of several technology companies in the area. Austin has several notable neighborhoods with homes and Austin apartments for rent.
Brentwood is a popular neighborhood because of proximity to the University of Texas campus, downtown Austin, and the J.J. Pickle Research Campus. Large, modern apartments and condominiums line the district's streets. Many of the residents are young professionals and students. Brentwood offers a farmer's market complex, called Brentwood Farmers Market, a small shopping district, and popular gathering spot, the Brentwood Tavern. Brentwood Park offers soccer fields, tennis courts, baseball diamonds and a playground. Hamburger joints and old-fashioned bars are easy to find in this neighborhood. The Violet Crown Festival, held annually in Brentwood Park, draws the locals.
Located just north of the University of Texas, Hyde Park is an historic neighborhood in Central Austin. The neighborhood is well known for its diversity of buildings, land uses, and residents. Students and young professionals can find homes for rent here. Small, local shops offer vegetarian fare, buttermilk-dipped fries, and other delights. Formosa, a small studio, offers an annual neighborhood home tour.
West of downtown Austin, you'll find the Old West Austin Historic District. If you are looking for a historic home for rent, this neighborhood would be a great location.
West of downtown, you'll also find Tarrytown. Lush foliage, shade trees, and impeccably clean neighborhoods provide a quiet retreat from the nearby downtown hustle and bustle.
In south Austin, you'll find tree lined, rolling hills in a quiet neighborhood called Travis Heights. Nearby, hip cafes and stores are located on South Congress Avenue.
Education in Austin
Austin provides several opportunities for a college education. The University of Texas at Austin, Austin Community College, Concordia University, Huston-Tillotson University, St. Edward's University, the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, and a branch of LeTourneau University serve the city. Also, students attend the Action School of Business, Austin Graduate School of Theology, and the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Working in Austin
Austin has several prominent employers, including the State of Texas, SETON Healthcare Network, the University of Texas, Dell, IBM, and Freescale Semiconductor. The plethora of technology companies led to the nickname “Silicon Hills”. Other companies with facilities in Austin include 3M Company, Apple Inc., AMD, Hewlett-Packard, Applied Materials, Cisco, Cirrus Logic, eBay/PayPal, Google, Hoover's, Inc., Intel, National Instruments, Samsung, Silicon Laboratories, United Devices, and Sun Microsystems.
Entertainment in Austin
Austin has a varied and lively music scene, sporting more music venues than any other city in the nation. Nightclubs, film festivals, music festivals, and concerts spice up Austin's appeal.
Austin does not have a franchise in the National Football League, National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, or the National Hockey League. However, Austinites find entertainment and exercise in active outdoor activities such as rock-climbing, swimming, diving, snorkeling, mountain biking, and cycling.
Austin Property Managers and Landlords
Looking for a property manager or property management company in Austin, TX? View our Austin property management directory.
Cities covered on Rentals.com
Austin
include
and
Austin
.