What is it like to live in Austin, Texas? Austin, Texas, is a vibrant city filled with entertainment, art, and culture. From delicious food to extraordinary outdoor adventures, you can find what you seek living here.
The life of a traveling professional, like a nurse or construction worker, can be hectic. So, here is a quick guide on what to expect when moving to Austin. You will find information on housing, local amenities, lifestyle, and more.
What Is It Like to Live in Austin, Texas
The capital city, Austin, is located in central Texas, in Travis, Hays, and Williamson counties. With an average temperature of 71 degrees in November and 300 sunny days a year, the climate is mild and perfect for outdoor work almost year-round. With a population increase of 2.06% from 2023, Austin is home to approximately 2,274,000 people.
Known as the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin boasts a vibrant cultural scene, from cultural arts and public expression to museums and learning centers.
Austin is also known as a commanding force in the tech industry. Companies like Dell, IBM, Samsung, and Tesla have established themselves here and created unprecedented job demand.
Housing and Accommodations
There are many different options for housing and accommodations for traveling professionals who want to live in Austin, Texas, including RV parks, short-term rentals, and extended-stay hotels. Some popular neighborhoods among professionals include Downtown Austin, South Congress, and East Austin.
RV Parks
Located in the heart of Austin, Meadow Lane RV Park provides easy access to many surrounding areas. It hosts full RV hook-ups, is wi-fi enabled, and has a dog park for your fluffy friend. Rates start as low as $85 per night. They also offer extended stay sites starting at $1100 per month.
Short-Term Rentals
Short-term rentals in houses, apartments, and Airbnb are available throughout Austin and the surrounding areas. A simple internet search will point you in the right direction. Pricing will vary depending on your choice of accommodation.
Extended-Stay Hotels
Extended Stay America offers extended-stay hotel options at different locations throughout Austin. Pricing varies depending on your chosen location but generally ranges between $50 and $70 per night.
Transportation and Commute
Many transportation and commuting options are available in Austin, Texas, including public transit, biking, and driving.
Public Transportation
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro) offers several options for transportation, including:
- Buses: There are various routes, including local, express, and flyer routes, throughout the city.
- Paratransit Services for people with disabilities
- Commuter Rail System, which connects Austin to areas around the city
Because of growing demand, CapMetro is always looking for ways to expand its services in and around Austin.
Biking
Austin has a bike-share program, MetroBike, with 77 bike station locations. To use this program, you rent a bike using one of the apps, ride the bike, return it, and repeat. They offer pay-as-you-ride or explorer memberships.
The fee structure for the pay-as-you-ride option starts at $1.09. It costs $1 to unlock the bike, then $.23 a minute to ride. The Explorer membership is $12.99 for unlimited 60-minute trips during 24 hours. There is a usage fee of $4 plus tax if you go over 60 minutes. Once the bike is returned to a station, your time restarts.
Driving Tips
As with many major metropolitan cities, peak congestion (rush hour traffic) occurs between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays. Traffic apps can help guide you through the city. Ensure you keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
During the spring and fall, it is common for Austin weather to be unpredictable. Use a weather app to be aware of inclement weather conditions, as it is normal for sudden storms and flash flooding to occur.
Construction zones are common in Austin due to the increasing population. Be mindful of the specific guidelines and use caution when driving in construction zones. Also, make sure to stay observant of your surroundings.
Healthcare and Essential Services
If you are planning to live in Austin, Texas, you’ll want to have easy access to healthcare. You may also be a traveling nurse, looking for a great job! There are many healthcare facilities throughout Austin. Some facilities include St. David’s Medical Center, Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin, and Arise Austin Medical Center, so you will want to find which is closest to you.
It is also important to take note of any grocery stores, pharmacies, and banks you see while commuting so you can find them again when you need them.
Lifestyle and Leisure
Lifestyle and leisure bring fun and relaxation. When you get off work or have a day off, there are many things to do in Austin, such as recreational activities, entertainment, and dining.
Recreational Activities
For those who like nature and hiking, you could travel the 10-mile Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, hike Mount Bonnell’s stone steps, or explore the gardens of Mayfield Park, among many others. If hiking is not your thing, you can always play mini golf at Peter Pan Mini Golf. For an adrenaline rush, you could go to Lake Travis Zipline Adventures, which has five different ziplines you can take.
Entertainment and Dining
For live music entertainment, you can visit venues like the Continental Club, Stubb’s Bar-B-Q, which mixes live music with great food, or Antone’s. If you like theater and dance, Zilker Hillside Theater is your place.
There is also a lot of diversity when it comes to food. You can find almost anything, including Mexican, Asian, African, European, and Indian cuisine.
Is Austin, Texas a Nice Place to Live?
The simple answer here is yes. Austin is fun and culturally diverse, but like every large metropolitan city, they also have their faults. Doing further research to see if Austin, Texas, is the right place for you is important.
Living in Austin, Texas, Will Bring Culture and Entertainment to Your Life
Living in Austin, Texas, brings many music, culture, dining, etc., experiences to your life. Busy professionals need fun in their lives, too. If you are a traveling professional and can choose Austin, do it.
If you have questions about what it is like to live in Austin, Texas, or need accommodations, contact us at Meadow Lane RV Park today.