Pros and Cons of Living in Austin Texas
Many people like living in the Austin suburbs, but is it the right decision for you?
Read on to find out the honest pros and cons of living in Austin.
Advantages of living in Austin Texas:
1. The locals are very friendly
Austin is home to some of the happiest and friendliest people.
2. Austin is a great city for millennials
Millennials make up 31% of Austin's population, and that number continues to grow every year. Austin offers many of the benefits of big city living (great food, nightlife, cultural events, outdoor recreation) as well as affordable housing prices.
3. There's no shortage of outdoor recreation here
Miles of hiking trails, biking trails, kayaking, canoeing, swimming - there really is no reason to stay home in Austin, Texas. In that regard, it's a great place for families!
4. The sun shines here all the time.
Austin is known as one of America's sunniest cities, with an average of 228 sunny days a year.
5. No state income tax.
Perhaps one of the biggest perks of moving to Austin from New York City is the lack of state income tax. Your salary will be much higher if you live in a state with no state income tax.
6. Austin's booming job market
Thanks to the relocation of companies like Google and Tesla, job growth in Austin is projected to grow 47% over the next 10 years.
Disadvantages of living in Texas Austin:
1. Austin is a car-centric city
Make no mistake, you will definitely need a car for your daily life in Austin. The lack of public transportation is an absolute pain.
2. Summer Heat.
Summer heat in Austin is tough on those who have moved from cooler climates. It's not uncommon for summer highs to reach above 100°F for several days in a row, and the average summer temperature stays around 96°F from June through August.
3. Housing Market.
Average home prices are now about $540,000, up 30%, the highest increase in the country.
4. Traffic.
Some Austinites try to say that traffic here isn't as bad as other cities, and that's true if you compare it to Los Angeles or New York City. However, given that Austin is a large city, the road infrastructure can't handle the influx of new residents.
5. You won't have four seasons.
When you move to Austin, Texas, you can happily say goodbye to winter. The lack of winter can be either a minus or a plus to living in Austin, depending on your personal preference.
Nevertheless, it's up to you to decide. So carefully weigh the pros and cons.