What you MUST know when living in Austin | 17 things you need to know about Austin Texas
Discover the 17 essential things you must know when living in Austin, Texas. I’ll also throw in a few tips at the end to help you blend in better in Austin.
My name is Tiffany Moore. I’m a real estate broker posting blogs and videos regularly about living, working, playing, and loving your life in Austin, Texas. If you’re thinking about moving to Austin, Texas, contact me. I’ve got your back.
Number one, Austin is a hot and sunny city with over 300 days of sunshine per year. Summers can be sweltering, so pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat when you move to Austin.
Number two, Austin is also a very dog-friendly city. Many businesses in Austin welcome dogs, including several dog-friendly parks and trails. If you bring your dog to Austin, you’ll surely find plenty of places to take them.
The third thing to remember is that the live music scene is one of the best things about Austin. Live music can be found all over Austin, from grocery stores and cafes to parks and concert venues. There’s even a free concert series called Blues on the Green in Zilker Park during the summer.
Moving on to number four. Learn about the traffic situation in Austin, which can be challenging during rush hour. Commuting from places like Cedar Park, Round Rock, or Georgetown to downtown can take 45 minutes to an hour. However, Austin is a bike-friendly city, and this is tip number five, with over 35 miles of bike expressways and designated bike lanes in many parts of town.
Number six: while Austin is working on improving diversity, it still ranks 73rd in the nation and sixth in Texas. Houston is the most diverse city in the nation, but other Texas cities like Arlington, Plano, Fort Worth, and Dallas are more diverse than Austin.
Number seven: Austin is a food lover’s paradise with diverse options ranging from tacos, oysters, pizza, burgers, sushi, Thai food, Vietnamese food, and more. Ramen and bagels have recently become popular in Austin, with many restaurants offering delicious options.
The eighth thing about Austin is that it has no pro sports teams. While there are no pro football or basketball teams, there is a minor league baseball team called the Round Rock Express. The team hosts fun events like concerts and kids’ nights, making it a great place to bring the family.
Austin is getting a major league soccer team, and a new stadium is being built just outside The Domain, a popular eat, live, play, and work area in north Austin. The Domain has apartments, big office buildings, and many restaurants and shops, making it a great place to live and work. The new soccer stadium will be a massive area with parks and other amenities.
The ninth thing to remember about Austin is that the University of Texas at Austin is a big part of the sports scene in Austin, with the UT Longhorns football team drawing huge crowds on game days. Football is huge in Texas, and the traditional college football vibe and experience can be found in Austin.
Number ten: be prepared to see more skin than you’re used to in Austin, as it is acceptable for men and women to go topless in parks, swimming holes, and some areas of Sixth Street and Rainey Street. Hippie Hollow is the only place you can go fully nude in Austin.
The 11th must-know fact about Austin is bats. Austin is home to the largest urban bat population in the world, with one and a half million bats flying out from under the Congress bridge every summer to eat thousands of pounds of bugs. The South Congress Bridge is the best spot to see them but be prepared for crowds.
12th on the list are moon towers. Austin has the world’s only known remaining moon towers, built-in 1895 as the city’s first street lamps. While some have been removed for road construction, the city has ordinances to prevent demolition.
Gentrification is a challenge in Austin, as it is in many big cities, making it the 13th tip to remember. Original residents of neighborhoods are being displaced due to higher mortgages, rents, and taxes. This is most prominent on the east side, South Congress, and the Red River strip, where independent shops and restaurants are being replaced by new apartments, yoga studios, and upscale establishments.
One of the must-know things about living in Austin, Texas, is breakfast tacos. These delicious tacos are perfect for early morning meetings or getting you up and running after a late night. They typically contain eggs and a protein or veggie, and the best place to get them is Rudy’s Barbecue, a smaller barbecue chain throughout the Southwest.
You can even find breakfast tacos with brisket in Austin, which are excellent. Other favorites include bean and cheese, egg and potato, and egg and bacon. If you haven’t had a breakfast taco in Austin, you haven’t truly experienced the city.
Day trips from Austin, Texas, are 15th on the list. Despite being deep in the heart of Texas, Austin is surrounded by beautiful countryside and unique cities perfect for a day trip. One such place is Fredericksburg, just two hours outside the city known for its farms, orchards, and wineries. Take a wine tour or pick your own peaches for a fun and relaxing day.
Another excellent day trip from Austin is Wimberley, only an hour away but with a gorgeous drive through the rolling hills of Texas hill country. Once there, enjoy the quiet and peaceful surroundings, visit wineries, distilleries, and breweries, and take in the beautiful landscape.
For a taste of Texas history, head to San Antonio, just an hour and a half south of Austin. Visit the Alamo and learn about the city’s missions, then stroll down the famous river walk and enjoy the great food and drink options. Whether you prefer the countryside or the city, there’s a perfect day trip outside Austin.
One thing you must know about Austin, Texas, is that people love being outside, whether it’s hot or cold. The city has parks, swimming holes, hiking and biking trails, and outdoor restaurants with patios and seating areas. Even food trucks and trailers offer outdoor dining options.
Many outdoor spaces have misting fans to beat the heat, while gas heaters keep patrons warm during the winter. Whether enjoying a meal or exploring the city, being outside is a must-do activity in Austin.
If you love the outdoors, you’ll love Austin, with its beautiful scenery, cool breezes, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature.
Winding down to the 17th spot is allergies. Allergies are a real issue in Austin. With so much life and plants blooming, the air is full of allergens that can affect even those who have never had allergies.
Cedar fever is expected in December and January; many people experience yearly allergies. It’s crucial to figure out what works best for your body, whether it’s allergy medication, essential oils, or a Neti pot.
Living in Austin means planning for allergies every year, but with the right strategy, you can manage the symptoms and enjoy all the city offers. From beautiful scenery to delicious food, Austin is a great place to live despite allergies.
Moving to Austin, Texas, can be exciting but also daunting, as there are many words and phrases that are pronounced differently than you might expect. To avoid embarrassing yourself as a newcomer, learning the correct pronunciations of common words and phrases is important.
For example, Burnet is pronounced “burn-it,” not “Burnett.” Guadalupe is pronounced “Guadaloop,” and Pedernales is pronounced “Pur-dernah-lez.” Similarly, Koenig is pronounced “Kay-nig,” and Manchaca is pronounced “man-shack.”
Learning these pronunciations can help you blend in with the locals and avoid standing out as an outsider. As you explore the many neighborhoods and cities around Austin, finding the one that best fits your lifestyle and passions is important. To get help with your move, reach out to me, a local expert who can guide you through the process.
