Pros and Cons of Moving to Austin

Relocating to any new city or country comes with advantages and various pitfalls. Similarly, we recommend that those thinking of moving to Austin consider the pros and cons of life in the city before committing to the move.

Fans of Tex-Mex and barbecue will no doubt love life in Austin, as will those who enjoy alternative music and spending time outdoors. Austin is a vibrant and dynamic city, but it is also home to pockets of conservatism and communities with more traditional ideas. The relatively affordable cost of living, great schooling options and year-round good weather have also attracted new residents to the city, but that doesn’t mean Austin is free from downsides.

Here are some of our main pros and cons of moving to Austin to help prospective residents make that all-important life decision.

Weather in Austin

+ PRO: Good weather all year round

Summer in Austin is beautiful, and new residents can look forward to long, lazy days sitting by the pool and topping up their tan or getting out in nature. Winters are mild and relatively short, so the weather rarely restricts a person’s lifestyle in Austin.

- CON: Rising temperatures mean that air-conditioning is a must

Austin continues to break records for summer temperatures. Even for those who love the warmer weather, it can get unbearably hot at times, so residents will likely want to install an air-conditioning system in their homes to make life a little more comfortable. Having a pool to cool off in is also a good option.

Climate Charts for Austin

Accommodation in Austin

+ PRO: It’s a great place to invest in property

Austin’s property market is going from strength to strength. Its growing population means that buying a property in Austin is a good investment for those looking to the future. Although new properties are constantly being developed in Austin’s areas and suburbs, the occupancy rate of rental properties is high because of the influx of newcomers.

Accommodation in Austin 
Best (and worst) Neighbourhoods in Austin

Getting around in Austin

- CON: It’s a car-dependent city

While it may not be as bad as some other US cities, Austin remains a car-dependent city. Some people, especially those living close to the downtown area, can manage without a car, but in the long run, it makes sense to have one. Owning a car gives Austin residents more freedom and essentially gives people a better quality of life.

- CON: Traffic in Austin is terrible

With so many people using cars to get around Austin and the city’s rapidly increasing population, traffic is a huge problem. Austin’s road infrastructure has been unable to keep up with the demands placed on the city by its growing population. So new residents will need to prepare themselves and allow plenty of time to get to their destination, especially during rush hours.

+ PRO: Public transport and alternative methods of getting around are improving

While Austin may not compare to the likes of New York and San Francisco when it comes to public transport infrastructure, things are slowly improving in Austin. In addition to the extensive bus network and light rail service, the growth of e-hailing services and car-sharing schemes provide alternatives for those who don’t want to be so reliant on a car. Austin is also well-equipped to cater for cyclists. After all, it is the home of Lance Armstrong.

Getting Around in Austin

Working in Austin

+ PRO: Great opportunities in the tech sector

Those with tech skills will find loads of exciting job prospects in Austin. The amount of growth experienced in this economic sector over the last decade or so has been phenomenal. Austin is also a great place for recent college grads with technology-related qualifications, as the wages are highly competitive in relation to the city’s cost of living.

Working in Austin

Lifestyle in Austin

- CON: Austin is pretty progressive, but it’s still in Texas

‘Keep Austin Weird’ is the city’s slogan, and to be fair, the city does its best to foster diversity and encourage creativity by being open-minded. But while Austin is pretty progressive, it’s important to remember that it is still in Texas, which is an overwhelmingly conservative state. If liberal ideals are important to you, you may struggle, as you are bound to come across many people who hold traditional views on issues such as gun ownership and same-sex marriage.

- CON: Austin lacks a pro sports team

Sports fans may be disappointed to learn that Austin is one of the few large US cities without a pro sports team. Those who want to play high-level sports will need to travel to Dallas, San Antonio, or Houston for some sporting action. Despite this, Austin does have a sports culture of its own, and those who are keen on getting involved in sports at a recreational level will find plenty of opportunities.

+ PRO: Brilliant calendar of annual events

Newcomers moving to Austin will find no shortage of fantastic festivals and annual events to attend. Each year, thousands of people from across the country travel to Austin for the SXSW Festival. Whether your passion is art, film, music or tech, there is bound to be a big event to look forward to on Austin’s annual events calendar.

Lifestyle in Austin