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Real Estate & Homes in Austin - Texas - Austin, Texas homes and communities Austin
Austin BackgroundIt seems that Austin consistently appears on everyone's list of best places to live in the United States. What is it about this Texas town that's so attractive, besides its famously pretty coeds? Perhaps the most compelling factor is the low cost of living. There is no state income tax, and Austin's property taxes are 80 percent lower than the national average. Perhaps it's the public school system, with its 13.6 student-to-teacher ratio. Perhaps it's the low cost of housing: nearly 20 percent lower than the national average. More than likely, it's the combination of many factors — the quality of life, the temperate climate, the fantastic nightlife, the strong economy — that makes Austin one of the most livable and lovable cities in Texas. It's the second-fastest-growing city in the United States.Austin HistoryOriginally known as “Waterloo,” Austin was founded on Dec. 27, 1839, expressly for the purpose of serving as the Texas state capital. The city was renamed “Austin” in honor of Stephen F. Austin, one of the great early leaders of Texas. By 1840, Austin's population had grown to 856, but it dwindled to 200 after Sam Houston moved the state capital to Houston.After Texas was annexed into the United States in 1846, the capital was relocated to Austin, and the city was given new life. The original city layout included construction of a capitol building atop a hill, with a broad street leading from the capitol toward town. The original layout still exists today. The University of Texas at Austin opened its doors in 1883, with courses in academics and law. The capitol building was completed in 1888 and was reported at the time to be the “seventh largest building in the world.” The city's growth remained constant throughout the late 1800s and the first half of the 20th century. Beginning in 1893, several dams were constructed on the Colorado River, providing the city with hydraulic power that attracted manufacturers. By the 1950s, Austin began to attract research laboratories and high-tech companies, partly due to the synergies provided by the University of Texas, IBM and Texas Instruments. Austin's first high-tech business, Tracor, soon followed. The high-tech trend continues today, fueled by the talent and brains of UT professors and graduates. The city's growth accelerated in the 1970s and spawned a great deal of local political activity. Austin's civic organizations are the backbone of the preservation movement that keeps the city's neighborhoods strong, and maintains a clean and healthy environment. Austin Fast FactsLocation: Austin is located in south-central Texas, about 80 miles northeast of San Antonio*Total area: 258.43 square miles *Population: 656,562 *Housing units: 276,842 Average annual rainfall: 33.65 inches Average temperatures: 84ºF in summer, 50ºF in winter *Information provided by 2000 Census EconomyAustin has earned a number of business-friendly noteworthy titles, including “The Country's Most Entrepreneurial City,” “The Best City for Hispanics To Live In,” “Top Ten Hottest Wireless Cities,” “Best Places for Business and Careers” and “Leading Biotechnology Center.” The factors that help Austin earn accolades are community support; entrepreneurial ambition and creativity; strong grassroots movements; success in bringing ideas to the marketplace; low relative expense for labor, energy, taxes and office space; a highly qualified workforce; low crime rates; and a strong cultural and leisure ranking.Austin's key industries are automotive, computers, biotechnology, film, logistics distribution, music, semiconductors, software and wireless technology. Add to the industrial base the economic components of the state government and the University of Texas, and the result is a well-balanced, diverse and growing economy. Investors have confidence in Austin's economy; the city has received one of the nation's highest percentages of venture capital. Austin encourages business relocation by offering performance-based incentives to businesses relocating in the city. Further, the city's Economic Growth and Redevelopment Office assists small businesses and organizations with business-related issues and concerns. Austin also has reaped the benefits of international investment due to the strength of its high-tech community. Approximately 70 foreign companies have branches in the Austin area, including more than 10 Japanese employers and Japanese-related companies. The new Austin-Bergstrom International Airport focuses on international trade and transportation, and several free-trade zones support the city's efforts to attract additional international trade. Perhaps the most important factor fueling Austin's economy is the high-quality workforce available to prospective employers. Austin ranked ninth in the nation in Forbes Magazine's Best Places for Business and Careers list in 2003. A whopping 38.6 percent of adults 25 or older in Austin have a bachelor's degree or higher. The balance in Austin's economy is reflected in the percentage of the workforce employed in the major sectors. Thirty percent of the workforce is employed in the services industry; 23 percent in government; 23 percent in trade; 10 percent in manufacturing; 6 percent in construction; 5 percent in finance, insurance and real estate; and 3 percent in transportation and public utilities. *Source: Austin Chamber of Commerce (www.austin-chamber.org) Quality of LifeAustin is the second-fastest-growing city in the United States, partly as a result of its strong and diverse economy, and partly as a result of its incomparable quality of life. Austin is the most highly educated community in the nation among cities with populations exceeding 250,000, and it has the highest bookstore sales per household. It ranks as the fifth-safest city in the country among cities of its size. The city's cultural offerings rival those of the largest cities in the country, and its outdoor amenities are plentiful.ActivitiesMusicMusic, music, music! Austin has more than 120 live music venues, featuring the full range of musical genres. Nicknamed “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin hosts a 10-day internationally renowned music and film festival in March, South by Southwest. This event is much more than performances and street fairs; it includes workshops, panel discussions and exhibitions. Of course, live performances are the main attraction, with more than 400 bands performing over the course of the festival and film screenings throughout Austin. In September, there is another major music festival: the Austin City Limits Music Festival. This festival, held outdoors at Zilker Park, showcases talent from around the world. Events and Festivals Arts and Culture Outdoor Recreation College and Professional Sports Dining and Nightlife Where is Austin?
Written exclusively by Margaret Bowles for HomesParadise.com.
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