FACTS ABOUT Austin Texas
The Greater Austin area ranks high on the livability scale, which is why
Austin frequently ranks high on national lists of Best Cities. In 2003,
for example, Austin came in fourth on Travel & Leisure's list of best
loved cities, first on Forbes' list of Best Cities for Singles, and
third on Hispanic Magazine's list of Best Cities for Hispanics. In 2002,
it was in the Money Magazine's Top !0 list of Best Places to Live. Lots
of reasons are given-a cosmopolitan atmosphere without big city hassle,
great scenery and recreational opportunities, a reasonable cost of
living, a great music and cultural scene.
Austin is nestled among the rolling hills and lakes of Central Texas,
the seat of state government, an educational Mecca with seven area
universities and an entertainment complex that includes the best of live
music, the arts and all the fun of the great outdoors.
If you're planning to relocate to Austin, you'll want to know how far
your paycheck will stretch once you're here. When compared to cities
like Portland, Denver, Phoenix, Salt Lake City and Boston, which are
developing high-tech industries similar to Austin's, you'll notice your
hard-earned dollar stretching further.
Compared to these competing cities, you'll find yourself almost always
paying less for transportation, utilities, health care and other goods
and services. And when it comes to staples like housing and groceries,
Austin trumps the others with comparatively less expensive prices for
both food (Texas does not apply sales tax to unprepared food items) and
housing.
Austin ranks as the 5th Safest U.S. City in its population group of
cities with 500,000 or more population, according to Morgan Quitno Press
which annually produces America's Safest (And Most Dangerous) Cities.
Results from the report are based on a city's rate for six basic crime
categories: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and
motor vehicle theft. Only San Jose, Honolulu and El Paso have lower
crime rates in that size group
Austin's expanding health care system now rivals that of any major
metropolitan area. Besides 11 major hospitals and one children's
hospital, there are numerous out-patient clinics, emergency medical
facilities and all manner of awareness programs that serve up healthy
doses of wellness advice and information.
Austin's arts and entertainment scene combines the best of world-class
events with the hearty, community spirit of do-it-yourself art.
Austin has its own professional symphony, ballet and opera companies;
dozens of theaters prepared to wow you with old favorites or
ground-breaking new drama; dance companies, vocal ensembles, and
orchestras producing events year-round. Art museums, galleries galore
and beautiful gardens replete with sculptures ease and please the eye
with so many enticing shapes and colors.
Austin is hailed as the "Live Music Capital of the World," with hundreds
of venues offering music of all genres and tempos. By the time spring
rolls around, Austin is awash in arts festivals incorporating music,
food, the great outdoors or the great club scene, and all facets of the
arts.
Did we mention food? Austin cuisine melds flavors from throughout the
world, served in some of the friendliest restaurants around. Again, you
might find yourself indoors at a swank club sipping your martini, or
lake-side with your locally brewed beer.
No matter how long you've lived in Austin, there's always something new
to do. For newcomers, it's never too soon to start tasting that generous
helping of Austin's unique entertainment scene.
Austin content reprinted with permission from
Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce
Click here for HomePage
