Why People are Moving to Austin, TX

According to LinkedIn, for every 10,000 members on the social media site in Austin, 26.77 of them moved there in the last year from the San Francisco Bay Area in California. People are also moving to Austin, TX from bigger cities like Los Angeles and New York City, and they're even moving to Austin from other parts of Texas, like Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.  

So, what is the reason behind this great migration? Let's take a look at why people are coming from these specific areas, and some reasons to live in Austin, TX no matter where you live now.  

Why are people moving from the Bay Area to Austin? 

The biggest influx of people to Austin in recent years seems to come from the Bay Area, but why? The answer is simple: They're following their jobs. Over the last decade or so, many big companies with ties to California have left or expanded into Texas, with a majority of them choosing Austin and its metropolitan area for their HQs and expansion offices. Most notable was Tesla founder Elon Musk who has moved a large portion of his business to Austin. In 2021, he even called the city the "the biggest boomtown that America has seen in 50 years." Other big-name companies with a presence in Austin include Google, Facebook, Apple, IBM, and Oracle.  

Austin is often considered a very business-friendly city, whether you run a Fortune 500 company or a tiny start-up. Both small and big businesses thrive here. The city's diverse culture, low cost of living, and multitude of parks and green spaces also attract Californians who are tired of paying too much for everything from housing to state income taxes.  

Why are people moving from Dallas to Austin (and other major cities in Texas)? 

So, why are people moving from Houstin to Austin and away from other major cities in Texas, like Dallas and San Antonio? Well, they're coming for essentially the same reasons. Young professionals and families, in particular, are flocking to Austin from other Texas cities to find jobs with these companies, enjoy a cost of living that's a bit lower than it is in those other cities, and to soak up Austin's unique vibe. Austin has amazing schools, a food scene that can rival any city in the United States, and despite its surge in population over the last couple of decade, it still has a small town atmosphere that you won't find in Dallas or Houston.  

Why move to Austin, TX from anywhere?  

Of course, you don't have to be from the Bay Area, another Texas city, or even the United States to move to Austin. People are coming from all over the world to enjoy what the city has to offer. Yes, that includes abundant jobs and a low cost of living, but what are some other reasons to move to Austin, TX?  Here are just a few: 

• The people are so friendly  — you'll instantly become friends with everyone from your next-door neighbor to the cashier at your favorite grocery store. 
• Your kids — and even you — can get a great education. There are several excellent school districts in the Austin area, some of which even have some of the top-ranked high schools in the state. Austin is also home to the University of Texas and several other colleges and universities.  

• There is so much to do. From outdoor recreation to live music to food trucks to museums to indie shops and restaurants, you'll always find something going on in Austin.   
• The weather is amazing. If you like warm weather with mild winters, Austin is the place for you. It's also considered one of the sunniest cities in the country. 

And that just scratches the surface. If you want to know more about what it's like to live in Austin or start looking for a home here, contact me, realtor Heather Burke, (512) 434-9004 at [email protected] today.