Years ago, many people would have scoffed at the thought of the city of Austin being one of the United States' major cities compared to the likes of New York City, Chicago and more. Today, Austin is dubbed as one of the fastest growing cities in the United States and is only on the rise with many people migrating from larger cities; however, what is so special about the Lone Star's capital? From the wonders of 6th street to the Congress Street "Bat Bridge," this list comprises reasons why the city of Austin is truly amazing.
1. The food is amazing
Seriously, it is. Austin, Texas was voted as the number one city for barbecue by Thrillist and many other lists. I mean, who doesn't enjoy a nice slow cooked brisket to fill all of your desires? Places such as Franklin Barbecue and LA BBQ are just two of the many places in Austin that have people begging for more. However, the barbecue is not the only food that thrives in Austin— places such Wom Kim's Peach Pudding and Qui serve desserts like there's no tomorrow. So much food... everywhere... all the time...
2. It's a college town
Austin, Texas is home to one of the finest public universities in the nation: the University of Texas at Austin. Due to the fact that Austin is a college town, there is never a lack of new, fresh, innovative ideas and activities (yes, this does include nightlife).
3. The economy is on the rise
According to Forbes, the city of Austin is one of the best cities in terms of finding a job. This is, in large part, due to the fact that the city attracts a large number of college graduates, young families and more. Today, Austin is a hub for business and innovation. In addition to this, the cost of living in Austin and its surrounding areas are significantly lower than that of larger cities such as New York City, Seattle, and Chicago.
4. It's a hot spot for tech
As mentioned in the previous point, the city of Austin is becoming a mecca for sects such as business and tech. According to WalletHub Austin is ranked the number two "Best Place to Start a Business," especially in the tech industry. In addition to this, the Dell Technologies Headquarters is located just a short distance away in the town of Round Rock, Texas. Forbes named Dell Technologies one of America's best employers.
5. Graffiti is legal
Now, I know what you're thinking... if graffiti is legal that must mean the city is filled with gang signs and obscene images. WRONG! Graffiti in Austin is heavily regulated and is rapidly becoming a medium for people to spread ideas of love, life, and hope. In addition to this, graffiti allows "Austinites" to spread their creative ideas and allows the community to bond.
6. The music scene is on a roll—pun intended
It's not really a surprise that the city of Austin is commonly referred to as the "Live Music Capital of the World." This is because there are more music venues per capita (around 250) than anywhere else in the world, which honestly surprised me (and I'm very familiar with Texas).
Places such as 6th Street, the University of Texas at Austin, South Austin, and the Market District are just a few hot spots for the music that fuels this city. Austin is home to large events such as the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
7. It's safe
Growing up in New York City, I've had my fair share of crime (or at least I know people who have.) This doesn't seem to be as much of an issue in Austin. According to a study conducted by the FBI, the city of Austin is ranked as the "4th safest U.S. city with at least 500,000 residents." Who wouldn't want to live there?
8. It is one of the most LGBTQ friendly cities in the United States
Now, I know this may serve as a center of controversy for some people, but facts are facts. Austin has the lowest rate of sexual orientation-related hate crimes out of the top 10 most LGBTQ friendly cities in the U.S. It is also important to note that this is while being located in a very conservative Texas. This is especially important today, as hate-related crimes towards people affiliated with the LGBTQ community are on the rise.
9. The healthiest city in Texas
Yes, you read that right. Despite the abundance of good eats, Austin is named the “#1 Fittest City in Texas” by the American College of Sports Medicine. This fact leads to other great things such as a contagious relaxed vibe that the city emulates.
10. The sports culture
The sports culture in Austin, Texas is incredible. I know we keep referring to this point, but Austin is a college town. This means that there is A LOT of school spirit, especially for their sports teams. The Longhorns (the University of Austin's team name) are heavy favorites, especially in the realms of football and basketball.
11. You can "Bat" your A#$ the sunsets are amazing
Whether you're a bat enthusiast or not, you may just be interested in viewing the bats in Austin. This tradition is known as one of the many local attractions Austin has to offer. From the months of March to November, each night between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on South Congress Bridge, you can see a plethora of Mexico free-tailed bats feeding on Austin insects, all while a beautiful sunset takes place on the horizon. These bats play a pivotal role in keeping Austin's insect population down, reportedly eating 20-30 thousand pounds of insects each night.
