Nestled in the heart of the great state of Texas is a college town, turned next-generation Silicone Valley city called Austin. It is home to me. I moved to Austin from San Antonio when I was young. Although San Antonio and Austin are an hour apart, they could not be more different. Nevertheless, I could not imagine my life the way it is had I not moved to Austin. It is the cherry on top the of the scrumptious sundae that is the state of Texas. Growing up here is something I will always be grateful for, and all of the cool facets of Austin shaped me into who I am today.
The Importance Of Healthy Living: “What is this obesity epidemic you speak of?”
Austin lends itself to being one of the fittest places around. There are miles of hike-and-bike trails and greenbelts peppered throughout the city. Town Lake is packed nearly every day of the week with walkers, runners, and kayakers from before the sun rises to after it sets. Austinites are fit, and yearly events like the Capitol 10K and the Austin Marathon shut down portions of the highway so that thousands can run in them. Whole Foods, which started in Austin in 1980, is now offering rooftop yoga on the plaza six days a week, for free! Anyone who thinks that one hundred-plus people doing yoga on the roof of a grocery store on a Monday night isn’t normal clearly is not from Austin. Austinites love their long runs and green smoothies from Juice Land afterwards.
The City Truly Is The Live Music Capital Of The World: “So you don’t remember when ACL was just one weekend?”
When I was 17, I got the ultimate privilege of being allowed to go to the Austin City Limits music festival by myself, given that I stayed with my group of friends every day and called my mom when I was ready to go home, and she would come pick me up. The Friday of ACL was like Christmas, and my mom called my small Catholic school and told them I wouldn’t be attending school that day due to attending the festival (not even gonna lie to you, Principal Scamardo). ACL was a rite of passage for all my friends and me, and I will treasure that first weekend fondly.
Aside from ACL, there are a myriad of other musical venues and acts in Austin. From South by Southwest in mid-March, to FunFunFunFest in November, to KGSR’s Blues on the Green every other Wednesday in the summer, to the band playing for tips on the patio adjacent to Guero’s on South Congress, there’s no act too big or too small who is unwelcome in Austin. Statues of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Willie Nelson adorn downtown as well. Live music is something that every Austinite, big and small, knows and loves about the city.
Eating, And Eating Well: “You’re telling me this food truck is just as good as a normal restaurant?”
I wouldn’t be surprised if food trucks and trailers completely overtook restaurants in the next five years in Austin, and the city offers plenty of amazing options for both. Tacos are considered a food group here and can be eaten at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Torchy's Tacos got its start in a small trailer on South First Street and is expanding nationwide. Maria’s Taco Xpress on South Lamar is more well-known for its giant sculpture of Maria, but their tacos are still some of the best around. The best cupcakes in town come from a trailer aptly named Hey Cupcake.
You can be downtown, in Westlake, or in East Austin and get an amazing, quality meal from a food-trailer park. If you’re not feeling getting food from a place that also has an engine, Austin is full of great restaurants. My personal favorites are Taverna for Italian food on Second Street, with a snow cone for dessert from Sno Beach on Barton Springs Road. Let’s not forget world-famous Franklin’s BBQ on Eleventh Street for some finger-lickin’ good ribs. There’s something for every palate in this vibrant city, and I could go on and on about all the wonderful food there is here.
Come As You Are: “You mean I’m accepted as I am and don’t need to social-climb to find my niche?”
Nearly every person in Austin feels a sense of belonging in this city. Each niche has their own little slice of the 512, but they blend seamlessly together. Austin itself is the poster child for “individually unique, together complete.” The city is so open and groovy that it’s considered strange if you don’t have a tattoo.
Growing up here, I never felt the need to have to explain who I was or have to conform to fit in. I could be who I was. To me, that’s what's special about Austin: you are free to be exactly who you are, and you are celebrated for it instead of just tolerated. You don’t need to drive a certain type of car or carry the latest handbag to be accepted. You simply just have to be you, relax, and enjoy every amenity that Austin has to offer.
You should always thank your lucky stars that you’re in Texas, but you should definitely count your blessings that you’re in Austin, too.
