Austin has a world-renowned live music scene, with more than 250 live music venues. It is also known for its festivals, such as the SXSW, the Austin City Limits Music Festival and the Texas Book Festival; outdoor activities, such as hiking and swimming in Barton Springs; and a unique gastronomic offering with a variety of local dishes. Maybe it's because of Southern hospitality or all that sunshine they enjoy, but Austinites, like other Texans, are known for their friendly spirit and commitment to the community. Each of Austin's neighborhoods has a different character, history, and charm, but all have people who dedicate their lives to community service, such as Florence Ponziano, whose Comfort House “gives children the opportunity to prosper and achieve their dreams”.
If Detroit, bombed, is a post-apocalyptic United States, the rise of Austin, Texas, is the happiest version of the future. Austin, with a population of 700,000, has a thriving D, I, Y creative class and, thanks to the development of high-rise condominiums, an increasingly dense urban center. This is no small thing in Texas, the third largest state, where expansion (think Houston) is the norm. The city has made recent investments in light rail, and Austin's cycling culture is legendary.
Austin is the state capital and a university city. It's home to the corporate offices of Whole Foods, illegal country music and a popular bumper sticker that instructs its citizens to keep their city strange. Austin was recently named the best place to live in the U.S. In the U.S., and while the ranking compares quality of life and labor markets across the country, Austinites are especially proud to differentiate themselves from larger cities, such as Dallas and Houston.
Spectators line the east side of the bridge, or you can take a blanket to a small plot of grass near the offices of the Austin American-Statesman. One of Austin's nicknames, “City of the Violet Crown,” probably refers to the blue and purple twilight that falls over the city center before sunrise and after sunset. Whether you're moving for work, entertainment, or just to change the environment, Austin attracts new residents from around the country and the world. And while there's certainly a good deal of hustle and bustle, the overall atmosphere is “community over competition”, making Austin an ideal place to meet other creatives and build collaborative relationships that ultimately establish a niche.
Along with classic icons such as the State Capitol and the Main Tower of the University of Texas at Austin campus, the city's growing skyline features beautiful new architecture, best showcased in the exclusive Frost Bank Tower. In general terms, Tex-Mex cuisine is one of the main attractions in Austin, where you can find some of the best Tex-Mex restaurants, such as the historic Matt's El Rancho and the new favorite My Mother's. While SXSW is known for attracting technology, engineering and science entrepreneurs, events such as Create + Cultivate, the Texas Book Festival and the Texas Women's Conference are reasons for creatives and aspiring leaders in all fields to visit Austin as well. From larger stadiums, such as the Moody Theater, to smaller venues, such as The Continental Club at South Congress, Austin has an endless, quirky and diverse selection of music festivals and live music venues. Owner Sean Henry previously worked for Caffe Medici, another influential local coffee brand, and now operates four locations in Dallas and Austin.
Austin is known as “The Pride of Central Texas” and ranked number one on Forbes' annual list of the “fastest-growing cities in America” for three consecutive years. If you're visiting Austin on a budget, there are also fantastic budget hotels and hostels to satisfy any traveler on a budget. Thanks in large part to the live music television program Austin City Limits, Austin is known as the world capital of live music. In addition to a handful of independent boutiques, thrift stores and souvenir shops, Austin offers numerous shopping opportunities with The Domain, a multi-phase development with more than 100 exclusive and popular retail stores (such as Neiman Marcus, J.
