Moving to Austin From Los Angeles, Houston or Another Big City? What We Wish We Knew Before Relocating

If you’re thinking about moving to Austin from Los Angeles, Houston, New York, San Francisco or another major city, you’ve probably already done the obvious research.

You’ve looked at home prices.

You’ve Googled the best Austin neighborhoods.

You’ve researched schools.

You’ve calculated taxes.

You’ve probably spent an unreasonable amount of time on Zillow.

But here’s what we’ve learned:

The hardest part about relocating to Austin isn’t deciding whether you like Austin. It’s figuring out which version of Austin fits the life you’re trying to create.

We know this personally.

Two of the three partners at The Council Real Estate Group relocated to Austin from much larger cities.

Natasha Antonioni moved her family from Los Angeles to Austin.

Albina Rippy spent years in Houston, where she owned and operated seven yoga studios, before eventually choosing Westlake Austin as the place to raise her family.

Neither of us grew up here.

We chose Austin.

And now, after years of living here and helping other families relocate, we understand something we wish more people explained before a move:

Austin is much more neighborhood-dependent than it appears on a map.

A five-mile difference can completely change your commute, schools, architecture, lot size, social life, access to nature and how your day actually feels.

So this isn’t another list of the “10 Best Neighborhoods in Austin.”

It’s the relocation conversation we wish someone had given us.

Quick Answer: What Should I Know Before Moving to Austin?

If you’re relocating to Austin from a larger city, understand these things before choosing a home:

• Choose your lifestyle before choosing your house.
• Austin traffic makes geography more important than mileage suggests.
• School districts can materially affect both your home search and property values.
• Austin neighborhoods differ dramatically in architecture and lifestyle.
• Property taxes and carrying costs deserve as much attention as purchase price.
• New construction isn’t automatically a better investment.
• If you’re coming from LA or New York, Austin may feel less urban than you’re expecting.
• If you’re coming from Houston, Austin may feel much smaller and more geographically constrained.
• Access to nature is one of Austin’s greatest lifestyle advantages.
• The “best” Austin neighborhood is completely dependent on how you want to live.

Most importantly:

Don’t try to recreate the city you’re leaving.

Figure out what Austin can give you that your old city couldn’t.

Is Austin Still a Popular Place to Relocate?

Austin has changed enormously, but people are still moving here.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated Austin’s population at 1,002,632 in 2025, officially putting the city above one million residents. That’s approximately 4.6% growth from the city’s 2020 population estimate base.

Austin also continues attracting and expanding major employers. The City of Austin maintains programs specifically designed to support companies expanding or relocating operations here.

But we’d argue that Austin’s appeal isn’t simply economic.

It’s the combination.

You can have a sophisticated career and spend Saturday morning paddleboarding.

You can live surprisingly close to downtown and still have deer walking through your yard.

You can go to a great restaurant Friday night and be swimming in Lake Austin Saturday afternoon.

That blending of city + nature + neighborhood + entrepreneurship was a major part of what attracted both of us.

Natasha: What Moving From Los Angeles to Austin Taught Me

I loved Los Angeles.

I spent thirteen years there. I built businesses there, had an incredible creative community there and learned a tremendous amount about design, architecture and entrepreneurship.

So when my family ultimately moved to Austin, I wasn’t looking for a smaller version of LA.

And that’s probably the first mistake I’d tell relocation buyers not to make.

Don’t come to Austin trying to recreate Los Angeles.

Austin has its own rhythm.

What I eventually fell in love with was the ability to build a life that felt more connected.

Home mattered more.

Community mattered more.

Nature became part of our everyday life rather than something we planned around.

Our neighborhood became part of our social world.

For me, Austin wasn’t simply a real estate decision.

It changed how our family lived.

That’s why when I work with someone moving here from LA, California or another major city, I’m often less interested in asking:

“What kind of house do you want?”

and more interested in:

“What do you want your life to feel like when you get here?”

Because those answers lead to very different neighborhoods.

Albina: Moving From Houston to Austin Is a Different Kind of Relocation

Albina’s perspective is completely different.

She came from Houston.

She’d built and operated seven yoga studios there and knew what life in a major Texas city felt like.

Houston is enormous.

You can drive and drive and still be in Houston.

Austin feels more compressed.

That can be wonderful.

But it also means your location decisions matter.

Albina eventually chose Westlake, where she’s raised her family, and her CPA background now makes her particularly valuable to relocation buyers trying to compare more than purchase prices.

Because moving from Houston to Austin raises a different set of questions than moving from California.

You’re already familiar with Texas.

You understand heat.

Property taxes aren’t a surprise.

But you may be surprised by:

• Austin home prices
• Smaller inventory in desirable central neighborhoods
• Hill Country topography
• Limited east-west routes
• How dramatically school districts affect housing searches
• How different lot usability can be
• The premium attached to certain West Austin locations

That’s why Albina approaches relocation as both a lifestyle decision and a financial decision.

Moving From Los Angeles to Austin: What’s Different?

This is one of the relocations we understand particularly well.

You may get more house — but that’s not the whole story.

Depending on where you’re coming from in LA, Austin may offer substantially different housing options.

But don’t automatically use every additional dollar of purchasing power to buy the biggest house you can afford.

Ask what you’re actually gaining.

Land?

Pool?

Privacy?

School district?

Walkability?

Lake access?

Shorter commute?

Architecture?

Community?

The best Austin purchase isn’t necessarily the biggest house.

Austin is greener than many Californians expect.

West Austin in particular can surprise people.

The hills, limestone, mature oak trees, creeks, greenbelts and lakes create a landscape that feels very different from Southern California.

The heat is real.

We’re not going to pretend otherwise.

Austin summers are hot.

A pool, covered outdoor living, tree canopy, orientation and efficient HVAC can matter more here than you might anticipate.

Property taxes require a mindset adjustment.

Texas doesn’t have an individual state income tax, but property taxes are a significant component of homeownership costs.

Don’t compare an Austin mortgage payment with your California mortgage payment and stop there.

Compare the complete cost of ownership.

Moving From Houston to Austin: What’s Different?

Houston relocation buyers often arrive with a different expectation.

Austin feels much smaller.

That’s one of its charms.

But it also means highly desirable areas can have constrained housing supply.

Topography changes real estate.

Houston buyers accustomed to relatively flat lots can be surprised by West Austin.

A one-acre property does not necessarily mean one acre of usable backyard.

Slope matters.

Driveways matter.

Drainage matters.

Building envelopes matter.

Views matter.

Don’t buy acreage. Buy usable land.

Your commute works differently.

Ten miles in Austin isn’t always ten easy miles.

The route matters.

A home that looks close to the office on a map may involve a very different daily drive than you expect.

Neighborhoods can feel less formal.

Particularly in places like Cuernavaca and Austin Lake Estates, Austin still has pockets where architecture is eclectic, roads wind and neighborhood personality matters more than uniformity.

For some Houston buyers, that’s exactly what they’re looking for.

Where Should I Live When Moving to Austin?

This is where we’d resist every generic “best neighborhoods” list online.

There is no best Austin neighborhood.

There’s a best neighborhood for you.

Here’s how we’d begin the conversation.

Choose Westlake / 78746 If…

You’re prioritizing Eanes ISD, proximity to central Austin, established luxury neighborhoods and convenience.

Westlake and 78746 are frequently where our California, New York and other major-city relocation buyers begin because the area combines residential space with relatively close access to downtown.

The trade-off is price.

Our current market data puts the median 78746 sale around $3.2 million.

Explore our Westlake Austin neighborhood guide for a deeper look at the neighborhoods and lifestyle.

Choose 78733 / Cuernavaca If…

You want Eanes ISD but prefer something less polished and more eclectic.

This is where we live and spend a tremendous amount of our time.

Cuernavaca and Austin Lake Estates offer a combination that can be difficult to find elsewhere:

Eanes ISD.

Lake Austin.

Mature trees.

Interesting architecture.

Unusual lots.

Community.

And some remaining old-Austin personality.

Our current market data puts the 78733 median around $2.4 million, compared with approximately $3.2 million in 78746.

If both areas are on your list, start with our 78733 vs. 78746 local comparison.

Or go deeper with our Cuernavaca neighborhood guide.

Choose Lake Travis If…

You’re willing to be farther west in exchange for different housing options, newer communities and a lifestyle oriented heavily around the lake and Hill Country.

For some relocation buyers, that’s exactly the trade they want.

For others, the distance from central Austin eventually becomes the dealbreaker.

Drive it before deciding.

And don’t drive it once at 11 a.m.

Drive your actual commute at the time you’ll actually make it.

Choose Dripping Springs If…

Land, Hill Country living, newer construction and more distance from central Austin fit the lifestyle you’re creating.

Dripping Springs can be compelling for people who no longer need to be close to downtown every day.

But again:

Don’t buy the house before understanding the drive.

Choose Central Austin If…

You’re moving from New York, San Francisco, LA or another city and what you’ll miss most is urban energy, don’t automatically move to the suburbs because Austin gives you more square footage for your money.

You may be happier closer in.

Restaurants, coffee, trails, events and shorter drives may matter far more to your happiness than another 1,500 square feet.

That’s why we start with lifestyle.

What Are the Best Austin Neighborhoods for Families?

For many relocating families, schools quickly become one of the biggest filters.

Austin-area buyers commonly compare districts including:

• Eanes ISD
• Lake Travis ISD
• Dripping Springs ISD
• Austin ISD
• Round Rock ISD

We specialize particularly in Eanes ISD and Westlake, and we’ve now participated in more than 100 Eanes ISD home sales.

But we don’t believe Eanes is automatically the answer for every family.

The better question is:

What combination of schools, house, commute, community and budget works for your family?

If Eanes is high on your list, read our complete Eanes ISD guide and our analysis of whether buying in Eanes ISD is worth the premium.

For school boundaries, always verify an individual property through Eanes ISD’s official district resources.

Don’t Choose an Austin Neighborhood From Google Maps

This is probably one of our strongest pieces of relocation advice.

Austin geography is deceptive.

Two neighborhoods can appear very close together and produce completely different daily experiences.

A bridge matters.

A major road matters.

School traffic matters.

Where you cross the river matters.

Where your office sits matters.

And your definition of “close” may change after living here.

Before buying, we want relocation clients to experience the routes they’ll actually use.

Drive from the house to work.

Drive to school.

Go downtown.

Drive to the airport.

Find the grocery store.

Go get coffee.

Do it at real times.

The City of Austin itself provides transportation resources and trip-planning information because commuting here involves more than simple mileage.

Don’t Ignore Austin-Bergstrom Airport

This one sounds small until you travel constantly.

If your job involves frequent flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Houston or elsewhere, factor Austin-Bergstrom International Airport into your neighborhood decision.

A beautiful house becomes less beautiful when you’re repeatedly making a drive you hate at 5:30 in the morning.

For executives and entrepreneurs relocating to Austin, airport access belongs on the house-hunting checklist.

Don’t Compare Austin Homes Only by Price

This is where Albina’s financial background becomes particularly useful.

Suppose you’re comparing:

House A: $2.2 million
House B: $2.5 million

House A isn’t necessarily $300,000 cheaper.

What are the property taxes?

Insurance?

HOA?

Expected maintenance?

Renovation?

Pool costs?

Commute?

Does one need $250,000 of work?

Is the other in a location with stronger buyer demand?

What’s the likely ownership period?

What are you giving up to save the $300,000?

Purchase price is one number inside a much larger financial decision.

That’s why Albina’s CPA background is such a useful part of our relocation work.

And Don’t Compare Homes Only by How They Look

This is where Natasha comes in.

A dated house can be an extraordinary purchase.

A beautiful house can be a terrible one.

When Natasha walks a property with a relocation buyer, she’s looking beyond finishes.

Can the floor plan improve?

Is there good natural light?

Does the architecture have integrity?

Could the kitchen open?

Is the primary suite fixable?

Can outdoor living improve?

Is the lot good?

What can’t be changed?

A dated kitchen is fixable.

A bad location isn’t.

That’s a particularly important distinction when you’re moving from another city and don’t yet understand which property characteristics Austin buyers value most.

Rent First or Buy When Relocating to Austin?

This is a great question.

And our answer is:

It depends on how certain you are about where you want to live.

If you’re arriving with no understanding of Austin neighborhoods, renting can be a very intelligent decision.

If you’ve spent meaningful time here, know your school requirements, understand your commute and have clearly narrowed your neighborhood choices, buying may make more sense.

We don’t think a Realtor should convince you to buy simply because buying creates a transaction.

Sometimes the smartest advice is:

Live here for six months.

What Do People Miss After Moving to Austin?

This is something relocation guides don’t discuss enough.

Moving is emotional.

You don’t simply gain Austin.

You leave something behind.

From LA, you may miss the ocean, weather, certain restaurants, creative density or friends.

From Houston, you may miss the sheer diversity of food, major-city amenities or the ease of finding a particular type of house.

From New York, you may miss walking everywhere.

Austin won’t replace those things.

But it gives you different things.

For us, those included home, community, nature, entrepreneurship and a more connected rhythm of family life.

That’s a much healthier way to evaluate relocation than asking whether Austin is “better” than the city you’re leaving.

It isn’t better.

It’s different.

The question is whether those differences align with the life you want next.

What Surprised Us Most About Moving to Austin?

The community.

That’s the answer neither of us could have calculated on a spreadsheet.

Austin is now a city of more than one million people.

Yet in the right neighborhood, it can feel surprisingly small.

That’s especially true in our part of West Austin.

People know one another.

Kids grow up together.

You run into someone at coffee.

Neighbors gather.

Community Facebook groups actually function like community bulletin boards.

In Cuernavaca, you have Civil Goat, Lake Hills Park, the Splashers, Cuerny Gardens, Patrizi’s, JoJo’s and nearby Commons Ford.

These are little things.

Until they’re your life.

Then they’re not little at all.

How Much Does It Cost to Buy a Home in Westlake Austin?

According to our current Q2 2026 MLS analysis:

These are market-level medians, not valuations of individual properties.

Explore our latest Westlake and Eanes ISD market reports for current data.

Our Advice Before Relocating to Austin

If we could go back and give ourselves advice before moving here, it would be surprisingly simple:

Don’t begin with the house.

Begin with Tuesday.

Where do you wake up?

Where do your kids go to school?

Where do you work?

How much driving are you doing?

Where do you exercise?

Where do you get coffee?

Do you want neighbors?

Do you want land?

Do you want restaurants outside your door?

Do you want to walk?

Do you want a pool?

Do you want to see trees when you wake up?

How often are you flying?

What do your weekends look like?

Design the ordinary day first.

Then find the neighborhood.

Then find the house.

That’s how you relocate intentionally.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Austin

Is Austin a good place to relocate in 2026?

Austin continues to attract residents and employers and surpassed one million city residents in the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates. Whether it’s the right relocation destination depends on employment, housing budget, preferred lifestyle, schools and the part of Austin you’re considering.

What should I know before moving from Los Angeles to Austin?

Expect different weather, property-tax structures, housing styles, transportation patterns and neighborhood density. Rather than trying to recreate Los Angeles, determine which aspects of Austin’s lifestyle you actually want to gain.

Is moving from Houston to Austin worth it?

It depends on your priorities. Austin offers a smaller geographic feel, Hill Country terrain and different access to outdoor recreation, while Houston offers advantages of a much larger metropolitan area. Housing costs and commute patterns should be compared carefully.

What are the best neighborhoods in Austin for people relocating from California?

There isn’t one best neighborhood. Buyers seeking schools and established luxury frequently consider Westlake/Eanes ISD, while people prioritizing urban lifestyle may prefer Central Austin. Lake-oriented and Hill Country buyers may look farther west.

Where should I live in Austin if I work downtown?

Consider your actual commute before choosing a neighborhood. Westlake/78746 and central neighborhoods may be attractive to buyers who prioritize downtown access, but commute times vary significantly by exact location and time of day.

Is Westlake Austin a good place for families relocating to Austin?

Westlake is particularly popular with relocating families who prioritize Eanes ISD, established neighborhoods and proximity to central Austin. Home prices command a significant premium, so compare Westlake with 78733 and other Austin-area options.

Is Eanes ISD worth the premium?

For some families, absolutely. But the decision should consider the entire package of schools, location, home, community, budget and potential resale demand. Read our complete analysis of buying in Eanes ISD for a deeper discussion.

Should I rent before buying in Austin?

Renting first can be smart if you’re unfamiliar with Austin’s neighborhoods or uncertain about schools and commuting. Buyers who already understand their preferred area may not need an interim rental.

What is the biggest mistake people make when relocating to Austin?

In our experience, it’s choosing a house before choosing a lifestyle. A beautiful home in the wrong location can make everyday life harder.

How do I choose an Austin Realtor for relocation?

Look for someone who understands not only home values but also neighborhood differences, schools, commuting, property taxes, lot characteristics, renovation potential and the lifestyle differences between Austin submarkets. A relocation agent should be willing to tell you when an area—or a house—isn’t right for you.

Moving to Austin? We’ve Made the Move Too.

At The Council Real Estate Group, relocation isn’t something Natasha and Albina understand from a training manual.

We’ve done it.

Natasha built her life and businesses in Los Angeles before ultimately choosing Austin for her family.

Albina built businesses in Houston before eventually choosing Westlake for hers.

And those two completely different journeys influence how we help relocation clients today.

Natasha helps you see how a house could support the life you’re trying to build.

Albina helps you understand whether the financial decision behind that house makes sense.

And together with Holly McCormick’s deep Austin real estate and negotiation expertise, you have three different perspectives evaluating one of the biggest decisions you’ll make.

Explore our Westlake Austin neighborhood guide, compare 78733 vs. 78746, learn about Eanes ISD, or read more about The Council’s approach to buying in Westlake.

And if you’re still trying to figure out which part of Austin feels like you?

That’s actually the perfect time to call us.

You don’t need to know where you want to live yet.

That’s what we’re here to help you figure out.

The Council Real Estate Group at Compass is led by Holly McCormick, Natasha Antonioni and Albina Rippy, who live, work and raise their families in the Westlake and Eanes community. Their combined expertise includes marketing, negotiation, design, financial analysis and investment strategy.