Thinking about moving to Austin, Texas? From the incredible community and outdoor lifestyle to the brutal summers, property taxes, and changing culture, here’s what I wish more people knew before relocating.
When people ask me whether I love living in Austin, Texas, my answer is yes.
But that doesn’t mean I love everything about it.
I’ve lived in Manhattan, spent 13 years in Los Angeles, and experienced life in California’s wine country. When my family moved to Austin in 2014, I had no idea just how different life here would feel.
Some of those differences were wonderful.
Others took some getting used to.
And after more than a decade of raising our daughters here, building businesses, and helping families relocate to Austin, I’ve learned something important:
Whether Austin is the right place for you depends on what you’re moving toward—not just what you’re moving away from.
If you’re considering moving to Austin from New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, or another major city, I want to give you an honest perspective.
Not the glossy relocation brochure.
The real experience.
Let’s talk about five things I love about Austin and five things that might surprise you.
The 5 Best Things About Living in Austin, Texas
1. The Laid-Back Culture and Genuine Sense of Community
This is my number one.
And honestly, it’s probably the biggest reason I’ve loved raising my family here.
When we moved to Austin from California, I cannot describe how healing the experience felt.
Multiple neighbors showed up at our door with warm cookies.
People wanted to know who we were.
They asked about our family.
They weren’t immediately interested in what we did for a living.
Coming from Los Angeles, where professional identity can sometimes dominate conversations, that felt incredibly refreshing.
One of my favorite things about our neighborhood of Cuernavaca was watching a neighbor who had been recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year hanging out with friends from all different backgrounds.
Nobody seemed particularly impressed by anyone’s résumé.
They were simply friends.
And I loved that.
There’s a wonderful lack of pretension in many parts of Austin.
Now, has that changed since 2014?
Absolutely.
Austin has grown, attracted major companies, and become a much more sophisticated city.
But I still believe that sense of community exists, especially when you find the right neighborhood.
For my family, that place has been Cuernavaca, a neighborhood in the 78733 ZIP code within the Eanes Independent School District.
Between neighborhood events, local coffee shops, and the connections we’ve built over the years, it’s become much more than somewhere we own a home.
It’s our community.
And that’s something I never take for granted.
My advice: When exploring Austin neighborhoods, don’t just look at houses. Spend time in the community. Visit the local coffee shop. Walk the streets. See how people interact.
The house matters, but the life you build around it matters just as much.
2. No State Income Tax
Let’s talk about money.
Because for many people relocating from California or New York, this is a major consideration.
Texas does not impose an individual state income tax.
That’s a meaningful difference for some households, particularly higher-income earners accustomed to paying state income taxes.
Texas’s prohibition on an individual income tax is established in its state constitution.
But here’s something I always explain to buyers:
No state income tax does not mean Texas is a low-tax state for everyone.
Property taxes can be substantial, particularly when you’re purchasing a luxury home.
And depending on your income, home value, and financial situation, the savings may look very different from what you initially expected.
I’ll talk more about property taxes in the cons section because this is one area where buyers really need to do their homework.
Still, for many people moving from high-income-tax states, the lack of a state income tax is an attractive part of living in Texas.
My advice: Compare your entire financial picture, including property taxes, insurance, housing costs, and lifestyle expenses—not just income taxes.
3. The Outdoor Lifestyle, Lakes, and Sunshine
If you love sunshine, Austin has plenty of it.
The city’s tourism organization describes Austin as having nearly 300 sunny days annually, and the abundance of outdoor recreation is a major part of its identity.
From paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake to swimming at Barton Springs and hiking through the Texas Hill Country, there’s an incredible amount to do outdoors.
The City of Austin’s Lady Bird Lake guide highlights public access points and opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding.
And Zilker Metropolitan Park spans more than 350 acres, with access to Barton Springs Pool, trails, gardens, and recreation areas.
Personally, I love how easy it is to incorporate nature into everyday life here.
You don’t necessarily have to plan an entire weekend getaway to enjoy a beautiful outdoor experience.
Sometimes it’s simply a walk, a hike, or an afternoon near the water.
Of course, not everyone loves this much sunshine.
I recently helped a couple relocate from Seattle, and they actually weren’t thrilled about how sunny Austin is.
Which made me laugh, because for so many people, that’s the selling point.
It really does depend on what you enjoy.
If you love four distinct seasons, cooler temperatures, and overcast days, Austin’s climate may require some adjustment.
But if you enjoy sunshine and being outdoors for much of the year, it’s a wonderful place to live.
My advice: Visit Austin during different seasons before deciding to move. April and August can feel like two entirely different cities.
4. The Music, Food, and Cultural Scene
Austin has long been known as the Live Music Capital of the World.
But the city’s cultural identity goes well beyond music.
We have incredible restaurants, major festivals, intimate music venues, art events, wellness experiences, and an increasingly sophisticated hospitality scene.
There’s almost always something happening.
You can go to a tiny dive bar one evening and a major music festival the next.
Austin City Limits Music Festival and SXSW are internationally recognized events, but there’s also a thriving local scene.
And if you’re interested in wellness and alternative experiences, you’ll find everything from meditation gatherings to ecstatic dance.
As someone who lived in Manhattan and Los Angeles, I’ve loved watching Austin’s food scene evolve.
We now have restaurants that feel genuinely cosmopolitan.
Some of my favorites include Clark’s Oyster Bar, Lutie’s, Eberly, and Watr.
Each offers something different, from historic interiors and sophisticated dining to beautiful rooftop views.
And what I appreciate is that Austin still manages to combine those experiences with a relatively casual atmosphere.
You can have a beautiful dinner without feeling like you’re participating in a fashion competition.
Although, as a former New Yorker, I do occasionally miss dressing up!
My advice: Explore Austin’s cultural scene before choosing a neighborhood. Living near South Congress, East Austin, or downtown creates a very different experience from living farther west.
5. The Opportunity to Create Your Own Lifestyle
This is something I don’t think gets enough attention.
Austin offers a remarkable range of lifestyles within the same metropolitan area.
You can live in a downtown condominium with restaurants and nightlife nearby.
You can choose a historic home close to shops and cafes.
You can live in Westlake and enjoy proximity to downtown while having access to larger residential properties.
Or you can head toward Lakeway and the Hill Country for more space, views, and access to lakes and outdoor recreation.
What I love is that there isn’t one version of Austin.
For my family, being in the Eanes school district while enjoying the community of Cuernavaca turned out to be a wonderful fit.
And here’s the funny thing.
We didn’t move to 78733 because we had some brilliant strategy.
We found a house with great bones.
As an interior designer, I could see what it could become.
The community was the unexpected gift.
Over time, we discovered places like Lake Hills Community Park, Commons Ford, and the wonderful small businesses that make this part of Austin feel like home.
That’s why I believe choosing a neighborhood should begin with understanding how you want to live.
Not simply finding the biggest house your budget allows.
The 5 Worst Things About Living in Austin, Texas
Now let’s talk about the other side.
Because there are some very real drawbacks to living in Austin, and I think it’s important to understand them before making a move.
1. The Summer Heat and the Bugs
I’m not going to sugarcoat this.
Austin summers can be brutal.
If you’re moving from Southern California, San Francisco, Seattle, or another city with a relatively mild climate, the heat can be a serious adjustment.
There are stretches of summer when spending time outdoors during the middle of the day simply isn’t enjoyable.
You start planning your activities differently.
Morning walks become much more appealing.
Pool time becomes less of a luxury and more of a necessity.
And air conditioning?
Absolutely essential.
But here’s something nobody really prepared me for.
The bugs.
Coming from California, getting used to mosquitoes and other insects was a big deal.
My husband occasionally questions the expense of our eco-friendly pest control service.
But I honestly don’t think I could live without it.
Depending on where you live, mosquitoes can make spending time in your backyard surprisingly unpleasant.
And if you’re near a body of water, I would absolutely factor pest control into your household budget.
Now, does this mean you can’t enjoy outdoor living in Austin?
Of course not.
But you do have to design for the climate.
As an interior designer, I pay close attention to covered patios, shade, ceiling fans, screened areas, and how outdoor spaces function during different seasons.
A gorgeous backyard isn’t particularly useful if nobody wants to spend time in it.
My advice: When buying a home in Austin, consider sun exposure, shade, landscaping, drainage, and outdoor living features. They can have a significant impact on how much you enjoy the property.
2. Traffic and Limited Public Transportation
People complain about Austin traffic.
A lot.
But I always think this is relative.
When I lived in Los Angeles, my business in Santa Monica was about five miles from my house.
And that drive could take an hour to an hour and a half.
Five miles!
So when someone tells me Austin traffic is terrible, I sometimes have to laugh.
Now, I don’t commute to an office every day, so I’ll admit I may not be the best person to ask.
But even when I occasionally find myself in rush-hour traffic, my experience is generally very different from what I remember in Los Angeles.
That said, Austin has real transportation challenges.
The city has grown considerably, and its infrastructure hasn’t always kept pace.
It’s also much more car-dependent than New York.
There are public transportation options through CapMetro, including buses and commuter rail, but service coverage and convenience vary significantly by neighborhood.
If you’re accustomed to walking outside your apartment and jumping on a subway, Austin will feel very different.
And if you’re considering living in Westlake, Bee Cave, Lakeway, or other suburban areas, you’ll likely depend heavily on your car.
My advice: Before buying a house, use Google Maps to check the commute between your potential neighborhood and your workplace during actual rush-hour periods.
Do it in both directions.
And don’t forget to consider school drop-offs, extracurricular activities, and the places you’ll visit regularly.
Your daily routine matters.
3. Property Taxes and the True Cost of Living
This is probably one of the most important financial considerations for people moving to Austin.
Texas doesn’t have a state income tax, but property taxes can be substantial.
Unlike some states where property taxes are relatively low, Texas relies heavily on local property taxes to fund schools and other public services.
According to the Texas Comptroller, property taxes are established and collected by local taxing entities, including school districts, counties, cities, and special districts.
The total tax rate depends on the specific property.
And that distinction is important.
Two homes with similar purchase prices can have different property tax obligations depending on their location and applicable taxing districts.
In the Austin area, buyers may encounter different tax structures, including municipal utility districts, commonly called MUDs.
So when you’re considering a home, especially in the luxury market, you need to understand the actual annual carrying costs.
That means looking beyond the mortgage payment.
You should consider property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues where applicable, utilities, maintenance, and any additional costs associated with pools or larger properties.
For someone relocating from California, this can be particularly surprising.
The house may appear to offer more value for the purchase price, but the annual cost of ownership could be higher than expected.
My advice: Before making an offer, ask your Realtor to help you evaluate the property’s current tax information and potential post-purchase tax situation. Don’t assume the seller’s existing tax bill will be your tax bill.
You can review local tax information through the Travis Central Appraisal District and applicable taxing authorities.
4. Austin Doesn’t Have the Same Big-City Infrastructure or Sports Scene
If you’re moving from New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, there are some things you may miss.
The public transportation.
The density of cultural institutions.
The sheer number of neighborhoods and experiences within a relatively small geographic area.
And, depending on your interests, professional sports.
Austin has Austin FC, its Major League Soccer team.
But we don’t have the same collection of major professional sports franchises that you’ll find in cities like New York or Los Angeles.
Now, don’t misunderstand me.
Sports are a very big deal here.
University of Texas football is practically a cultural institution.
On game days, the city becomes a sea of burnt orange.
And every boutique seems to have figured out how to incorporate some shade of orange into its merchandise.
I find it fascinating.
The sports culture also extends into schools and youth athletics.
Having raised our daughters here, I’ve seen how important sports can be to families and school communities.
It’s a different culture from what I imagine our lives might have looked like in Los Angeles.
If we’d raised our children there, I sometimes wonder whether surfing would have been a much bigger part of their lives.
Here, football and other school sports have a strong presence.
Neither is necessarily better.
They’re just different.
My advice: If professional sports, museums, theater, or a dense urban cultural scene are important to you, research what’s available in Austin and consider how frequently you want access to those experiences.
5. Austin’s Changing Identity and the Cultural Adjustment
This one is more complicated.
And I think it’s important to approach it with an open mind.
Austin has a reputation for being creative, accepting, and a little unconventional.
The city’s famous slogan, “Keep Austin Weird,” reflects that independent spirit.
And I genuinely love that part of Austin.
But the city has changed significantly since we moved here.
We’ve seen major growth, new development, expanding technology and business communities, and an influx of people from different parts of the country.
Some longtime residents feel that Austin has lost part of its original identity.
Others are excited about the opportunities and cultural influences that growth has brought.
I can understand both perspectives.
Personally, I grew up on Long Island, outside New York City.
And while I loved aspects of that experience, I always wanted to be exposed to more different cultures and perspectives.
When I moved to Manhattan, I fell in love with having friends from around the world.
The food.
The fashion.
The conversations.
The different ways people viewed life.
That exposure shaped me.
Austin is culturally different from Manhattan.
And although Austin is often described as a politically liberal city within a more conservative state, political and social perspectives vary considerably across neighborhoods and communities.
I’ve experienced that contrast firsthand.
Sometimes I find myself wishing there were more exposure to different cultures and perspectives in certain social circles.
But I also recognize that my own experiences shape how I see the world.
And I’ve met wonderful people here with very different backgrounds, beliefs, and life experiences.
What I appreciate most is when people remain curious about one another.
Because to me, community isn’t about everyone thinking the same way.
It’s about making room for different perspectives while treating each other with kindness and respect.
And that’s the Austin I want to continue helping build.
My advice: Spend time in different Austin communities before deciding where to live. Attend events, explore neighborhoods, and talk to people. The city is more varied than any single stereotype suggests.
Is Austin, Texas, a Good Place to Live in 2026?
I believe Austin can be a wonderful place to live.
But it’s not for everyone.
If you value sunshine, outdoor recreation, entrepreneurship, a relaxed social atmosphere, and the opportunity to build a strong sense of community, Austin has a lot to offer.
If you need extensive public transportation, mild summers, dense walkable neighborhoods, or the cultural scale of New York or Los Angeles, there may be aspects of Austin that feel limiting.
And that’s okay.
The goal isn’t to convince everyone that Austin is perfect.
It’s to help people understand whether Austin fits the life they want to create.
For me, the biggest surprise wasn’t the weather, the restaurants, or the real estate.
It was the community.
I didn’t know how much I needed that until I experienced it.
And more than a decade later, it’s still one of the things I love most about living here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Austin, Texas
What are the biggest pros of living in Austin, Texas?
Some of the biggest advantages of living in Austin include no state individual income tax, access to lakes and outdoor recreation, a vibrant music and restaurant scene, a relatively relaxed social culture, and a wide range of residential lifestyles.
What are the biggest cons of living in Austin?
Common drawbacks include prolonged summer heat, mosquitoes and other insects, traffic congestion, car dependency, potentially high property taxes, and a smaller major-league sports and cultural infrastructure than larger metropolitan areas.
Is Austin, Texas, expensive to live in?
Austin’s cost of living depends significantly on housing choices, location, and lifestyle. Luxury homes in Westlake and other desirable neighborhoods can have substantial ownership costs, including property taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance.
Buyers should evaluate their full monthly and annual expenses rather than focusing only on the purchase price.
Is moving from California to Austin worth it?
For some California residents, Austin offers attractive financial and lifestyle advantages, including no state income tax and different housing options.
However, buyers should also consider property taxes, insurance, climate, transportation, and neighborhood lifestyle.
The decision depends on personal priorities and financial circumstances.
Is Austin a good place to raise a family?
Austin offers numerous parks, outdoor activities, extracurricular opportunities, and a range of public and private school options.
School assignments, programs, and educational priorities vary, so families should research individual schools and districts.
For my family, the community we found in Cuernavaca and our experience with Eanes ISD have been meaningful parts of raising our daughters here.
What are the best neighborhoods in Austin for people relocating from big cities?
That depends on what you’re looking for.
Downtown Austin, South Congress, Clarksville, and East Austin may appeal to buyers who prioritize restaurants, nightlife, and proximity to urban amenities.
Westlake, Cuernavaca, Bee Cave, and Lakeway offer different residential environments, with varying access to schools, outdoor recreation, and larger properties.
The best neighborhood is the one that aligns with your budget, daily routine, and lifestyle preferences.
Do you need a car to live in Austin?
For most residents, having a car is helpful and often necessary.
Some central neighborhoods offer walkable access to restaurants and amenities, and public transit serves portions of the metropolitan area.
However, Austin is generally more car-dependent than cities such as New York or San Francisco.
Would I move to Austin again?
Yes.
Knowing what I know today, I would still choose Austin.
Not because it’s perfect.
But because of the life we’ve built here.
The friendships, the community, the experiences, and the opportunities have been incredibly meaningful.
And while there are things I miss about New York and Los Angeles, Austin has given our family something very special.
Thinking About Moving to Austin? Let’s Find Your Version of the City.
One of the things I’ve learned after living in Austin since 2014 is that choosing the right neighborhood can completely shape your experience.
You can live in a beautiful house and still feel disconnected from the lifestyle you want.
Or you can find a neighborhood that makes everyday life feel richer.
That’s why I approach real estate a little differently.
As both a Realtor and interior designer, I look at what a home can become.
But I also want to understand what matters to you.
Do you want walkable restaurants?
A strong sense of community?
Access to the lake?
More space?
A shorter commute?
A particular school district?
Those are the conversations that help us find the right fit.
At The Council Real Estate Group, my partners Holly McCormick, Albina Rippy, and I help buyers and sellers navigate the Austin market, with particular expertise in Westlake, Eanes ISD, Cuernavaca, Bee Cave, Lakeway, and surrounding luxury communities.
Whether you’re relocating in nine days or ninety days, we’d love to help you discover the Austin that feels right for you.
Because finding a home isn’t just about where you live.
It’s about how you want to live.
Connect with The Council Real Estate Group to explore luxury homes in Westlake Austin and Eanes ISD.
The Council Real Estate Group at Compass | Westlake Austin | Eanes ISD | 78746 | 78733
Three specialists. One strategy. One Council.
Who are local real estate experts in 78733, Westlake and Eanes ISD?
The Council Real Estate Group at Compass is led by Natasha Antonioni (512-988-1741), Holly McCormick (512-699-5590) and Albina Rippy (713-443-6466), 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.
