Austin, Texas
One thing is certain-whatever you're into, Austin 's got it! This fast-growing, small-town-feeling, high-tech, funky-smart city amid rolling hills and refreshing lakes is celebrated for its delightful hiking, biking, swimming, sports, shopping, dining, theatre, art, film, nightlife and music.
Austin consistently wins honors among various national polls ranking best cities in which to live, work, and raise a family. Depending on where you look, in 2004-05 you'll find Austin among the country's very best tech hubs, best places for business and careers, coolest cities for young professionals, best "big cities", best large city for relocating families, cleanest cities, greenest cities, best wi-fi cities, best running cities, and even one of the best cities to be a dog! For two years running, Austin claims the award for Best City for Hispanics to Live In by Hispanic Magazine. In 2003, Austin was third on Travel & Leisure's Best Loved Cities list and claimed First Place on Forbes' Best Cities for Singles. In 2002, Austin made Money Magazine's Top Ten Places to Live and in 2001, we were named Best Place to Live and Work! See the pattern?
Austin is perhaps best known for three things: it's the capital of Texas , the home of the University of Texas (the largest public university in the U.S. ), and the "Live Music Capital of the World." These dynamic institutions give Austin a creative energy that makes the city fun and intelligent. But it's the awesome, natural beauty of the surrounding Texas Hill Country that feeds Austin 's soul. The contrasting terrain this amazing city was founded on provides outdoor enthusiasts with 175 parks, 23 greenbelts, and over 30 miles of trails. Surrounding lakes and watering holes are nearby and waiting to help you cool off all summer long.
The weather in Austin ranges from the low 40s to upper 70s from late October to early May, occasionally getting chilly and only raining 84 days out of 365. Although it does get hot, the sun shines in Austin almost 280 days a year. a good trade considering all the outdoor activities you'll enjoy!
Aside from truly great theatre, fine art, and film cultures, there is the pulsing Austin nightlife driven by the live music scene. Austin boasts the highest ratio of bars per capita in the United States, many of them offering great rock and roll, country, blues, jazz, hip hop, punk, reggae, folk, conjunto, world music, and anything in between on a nightly basis. For sports lovers, there's U.T. Athletics and an assortment of minor league franchises to follow. And don't forget the diverse and delicious food Austin offers, especially our world-class gourmet, down home barbecue, authentic Tex-Mex, and a vast array of fresh vegetarian fare. Add to the above hip coffee shops, book stores, and great shopping interspersed within unique, proud neighborhoods, and you'll begin to appreciate why Austin gets so much deserving praise.
To check out current pricing in Austin housing, visit the Austin Chamber of Commerce. Follow the local Austin news in The Austin American Statesman. You can also find out more cool stuff on Austin at the Austin City Connection, Austin360.com, or Austin Citysearch.
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