Austin city guide developed by the best movers in Austin

Quick Snapshot 

Austin is currently the largest city in Texas and the fourth-largest in the United States. According to Forbes, as the fastest-growing big city in the country, Austin prides itself as a large metropolitan area with many residents from all nationalities and with different backgrounds. Their relaxed lifestyle has allowed many residents to spend their free time having fun on Barton Springs, biking around Lady Bird Lake, or hiking through the Greenbelt as featured in this Austin city guide.

Austin is a unique city in many ways. Some of its cultures, economies, landscapes and communities are juxtaposed with others that are alike only in the fact that they exist within Texas; this makes for an interesting combination that some can describe as the Live Music Capital of the World. Most people in this city love all kinds of music, from country to hip-hop to alt-rock. 

So, if you’re thinking of relocating to Austin, it’s best to contact movers in Austin early to get the moving process as smooth as possible.

Austin is most often described as being “weird”, which manifests in the music, food, and art scenes known throughout the nation for being unique. Austinites are passionate about keeping their quirky Southern city authentically weird. That’s why, the city is proud to promote the motto, “Keep Austin Weird.”

Moving to Austin is one of the best options that you can make.

Area: 326.51 sq mi
Counties: Travis, Hays, Williamson
Population: 961,855 (2020)
Primary airport: Austin–Bergstrom International Airport
Major companies operating in the city: Apple, Amazon, Cirrus Logic, Cisco Systems, Dropbox, Facebook, Google, Hewlett-Packard, Intel Corporation, Nintendo, Oracle, PayPal, Qualcomm, Samsung Group, Tesla, Xerox. Whole Foods Market
Universities and colleges: University of Texas at Austin, St. Edward’s University, Austin Community College, Concordia University, The Art Institute of Austin
Primary and secondary schools: 29 public school districts, 17 charter schools, 69 private schools
Known for: Low climate rate, walkability, bike-friendly lanes, outdoor events, music festivals

History

The people of Austin have a rich history, and a lot of it comes from the surrounding culture.

In the 1930s, Austin enacted the 1928 Austin City Plan that launched significant infrastructure developments. By the 1940s, the city developed Lake McDonald, which is now known as Lake Austin.

Austin became an economic powerhouse in the early 20th century upon the Texas Oil Boom. Part of the earnings from these oil revenues went to funding the university system in Austin.

Top Neighborhoods

• Round Rock
• Cedar Park
• San Marcos
• Georgetown
• Pflugerville
• Hutto
• Buda
• Kyle
• Leander
• Lockhart

Top Attractions

• Barton Springs Pool – a 1,000-ft long, 18-ft deep pool beside hillside fields. The water comes from Texas’ natural springs
• LBJ Library – dedicated to former President Lyndon B. Johnson located at the University of Texas at Austin campus
• McKinney Falls State Park – 700 acres of lush greenery perfect for hiking, mountain biking, wildlife exploration and camping
• Lady Bird Lake – a reservoir that offers an exquisite fishing experience for anglers. It has an excellent supply of largemouth bass and sunfish

• Zilker Metropolitan Park – located in the heart of Austin and considered the most popular recreational area. It is home to various hiking, swimming, and biking trails; plays host to numerous large scale events each year, including the Zilker Kite Festival and Trail of Lights 
• Zilker Botanical Gardens – one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city known as “the jewel in the heart of Austin.” The gardens include a rock and cactus garden, a meadow, picnic spots, nature trails among woodland wildflowers and artesian springs. Admission is free.
• Mexican American Cultural Center – a facility dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Mexican American cultural heritage and arts. It hosts 400 works in its permanent collection.
• Bullock Texas State History Museum – known as the official history museum of Texas and home to the largest IMAX screen in the state.
• Texas State Capitol Building – offers guided tours around the grounds and inside the largest state capitol in the United States.
• UMLAUF Sculpture Garden and Museum – an outdoor sculpture garden that hosts works of local Texan artists

Top Events

• Austin City Limits Festival – takes place over two weekends in Zilker Park where dozens of artists from a variety of genres perform for tens of thousands of fans. 
• United States Grand Prix – America’s only Formula 1 race at the Circuit of the Americas located southwest of Austin.
• Henry Pun-Off World Championships – attracts pun-loving competitors from around the country to win the best pun award.
• South by Southwest (SXSW) – this festival was founded in 1987 and hosts indie musicians, top bands, pop artists and film directors.
• Trail of Lights – the city’s largest holiday celebration at Zilker Park.
• Austin’s ProRodeo – This is where all the best rodeo activities from live performances to livestock shows. 
• Austin Food and Wine Festival – a gathering of the country’s top chefs every April with sit-down dinners and wine tasting events.
• Batfest – host to enthusiasts waiting for bats to emerge from beneath the bridge every August at the Congress Avenue Bridge plays
• Zilker Kite Festival – a kite completion for kids and kids-at-heart

Entertainment, Dining and Shopping

• Sixth Street – also called Dirty 6th where some of Austin’s best bars serve special drinks with live music. Check out I-35 and North Lamar
• South Congress Avenue – also known as SoCo, this hub for the best daytime and nighttime entertainment. Some of the best local restaurants serve seafood and barbecue. You can also find hip boutiques and trendy galleries to satisfy your shopping needs
• Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller – voted as the Best of Austin Farmers’ Market for more than seven years. It offers a wide selection of fresh produce and baked goodies
• Renaissance Market – one of the best marketplaces for local handmade wares such as pottery and apparel. Weekends are the busiest days
• Austin Antique Mall – features more than 100 antique vendors offering affordable collections.

Making the moving process to Austin easier

Relocating to Austin is a big decision you’ll take. Some people choose to move their belongings on their own while others leave everything up to a reliable moving company instead.

And it can be very helpful to have a “personal move concierge” that makes the process as seamless as possible. Service providers that offer this may include those that help you with packing and storage solutions even on long distance moves. Austin movers can provide you with a stress-free experience from packing services to unloading your belongings.

Hiring local movers in Austin

Several benefits come with the relocation process being taken care of professionally by working with Austin movers near you. Some of the factors that you need to consider when hiring include speed of the moving services, cost and straightforward pricing for transparency, reputation, special offers, and even industry awards.

Tip: Here’s a packing checklist for starters. Additionally, if you’re moving to Austin from out of state, you might want to consider renting a storage unit for your larger items like furniture and appliances. This way, when you finally get into your new home, everything will be ready for you, and there won’t be any surprises when it comes time to unpack.

Frequently Asked Questions about Austin City Guide

1. Are there great food selections in Downtown Austin?

   Downtown Austin is not just home to commercial establishments and high-rise structures. There are a lot of coffee shops for your caffeine fix, trendy bars and restaurants that have exciting selections.

2. Why is Austin called the Live Music Capital of the World?

   The city hosts 200 live music venues all year round.

3. What’s a great way to spend weekends in Austin?

   You can take your family on a Lake Austin boat tour and sunset cruise or get lifted by a vertical wind tunnel in an indoor skydiving facility at iFLY Austin.

4. Can professional Austin movers make my relocation easier?

   If you’re planning to move to Austin, it’s essential to work with a moving and storage company in Austin that will help you pack, transport and unload your belongings to your new home.

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Enjoy a streamlined relocation with expert moving teams no matter where you live with Heavenly Moving and Storage. Book your move knowing you have the full support of the only moving company in Austin on ABJ’s 2021 Best Places to Work and Best of the Best Moving Company Finalist. Get your free quote today or call us at 512-340-0551.