Guide to Austin Texas

Living in Austin Texas.

[austinrelocationguide]

Austin Texas Unemployment Rate Still in Decline

Austin has long been known for its incredibly low unemployment rate, particularly in the last half decade, when residents of other cities have struggled in the face of lay-offs and high unemployment. In fact, much of Austin's decades-long population boom can be attributed to Austin's job market. Incredibly, however, Austin's falling unemployment rate continues to tumble even lower.

In July of 2012, the Austin, Texas unemployment rate was 5.9 percent, which fell to 5.6 percent just one year later. Even more astonishing, is the tumble to 5.2 percent in just one additional month, August 2013. Although actual numbers increased by 300 unemployed people from July to August, Austin has continued to add new residents who seek the city's awesome job market. With a national unemployment rate of 7.3, it's still a reason to celebrate.

Statewide, nonfarm employment decreased by 6,400 jobs from July 2013 to August 2013, although this was probably just the system leveling itself out after 36,800 jobs were added in the previous months. As of August 2013, the state of Texas had added 58,200 jobs in the professional and business industry alone, one of Austin's  fastest-growing industries.

Unemployment rates in the Austin metropolitan area now sit squarely in that sweet spot between inflation and restriction of consumer spending. Most economists agree that an ideal range is between 4 and 6 percent, and Austin can't get much closer to ideal. 

[austinrelocationguide]

Bat Watching in Austin

Nature in the midst of sophistication marks Austin, Texas.  The Austin bats are proof of this.  Every year during March and April Mexican free-tailed bats migrate to Austin from the south and make their home under the Congress Avenue Bridge.  The bridge’s crevices make safe hiding places for the bats, who are mostly pregnant females.  Female bats each have one baby, called a pup.

Bat Flight

Each night at dusk, crowds gather near the bridge to watch the bats take their nightly flight to find food.   As the pups grow they join their mothers on the nightly food flights. When the population peaks, there may be as many as 1.6 million bats taking flight and it can take up to forty-five minutes for them to all leave the bridge.

The bats took residence under the bridge after it was renovated.  Initially, Austinites were not too sure if they liked bats for such close neighbors, but after fears of rabies and other diseases were alleviated by assurances from wildlife experts, most Austin residents welcome the bats.

Where to Watch Bats

The Congress Avenue Bridge bats are now a great tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors each year. You can safely watch the bats from the Statesman Bat Observation Center.  The center was erected across from the bridge courtesy of theAmerican-Statesman, a local newspaper.   You can also observe the bats from the Four Seasons Hotel, the Radisson Hotel’s T.G.I. Fridays and the Shoreline Bar & Grill. Lone Star Cruises and Capitol Cruises offer special bat observation cruises on Lady Bird Lake.

Experts recommend that you take an umbrella for protection from bat droppings if you are going to be in a location that these mammals fly over.  You should also take some insect repellent.  It is unlikely that you will come into contact with a bat, but if you find an injured bat, for your protection as well as the animal’s do not touch it.  Call animal control or a wildlife center to care for the animal.

Bat Watching in Austin

[austinrelocationguide]

The Dining Scene in Austin Texas

Austin, Texas is known for its fine dining.  Restaurants in Austin range from the casual to the gourmet.  Many Austin restaurants are very unique.

Dining in Austin

[austinrelocationguide]

Austin's Love With Food Trailers

Austin, Texas likely has the record number of food trucks in the country. In 2012, there were 1,400 registered mobile food vendors in Travis County, alone.  While many Texas cities consider food trucks a nuisance or even a health hazard, Austin residents have embraced the entire concept.  These portable food stands serve everything from burgers and tacos to gourmet fare and ice cream.  Many food trailers stay in one location while others travel the city and make scheduled spots in certain locations. 

AUSTIN FOOD TRAILERS

[austinrelocationguide]

Frequently Asked Questions about Austin Texas

Here are 20 of the top  questions people ask about Austin Texas and the answers.  Austin FAQ

[austinrelocationguide]

Top Employers in Austin Texas

Austin is not only the geographic metropolitan center of Texas, but it also occupies center stage in the state’s positive economic health as a hotbed for a number of industries – including technology, real estate, healthcare, and—as the state capital— both local, state and federal government. 

For example, Austin is often dubbed the “Silicon Hills” because of the plethora of technology companies that have chosen to make their home here. Austin counts 3M, Apple Inc., Hewlett-Packard, Google, Facebook, AMD, Applied Materials, Cirrus Logic, Cisco Systems, eBay/PayPal, Bioware, Blizzard Entertainment, Hoover’s, Intel Corporation, National Instruments, Samsung Group, Silicon Laboratories, Oracle Corporation, Hostgator, and United Devices among the many top companies with operations in Central Texas.

In fact, the tech companies here account for much of all tech-related revenue in Texas – second only to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. This industry diversity offers a veritable cornucopia of employment opportunities for those relocating here, with companies that have chosen to establish operations in Greater Austin for its high quality of life, plentiful housing opportunities and relatively low cost of living.

Major Employers in Austin