Moving from California to Austin, TX

Austin, TX, is one of the last remnants of cowboy culture. It’s a city where rodeos are a cultural staple, and you will come across residents wearing wide-brimmed hats. However, Austin has become a significant tech and business hub. As the state capital, it attracts a diverse population and delivers plenty of options for entertainment and family-friendly activities.

Austin is the fourth-most populous city in Texas. The Texas State Capitol building, in Austin, is the second-largest capitol building in the US. Moving from California to Austin can be enticing if you want to get away from traffic or seek new job opportunities in this dynamic city. The warm weather is another perk to consider.

Benefits of Moving from California to Austin, TX

There are several benefits of living in Austin, Texas. There are plenty of job opportunities, and the cost of living is more advantageous compared to California. A massive tech boom in the 1990s brought major tech corporations to the area as well as startup incubators. Higher education institutions played a significant role in supporting this tech boom. Universities and colleges bring a population of diverse young adults to the area.

The weather is almost always fantastic, which gives dog lovers the chance to get out with their furry companions more often. The climate provides ample opportunities to go out and explore all the natural wonders in and around Austin. And these are just a few of the many perks Austin has to offer.

Job Market

Unemployment in Austin is lower than the national average. Between all the tech companies and the higher education institutions, the job market is better than in other areas, and so is the average income. Startup incubators are bringing plenty of new and exciting business ideas to the city and creating opportunities in a multitude of fields.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Austin is lower than the national average, making it a fantastic option for many families. Texas has no state income tax, which will leave you with more cash available for other expenses. Essentials like dining and transportation are more affordable. Buying a home or renting an apartment is cheaper than in other states.

Technology-Driven Economy

Austin, Texas, also known as Silicon Hills, is a major hub for technology giants and startups. Tech giants like Apple, 3M, Amazon, Dell, and AMD have a presence in Austin.

Education

Austin's high schools are some of the best in the country, boasting one of the highest graduation rates. Austin has six four-year colleges and another eight four-year colleges within a 50-mile radius. Texas A&M is the largest university in Texas, with the University of Texas coming in second.

Diversity

Austin is so diverse that it is said there is no one ethnic group that is a majority. You can find families, single individuals, young, middle-aged, and old residents. It is a melting pot of everything, from age to ethnicity. It is one of the best cities to raise a family in, is terrific for Millennials, and it’s a great place to retire.

Entertainment

Austin is considered the live music capital of the world. You can find a venue with live music at any time of the day or night. They even have a celebration for Eeyore’s birthday (yes, from Winnie the Pooh) on the last Saturday of April.

Austin is also host to several of the most popular events in the state, such as South by Southwest (SXSW), Formula 1 races at the Circuit of the Americas, and the Austin Film Festival. The X Games and Austin City Limits are also big entertainment hits.

Art

Austin’s diversity and culture of innovation has given birth to a vibrant art scene. Art is part of the city’s heart and soul. You will find museums and art galleries like the Blanton, Big Medium's East, and Contemporary at the Jones Center.

Austin has become a mecca for many different art forms, from ballet to contemporary art. There is even a Cathedral of Junk, with very eccentric displays. Independent cinema is thriving thanks to the Austin Film Society.

Amazing Foods & Drinks

Austin is a foodie's paradise. Food trucks are particularly popular among locals. There is always something new to try, from fine dining to Texas Barbeque. Restaurant Week is a fun local event where you can try a wide variety of food for a fraction of the cost.

Breweries and microbreweries are offering quality craft beers that are unique to Austin. Several of them host tasting parties regularly, and offer memberships to their events.

Weather

While the summer can see triple-digit highs with extremely high humidity, the winters create a stark contrast. The weather in Austin is so amazing that there are, on average, 300 days of sunshine out of 365 of the year! Austin might see 25 days below freezing in the winter.

A Dog Lovers’ Delight

Austin is one of the most pet-friendly cities in the country, with many cafes, bars, and restaurants allowing dogs. There are plenty of parks where you can relax and play with your four-legged companion. Some parks have scenic cliffs, waterfalls, natural swimming areas, creeks, and more. Austin is even building an indoor dog park, called Canine Commons, that will feature training areas, a coffee shop, and retail spaces.

Healthy Living

One of the fittest cities in the country, Austin offers many opportunities to stay healthy. You can bike, jog, and hike in one of the city’s parks. You can go kayaking, swimming, canoeing, and more at one of the nearby lakes or head to a swimming pool.

Austin is one of the greenest cities in Texas. Being a tech hub means that local companies are creating innovative ways of preserving the environment and working on developing renewable energies. The city government does a lot to foster green initiatives.

Nature

Austin is a marvel of Texas. People often associated Texas with dry and brown landscapes. In Austin, this cliche couldn’t be farther from the truth. With all of the parks and lakes, the area is breathtakingly green. There are rolling hills, underground caverns, and natural wonders to behold. The Gulf of Mexico is only 3.5 hours away.

Exploring natural areas around Austin is an opportunity to observe wildlife. Besides the normal armadillos, raccoons, and opossums, Austin can see about 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats during their spring and summer migration. Tours take place at the Congress Avenue Bridge every night, which covers the Lady Bird Lake area. People can watch as the bats take flight.

Public Transit

Austin is home to one of the best and greenest public transit systems in the US. The Capital Metro connects the downtown area to the northern suburbs of Austin, running on 32 miles of track. There is also a bus service that runs between North Austin and South Austin. There are about 3,000 bus stops.

Cost of Moving from California to Austin, TX

The average line haul cost to move from California to Austin with Allied is $3,900. There are many variables to consider when calculating moving costs. Some of these variables include the number of items being moved, exact distance, packing and unpacking, and special items that you want to bring with you. Use our Instaquote tool above to get a more accurate idea of how much your move will cost.

How to Move from California to Austin, TX

Moving from California to Austin, Texas, can be challenging and stressful because of the travel distance. Alleviate some of the stress by hiring Allied to move your valuable household items. Allied can help with your long-distance move and make this process as easy as possible. With over 90 years in business, Allied’s trusted professionals provide a high-quality experience every step of the way, including packing, transporting, and unpacking.