Celebrate: The Serious Side of Austin

by Caitlin Moore 


Austin is commonly referred to as “The Live Music Capital of the World” and is well known for such creatively ambitious events as Austin City Limits and South by Southwest, but residents know that beneath the fun and glamour exists a network of hard-working and future-oriented individuals doing their best to make the city succeed in more ways than one. In addition to cultivating an exciting cultural atmosphere, Austin is also busy securing its place as one of the country’s smartest and fastest growing cities. This is in spite of an economic recession: in fact, in 2008 Forbes rated Austin as the best city for riding out the recession.

Contributing to this image is an explosive real estate market. Thanks to the growth of job opportunities, great weather, and a relatively low cost of living, realtors have enjoyed a steady supply of business as more and more people have moved to the area. Downtown, high-rise apartments and urban lofts have become a common sight as young professionals and financially stable singles decide to set up house in a central location within easy reach of offices, restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife scene. The perimeter of the city is expanding by the minute, and older neighborhoods in the heart of Austin are finding themselves bombarded with renewed interest and rising property values.

As far as business goes, it is well known that Austin is a haven for the tech-minded companies that have come to establish the “Silicon Hills.” Dell, Motorola, and a few others have given the city a reputation for encouraging cutting edge developments and entrepreneurial achievement. In recent years, Forbes has repeatedly voted Austin among the best places to do business and advance one’s career.

This fertile and celebrated business environment makes the city an attractive location for young men and women intent upon making their fortunes. It also contributes to the upwardly mobile quality of the city’s professional landscape. New businesses seem to flourish, and established ones grow and change in order to keep up with the quick and steady pace that Austinites have come to expect.

Part of Austin’s magnetism lies in the fact that education is highly regarded as a tool for success. The University of Texas enjoys a stellar academic reputation and an enrollment of over 50,000. Seven other colleges and universities, as well as a number of vocational schools, complete Austin’s image as a hotspot for learning and leadership. With 38.2 percent of area residents over the age of 25 holding a bachelor’s degree, it is clear that many people are taking advantage of the educational opportunities that flourish in Central Texas. It is also notable that Austin’s elementary and secondary schools receive high marks in yearly educational quality ratings, ensuring that the city’s future will be a bright one.

Austin residents certainly know how to have fun, but when it’s time to get down to business there are plenty of enterprising locals willing to put in a hard day’s work. This well-roundedness makes Austin a formidable presence in Texas and ensures that it is seen as one of the country’s busiest and most interesting cities.