The Austin region, with a population of about 1.6 million people, ranks fourth among the country’s 200 largest metropolitan areas, according to the Milken Institute and Greenstreet Real Estate Partners’ 2008 Best Performing Cities list. Based on such criteria as job creations, competitive salaries and growth of technology, Austin outperforms many other areas of the country and excels in sustaining jobs and economic growth. Even in a sluggish nationwide economy, Forbes’ has just listed Austin, Texas as one of the best places to spend your dollar on a list of where money goes the furthest in the current market. Affordable housing, low gas prices, sluggish inflation and a healthy job market make Austin very appealing. Nestled in the middle of the Lone Star State, Austin is a shining star in the energy and technology sectors. To make Austin even more appealing, Travel+ Leisure just gave the Capital of Texas 2nd place for its friendliness and athleticism and 3rd place for intelligence; about 40% of adult Austinites hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, according to bizjournal.com.

The music and entertainment sector of Austin adds to its success, with the week-long and world-famous South by Southwest Festival and Conference and the weekend-long Austin City Limits Festival, combined with other music festivals pumping millions a year into the Austin economy. The success generated by Austin-filmed television series “Friday Night Lights” and movies such as Spy Kids, Sin City and Secondhand Lions have added a new level excitement to the urban mecca that has become Austin. The city’s support over its growing entertainment industry gives it a welcome edge and different perspective in an economy otherwise focused on technology, education and politics.

Austin enjoys a successful technology sector and is well-known for its universities, but it still maintains its “weirdness” by attracting unique businesses from around the country to make a new home in the “Live Music Capital of the World.” This year, ArtistForce.com, the Los Angeles-based business platform and professional marketplace for the live entertainment industry announced the decision to relocate its sales, marketing and software development teams to Austin, according to the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce.

Joining the Austin corporate scene is Twisted Pixel Games, Setcom Corporation and Clean Technology and Sustainable Industries Org. The healthy and robust economy, combined with an active, youthful city makes Austin an attractive location to start your business.

The mild humid subtropical climate allows for a lot of outdoor activity and sprawling the corporate campuses makes the 40+ acre campus of the University of Texas extraordinarily accessible. Austin is a green and eco-friendly city, interested in growth and modernism, maintaining a quaint and rustic downtown scene while melding effortlessly with the sprawling Texas Hill Country around it.