Introduction
I moved away from New York City a few years ago, and I love it here! Austin has so many amazing things that make it a great place to live, but there are also some downsides. One of my favorite things about Austin is how many people move here. It’s not uncommon to meet someone who recently moved here from another city or state (or even country). In fact, according to this article by the Austin American-Statesman, more than half of all adults between 25-34 have lived in the area for less than five years. That’s partly because Austin is one of America’s fastest-growing cities with jobs in technology and health care driving growth rates higher than elsewhere in Texas,” but also because people are moving here for other reasons as well: a lower cost of living compared to other cities like San Francisco; more affordable housing options; and better weather conditions year-round.”
Why I Left NYC and Moved to Austin
I wanted to move to a city with a strong culture. Austin is known for its music scene, but there’s so much more than that! In the past few years alone, Austin has hosted South by Southwest (SXSW), one of the largest film festivals in America; it’s also been voted “Best City” by Forbes magazine multiple times over. The food scene is amazing–and not just Tex-Mex or barbecue; you can get great sushi here too! Plus there are tons of art galleries and museums throughout town if you’re into art.
As far as careers go, Austin has something for everyone: tech companies like Google have moved here recently because they love our talented workforce; big banks like Wells Fargo are based here too because they know we’ll help them grow their businesses quickly and efficiently; even smaller startups find success when they come here–and those are just three examples! You’ll also find plenty of opportunities within industries ranging from healthcare to finance (and everything in between).
My First Jobs in NYC
- I worked as a waiter at a popular Italian restaurant in Manhattan
- I worked as a bartender at another popular Italian restaurant in Manhattan
- I worked as a barista at an upscale coffee shop on the Upper West Side of Manhattan (the same one that invented the Flat White)
- I worked as a barback at an Irish pub in Brooklyn that was known for its live music scene (and Guinness on tap). This job was particularly fun because it gave me access to free drinks all night long!
- At one point, I even became so desperate for money that I dropped out of college and took up work as an assistant manager at my local Target store–which was actually pretty great because they gave me coupons!
Getting Into Real Estate Development
If you’re looking to get into real estate development, the best place to start is by understanding what it is. Real estate development involves turning undeveloped land into a property that can be used for commercial or residential purposes. In other words: if there’s an empty lot of land and you want to build something on it–whether it be a house or office building–you need someone who knows how to do this kind of work.
In NYC, there are many different ways to become involved in this industry without having any prior experience in construction or architecture (which would be ideal). The first step is working at an architecture firm where they handle all aspects of building design; this includes everything from initial sketches through construction documents and final architectural drawings for permitting purposes. I worked at two different firms during my time here before deciding that I wanted more direct involvement with projects rather than just designing them from afar (which turned out not only fun but also very rewarding).
My First Trip to Austin, Texas
Austin is a great city. It has a rich history and culture, but it also has an exciting future ahead of it. If you’re looking for a place that combines big city amenities with small-town charm, Austin might be the place for you!
If you’re into music, Austin has got something for everyone: Rock n’ rollers will love the legendary venues like Stubbs and Antone’s; country music fans can catch their favorite acts playing at Gruene Hall or Billy Bob’s Texas; hipsters can head over to Emo’s East where they’ll find indie bands playing new tunes every night (and sometimes even some old favorites!). And if EDM is more your thing then head on over to The Parish at Stubb’s BBQ where DJs spin until 2am every Friday night (and sometimes Saturday morning too). Of course there are plenty of other places too–just check out this guide from Thrillist if you want all the details!
Foodies will also love Austin because there are so many great restaurants here offering up everything from tacos at Torchy’s Tacos & Coffee House
Moving to Austin, Texas
So, why did I move to Austin?
It was a mix of things. I wanted to be closer to family, which was easy since my parents were already living in Austin at the time. And while there were other cities that were more affordable than New York City and had much lower taxes (Louisville being one example), none of them had the same vibe as Austin. It felt like home almost immediately after arriving here, even though it took me years before I could really appreciate how much better this place is than where I came from!
The Culture of Austin, Texas
The culture of Austin, Texas is a big part of why I moved there. It’s hard to describe what it’s like because it’s not just one thing–it has elements that remind me of New York City and San Francisco in equal measure, but they’re all blended together differently than anywhere else. The best way I can put it is that living in Austin feels more like living in a small town than any other city I’ve been to (and I’ve lived all over). Everyone knows everyone else here; there’s no anonymity or pretense whatsoever. You can walk down the street without worrying about getting mugged or accosted by homeless people begging for money; everyone seems happy with their lives and would rather help one another out than anything else!
The first time someone told me “Hola!”, my heart melted into an amalgamated puddle of goo on the floor because this was such an unexpected greeting from someone who wasn’t originally from Mexico! But after repeated encounters with similar warm welcomes at various businesses around town (and throughout Texas), eventually these interactions became normal enough for me not only accept them but also expect them whenever entering any establishment–even though these casual exchanges may seem strange at first glance due to their frequency compared with other cities’ more formal greetings such as “Hello” instead of simply waving hello while passing each other by without saying anything at all!
It took some getting used too but now when someone says “Hey man!” while sitting next door during lunch break at work? It makes us both feel good inside knowing we’re partaking together as equals within our community.”
There are many reasons why I moved away from New York, but it’s a great city. I think that all the things that made me leave were also part of why I enjoyed my time there.
I love New York, but I needed a change. It’s expensive, and it can be hard to find a place that feels like home. I also wanted to get away from my friends and family for a while so that I could figure out who I am on my own terms.
Austin has been everything I hoped it would be: affordable, welcoming, friendly–and it has an amazing music scene! There are tons of great restaurants and bars here too (I’m looking at you Barton Springs Pool). If you want something more urban than what Austin offers (like me), then move up north to Dallas or Houston or San Antonio where there are other options available within driving distance if necessary.
Conclusion
As I mentioned before, there are many reasons why I moved away from New York and decided to move to Austin. The biggest one was the culture of Austin. I found that even though it’s a big city, it has a much smaller-town feel than New York City does. People here seem to be more friendly and open than they were when I lived in Manhattan–and that makes me feel welcome!