The New California is Austin, Texas – Howdi Neighbor!
While California is busy trying to lure tourists, Texas is busy trying to get businesses to move away from California. It’s not uncommon these days to hear people fed up with the Golden State, retiring or quitting their jobs and moving to Texas. More and more, California businesses are also packing up and landing in the Lone Star State. It’s estimated that around 30% of business relocations from other states come from California.
In an August 2013 publication, Forbes listed Austin, TX as the top city in the nation for future job growth. Californians may recognize the name, Austin, by watching ‘Austin City Limits’ or attending Austin City Limits Music Festival outdoors in October. The city where council meetings feature live music every Thursday, calls itself The Live Music Capital of the World.
For those of us still on the fence about moving, here are some things to think about:
- Austin – 30 wineries nearby (just like San Diego or San Francisco)
- Austin Grand Prix – just like Long Beach Grand Prix
- Austin Pride Festival in September – like Long Beach, San Diego, West Hollywood, Los Angeles and San Francisco Pride fests
- Austin Bergstrom International Airport – not quite LAX or SFO, but it will do!
- Texas State Capitol – just like Sacramento
- LBJ Library & Museum – just like Nixon or Reagan Library & Museum
- Loop 360 Bridge – Golden Gate, perhaps?
- University of Texas – UCLA
- 850,000 people – close in size to San Jose
- Average high temp 97 degrees in August – similar to Sacramento
- Annual precipitation 34 inches – similar to Santa Rosa
- Closest ocean 200 miles – like Lake Tahoe
