10 Reasons Why You'll Fall in Love with Austin

Austin combines an eclectic mix of natural scenery, employment opportunities, nightlife, and creativity to give renters real value that is hard to find in other cities. Ask any Austin local, and they will give you a long list of reasons why Austin is the best city in the Lone Star State. Here are just 10 reasons why renters will love living in Austin.

1. Exploring Austin’s Live Music Scene

Austin has been dubbed the “Live Music Capital of the World,” making it one of the best cities for live music fans. With iconic music festivals like South by Southwest and Austin City Limits, plus the unmatched concentration of music venues in Red River Cultural District and Historic Sixth Street, there is no shortage of music events year-round.

2. Trying Austin’s Famous Food Trucks

According to the Food Liability Insurance Program, Austin is the second-best city in the country to own and operate a food truck. Beyond the sheer number of food trucks and food truck parks in the city, Austin has also seen the highest number of searches for food trucks, according to FLIP’s data. Whether you’re a food truck fanatic or hope to own your own food truck business one day, Austin is a great place to start.

3. Enjoying Austin’s Dog-Friendly Parks and Patios

If you have a furry friend who likes long walks in the park and open green spaces to roam, look no further than Austin. With more than a dozen off-leash dog parks, including Red Bud Isle, Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park, Emma Long Metropolitan Park, and Auditorium Shores (just to name a few), you and your dog have plenty of natural Austin scenery to discover.

4. Watching the Congress Avenue Bats at Sunset

Austin is home to the world’s largest bat colony, with more than 1.5 million bats calling the city home from March through September or October. The Mexican free-tailed bats migrate every spring from central Mexico to several cities across the southwestern United States, but Austin’s colony- made up primarily of females- is the largest. Residents gather along the Congress Avenue Bridge and the Statesman Bat Observation Center to watch the bats take flight at sunset.

5. Spending the Day at Lady Bird Lake

Lady Bird Lake is not only another great place to watch the bat colony take flight, but it also serves as one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Offering kayaking, rowing, paddleboarding, and miles of trails for hiking and jogging, Lady Bird Lake is one of the best places to experience Austin’s natural beauty up close.   

6. Visiting Zilker Park and Barton Springs Pool

Zilker Park is one of the largest recreation areas and offers beautiful views of the city’s skyline while hosting several events throughout the year. From the Austin City Limits music festival and the Trail of Lights holiday display to the ABC Kite Festival, there is always something to enjoy at Zilker Park.

Similarly, Barton Springs Pool is a public outdoor swimming pool filled with the natural spring water from the connected Edwards Aquifer. Located in Zilker Park, this area is perfect for a day outdoors, whether you’re swimming, hiking, or simply enjoying the scenery.  

7. Experiencing Austin’s Nightlife

Austin offers no shortage of entertainment and nightlife for renters to enjoy. Downtown Austin is home to Rainey Street, where historic Craftsman-style homes have been converted into bars, while Dirty Sixth on 6^th Street features live music, rooftop bars, and lively crowds. East Austin is known for its trendy local spots, while South Congress offers classic Texas entertainment with two-stepping and authentic Texas honky-tonks. Whatever your preferred nightlife scene, Austin has something for everyone.  

8. Supporting Austin’s Local Businesses

Austin is home to many nationally recognized brands, including Whole Foods, VRBO, Dell, Alamo Drafthouse, and Scholtzsky’s. This impressive list reflects the city’s entrepreneurial spirit and thriving business community. A combination of local support and a culture that encourages innovation has helped Austin launch some of the country’s most recognizable companies.  

9. Discovering Austin’s Creative Culture

As one of the country’s most creative cities, Austin prides itself on its freedom of expression. From colorful street art and murals to farmers markets, local artists, the famous “I Love You So Much” mural on South Congress Avenue, and the city’s iconic “Keep Austin Weird” slogan, Austin offers renters several ways to experience and express their creative culture.

10. Renters Love Living in Austin

Renters don’t just love living in Austin for its festivals and nightlife- there’s genuine value in the city. The average rent in Austin is $1,414 per month, which is 15 percent below the national average. The cost of living in Austin is 4 percent lower than the national average, with groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and goods and services all being lower than the rest of the country. Whether you’re looking for an affordable neighborhood in Austin or a walkable community for you and your furry friend, Austin has that and more to offer renters.

Find the Perfect Austin Apartment on Apartments.com

If the creative and entertainment hub of Austin has caught your eye, there are plenty of neighborhoods to explore in the city. With Apartments.com, renters can search for apartments based on location, price, and amenities. Your perfect Austin apartment is waiting for you on Apartments.com!