It had been on my checklist for some time, however I simply completed a implausible month residing in Austin, Texas. The state capital lived as much as all my hopes and expectations and is a metropolis I’ll return to as quickly as potential.
House sitting at some point of my keep allowed me to totally get my toes below the desk as an Austin digital nomad. There are many glorious amenities for distant employees, all complemented by top-of-the-line social scenes I’ve come throughout within the USA.
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About Austin, Texas
Austin is the 4th largest city in the state and the 11th most populous in the USA. It’s an enormous metropolis that maintains a small metropolis really feel with plenty of conventional attraction and a bunch of welcoming locals.
Austin labels itself because the ‘Live Music Capital of the USA‘, and rightly so! There are tons of stay music venues and every day performances within the metropolis. Comedy has taken a stronghold lately since Joe Rogan opened The Comedy Mothership.
It’s the perfect city to pair out of doors adventures with unbelievable meals – one in all my favourite methods to spend a day right here is by mountain climbing alongside the paths of Barton Creek, cooling off with a go to to Lake Travis, after which diving into some legendary Texas barbecue at Terry Black’s.
Digital Nomad in Austin: Private Expertise
I completely loved being a digital nomad in Austin. I’ve spent the final three years touring full-time, and it’s excessive up on the checklist of nice cities I’ve visited and worked remotely from.
I like locations that supply a whole mix of comfy and dependable amenities, enjoyable locations to blow off steam, and the possibility to get out into the nice open air. Austin ticked all of those packing containers for me.
Though I used to be home sitting throughout my keep and had a lovely house to work from, I’ve all the time discovered I’m motivated by altering up my surroundings and dealing from completely different cafes, coworking areas, and libraries. Austin was excellent for this.
Balancing work and life whereas touring is without doubt one of the largest challenges digital nomads face. I discovered the tempo of Austin suited my workload whereas providing loads of enjoyable social alternatives and wholesome leisure pursuits.
Is Austin Secure?
Austin is generally a safe city for visitors, with family-friendly neighborhoods and a welcoming environment. Nevertheless, like all metropolis, staying conscious of your environment is vital. Stick with well-lit areas at night time and keep away from remoted spots.
Downtown Austin is vigorous and widespread, however petty crimes corresponding to pickpocketing can occur. Maintain your belongings safe, particularly round Sixth Street at night time. It will get fairly rowdy round right here on weekends.
Austin’s parks and trails are lovely, however be conscious of wildlife and carry loads of water. It gets hot and there are many creatures in Texas that may chunk you! So keep away from mountain climbing alone late within the day and through peak sizzling and dry spells.
Finest Areas to Dwell in Austin
Austin is a giant metropolis, however an amazingly well-connected one too. Listed below are just a few nice areas to think about basing your self in that supply their very own attraction whereas preserving you in contact with all of Austin’s finest sights.
1. Downtown Austin
Residing in Downtown Austin places you on the heart of the town’s vitality, with numerous bars, eating places, and stay music venues. I beloved the walkable way of life of Downtown, with sights together with Lady Bird Lake and Sixth Avenue all inside straightforward attain.
Lodging may be expensive, however the comfort and entry to leisure make it price it. Excessive-rise flats and resorts dominate the realm, many providing spectacular views. Downtown is ideal for anybody who thrives within the pleasure of city areas.
2. South Congress (SoCo)
South Congress is without doubt one of the metropolis’s trendiest and most iconic neighborhoods. Life in Austin feels genuine in SoCo, the place quirky meets cool. You’ll take pleasure in an eclectic combination of retailers, various meals vans, breweries, and stay music whereas staying right here.
The realm appeals to a various group of residents with extra reasonably priced housing, resorts, and Airbnbs. The streets are normally bustling round SoCo however there’s additionally a robust sense of neighborhood. It could swimsuit these in search of a enjoyable but neighborly vibe.
3. Pflugerville
Pflugerville is simply 20 minutes from Downtown and affords a quieter suburban way of life with quick access to Austin’s sights. That is exactly the place I spent a month home sitting and I loved the welcoming neighborhood and peaceable environment.
There are glorious parks and trails, plus handy buying, cool bars, eating places, and cafes which make it a cushty place to base your self. In case you’re eager about home sitting in Austin, take a look at my earlier article: Everything You Need to Know About House Sitting.
4. East Austin
East Austin is a quickly evolving neighborhood with a mix of historic attraction and fashionable developments. Identified for its avenue artwork, stylish espresso retailers, and various delicacies, this space highlights the inventive aspect of Austin.
With fewer high-end resorts in comparison with the central components of the town, rental flats or home sitting alternatives are more likely to be the way in which to go in the case of discovering first rate long-term lodging. It is a enjoyable a part of Austin with quick access to the town heart.
5. Zilker
Zilker must be a prime consideration for nature fans and households, because of its proximity to Zilker Park and Barton Springs. Residing right here means being extra related to nature as these are each lush inexperienced areas with ample out of doors actions.
The neighborhood is primarily residential however caters to a variety of budgets. It’s straightforward to one of the best of each worlds in Zilker – a peaceable retreat near the town’s pleasure.
Easy methods to Discover Lodging in Austin
In case you plan to be a digital nomad residing in Austin listed below are the highest 4 methods to search out lodging within the metropolis.
1. Booking.com: The long-term traveler’s finest pal, Booking.com affords reserving with out pre-payment, cancellation at late discover, and one of the best costs round. It’s not simply resorts, there’s a full vary of Austin lodging choices on the positioning.
2. Airbnb: One other dependable software, Airbnb will likely be helpful for anybody wanting to remain in additional suburban areas of Austin. Attempt to hit 7-day or 28-day keep markers to safe large reductions and all the time enquire straight with hosts about reductions for longer stays.
3. TrustedHousesitters.com: The most important home sitting platform round, Trusted Housesitters often has 1000’s of listings accepting purposes globally. It’s how I secured a month of free lodging in Austin.
4. Facebook Groups: In case you’re planning an extended keep within the metropolis take a look at Fb teams corresponding to Austin Room Mate. Personal owners often provide sublets, spare rooms, and reasonably priced however versatile lodging choices.
Price of Residing in Austin
Returning to the US after just a few years touring round Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand I used to be somewhat involved in regards to the pending value of residing in Austin. However I used to be pleasantly shocked. Right here’s the breakdown.
Eating places and Groceries
You’ll discover a full spectrum of eating potentialities in Austin, from tremendous high-end eating places to budget-friendly quick meals. As a mean, a hearty meal at a good BBQ joint will value round $15-$18pp.
I used to be pleased to search out my outdated pal Aldi in Austin. The funds grocery store was my go-to when residing again in England and I all the time take pleasure in its familiarity and low costs. There’s a broad vary of supermarkets in Austin, from Walmart to H-E-B.
Costs fluctuate considerably from retailer to retailer and though costs have crept up lately, meat is routinely fairly reasonably priced – 1lb of chicken for under $5, and eggs for $3-$4 a dozen. Store round and maintain a watch out for clearance and sale gadgets.
Lodging Prices
Residing in Austin isn’t low cost. Count on to pay $2k/month and above for a central residence earlier than month-to-month utilities of around $300. Staying exterior of the town heart can cut back your prices to a extra cheap determine of $1500/month.
Airbnbs with month-stay reductions, funds resort/motel stays, and home sitting placements are nice concepts for lowering your lodging bills as a digital nomad in Austin.
Transportation Prices in Austin
Austin is serviced by a well-connected and environment friendly public transport service that prices as little as $2.50 a ride. For longer journeys Greyhound and Flix Bus provide reasonably priced charges for traversing the town, state, and additional afield.
Uber remains to be a really reasonably priced possibility if you happen to select to remain exterior of the town however need common entry. The 20-minute experience from Pflugerville to Sixth Avenue normally value me lower than $20. Gasoline is fairly low cost too at under $3 a gallon.
SIM Playing cards and Knowledge
Getting a SIM card within the US is somewhat trickier than in another international locations however not unattainable or overly costly for guests. Sadly, it’s not potential to simply choose up a SIM at Walmart and pop it in your telephone, belief me I discovered this the laborious means.
I counsel heading to a telephone retailer corresponding to T-Mobile and buying a SIM in individual, the place will probably be activated then and there. I picked up 2 GB of information for $10/month. There was alleged to be a $25 activation payment however for some motive, the system let me off – bonus!
You’ll discover a full vary of information, calls, and message bundles to fit your wants. Most locations in Austin have first rate WiFi so I all the time go for the bottom value and most versatile knowledge plan, which normally begins at round $10/month.
Cash Saving Suggestions for Austin
Listed below are just a few of my prime ideas for saving cash whereas residing as a digital nomad in Austin:
- Discover a Home Sit: Keep away from paying any lodging prices by securing a home sit in Austin. Here’s a step-by-step guide.
- Joyful Hours: Many bars and eating places provide nice pleased hour offers. Here’s a great website to help find the best deals.
- Airbnb Reductions: Hosts usually provide huge reductions for longer stays – the largest reductions normally come at precisely 28 days.
- Go to Free Sights: There are numerous free out of doors spare time activities to take pleasure in across the metropolis corresponding to Lady Bird Lake.
- Use Public Transport: Austin’s Capmetro system is an reasonably priced and dependable approach to get across the metropolis.
- Dine at Meals Vans: There are a great deal of glorious meals vans in Austin, so scrumptious doesn’t must imply costly.
Coworking Areas and WiFi Velocity in Austin
Working remotely in Austin is simple with a number of implausible devoted coworking areas. Listed below are a pair I attempted out throughout my keep within the metropolis:
1. WeWork
WeWork is a wonderful coworking house for professionals needing a productive setting. There are 7 locations throughout the town and for $47 a day, you get quick WiFi, comfy workstations, and a targeted environment good for tackling duties.
The facilities at WeWork embrace limitless espresso, trendy lounges, and personal cubicles for calls or digital conferences. Whether or not you’re freelancing, operating a enterprise, or simply want a change of surroundings, WeWork supplies all the pieces you want.
2. Widespread Desk
Providing a barely cheaper various in Austin metropolis heart whereas sustaining all of the perks {and professional} high quality of a coworking house, Common Desk is a superb possibility for severe freelancers in search of an awesome sizzling desking expertise.
Costs are as little as $30/day if you happen to can persuade a further 2 associates, workers, or fellow digital nomads to return alongside for the day. With a membership, 8 particular person day passes value simply $150, for college kids, it’s as little as $50 a month!
Finest Cafes to Work From in Austin
If a extra informal method to distant working is what you might be after, Austin’s cafe scene has you coated. I’ll begin you off with a few my favourite spots:
- Houndstooth Coffee: A well-liked place for distant employees due to its welcoming and spacious environment and dependable WiFi. The minimalist decor and reasonably priced menu make it straightforward to focus whereas sipping on expertly brewed espresso.
- Mozarts Coffee Roasters: Set alongside Lake Austin, Mozart’s Espresso Roasters affords breathtaking views. Its robust WiFi and ample energy shops make it laptop-friendly, whereas the lakeside setting provides a calming contact whereas working.
- The Meteor: The Meteor uniquely blends espresso, wine, and a motorcycle store – its tagline is ‘Espresso, Champagne, Chain Lube’. Its massive tables, quick WiFi, and glorious espresso make it good for targeted work periods.
Actions and Issues to Do in Austin
Sufficient about the place to work, let’s discuss the place to spend your free time in Austin. It’s a enjoyable metropolis that can simply maintain you occupied when not on the laptop computer. For a full itinerary learn – 15 Best Things To Do in Austin, however listed below are my prime options:
1. Guided Dwell Music Downtown Pub Crawl
There are a number of glorious bars downtown, however head out with an area brimming with information of the scene and luxuriate in a number of the finest Sixth Avenue has to supply. It is a nice approach to shortly familiarize your self with Austin’s nightlife – learn more here.
2. Get Out on Girl Chook Lake
I’ve already talked about Girl Chook Lake just a few occasions because it’s a lovely and tranquil spot that feels 1,000,000 miles away from the busy metropolis. It’s straightforward to get to and is the right spot for mountain climbing, biking, and out of doors pursuits. Or you possibly can simply go to sit back out!
I extremely suggest you attempt to get out on the water. The calm lake is nice for kayaking, and you may rack up some severe distance. Click here to pre-book kayaks with the same company I did. They have been dependable, useful, and supplied one of the best costs.
3. See the Better of Austin – Pushed Tour
If strolling excursions aren’t your factor, then let Austin come to you with a guided-driven tour round all the primary sights of the town. It will get sizzling so that you’ll benefit from the consolation of a door-to-door service in a cushty air-conditioned automobile.
Tick off the Texas Capital Building, well-known avenue artwork, parks, and stay music venues, and luxuriate in a candy deal with from one of many metropolis’s widespread meals vans in a 2-hour small group tour. Click here to learn more.
SEE ALSO: Weekend in Austin: The Perfect 2-Day Itinerary
4. Metropolis Escape BBQ and Wine Tour
Escape the town to take pleasure in legendary Texas flavors at Salt Lick BBQ. Afterward, discover the scenic countryside and go to two award-winning wineries for scrumptious native wine tastings. Transfers are included too – click here to book your countryside adventure today.
Climate in Austin
Austin’s climate is famously heat, with August averages of 97°F. Sunny days dominate, making out of doors actions widespread year-round. Spring and fall convey milder temperatures, good for festivals and exploring nature.
Winters in Austin are delicate and I loved loads of beer backyard climate throughout my November keep. Common highs hit 62°F however the nights are cooler. It’s a cushty season for having fun with the town’s many parks and trails.
Rainfall is moderate, with Could and June sometimes being the wettest months. I witnessed a few epic thunderstorms that are recognized to sometimes roll via. Regardless of this, Austin enjoys extra sunny days than cloudy ones.
Professionals and Cons of Residing in Austin
Like every metropolis, Austin affords distinctive alternatives and challenges that make residing right here an thrilling but nuanced expertise. Right here’s what I discovered throughout my keep:
Professionals of Residing in Austin
- Thriving Job Market: Austin is a tech and enterprise hub, it’s house to Tesla amongst quite a few different massive companies. There are rising alternatives in areas corresponding to expertise, healthcare, and inventive arts.
- Vigorous Social Scene: From stay music and world-class comedy reveals to meals festivals and brewery excursions, there’s all the time one thing thrilling occurring to maintain issues enjoyable.
- Outside Way of life: With parks, lakes, and mountain climbing trails, Austin is a perfect metropolis for out of doors fans with year-round potentialities.
- The Meals: I can attest to the town’s unbelievable meals scene. There are sensational barbecue eating places, reasonably priced but beautiful meals vans, and various eating choices to fulfill each style and funds.
- Yr-Spherical Local weather: Day by day common temperatures hardly ever drop beneath 62°F in the course of the winter and rainfall is average. It’s the perfect metropolis for these, like me, who dislike the chilly.
Cons of Residing in Austin
- Rising Price of Residing: Housing and rental costs have surged lately, making affordability a rising concern for a lot of.
- Visitors Points: Subsequently, this fast development has led to congested roads. There was a number of street work and improvement occurring throughout my keep.
- Intense Summers: Temperatures usually soar above 100°F, which may make residing in Austin uncomfortable.
- Loopy Nightlife: On weekend nights, Sixth Avenue closes to autos and turns into a fairly wild occasion scene. It’s not for the faint-hearted.
Digital Nomad Visa for Austin
The US doesn’t at the moment provide a particular digital nomad visa. Nevertheless, distant employees can discover different visa choices to remain in Austin. The B-1 Business Visa permits non permanent stays for enterprise functions, nevertheless it’s important to know its limitations.
The Visa Waiver Program permits residents of participating countries, together with the UK, to remain within the US for as much as 90 days and not using a visa. Canadian residents typically don’t require a visa for tourism or enterprise visits and might keep for as much as six months.
It’s essential to notice that partaking in employment or important distant work whereas on a vacationer visa or below the VWP could violate US immigration legislation. Due to this fact, people planning to work remotely from Austin ought to seek the advice of with an immigration lawyer.
In Conclusion
I hope my digital nomad information to Austin has given you a style of what to anticipate from a distant working keep within the metropolis. I’m so pleased I acquired to tick it off my journey want checklist, and I’ll actually be again in Texas earlier than too lengthy.
Whether or not your focus is devoted workspaces, exploring an in depth cafe tradition, or embracing an epic nightlife scene, residing in Austin as a digital nomad will current you with all of the alternatives you require. Have enjoyable!
