It had been on my listing for some time, however I simply completed a improbable month dwelling 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 doable.
Home sitting all through my keep allowed me to completely get my ft below the desk as an Austin digital nomad. There are many wonderful services for distant employees, all complemented by probably the greatest social scenes I’ve come throughout within the USA.
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About Austin, Texas
Austin is the 4th largest metropolis within the state and the eleventh most populous within the USA. It’s an enormous metropolis that maintains a small metropolis really feel with plenty of conventional appeal and a bunch of welcoming locals.
Austin labels itself because the ‘Reside 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 in recent times since Joe Rogan opened The Comedy Mothership.
It’s the proper metropolis to pair out of doors adventures with unimaginable meals – considered one of my favourite methods to spend a day right here is by mountaineering 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 totally loved being a digital nomad in Austin. I’ve spent the final three years touring full-time, and it’s excessive up on the listing of nice cities I’ve visited and labored remotely from.
I like locations that supply a whole mix of snug and dependable services, enjoyable locations to blow off steam, and the prospect to get out into the nice open air. Austin ticked all of those bins for me.
Though I used to be home sitting throughout my keep and had an attractive residence to work from, I’ve all the time discovered I’m motivated by altering up my surroundings and dealing from totally different cafes, coworking areas, and libraries. Austin was superb for this.
Balancing work and life whereas touring is likely one of the greatest 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 usually a secure metropolis for guests, with family-friendly neighborhoods and a welcoming ambiance. Nonetheless, like every metropolis, staying conscious of your environment is vital. Persist with well-lit areas at evening and keep away from remoted spots.
Downtown Austin is full of life and in style, however petty crimes reminiscent of pickpocketing can occur. Hold your belongings safe, particularly round Sixth Road at evening. It will get fairly rowdy round right here on weekends.
Austin’s parks and trails are stunning, however be conscious of wildlife and carry loads of water. It will get scorching and there are many creatures in Texas that may chunk you! So keep away from mountaineering alone late within the day and through peak scorching and dry spells.
Finest Areas to Reside in Austin
Austin is an enormous metropolis, however an amazingly well-connected one too. Listed below are just a few nice areas to contemplate basing your self in that supply their very own appeal whereas holding you in contact with all of Austin’s greatest points of interest.
1. Downtown Austin
Dwelling in Downtown Austin places you on the heart of town’s vitality, with numerous bars, eating places, and stay music venues. I beloved the walkable way of life of Downtown, with points of interest together with Woman Chicken Lake and Sixth Road all inside straightforward attain.
Lodging could be expensive, however the comfort and entry to leisure make it price it. Excessive-rise residences and lodges 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 likely 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 outlets, various meals vehicles, breweries, and stay music whereas staying right here.
The realm appeals to a various group of residents with extra reasonably priced housing, lodges, and Airbnbs. The streets are normally bustling round SoCo however there’s additionally a powerful sense of group. It might go well with these looking for 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 points of interest. That is exactly the place I spent a month home sitting and I loved the welcoming group and peaceable ambiance.
There are wonderful parks and trails, plus handy buying, cool bars, eating places, and cafes which make it a snug place to base your self. For those who’re fascinated by home sitting in Austin, try my earlier article: All the pieces You Have to Know About Home Sitting.
4. East Austin
East Austin is a quickly evolving neighborhood with a mix of historic appeal and trendy developments. Identified for its road artwork, fashionable espresso outlets, and various delicacies, this space highlights the inventive facet of Austin.
With fewer high-end lodges in comparison with the central components of town, rental residences or home sitting alternatives are more likely to be the way in which to go in terms of discovering respectable long-term lodging. It is a enjoyable a part of Austin with quick access to town heart.
5. Zilker
Zilker needs to be a high consideration for nature fanatics and households, because of its proximity to Zilker Park and Barton Springs. Dwelling 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 the very best of each worlds in Zilker – a peaceable retreat near town’s pleasure.
Discover Lodging in Austin
For those who plan to be a digital nomad dwelling in Austin listed below are the highest 4 methods to search out lodging within the metropolis.
1. Reserving.com: The long-term traveler’s greatest buddy, Reserving.com affords reserving with out pre-payment, cancellation at late discover, and the very best costs round. It’s not simply lodges, there’s a full vary of Austin lodging choices on the location.
2. Airbnb: One other dependable device, Airbnb can 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 enormous reductions and all the time enquire immediately with hosts about reductions for longer stays.
3. TrustedHousesitters.com: The most important home sitting platform round, Trusted Housesitters repeatedly has hundreds of listings accepting functions globally. It’s how I secured a month of free lodging in Austin.
4. Fb Teams: For those who’re planning an extended keep within the metropolis try Fb teams reminiscent of Austin Room Mate. Personal householders repeatedly provide sublets, spare rooms, and reasonably priced however versatile lodging choices.
Value of Dwelling in Austin
Returning to the US after just a few years touring round Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand I used to be just a little involved concerning the pending price of dwelling 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 prospects in Austin, from tremendous high-end eating places to budget-friendly quick meals. As a median, a hearty meal at a good BBQ joint will price round $15-$18pp.
I used to be completely happy to search out my previous buddy Aldi in Austin. The funds grocery store was my go-to when dwelling 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 in recent times, meat is routinely fairly reasonably priced – 1lb of rooster for below $5, and eggs for $3-$4 a dozen. Store round and maintain a watch out for clearance and sale objects.
Lodging Prices
Dwelling in Austin isn’t low-cost. Anticipate to pay $2k/month and above for a central condo earlier than month-to-month utilities of round $300. Staying outdoors of town heart can scale 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 experience. For longer journeys Greyhound and Flix Bus provide reasonably priced charges for traversing town, state, and additional afield.
Uber continues to be a really reasonably priced choice when you select to remain outdoors of town however need common entry. The 20-minute experience from Pflugerville to Sixth Road normally price me lower than $20. Gasoline is fairly low-cost too at below $3 a gallon.
SIM Playing cards and Information
Getting a SIM card within the US is just a little trickier than in another international locations however not unimaginable or overly costly for guests. Sadly, it’s not doable to simply choose up a SIM at Walmart and pop it in your telephone, belief me I realized this the exhausting manner.
I counsel heading to a telephone retailer reminiscent of T-Cell and buying a SIM in particular person, the place it will likely be activated then and there. I picked up 2 GB of knowledge for $10/month. There was imagined to be a $25 activation charge however for some cause, the system let me off – bonus!
You’ll discover a full vary of knowledge, calls, and message bundles to fit your wants. Most locations in Austin have respectable WiFi so I all the time go for the bottom price and most versatile knowledge plan, which normally begins at round $10/month.
Cash Saving Ideas for Austin
Listed below are just a few of my high suggestions for saving cash whereas dwelling as a digital nomad in Austin:
- Discover a Home Sit: Keep away from paying any lodging prices by securing a home sit in Austin. Right here’s a step-by-step information.
- Joyful Hours: Many bars and eating places provide nice completely happy hour offers. Right here’s a fantastic web site to assist discover the very best offers.
- Airbnb Reductions: Hosts usually provide huge reductions for longer stays – the most important reductions normally come at precisely 28 days.
- Go to Free Points of interest: There are various free out of doors spare time activities to take pleasure in across the metropolis reminiscent of Woman Chicken Lake.
- Use Public Transport: Austin’s Capmetro system is an reasonably priced and dependable solution to get across the metropolis.
- Dine at Meals Vans: There are a great deal of wonderful meals vehicles in Austin, so scrumptious doesn’t must imply costly.
Coworking Areas and WiFi Pace in Austin
Working remotely in Austin is straightforward with a number of improbable devoted coworking areas. Listed below are a pair I attempted out throughout my keep within the metropolis:
1. WeWork
WeWork is a superb coworking area for professionals needing a productive atmosphere. There are 7 areas throughout town and for $47 a day, you get quick WiFi, snug workstations, and a targeted ambiance 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, working a enterprise, or simply want a change of surroundings, WeWork gives every little thing you want.
2. Frequent Desk
Providing a barely cheaper various in Austin metropolis heart whereas sustaining all of the perks {and professional} high quality of a coworking area, Frequent Desk is a good choice for severe freelancers looking for a fantastic scorching desking expertise.
Costs are as little as $30/day when you can persuade a further 2 buddies, workers, or fellow digital nomads to return alongside for the day. With a membership, 8 particular person day passes price simply $150, for college kids, it’s as little as $50 a month!
Finest Cafes to Work From in Austin
If a extra informal strategy 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 Espresso: A preferred place for distant employees due to its welcoming and spacious ambiance and dependable WiFi. The minimalist decor and reasonably priced menu make it straightforward to focus whereas sipping on expertly brewed espresso.
- Mozarts Espresso Roasters: Set alongside Lake Austin, Mozart’s Espresso Roasters affords breathtaking views. Its sturdy 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 giant tables, quick WiFi, and wonderful espresso make it good for targeted work classes.
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 Finest Issues To Do in Austin, however listed below are my high options:
1. Guided Reside Music Downtown Pub Crawl
There are a number of wonderful bars downtown, however head out with a neighborhood brimming with data of the scene and luxuriate in among the greatest Sixth Road has to supply. It is a nice solution to rapidly familiarize your self with Austin’s nightlife – be taught extra right here.
2. Get Out on Woman Chicken Lake
I’ve already talked about Woman Chicken Lake just a few occasions because it’s an attractive and tranquil spot that feels 1,000,000 miles away from the busy metropolis. It’s straightforward to get to and is the proper spot for mountaineering, biking, and out of doors pursuits. Or you may simply go to sit back out!
I extremely advocate you try to get out on the water. The calm lake is nice for kayaking, and you’ll rack up some severe distance. Click on right here to pre-book kayaks with the identical firm I did. They have been dependable, useful, and provided the very 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 town. It will get scorching so that you’ll benefit from the consolation of a door-to-door service in a snug air-conditioned automobile.
Tick off the Texas Capital Constructing, well-known road artwork, parks, and stay music venues, and luxuriate in a candy deal with from one of many metropolis’s in style meals vehicles in a 2-hour small group tour. Click on right here to be taught extra.
SEE ALSO: Weekend in Austin: The Good 2-Day Itinerary
4. Metropolis Escape BBQ and Wine Tour
Escape 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 on right here to e-book your countryside journey right now.
Climate in Austin
Austin’s climate is famously heat, with August averages of 97°F. Sunny days dominate, making out of doors actions in style year-round. Spring and fall deliver milder temperatures, good for festivals and exploring nature.
Winters in Austin are gentle 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 snug season for having fun with town’s many parks and trails.
Rainfall is reasonable, with Could and June sometimes being the wettest months. I witnessed a few epic thunderstorms that are recognized to often roll by. Regardless of this, Austin enjoys extra sunny days than cloudy ones.
Execs and Cons of Dwelling in Austin
Like several metropolis, Austin affords distinctive alternatives and challenges that make dwelling right here an thrilling but nuanced expertise. Right here’s what I realized throughout my keep:
Execs of Dwelling in Austin
- Thriving Job Market: Austin is a tech and enterprise hub, it’s residence to Tesla amongst quite a few different giant companies. There are rising alternatives in areas reminiscent of expertise, healthcare, and artistic 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 taking place to maintain issues enjoyable.
- Outside Life-style: With parks, lakes, and mountaineering trails, Austin is a perfect metropolis for out of doors fanatics with year-round prospects.
- The Meals: I can attest to town’s unimaginable meals scene. There are sensational barbecue eating places, reasonably priced but beautiful meals vehicles, and various eating choices to fulfill each style and funds.
- 12 months-Spherical Local weather: Day by day common temperatures hardly ever drop under 62°F throughout the winter and rainfall is reasonable. It’s the perfect metropolis for these, like me, who dislike the chilly.
Cons of Dwelling in Austin
- Rising Value of Dwelling: Housing and rental costs have surged in recent times, making affordability a rising concern for a lot of.
- Site visitors Points: Subsequently, this speedy development has led to congested roads. There was a number of street work and improvement taking place throughout my keep.
- Intense Summers: Temperatures usually soar above 100°F, which may make dwelling in Austin uncomfortable.
- Loopy Nightlife: On weekend nights, Sixth Road closes to automobiles and turns into a reasonably wild social gathering scene. It’s not for the faint-hearted.
Digital Nomad Visa for Austin
The US doesn’t presently provide a particular digital nomad visa. Nonetheless, distant employees can discover different visa choices to remain in Austin. The B-1 Enterprise Visa permits momentary stays for enterprise functions, however it’s important to grasp its limitations.
The Visa Waiver Program permits residents of taking part international locations, together with the UK, to remain within the US for as much as 90 days and not using a visa. Canadian residents usually don’t require a visa for tourism or enterprise visits and may keep for as much as six months.
It’s essential to notice that participating in employment or important distant work whereas on a vacationer visa or below the VWP might violate US immigration regulation. Subsequently, 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 completely happy I acquired to tick it off my journey want listing, 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, dwelling in Austin as a digital nomad will current you with all of the alternatives you require. Have enjoyable!
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