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Austin, Texas
Lively Austin Offers Retirees a Bohemian Vibe, a Robust Cultural Scene and a Lush Riverside Locale on the Edges of the Texas Hill Country
Cost of Living: Above the National Average
Nestled along the Colorado River on the eastern edge of the Texas Hill Country, vibrant Austin (population 975,000 with two million in the metro area), the capital of Texas and home to the flagship campus of the University of Texas (52,000 students), is a city that impresses people with its slightly quirky country charm. From its days as an isolated settlement when the area was still a part of Mexico to its current state as an education, music, art and technology hub, Austin has attracted an eclectic crowd. It has grown 10% during the last decade, most recently drawing a lot of Californians and New Yorkers looking for lower living costs.
Locals are an educated bunch, with 55% holding at least a four year college degree. Residents are younger than in many cities of similar size, with 30% of residents age 45 or better, but Austin's smorgasbord of events and festivals, Texas hospitality and rich quality of life benefit all ages.
Most Austinites lean to the left politically, a rarity in Texas. In an effort to maintain its bohemian vibe, the city's motto is, "Keeping Austin Weird." Residents also say that they are Texans first, Americans second.
The cost of living is 25% above the national average. The median home price is $550,000, and as in most metropolises, location means everything. The city has a number of distinctive neighborhoods, and generally those on the west side are the nicest, nestled in the dramatic beauty of the Texas Hill Country. Areas to the north, east and south are more affordable because the land is flat and dotted with subdivisions.
Sections closer to downtown and near the University have both very expensive homes and modest ones. Steiner Ranch is a large, all ages master planned development. Heritage at Vizcaya is a new 55+ single family home community 18 miles from downtown Austin in Round Rock. There are also many apartment complexes, with several, including Primrose of Shadow Creek and Village at Collinwood, for people age 55 or better.
When it comes to taxes and retirement, Texas is somewhat friendly. The state has no state income tax, so retirement income is not taxed, but real estate taxes are high even though homeowners receive a $15,000 homestead exemption, and people age 65 or better receive an additional $10,000 exemption. The average effective property tax rate (the annual tax payment as a percentage of median home value) in Austin is 1.9%. The annual taxes on a $550,000 home are approximately $10,725 without a homestead exemption.
Unconventional and a little offbeat, Austin often lands on "best places to live" lists. It is pet friendly (named by Dog Fancy Magazine as a great place to be a dog), bicycle friendly and gay friendly, but corporate America, including Fortune 500 companies Whole Food Markets, Google, IBM and Apple, have a strong presence here as well. Automobile innovator and tech titan Elon Musk is also planning to build his own Utopian city on Austin's outskirts.
The heart and soul of Austin is the University of Texas (UT). It is in the center of the city, has a beautiful campus and exerts a lot of influence. Its theater and dance presentations, various workshops and lectures, and, of course, Longhorn football games in the 100,000-seat stadium mean there is always something to do.
UT also sponsors an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), the well-respected program designed to provide "intellectual enrichment conducted in a structured academic setting" for the mature demographic. OLLI programs are membership-based and attract an interesting group of experienced students.
Austin, Texas
The city's cultural scene extends beyond the UT campus and is energetic and eclectic. Art happens everywhere, from funky signage and building murals to steetside statues. Numerous neighborhood theaters, including the Vortex Repertory Company and Salvage Vanguard Theater, present an entertaining and innovative season each year. The fun Contemporary Austin is home to "informal experiences with art," showcasing 20th-century and contemporary art.
The Blanton Museum of Art is the city art museum. beautiful George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center offers workshops, guest speakers and classes. A particular point of pride is the city's being named a "City of Media Arts" by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization).
Austin's music landscape is nationally known as one of the best in the country and boasts more than 120 live music venues. In fact, the city calls itself the "Live Music Capital of the World." The Austin Chamber Music Center has a full season of concerts and interacts with the community through workshops and seminars. The annual Zilker Summer Musical features live bands. Ballet Austin, the Austin Opera and the Austin Symphony all add to the city's rich cultural texture.
The city is known, too, for its abundance of excellent restaurants, especially ones serving Mexican cuisine. Many can be found along 6th Street and 2nd Street, both well traveled as they offer a rich ensemble of eateries and shops. Soco is a fun shopping area that features unique boutiques, vintage clothing and more.
Downtown is healthy and lively with a distinctive skyline. It has also seen an influx of new boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores and other retailers. At night, downtown is lit by "artificial moonlight," 165-ft. tall light towers that are now historical landmarks.
Festivals are many and well-attended. South by Southwest (SXSW) is one of the largest music and film festivals in the country, held in nearly 100 venues and featuring thousands of artists. The annual Austin City Limits Music Festival attracts nearly 200,000 people over two weekends and presents a wide selection of bands playing everything from country and folk to reggae and bluegrass.
In the center of it all, Lady Bird Lake is a major recreation venue, adding a bit of tranquility to the heart of this major American city. Non-motorized boats are for lease, and there are walking trails all around the lake. During the spring and summer, 1.5 million bats make their home under a bridge that spans the lake, and each evening people line the lakeshore to watch the bats zoom out in their nightly hunt for insects.
Next to the lake is Zilker Park, Austin's largest downtown park and the site of concerts and festivals year-round. More than 12,000 acres of parks and greenbelts dot the city and include a greenbelt that parallels the Colorado River. The Austin Parks and Recreation Department has won national awards for its beautiful parks' system. There is also a botanic garden and a zoo.
Golfers enjoy several 18-hole championship golf courses, including the oldest golf course in the state of Texas, the Hancock Golf Course, as well as the Morris Williams Golf Course and the Roy Kizer Golf Course. Other popular club courses include ColoVista, Forest Creek, River Place and the Jimmy Clay Golf Course.
Getting around town is not much of a problem. The city has a bus service, Capital Metro, which covers the metro area. The city's parks and recreation department provides senior transportation as well.
With a dozen major hospitals and medical centers, at least six of which are award-winning, Austin is a good place to age. Nearly all facilities are accredited by the Joint Commission, and several are Primary Stroke Centers. At least one is a Level I Adult Trauma Center, and most, but not all, accept Medicare patients. For military retirees, the city has a VA outpatient clinic, but the nearest VA medical center is in Temple, 65 miles away.
Austin has three senior activity centers and 17 recreation centers. The senior centers do not require a membership fee, and they offer a variety of events and activities, including groups, classes, health related events, tours, trips, and recreational activities.
The Austin Public Library has 23 locations and welcomes volunteers.
The humid subtropical climate means hot, moist summers and mild winters. From June through September, temperatures are in the 80s and 90s, and the high humidity levels make some days uncomfortable (Austin ranks fairly low on the humidity comfort level meter). Winters usually bring daily high temperatures in the 40s, 50s and 60s. On average, the city receives 33 inches of rain per year, and sometimes it can rain for days.
This city that sits where the Texas Hill Country meets the coastal plain has a lot going for it, but it still has some drawbacks. The city is grappling with growth issues, and clashes between environmentalists and pro-growth factions occasionally happen. Some people think Austin is pretentious and drawing too many out-of-staters, but others see it as down-to-earth as it was 20 years ago. The crime rate is slightly above the national average, but as in most cities, location matters. Wildfires, floods and tornados are not unknown in this part of the country.
Yet, retirees seeking a stimulating Southern city with a liberal bent and a slightly funky flavor will want to check out Austin, drawbacks and all. Music, art, great restaurants and more await, making retirement full of possibilities in this thorougly original and inviting Texas oasis.
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