It had been on my checklist for some time, however I simply completed a unbelievable 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 potential.
House sitting throughout my keep allowed me to completely get my toes underneath the desk as an Austin digital nomad. There are loads of glorious services for distant staff, 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 a number of conventional attraction and a number of welcoming locals.
Austin labels itself because the ‘Live Music Capital of the USA‘, and rightly so! There are tons of live music venues and daily performances in the city. Comedy has taken a stronghold in recent years since Joe Rogan opened The Comedy Mothership.
It’s the proper metropolis to pair outside adventures with unimaginable meals – one among 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: Personal Experience
Me with Rascal and Luna, the 2 canine underneath my care whereas home sitting in Austin.
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 labored remotely from.
I like locations that provide a whole mix of comfy and dependable services, enjoyable locations to blow off steam, and the possibility to get out into the nice outside. Austin ticked all of those containers for me.
Although I used to be home sitting throughout my keep and had a fantastic 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 preferrred 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 Safe?
Austin is mostly a secure metropolis for guests, with family-friendly neighborhoods and a welcoming environment. However, like several metropolis, staying conscious of your environment is vital. Stick to well-lit areas at evening and keep away from remoted spots.
Downtown Austin is vigorous and in style, however petty crimes akin to pickpocketing can occur. Keep your belongings safe, particularly round Sixth Street at evening. It will get fairly rowdy round right here on weekends.
Austin’s parks and trails are lovely, however be aware of wildlife and carry loads of water. It will get sizzling and there are many creatures in Texas that may chew you! So keep away from mountain climbing alone late within the day and through peak sizzling and dry spells.
Best Areas to Live in Austin
Austin is an enormous metropolis, however an amazingly well-connected one too. Here are a number of nice areas to contemplate basing your self in that provide their very own attraction whereas preserving you in contact with all of Austin’s greatest sights.
1. Downtown Austin
Living in Downtown Austin places you on the heart of the town’s vitality, with numerous bars, eating places, and stay music venues. I cherished the walkable life-style of Downtown, with sights together with Lady Bird Lake and Sixth Street all inside simple attain.
Accommodation will be dear, however the comfort and entry to leisure make it price it. High-rise flats and inns dominate the world, 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 get pleasure from an eclectic combination of outlets, various meals vehicles, breweries, and stay music whereas staying right here.
The space appeals to a various group of residents with extra reasonably priced housing, inns, and Airbnbs. The streets are normally bustling round SoCo however there’s additionally a robust sense of group. It would go well with these in search of a enjoyable but neighborly vibe.
3. Pflugerville
Pflugerville is simply 20 minutes from Downtown and provides a quieter suburban life-style with easy accessibility to Austin’s sights. This is exactly the place I spent a month home sitting and I loved the welcoming group and peaceable environment.
There are glorious parks and trails, plus handy procuring, cool bars, eating places, and cafes which make it a cushty place to base your self. If you’re excited by home sitting in Austin, try 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 trendy developments. Known for its road artwork, fashionable espresso outlets, and various delicacies, this space highlights the inventive aspect of Austin.
With fewer high-end inns in comparison with the central elements of the town, rental flats or home sitting alternatives are more likely to be the way in which to go with regards to discovering respectable long-term lodging. This is a enjoyable a part of Austin with easy accessibility to the town heart.
5. Zilker
Zilker ought to be a high consideration for nature lovers and households, due to its proximity to Zilker Park and Barton Springs. Living right here means being extra related to nature as these are each lush inexperienced areas with ample outside actions.
The neighborhood is primarily residential however caters to a variety of budgets. It’s simple to the most effective of each worlds in Zilker – a peaceable retreat near the town’s pleasure.
How to Find Accommodation in Austin
If you propose to be a digital nomad dwelling in Austin listed here are the highest 4 methods to search out lodging within the metropolis.
1. Booking.com: The long-term traveler’s greatest buddy, Booking.com provides reserving with out pre-payment, cancellation at late discover, and the most effective costs round. It’s not simply inns, there’s a full vary of Austin lodging choices on the location.
2. Airbnb: Another dependable instrument, Airbnb can be useful for anybody wanting to remain in additional suburban areas of Austin. Try to hit 7-day or 28-day keep markers to safe enormous reductions and all the time enquire instantly with hosts about reductions for longer stays.
3. TrustedHousesitters.com: The greatest home sitting platform round, Trusted Housesitters recurrently has hundreds of listings accepting functions globally. It’s how I secured a month of free lodging in Austin.
4. Facebook Groups: If you’re planning an extended keep within the metropolis try Facebook teams akin to Austin Room Mate. Private owners recurrently provide sublets, spare rooms, and reasonably priced however versatile lodging choices.
Cost of Living in Austin
Returning to the US after a number of years touring round Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand I used to be a little bit involved in regards to the pending value of dwelling in Austin. But I used to be pleasantly stunned. Here’s the breakdown.
Restaurants 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 mean, a hearty meal at a good BBQ joint will value round $15-$18pp.
I used to be comfortable to search out my outdated buddy Aldi in Austin. The funds grocery store was my go-to when dwelling again in England and I all the time get pleasure from its familiarity and low costs. There’s a broad vary of supermarkets in Austin, from Walmart to H-E-B.
Prices range considerably from retailer to retailer and though costs have crept up in recent times, meat is routinely fairly reasonably priced – 1lb of rooster for underneath $5, and eggs for $3-$4 a dozen. Shop round and maintain a watch out for clearance and sale objects.
Accommodation Costs
Living in Austin isn’t low-cost. Expect to pay $2k/month and above for a central residence earlier than month-to-month utilities of round $300. Staying outdoors of the town heart can cut back your prices to a extra affordable 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 Costs in Austin
Austin is serviced by a well-connected and environment friendly public transport service that prices as little as $2.50 a journey. 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 choice if you happen to select to remain outdoors of the town however need common entry. The 20-minute journey from Pflugerville to Sixth Street normally value me lower than $20. Gasoline is fairly low-cost too at underneath $3 a gallon.
SIM Cards and Data
Getting a SIM card within the US is a little bit trickier than in another international locations however not inconceivable or overly costly for guests. Unfortunately, it’s not potential to simply decide up a SIM at Walmart and pop it in your telephone, belief me I realized this the laborious means.
I counsel heading to a telephone retailer akin to T-Mobile and buying a SIM in individual, the place it is going to be activated then and there. I picked up 2 GB of information for $10/month. There was purported to be a $25 activation price however for some purpose, 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 respectable WiFi so I all the time go for the bottom value and most versatile knowledge plan, which normally begins at round $10/month.
Money Saving Tips for Austin
Here are a number of of my high suggestions for saving cash whereas dwelling as a digital nomad in Austin:
Find a House Sit: Avoid paying any lodging prices by securing a home sit in Austin. Here’s a step-by-step information.
Happy Hours: Many bars and eating places provide nice comfortable hour offers. Here’s an incredible web site to assist discover the most effective offers.
Airbnb Discounts: Hosts typically provide huge reductions for longer stays – the largest reductions normally come at precisely 28 days.
Visit Free Attractions: There are many free outside spare time activities to get pleasure from across the metropolis akin to Lady Bird Lake.
Use Public Transport: Austin’s Capmetro system is an reasonably priced and dependable technique to get across the metropolis.
Dine at Food Trucks: There are a great deal of glorious meals vehicles in Austin, so scrumptious doesn’t should imply costly.
Coworking Spaces and WiFi Speed in Austin
Working remotely in Austin is straightforward with a number of unbelievable devoted coworking areas. Here 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 atmosphere. There are 7 areas 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 you’re freelancing, operating a enterprise, or simply want a change of surroundings, WeWork offers the whole lot you want.
2. Common Desk
Offering 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 choice for critical freelancers in search of an incredible sizzling desking expertise.
Prices are as little as $30/day if you happen to 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 value simply $150, for college students, it’s as little as $50 a month!
Best Cafes to Work From in Austin
If a extra informal strategy to distant working is what you’re after, Austin’s cafe scene has you lined. I’ll begin you off with a few my favourite spots:
Houndstooth Coffee: A preferred place for distant staff due to its welcoming and spacious environment and dependable WiFi. The minimalist decor and reasonably priced menu make it simple to focus whereas sipping on expertly brewed espresso.
Mozarts Coffee Roasters: Set alongside Lake Austin, Mozart’s Coffee Roasters provides breathtaking views. Its robust WiFi and ample energy retailers make it laptop-friendly, whereas the lakeside setting provides a calming contact whereas working.
The Meteor: The Meteor uniquely blends espresso, wine, and a motorbike store – its tagline is ‘Espresso, Champagne, Chain Lube’. Its massive tables, quick WiFi, and glorious espresso make it good for targeted work classes.
Activities and Things to Do in Austin
Enough about the place to work, let’s discuss the place to spend your free time in Austin. It’s a enjoyable metropolis that may simply maintain you occupied when not on the laptop computer. For a full itinerary learn – 15 Best Things To Do in Austin, however listed here are my high solutions:
1. Guided Live Music Downtown Pub Crawl
Enjoying a number of beers on Sixth Street.
There are plenty of glorious bars downtown, however head out with a neighborhood brimming with information of the scene and revel in a few of the greatest Sixth Street has to supply. This is an effective way to shortly familiarize your self with Austin’s nightlife – study extra right here.
2. Get Out on Lady Bird Lake
I’ve already talked about Lady Bird Lake a number of instances because it’s a fantastic and tranquil spot that feels one million miles away from the busy metropolis. It’s simple to get to and is the proper spot for mountain climbing, biking, and outside 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 critical distance. Click right here to pre-book kayaks with the identical firm I did. They had been dependable, useful, and supplied the most effective costs.
3. See the Best of Austin – Driven Tour
If strolling excursions aren’t your factor, then let Austin come to you with a guided-driven tour round all the principle 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 road artwork, parks, and stay music venues, and revel in a candy deal with from one of many metropolis’s in style meals vehicles in a 2-hour small group tour. Click right here to study extra.
SEE ALSO: Weekend in Austin: The Perfect 2-Day Itinerary
4. City Escape BBQ and Wine Tour
Escape the town to get pleasure from 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 immediately.
Weather in Austin
Austin’s climate is famously heat, with August averages of 97°F. Sunny days dominate, making outside actions in style year-round. Spring and fall convey 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. Average 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 average, with May and June usually being the wettest months. I witnessed a few epic thunderstorms that are identified to sometimes roll by way of. Despite this, Austin enjoys extra sunny days than cloudy ones.
Pros and Cons of Living in Austin
Like any metropolis, Austin provides distinctive alternatives and challenges that make dwelling right here an thrilling but nuanced expertise. Here’s what I realized throughout my keep:
Pros of Living in Austin
Thriving Job Market: Austin is a tech and enterprise hub, it’s house to Tesla amongst quite a few different massive firms. There are rising alternatives in areas akin to expertise, healthcare, and inventive arts.
Lively 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.
Outdoor Lifestyle: With parks, lakes, and mountain climbing trails, Austin is a perfect metropolis for outside lovers with year-round prospects.
The Food: I can attest to the 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.
Year-Round Climate: Daily common temperatures hardly ever drop beneath 62°F throughout the winter and rainfall is average. It’s the best metropolis for these, like me, who dislike the chilly.
Cons of Living in Austin
Rising Cost of Living: Housing and rental costs have surged in recent times, making affordability a rising concern for a lot of.
Traffic Issues: Subsequently, this speedy progress has led to congested roads. There was plenty of street work and improvement occurring throughout my keep.
Intense Summers: Temperatures typically soar above 100°F, which might make dwelling in Austin uncomfortable.
Crazy Nightlife: On weekend nights, Sixth Street closes to autos and turns into a fairly wild social gathering 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. However, distant staff can discover different visa choices to remain in Austin. The B-1 Business Visa permits short-term stays for enterprise functions, but it surely’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 with no visa. Canadian residents usually 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 participating in employment or important distant work whereas on a vacationer visa or underneath the VWP might violate US immigration legislation. Therefore, people planning to work remotely from Austin ought to seek the advice of with an immigration legal professional.
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 comfortable I received to tick it off my journey want checklist, and I’ll actually be again in Texas earlier than too lengthy.
Whether 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!