It had been on my record 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 attainable.
Home sitting throughout my keep allowed me to totally get my ft beneath the desk as an Austin digital nomad. There are many wonderful amenities for distant employees, all complemented by among the best 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 numerous conventional attraction and a bunch of welcoming locals.
Austin labels itself because the ‘Dwell Music Capital of the USA‘, and rightly so! There are tons of dwell 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 excellent metropolis to pair out of doors adventures with unimaginable meals – one among my favourite methods to spend a day right here is by 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 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 record of nice cities I’ve visited and labored remotely from.
I like locations that provide an entire mix of comfy and dependable amenities, enjoyable locations to blow off steam, and the possibility to get out into the nice outside. Austin ticked all of those bins for me.
Though I used to be home sitting throughout my keep and had an exquisite house to work from, I’ve at all times discovered I’m motivated by altering up my surroundings and dealing from totally different cafes, coworking areas, and libraries. Austin was preferrred for this.
Balancing work and life whereas touring is likely 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 Protected?
Austin is typically a secure metropolis for guests, with family-friendly neighborhoods and a welcoming environment. Nevertheless, like several metropolis, staying conscious of your environment is vital. Persist with well-lit areas at night time and keep away from remoted spots.
Downtown Austin is energetic and fashionable, however petty crimes corresponding to pickpocketing can occur. Hold your belongings safe, particularly round Sixth Road at night time. 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 chunk you! So keep away from climbing alone late within the day and through peak sizzling and dry spells.
Finest Areas to Dwell in Austin
Austin is an enormous metropolis, however an amazingly well-connected one too. Listed here are a couple of nice areas to think about basing your self in that provide their very own attraction whereas retaining you in contact with all of Austin’s greatest points of interest.
1. Downtown Austin
Residing in Downtown Austin places you on the middle of town’s power, with numerous bars, eating places, and dwell music venues. I cherished the walkable life-style of Downtown, with points of interest together with Girl Fowl Lake and Sixth Road all inside simple attain.
Lodging will be dear, however the comfort and entry to leisure make it price it. Excessive-rise residences and resorts 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 retailers, numerous meals vehicles, breweries, and dwell music whereas staying right here.
The world appeals to a various group of residents with extra inexpensive housing, resorts, and Airbnbs. The streets are often bustling round SoCo however there’s additionally a powerful sense of neighborhood. It will go well with these searching for a enjoyable but neighborly vibe.
3. Pflugerville
Pflugerville is simply 20 minutes from Downtown and affords a quieter suburban life-style with easy accessibility to Austin’s points of interest. That is exactly the place I spent a month home sitting and I loved the welcoming neighborhood and peaceable environment.
There are wonderful parks and trails, plus handy procuring, cool bars, eating places, and cafes which make it a cushty place to base your self. Should you’re concerned with home sitting in Austin, try my earlier article: Every little thing You Must Know About Home Sitting.
4. East Austin
East Austin is a quickly evolving neighborhood with a mix of historic attraction and fashionable developments. Recognized for its road artwork, stylish espresso outlets, and numerous delicacies, this space highlights the inventive aspect of Austin.
With fewer high-end resorts in comparison with the central components of town, rental residences or home sitting alternatives are prone to be the way in which to go in terms of discovering first rate long-term lodging. It is a enjoyable a part of Austin with easy accessibility to town middle.
5. Zilker
Zilker ought to be a high consideration for nature fans and households, due to its proximity to Zilker Park and Barton Springs. Residing right here means being extra linked 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 simple to the most effective of each worlds in Zilker – a peaceable retreat near town’s pleasure.
Discover Lodging in Austin
Should you plan to be a digital nomad dwelling in Austin listed here are the highest 4 methods to seek out lodging within the metropolis.
1. Reserving.com: The long-term traveler’s greatest pal, Reserving.com affords reserving with out pre-payment, cancellation at late discover, and the most effective costs round. It’s not simply resorts, there’s a full vary of Austin lodging choices on the positioning.
2. Airbnb: One other dependable device, Airbnb will likely be useful 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 at all times enquire straight with hosts about reductions for longer stays.
3. TrustedHousesitters.com: The most important home sitting platform round, Trusted Housesitters repeatedly has 1000’s of listings accepting functions globally. It’s how I secured a month of free lodging in Austin.
4. Fb Teams: Should you’re planning an extended keep within the metropolis try Fb teams corresponding to Austin Room Mate. Non-public owners repeatedly provide sublets, spare rooms, and inexpensive however versatile lodging choices.
Value of Residing in Austin
Returning to the US after a couple of years touring round Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand I used to be somewhat involved in regards to the pending value 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 potentialities 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 value round $15-$18pp.
I used to be completely satisfied to seek out my outdated pal Aldi in Austin. The funds grocery store was my go-to when dwelling again in England and I at all times get pleasure from its familiarity and low costs. There’s a broad vary of supermarkets in Austin, from Walmart to H-E-B.
Costs range considerably from retailer to retailer and though costs have crept up in recent times, meat is routinely fairly inexpensive – 1lb of rooster for beneath $5, and eggs for $3-$4 a dozen. Store round and preserve a watch out for clearance and sale objects.
Lodging Prices
Residing in Austin isn’t low cost. Count on to pay $2k/month and above for a central condominium earlier than month-to-month utilities of round $300. Staying exterior of town middle 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 decreasing 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 inexpensive charges for traversing town, state, and additional afield.
Uber continues to be a really inexpensive choice in case you select to remain exterior of town however need common entry. The 20-minute experience from Pflugerville to Sixth Road often value me lower than $20. Gasoline is fairly low cost too at beneath $3 a gallon.
SIM Playing cards and Information
Getting a SIM card within the US is somewhat trickier than in another nations however not not possible or overly costly for guests. Sadly, it’s not attainable to only decide up a SIM at Walmart and pop it in your cellphone, belief me I discovered this the exhausting method.
I counsel heading to a cellphone retailer corresponding to T-Cell and buying a SIM in individual, 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 payment 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 first rate WiFi so I at all times go for the bottom value and most versatile information plan, which often begins at round $10/month.
Cash Saving Ideas for Austin
Listed here are a couple of of my high ideas 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.
- Completely satisfied Hours: Many bars and eating places provide nice completely satisfied hour offers. Right here’s an excellent web site to assist discover the most effective offers.
- Airbnb Reductions: Hosts typically provide massive reductions for longer stays – the largest reductions often come at precisely 28 days.
- Go to Free Points of interest: There are various free out of doors spare time activities to get pleasure from across the metropolis corresponding to Girl Fowl Lake.
- Use Public Transport: Austin’s Capmetro system is an inexpensive and dependable solution to get across the metropolis.
- Dine at Meals Vehicles: There are a great deal of wonderful meals vehicles in Austin, so scrumptious doesn’t need to imply costly.
Coworking Areas and WiFi Pace in Austin
Working remotely in Austin is simple with a number of unbelievable devoted coworking areas. Listed 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 places throughout town and for $47 a day, you get quick WiFi, comfy workstations, and a targeted environment excellent for tackling duties.
The facilities at WeWork embody limitless espresso, fashionable 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 gives every thing you want.
2. Widespread Desk
Providing a barely cheaper different in Austin metropolis middle whereas sustaining all of the perks {and professional} high quality of a coworking house, Widespread Desk is a superb choice for critical freelancers searching for an excellent sizzling desking expertise.
Costs are as little as $30/day in case you can persuade a further 2 mates, staff, or fellow digital nomads to come back 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’re 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 environment and dependable WiFi. The minimalist decor and inexpensive menu make it simple to focus whereas sipping on expertly brewed espresso.
- Mozarts Espresso Roasters: Set alongside Lake Austin, Mozart’s Espresso Roasters affords 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 motorcycle store – its tagline is ‘Espresso, Champagne, Chain Lube’. Its massive tables, quick WiFi, and wonderful espresso make it excellent for targeted work classes.
Actions and Issues to Do in Austin
Sufficient about the place to work, let’s speak about the place to spend your free time in Austin. It’s a enjoyable metropolis that may simply preserve you occupied when not on the laptop computer. For a full itinerary learn – 15 Finest Issues To Do in Austin, however listed here are my high recommendations:
1. Guided Dwell Music Downtown Pub Crawl
There are plenty of wonderful bars downtown, however head out with a neighborhood brimming with data of the scene and luxuriate in a number of the greatest Sixth Road has to supply. It is a nice solution to shortly familiarize your self with Austin’s nightlife – be taught extra right here.
2. Get Out on Girl Fowl Lake
I’ve already talked about Girl Fowl Lake a couple of instances because it’s an exquisite and tranquil spot that feels one million miles away from the busy metropolis. It’s simple to get to and is the right spot for climbing, biking, and out of doors pursuits. Or you possibly can simply go to sit back out!
I extremely suggest you try to get out on the water. The calm lake is nice for kayaking, and you may rack up some critical distance. Click on right here to pre-book kayaks with the identical firm I did. They have been dependable, useful, and provided the most effective 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 sizzling so that you’ll benefit from the consolation of a door-to-door service in a cushty air-conditioned car.
Tick off the Texas Capital Constructing, well-known road artwork, parks, and dwell music venues, and luxuriate in a candy deal with from one of many metropolis’s fashionable 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 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 guide your countryside journey at this time.
Climate in Austin
Austin’s climate is famously heat, with August averages of 97°F. Sunny days dominate, making out of doors actions fashionable year-round. Spring and fall deliver milder temperatures, excellent 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 cushty season for having fun with town’s many parks and trails.
Rainfall is reasonable, with Could and June usually being the wettest months. I witnessed a few epic thunderstorms that are identified to often 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 dwelling 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 firms. There are rising alternatives in areas corresponding to expertise, healthcare, and inventive arts.
- Full of life Social Scene: From dwell music and world-class comedy exhibits to meals festivals and brewery excursions, there’s at all times one thing thrilling taking place to maintain issues enjoyable.
- Out of doors Life-style: With parks, lakes, and climbing trails, Austin is a perfect metropolis for out of doors fans with year-round potentialities.
- The Meals: I can attest to town’s unimaginable meals scene. There are sensational barbecue eating places, inexpensive but beautiful meals vehicles, and numerous eating choices to fulfill each style and funds.
- 12 months-Spherical Local weather: Every day common temperatures not often drop beneath 62°F through the winter and rainfall is reasonable. It’s the best metropolis for these, like me, who dislike the chilly.
Cons of Residing in Austin
- Rising Value of Residing: Housing and rental costs have surged in recent times, making affordability a rising concern for a lot of.
- Site visitors Points: Subsequently, this fast progress has led to congested roads. There was plenty of street work and growth taking place throughout my keep.
- Intense Summers: Temperatures typically soar above 100°F, which may make dwelling in Austin uncomfortable.
- Loopy Nightlife: On weekend nights, Sixth Road closes to autos and turns into a reasonably wild celebration scene. It’s not for the faint-hearted.
Digital Nomad Visa for Austin
The US doesn’t presently provide a selected digital nomad visa. Nevertheless, distant employees can discover different visa choices to remain in Austin. The B-1 Enterprise Visa permits short-term stays for enterprise functions, however it’s important to grasp its limitations.
The Visa Waiver Program permits residents of collaborating nations, together with the UK, to remain within the US for as much as 90 days with out 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 participating in employment or important distant work whereas on a vacationer visa or beneath the VWP might violate US immigration legislation. Due to this fact, 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 completely satisfied I obtained to tick it off my journey want record, and I’ll definitely be again in Texas earlier than too lengthy.
Whether or not your focus is devoted workspaces, exploring an intensive 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!
