It had been on my record for some time, however I simply completed a incredible 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.
House sitting at some stage in my keep allowed me to completely get my toes below the desk as an Austin digital nomad. There are many wonderful amenities for distant staff, all complemented by among the best social scenes I’ve come throughout within the USA.
Are you able to dwell a distant life-style?
Take the quiz and see if we may also help.
Our Creator Kickstarter Teaching Program will probably be accepting a most of 10 individuals to start out constructing their dream distant life-style. Study extra & see if we may also help you obtain your targets!
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 a number of conventional allure and a number of welcoming locals.
Austin labels itself because the ‘Live Music Capital of the USA‘, and rightly so! There are tons of dwell music venues and each day performances within the metropolis. Comedy has taken a stronghold in recent times since Joe Rogan opened The Comedy Mothership.
It’s the perfect city to pair out of doors adventures with unimaginable meals – one among 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 record of nice cities I’ve visited and worked remotely from.
I like locations that provide a whole mix of snug and dependable amenities, enjoyable locations to blow off steam, and the prospect 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 an attractive 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 superb for this.
Balancing work and life whereas touring is without doubt 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 Protected?
Austin is generally a safe city for visitors, with family-friendly neighborhoods and a welcoming environment. Nevertheless, like several metropolis, staying conscious of your environment is essential. Follow well-lit areas at night time and keep away from remoted spots.
Downtown Austin is vigorous and standard, however petty crimes resembling pickpocketing can occur. Hold 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 aware of wildlife and carry loads of water. It gets hot and there are many creatures in Texas that may chew you! So keep away from mountaineering alone late within the day and through peak scorching and dry spells.
Finest Areas to Stay in Austin
Austin is an enormous metropolis, however an amazingly well-connected one too. Listed below are a number of nice areas to think about basing your self in that provide their very own allure whereas preserving you in contact with all of Austin’s finest points of interest.
1. Downtown Austin
Residing in Downtown Austin places you on the middle of town’s vitality, with numerous bars, eating places, and dwell music venues. I beloved the walkable life-style of Downtown, with points of interest together with Lady Bird Lake and Sixth Road all inside simple attain.
Lodging will be expensive, however the comfort and entry to leisure make it value 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 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 get pleasure from an eclectic combination of outlets, various meals vehicles, breweries, and dwell music whereas staying right here.
The world 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 searching for a enjoyable but neighborly vibe.
3. Pflugerville
Pflugerville is simply 20 minutes from Downtown and gives a quieter suburban life-style 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 neighborhood and peaceable environment.
There are wonderful parks and trails, plus handy purchasing, cool bars, eating places, and cafes which make it a snug place to base your self. For those who’re interested by 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 allure and fashionable developments. Recognized for its road artwork, fashionable espresso retailers, and various delicacies, this space highlights the artistic facet of Austin.
With fewer high-end resorts in comparison with the central elements of town, rental residences or home sitting alternatives are prone to be the way in which to go relating to discovering respectable long-term lodging. This can be a enjoyable a part of Austin with quick access to town middle.
5. Zilker
Zilker ought to be a high consideration for nature lovers 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 one of the best of each worlds in Zilker – a peaceable retreat near town’s pleasure.
The best way to Discover Lodging in Austin
For those who plan to be a digital nomad dwelling in Austin listed below are the highest 4 methods to seek out lodging within the metropolis.
1. Booking.com: The long-term traveler’s finest good friend, Booking.com gives 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 location.
2. Airbnb: One other dependable instrument, Airbnb will probably 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 large 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 frequently has 1000’s of listings accepting purposes globally. It’s how I secured a month of free lodging in Austin.
4. Facebook Groups: For those who’re planning an extended keep within the metropolis take a look at Fb teams resembling Austin Room Mate. Non-public owners frequently provide sublets, spare rooms, and reasonably priced however versatile lodging choices.
Price of Residing in Austin
Returning to the US after a number of years touring round Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand I used to be a bit of involved in regards to the pending price of dwelling in Austin. However I used to be pleasantly stunned. 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 price round $15-$18pp.
I used to be pleased to seek out my previous good friend Aldi in Austin. The price range 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.
Costs fluctuate considerably from retailer to retailer and though costs have crept up in recent times, meat is routinely fairly reasonably priced – 1lb of chicken for under $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. Anticipate to pay $2k/month and above for a central condominium earlier than month-to-month utilities of around $300. Staying outdoors of town middle can scale back your prices to a extra affordable determine of $1500/month.
Airbnbs with month-stay reductions, price range lodge/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 town, state, and additional afield.
Uber remains to be a really reasonably priced choice if you happen to select to remain outdoors of town however need common entry. The 20-minute trip from Pflugerville to Sixth Road normally price me lower than $20. Gasoline is fairly low cost too at under $3 a gallon.
SIM Playing cards and Information
Getting a SIM card within the US is a bit of trickier than in another nations however not inconceivable or overly costly for guests. Sadly, it’s not attainable to simply choose up a SIM at Walmart and pop it in your cellphone, belief me I realized this the exhausting manner.
I counsel heading to a cellphone retailer resembling T-Mobile 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 alleged to be a $25 activation charge however for some purpose, 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 Suggestions for Austin
Listed below are a number of 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. Here’s a step-by-step guide.
- Glad 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 typically provide huge reductions for longer stays – the most important reductions normally come at precisely 28 days.
- Go to Free Sights: There are a lot of free out of doors spare time activities to get pleasure from across the metropolis resembling Lady Bird Lake.
- Use Public Transport: Austin’s Capmetro system is an reasonably priced and dependable option 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 straightforward with a number of incredible 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 setting. There are 7 locations throughout town and for $47 a day, you get quick WiFi, snug workstations, and a centered environment excellent 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 supplies every thing you want.
2. Frequent Desk
Providing a barely cheaper various in Austin metropolis middle whereas sustaining all of the perks {and professional} high quality of a coworking area, Common Desk is a superb choice for critical freelancers searching for an amazing scorching desking expertise.
Costs are as little as $30/day if you happen to can persuade an extra 2 buddies, staff, 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 method 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 Espresso Roasters gives 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 motorbike store – its tagline is ‘Espresso, Champagne, Chain Lube’. Its massive tables, quick WiFi, and wonderful espresso make it excellent for centered 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 may simply preserve 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 high solutions:
1. Guided Stay 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 revel in a number of the finest Sixth Road has to supply. This can be a nice option to shortly familiarize your self with Austin’s nightlife – learn more here.
2. Get Out on Girl Chicken Lake
I’ve already talked about Girl Chicken Lake a number of instances because it’s an attractive and tranquil spot that feels 1,000,000 miles away from the busy metropolis. It’s simple to get to and is the proper spot for mountaineering, biking, and out of doors pursuits. Or you’ll be able to 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’ll rack up some critical 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 principle 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 Building, well-known road artwork, parks, and dwell music venues, and revel in a candy deal with from one of many metropolis’s standard meals vehicles 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 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 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 standard year-round. Spring and fall convey 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 snug season for having fun with 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 identified to often roll by. Regardless of this, Austin enjoys extra sunny days than cloudy ones.
Professionals and Cons of Residing in Austin
Like all metropolis, Austin gives distinctive alternatives and challenges that make dwelling right here an thrilling but nuanced expertise. Right here’s what I realized 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 resembling know-how, healthcare, and artistic arts.
- Full of life Social Scene: From dwell 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 Life-style: With parks, lakes, and mountaineering trails, Austin is a perfect metropolis for out of doors lovers with year-round potentialities.
- 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 price range.
- Yr-Spherical Local weather: Each day common temperatures not often drop beneath 62°F through 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 in recent times, making affordability a rising concern for a lot of.
- Visitors Points: Subsequently, this speedy development has led to congested roads. There was a number of highway work and growth occurring 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 fairly wild celebration scene. It’s not for the faint-hearted.
Digital Nomad Visa for Austin
The US doesn’t at present provide a particular digital nomad visa. Nevertheless, distant staff 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 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 partaking in employment or vital distant work whereas on a vacationer visa or below the VWP could violate US immigration regulation. 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 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 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!
