Austin’s skyline has evolved quickly in the last decade. New businesses and residential high rises show the remarkable speed at which our infrastructure is changing.
Perhaps the only thing growing faster than our buildings is our population.
Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, with 170 new residents moving here every day. But one demographic is moving here faster than others: the Millennial generation.
Millennials constitute the generation born between 1981 - 1996 and make up most of today’s workforce.
So why is Austin such a magnet for this population? We have some ideas:
Careers in Austin
Cities with competitive employment opportunities offer an obvious selling point to the largest generation in the modern workplace. Many Millennials come to Austin with high ambitions for launching or continuing their careers.
And Austin doesn’t disappoint.
We’re home to many respected businesses with positions across a wide range of fields.
LinkedIn regularly publishes data about hiring trends in major cities. Austin is one of the fastest growing cities for young professionals. As LinkedIn’s U.S. report says, “For every 10,000 LinkedIn members in Austin, 121 arrived in the last 12 months.”
Plus, Austin is one of the top cities in the U.S. for entrepreneurs. Many have even begun calling Austin “Silicon Hills” because of our deep roots in tech and the local innovative startups whose work is reverberating across the country. As the University of Texas says, “What starts here changes the world.”
The Lifestyle
One of the hallmark traits of the Millennial generation is their value for good work-life balance.
When the workday is done, Austin is a great place to spend quality time.
The Greenbelt and other nature trails run straight through Austin’s backyard. Not to mention, Barton Springs Pool, trails along the river, and numerous parks throughout the city make it easy to spend time outdoors with friends and family.
Millennials also love diverse, creative food. One Washington Post article said, “They like trying new flavors, love ethnic cuisine and won’t shy away from vegetarian and vegan options. As menu choices expand and you try new things, know that’s driven by millennials.”
For those who love diverse cuisine, Austin has a lot to offer. The city boasts many local restaurants offering a diverse selection of meals from across the globe, as well as meals you’ll find nowhere else.
Between East Side, 6th Street, and Rainey Street, our nightlife is also very popular, with many bars, breweries, and diners to explore.
The Art Scene
Austin doesn’t hide its weirdness.
We’re proud of the many artists and creatives who make our city such a quirky place to live. Famous and aspiring artists alike have moved to Austin for its eclectic character and local creative community.
Austin didn’t earn its nickname “Live Music Capital of the World” for nothing. Between music festivals every few months and concerts just about every night of the week, there’s always a new band or musician to hear.
Events like East Austin Studio Tour celebrate our local visual art. And some festivals like SXSW pull many crafts into one place, with events focused on film, gaming, music, podcasting, and much more.
In a way, Austinites live where most people dream of vacationing.
Housing Opportunities
When it’s time to settle down, there’s no place like Austin to blend comfort, opportunity, and fun. With our city’s popularity, houses have appreciated healthily for a long time.
Last year we conducted a series that compared Austin’s housing prices to major cities in the Midwest, West, Southeast, and Northeast. These studies found that Austin had better housing prices than many major metropolitan areas across the country.
But for those not ready to buy, Austin’s apartment offerings are also worth a brag.
Earlier this year, Thrillest ranked Austin as the third best city in the U.S. for renters. They referenced our strong local economy and affordable leases as just a few factors influencing our competitive rank.
All to say, Austin has a lot to offer homeowners and renters alike.
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