Quality of Life

Why do so many smart, creative and successful people and companies call Austin home? It's more than a great place to work and do business. On top of our thriving economy, we offer unmatched quality of life – for all kinds of people.

That unique and engaging Austin character is built on a solid foundation. We're a community that offers reasonably priced housing, a safe environment, solid schools, healthy and charming neighborhoods, and big-city amenities at a small-town pace. It's no wonder so many people come to Austin "temporarily" ... and end up staying.

Our gorgeous natural setting, in one of America's most unique landscapes, offers plenty of opportunities to get outdoors for fitness, recreation and relaxation. But if you're more the indoor type, we've also got a world-famous live music scene and equally exciting happenings in the creative and performing arts. In Austin, it's easy to make a habit out of having fun.

As Austin takes its place among the world's leading cities, our cultural vitality and lifestyle assets continue to grow. Sure, the city is always changing, but it's usually changing for the better. And you can always find your place in Austin – making friends and getting what you want out of life.

Arts, Recreation & Entertainment

Museums

Austin Museum of Art French Legation Museum LBJ Presidential Library and Museum
Austin Nature and Science Center George Washington Carver Museum O. Henry Museum
Blanton Museum of Art Harry Ransom Center Texas Memorial Museum
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farm Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
Elisabet Ney Museum

Performing Arts

Ariel Dance Theatre Austin Vocal Arts Ensemble Paramount Theatre
Austin Chamber Music Festival Ballet Austin The State Theatre
Austin Civic Chorus Bass Concert Hall Univ. of Texas Performing Arts Center
Austin Lyric Opera Frank Erwin Center Zachary Scott Theatre
Austin Playhouse Long Center for the Performing Arts Zilker Hillside Theater
Austin Symphony Orchestra Palmer Events Center Over 120 live music venues

Festivals

Austin City Limits Music Festival Austin Film Festival South by Southwest Music, Film, & Media Conference & Festival

Sports

Austin Toros
NBA D-League Basketball Team 		Texas Longhorns
Big 12 Conference College Sports
Round Rock Express
AAA Baseball Team		 Texas Stars
AHL Ice Hockey Team

Selected Other Attractions

Barton Springs Golf Courses Number Nearly 50 Texas Capitol
Congress Avenue Bridge Bats Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Texas Hill Country & the Highland Lakes
Dillo Trolley System Mount Bonell Zilker Botanical Gardens

Resources for Exploring Attractions & Planning Activities

The daily paper, the Austin American-Statesman, offers an online entertainment guide called Austin 360.

The local 'alternative' weekly, the Austin Chronicle, provides a round up of upcoming events including live music listings, arts events, etc., as well as a city guide.

Online visitor's information is provided by the Austin Convention and Visitor's Bureau (while you're there, check out the CVB's Live Music page for a jukebox of Austin music) and Texas Tourism.

Media

Austin American-Statesman Austin Business Journal More than 50 broadcast outlets

Healthcare

25 hospitals (plus 2 under construction)
Hospitals Map PDF icon		 3,000 hospital beds

Faith & Nonprofit Communities

Austin currently has more than 800 churches and synagogues, a Hindu Temple, a Buddhist Temple and a mosque and prides itself on maintaining the atmosphere of a tolerant, diverse and open city. There are three seminaries, the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest, the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and the Austin Graduate School of Theology as well as excellent religious education opportunities, starting with pre-school. There are more than 3,500 active nonprofits in a community that has a history of creative partnerships between government, nonprofit organizations and local businesses to address important needs of the local population. The Austin Area Interreligious Ministries provides links to many area churches, faith communities, and community service organizations.

Businesses that wish to establish corporate giving and employee volunteerism programs have a wealth of resources to draw upon from the Volunteer Center at the United Way Capital Area to the nonprofit management support networks at Greenlights for Nonprofit Success or I Live Here, I Give Here.

Crime Rates

   Rates for 2010 Violent crime Property crime
   Austin MSA 356.1 4,024.8
   Texas 450.3 3,783.0
   United States MSAs 458.7 3,160.2
   United States 429.4 3,036.1

Note: Violent crimes are offenses of murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Property crimes are offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft.

Source: U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Texas Enterprise Fund is used primarily to attract new business to the state or to assist with the substantial expansion of an existing business as part of the competitive recruitment.  It is the largest “deal closing” fund of its kind in the country.