10 Things to Know Before Moving to Austin, Texas

All photos by Mitchell Kmetz // Unsplash.

Austin is one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the country, and as the capital of Texas, it draws creatives and corporations alike. Most residents moved here from somewhere else, so knowing the local landscape helps you settle in faster. Here's what to know before moving to Austin.

1. Learn how locals pronounce road and town names

Austin is particular about pronunciation. Here's a quick cheat sheet:

• Burnet Road: "Burn-it" Road
• Manchaca (the road, not the town): "Man-chack"
• Boerne: "Burn-ee"
• Guadalupe (road and river): "Gwad-e-loop"
• Pedernales (river, park, and electric company): "Purr-de-nal-es"
• Buda: "Bew-duh"
• Koenig Road: "Kay-nig"
• Manor (road and city): "May-ner"
• South Congress: "SoCo"

2. Know what locals call the main roads

Many of Austin's major roads go by nicknames:

• Loop 1: "MoPac"
• 2244: "Bee Cave"
• I-35: "35"
• 6th Street: "West 6th" and "East 6th," two very different sections
• Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd: "MLK"
• N. Capital of Texas Hwy: "360"
• 3238: "Hamilton Pool Road"
• San Jacinto: "San Jac"

3. Lady Bird Lake is also known as Town Lake

Longtime Austinites still call it Town Lake. It was renamed in 2007 to honor Lady Bird Johnson and her work to improve the waterfront. The lake is a dammed section of the Colorado River and one of the city's biggest attractions, with paddleboarding, kayaking, and boating against stunning skyline views. Swimming is strongly discouraged.

4. North and South Austin have a long-standing rivalry

In the 1960s and '70s, Lady Bird Lake served as an informal dividing line between North and South Austin, two areas with very different reputations. The rivalry was settled in 1987 with an actual tug-of-war across the lake, east of I-35. When 140 people on the losing side were pulled into the water, the other side declared victory.

5. Austin has 15 nature preserves

Austin is also home to natural springs, the most popular being Barton Springs, and some of the best hiking in Texas. Many preserves have limited or restricted public access because their ecosystems are too sensitive for large crowds.

6. Austin is home to one of Texas's oldest businesses

Scholz Garten opened in 1866 near the University of Texas campus and is a favorite spot for watching Longhorns games and tailgating. Only four businesses in Texas predate it. Scholz is also home to the Saengerrunde Bowling Club, one of the oldest operating bowling alleys in the country, which is private.

7. Austin is home to 10 billionaires

As of April 2024, Austin ranked 10th in the nation for its billionaire population, with residents including Elon Musk of Tesla and Joe Gebbia of Airbnb.

8. Austin still operates its historic Moonlight Towers

Designed in the 19th century as an innovative way to light the city after dark, the Moonlight Towers are a rare piece of history. Austin is the only city in the U.S. that still operates a working network of them, with 15 of the original 31 still standing. Notable towers can be found at Zilker Park, where one is featured during the annual Zilker Christmas Tree lighting, at West Lynn and 12th Street, and at East 11th and Lydia Streets.

9. Austin is home to one of the first desegregated municipal golf courses in the South

Lions Municipal Golf Course, known locally as "Muny," is a beloved piece of Austin history.

10. Austin has historic bars worth visiting

The Historic Scoot Inn, a railroad saloon in the mid-1800s, is now known for live music and is considered one of the oldest continuously operating bars in Texas. Deep Eddy Cabaret was recently named a historic site by the City of Austin.

Austin is growing fast, but its character remains

Austin is growing quickly, and its history and identity remain at the heart of what makes it one of the best cities in the country to call home.

Considering a move or visit to Austin, Texas? Our team would love to help. Check out our Austin destination guide, and reach out with any questions. Whether you're planning a move, looking for a place to stay, or just starting to weigh your options, our goal is to be your resource.