Digital Nomad Information to Dwelling in Austin, Texas

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 doable.

Home sitting at some stage in 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.

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 a lot of conventional attraction and a number of welcoming locals.

Austin labels itself because the ‘Stay 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 lately since Joe Rogan opened The Comedy Mothership.

It’s the excellent metropolis to pair outside adventures with unimaginable meals – certainly one of 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 completely 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 supply a whole mix of comfy and dependable amenities, enjoyable locations to blow off steam, and the prospect 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 a stupendous dwelling 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 supreme for this.

Balancing work and life whereas touring is without doubt 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 protected metropolis for guests, with family-friendly neighborhoods and a welcoming ambiance. Nonetheless, like all metropolis, staying conscious of your environment is essential. Persist with well-lit areas at evening and keep away from remoted spots.

Downtown Austin is vigorous and widespread, however petty crimes akin to pickpocketing can occur. Maintain your belongings safe, particularly round Sixth Road at evening. It will get fairly rowdy round right here on weekends.

Austin’s parks and trails are stunning, however be conscious of wildlife and carry loads of water. It will get scorching and there are many creatures in Texas that may chew you! So keep away from climbing alone late within the day and through peak scorching and dry spells.

Greatest Areas to Stay in Austin

Austin is a giant metropolis, however an amazingly well-connected one too. Listed here are a number of nice areas to contemplate basing your self in that supply their very own attraction whereas maintaining you in contact with all of Austin’s greatest sights.

1. Downtown Austin

Dwelling in Downtown Austin places you on the middle of the town’s vitality, with numerous bars, eating places, and dwell music venues. I beloved the walkable life-style of Downtown, with sights together with Girl Hen Lake and Sixth Road all inside simple attain.

Lodging may be expensive, however the comfort and entry to leisure make it price it. Excessive-rise flats 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 take pleasure in an eclectic combination of retailers, various 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 might go well with these in search of a enjoyable but neighborly vibe.

3. Pflugerville

Pflugerville is simply 20 minutes from Downtown and gives a quieter suburban life-style with easy accessibility to Austin’s sights. That is exactly the place I spent a month home sitting and I loved the welcoming neighborhood and peaceable ambiance.

There are wonderful parks and trails, plus handy procuring, cool bars, eating places, and cafes which make it a snug place to base your self. Should you’re excited about home sitting in Austin, try my earlier article: All the pieces You Have to Know About Home Sitting.

4. East Austin

East Austin is a quickly evolving neighborhood with a mix of historic attraction and fashionable developments. Identified for its avenue artwork, fashionable espresso retailers, and various delicacies, this space highlights the inventive facet of Austin.

With fewer high-end resorts in comparison with the central components of the town, rental flats or home sitting alternatives are more likely 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 easy accessibility to the town middle.

5. Zilker

Zilker ought to be a high consideration for nature fans and households, because of its proximity to Zilker Park and Barton Springs. Dwelling right here means being extra linked to nature as these are each lush inexperienced areas with ample outside 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 the town’s pleasure.

Easy methods to Discover Lodging in Austin

Should you plan to be a digital nomad dwelling in Austin listed below are the highest 4 methods to search out lodging within the metropolis.

1. Reserving.com: The long-term traveler’s greatest good friend, Reserving.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 positioning.

2. Airbnb: One other dependable device, Airbnb will probably be helpful for anybody wanting to remain in additional suburban areas of Austin. Attempt to hit 7-day or 28-day keep markers to safe big 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 recurrently has hundreds of listings accepting purposes 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 akin to Austin Room Mate. Non-public owners recurrently supply sublets, spare rooms, and inexpensive however versatile lodging choices.

Value of Dwelling in Austin

Returning to the US after a number of years touring round Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand I used to be somewhat involved concerning 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 mean, a hearty meal at a good BBQ joint will value round $15-$18pp.

I used to be pleased to search 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 take pleasure in 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 lately, meat is routinely fairly inexpensive – 1lb of hen for beneath $5, and eggs for $3-$4 a dozen. Store round and preserve an eye fixed out for clearance and sale objects.

Lodging Prices

Dwelling in Austin isn’t low-cost. Anticipate to pay $2k/month and above for a central residence earlier than month-to-month utilities of round $300. Staying exterior of the 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 journey. For longer journeys Greyhound and Flix Bus supply inexpensive charges for traversing the town, state, and additional afield.

Uber continues to be a really inexpensive choice should you select to remain exterior of the town however need common entry. The 20-minute journey 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 Knowledge

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 doable to simply choose up a SIM at Walmart and pop it in your cellphone, belief me I realized this the exhausting approach.

I counsel heading to a cellphone retailer akin to T-Cellular and buying a SIM in particular person, the place will probably be activated then and there. I picked up 2 GB of information for $10/month. There was imagined to be a $25 activation payment however for some motive, the system let me off – bonus!

You’ll discover a full vary of information, calls, and message bundles to fit your wants. Most locations in Austin have respectable WiFi so I all the time go for the bottom value and most versatile information plan, which often begins at round $10/month.

Cash Saving Suggestions for Austin

Listed here are a number of of my high ideas for saving cash whereas dwelling as a digital nomad in Austin:

1. 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.
2. Completely satisfied Hours: Many bars and eating places supply nice pleased hour offers. Right here’s an important web site to assist discover one of the best offers.
3. Airbnb Reductions: Hosts typically supply large reductions for longer stays – the largest reductions often come at precisely 28 days.
4. Go to Free Sights: There are a lot of free outside spare time activities to take pleasure in across the metropolis akin to Girl Hen Lake.
5. Use Public Transport: Austin’s Capmetro system is an inexpensive and dependable strategy to get across the metropolis.
6. Dine at Meals Vans: There are a great deal of wonderful meals vehicles in Austin, so scrumptious doesn’t should imply costly.

Coworking Areas and WiFi Pace in Austin

Working remotely in Austin is straightforward with a number of incredible 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 setting. There are 7 places throughout the town and for $47 a day, you get quick WiFi, comfy workstations, and a targeted ambiance 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, working a enterprise, or simply want a change of surroundings, WeWork gives the whole lot you want.

2. Widespread Desk

Providing a barely cheaper various in Austin metropolis middle whereas sustaining all of the perks {and professional} high quality of a coworking house, Widespread Desk is a good choice for severe freelancers in search of an important scorching desking expertise.

Costs are as little as $30/day should 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!

Greatest Cafes to Work From in Austin

If a extra informal method to distant working is what you might be after, Austin’s cafe scene has you coated. I’ll begin you off with a few my favourite spots:

1. Houndstooth Espresso: A preferred place for distant employees due to its welcoming and spacious ambiance and dependable WiFi. The minimalist decor and inexpensive menu make it simple to focus whereas sipping on expertly brewed espresso.
2. Mozarts Espresso Roasters: Set alongside Lake Austin, Mozart’s Espresso Roasters gives breathtaking views. Its robust WiFi and ample energy retailers make it laptop-friendly, whereas the lakeside setting provides a soothing contact whereas working.
3. 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 periods.

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 can simply preserve you occupied when not on the laptop computer. For a full itinerary learn – 15 Greatest Issues To Do in Austin, however listed below are my high strategies:

1. Guided Stay Music Downtown Pub Crawl

There are a number of wonderful bars downtown, however head out with a neighborhood brimming with information of the scene and revel in a number of the greatest Sixth Road has to supply. This can be a nice strategy to shortly familiarize your self with Austin’s nightlife – be taught extra right here.

2. Get Out on Girl Hen Lake

I’ve already talked about Girl Hen Lake a number of instances because it’s a stupendous and tranquil spot that feels one million miles away from the busy metropolis. It’s simple to get to and is the proper spot for climbing, biking, and outside pursuits. Or you possibly can simply go to sit back out!

I extremely advocate you try to get out on the water. The calm lake is nice for kayaking, and you may rack up some severe distance. Click on right here to pre-book kayaks with the identical firm I did. They had 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 the town. It will get scorching so that you’ll benefit from the consolation of a door-to-door service in a snug air-conditioned car.

Tick off the Texas Capital Constructing, well-known avenue artwork, parks, and dwell music venues, and revel in a candy deal with from one of many metropolis’s widespread meals vehicles in a 2-hour small group tour. Click on right here to be taught extra.

SEE ALSO: Weekend in Austin: The Excellent 2-Day Itinerary

4. Metropolis Escape BBQ and Wine Tour

Escape the town to take pleasure in 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 right this moment.

Climate in Austin

Austin’s climate is famously heat, with August averages of 97°F. Sunny days dominate, making outside actions widespread 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 the 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 recognized to sometimes roll via. Regardless of this, Austin enjoys extra sunny days than cloudy ones.

Professionals and Cons of Dwelling in Austin

Like several 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 Dwelling in Austin

• Thriving Job Market: Austin is a tech and enterprise hub, it’s dwelling to Tesla amongst quite a few different massive firms. There are rising alternatives in areas akin to know-how, healthcare, and artistic arts.
• Energetic 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.
• Out of doors Life-style: With parks, lakes, and climbing trails, Austin is a perfect metropolis for outside fans with year-round potentialities.
• The Meals: I can attest to the town’s unimaginable meals scene. There are sensational barbecue eating places, inexpensive but beautiful meals vehicles, and various eating choices to fulfill each style and price range.
• 12 months-Spherical Local weather: Day by day common temperatures not often drop under 62°F throughout the winter and rainfall is reasonable. It’s the best metropolis for these, like me, who dislike the chilly.

Cons of Dwelling in Austin

• Rising Value of Dwelling: Housing and rental costs have surged lately, making affordability a rising concern for a lot of.
• Site visitors Points: Subsequently, this speedy progress has led to congested roads. There was a number of highway work and improvement 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 automobiles and turns into a fairly wild social gathering scene. It’s not for the faint-hearted.

Digital Nomad Visa for Austin

The US doesn’t presently supply a selected digital nomad visa. Nonetheless, distant employees can discover different visa choices to remain in Austin. The B-1 Enterprise Visa permits short-term stays for enterprise functions, but it surely’s important to know its limitations.

The Visa Waiver Program permits residents of taking part 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 may keep for as much as six months.

It’s essential to notice that partaking in employment or important distant work whereas on a vacationer visa or beneath the VWP might violate US immigration legislation. Subsequently, 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 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!