A ustin, Texas is an exciting city located in the central part of the state in a region known as Hill Country. This beautiful city is also the capitol of the State of Texas. Named Yahoo! Internet Life's "#2 Most Wired City in America and Forbes #3 Best City for Business in 1999", Austin blossomed into a high tech Mecca in the 90s. In 2001 BestJobsUSA.com called it "the #1 place to live and work."

In addition to their high concentration of technology, education, tourism, and government are also major industries for the bustling area. The unemployment rate is well below the US average at 4.5% according to the latest 2001 figures. The greatest growth of jobs in 2001 was in the services category, especially in business services. Austin was slightly ahead of the statewide job growth rate of 2.1%. Job growth is expected to continue rising through the middle of the decade. The services and trade sectors should continue to show strong job growth as well as the manufacturing industry, especially the technology division with jobs that are predicted to stabilize and then pick up in 2003 and beyond.

Average household income is impressively high at $84,904 a year. Austin's average cost of a home is $164,800. Which impressive job growth, high earning potential and affordable housing costs it is easy to see why Austin has a reputation for an outstanding quality of life!

Austinites love their hip downtown music scene. Sixth Street is perhaps the city's most well known feature and draws visitors and residents throughout the year. Seven blocks of East 6th from Congress Avenue to Interstate 35 is Austin's trendy and sizzling entertainment district. Encompassing East 5th and 7th Streets as well as various cross-streets, it is home to numerous clubs, bars and is the heart of the city's famous live music scene. Music runs the gamut from jazz, blues, and country to rock, hip-hop, and derivations of these and other genres. You'll also find every kind of food throughout the area, including such regional staples as chili, ribs, and Tex-Mex plus steak, seafood, Cajun-cooking, and deli delights.

There's plenty to see and do in Central Texas: attractions for the kids, tours, train rides, boat rides, museums and lots of outdoors activities. Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve with 2 1/2 miles of hiking trails that pass through woodland, grassland, and streamside habitats is a local favorite. These habitats are home to threatened and endangered species, and hundreds of native plants, animals and birds. There are a variety of guided walks, or you can walk on your own. Barton Creek Greenbelt is also a scenic area for hiking with 7.9 miles of trails following the path of Barton Creek. Depending on rainfall the creek offers many swimming holes. There are also challenging rock-climbing walls along the trails. And yes... lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Austin has a zoo. It's not huge but it's lots of fun for the whole family.

Even with all of the fun, education is a core value for this community and the mission statement that "All students will progress academically and intellectually, and will graduate prepared for personal success and inspired to contribute to society" hints at the passion and commitment found here. There are eight school districts including the largest Austin Independent School District, serving K-12 students in Austin and the immediate surrounding areas. AISD has 12 high schools, 18 middle and junior high schools, and 74 elementary schools that administer to approximately 76,000 students. AISD Schools have recently earned 16 National Blue Ribbons and 4 Texas State Blue Ribbon Awards.

Austin is a world-class city with charming and beautiful neighborhoods. This is truly an outstanding relocation choice and a comfortable place to live, work and raise a family. If you are considering moving to the Austin area, or would like more information, please feel free to request a "free relocation package" today!