It had been on my record for some time, however I simply completed a implausible 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 point of my keep allowed me to completely get my toes underneath the desk as an Austin digital nomad. There are many wonderful services for distant staff, all complemented by among the best social scenes I’ve come throughout within the USA.
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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 bunch of welcoming locals.
Austin labels itself because the ‘Reside Music Capital of the USA‘, and rightly so! There are tons of reside music venues and every 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 – one in all my favourite methods to spend a day right here is by mountain 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 totally 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 provide a whole mix of comfy and dependable services, enjoyable locations to blow off steam, and the prospect to get out into the good outside. Austin ticked all of those packing containers for me.
Though I used to be home sitting throughout my keep and had a fantastic house to work from, I’ve all the time discovered I’m motivated by altering up my surroundings and dealing from totally different cafes, coworking areas, and libraries. Austin was preferrred for this.
Balancing work and life whereas touring is likely one of the greatest 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 Secure?
Austin is typically a protected metropolis for guests, with family-friendly neighborhoods and a welcoming ambiance. Nevertheless, like several metropolis, staying conscious of your environment is vital. Stick with well-lit areas at night time and keep away from remoted spots.
Downtown Austin is full of life and widespread, however petty crimes reminiscent of pickpocketing can occur. Maintain your belongings safe, particularly round Sixth Road at night time. It will get fairly rowdy round right here on weekends.
Austin’s parks and trails are stunning, however be aware of wildlife and carry loads of water. It will get sizzling and there are many creatures in Texas that may chew you! So keep away from mountain climbing alone late within the day and through peak sizzling and dry spells.
Greatest Areas to Reside in Austin
Austin is an enormous metropolis, however an amazingly well-connected one too. Listed below are a couple of nice areas to think about basing your self in that provide their very own attraction whereas preserving you in contact with all of Austin’s greatest points of interest.
1. Downtown Austin
Dwelling in Downtown Austin places you on the middle of the town’s vitality, with numerous bars, eating places, and reside music venues. I cherished the walkable way of life of Downtown, with points of interest together with Girl Chicken Lake and Sixth Road all inside straightforward attain.
Lodging may be expensive, however the comfort and entry to leisure make it price it. Excessive-rise residences and inns 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 likely one of the metropolis’s trendiest and most iconic neighborhoods. Life in Austin feels genuine in SoCo, the place quirky meets cool. You’ll get pleasure from an eclectic combination of retailers, numerous meals vans, breweries, and reside music whereas staying right here.
The world appeals to a various group of residents with extra inexpensive housing, inns, and Airbnbs. The streets are normally bustling round SoCo however there’s additionally a powerful sense of group. It will go well with these looking for a enjoyable but neighborly vibe.
3. Pflugerville
Pflugerville is simply 20 minutes from Downtown and gives a quieter suburban way of life with quick access to Austin’s points of interest. That is exactly the place I spent a month home sitting and I loved the welcoming group and peaceable ambiance.
There are wonderful parks and trails, plus handy purchasing, cool bars, eating places, and cafes which make it a cushty place to base your self. For those who’re serious about home sitting in Austin, take a look at my earlier article: The whole lot You Must Know About Home Sitting.
4. East Austin
East Austin is a quickly evolving neighborhood with a mix of historic attraction and trendy developments. Identified for its avenue artwork, fashionable espresso outlets, and numerous delicacies, this space highlights the inventive aspect of Austin.
With fewer high-end inns in comparison with the central components of the town, rental residences or home sitting alternatives are prone to be the best way to go on the subject of discovering respectable long-term lodging. This can be a enjoyable a part of Austin with quick access to the town middle.
5. Zilker
Zilker ought to be a prime consideration for nature fans and households, because of its proximity to Zilker Park and Barton Springs. Dwelling right here means being extra related 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 straightforward to the perfect of each worlds in Zilker – a peaceable retreat near the town’s pleasure.
The best way to Discover Lodging in Austin
For those who plan to be a digital nomad dwelling in Austin listed below are the highest 4 methods to seek out lodging within the metropolis.
1. Reserving.com: The long-term traveler’s greatest buddy, Reserving.com gives reserving with out pre-payment, cancellation at late discover, and the perfect costs round. It’s not simply inns, there’s a full vary of Austin lodging choices on the positioning.
2. Airbnb: One other dependable instrument, Airbnb shall 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 large 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 usually has hundreds of listings accepting functions globally. It’s how I secured a month of free lodging in Austin.
4. Fb Teams: For those who’re planning an extended keep within the metropolis take a look at Fb teams reminiscent of Austin Room Mate. Personal householders usually supply sublets, spare rooms, and inexpensive however versatile lodging choices.
Value of Dwelling in Austin
Returning to the US after a couple of years touring round Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand I used to be slightly involved in regards to the pending price 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 prospects 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 price round $15-$18pp.
I used to be blissful to seek out my outdated buddy Aldi in Austin. The funds grocery store was my go-to when dwelling again in England and I all the time get pleasure from its familiarity and low costs. There’s a broad vary of supermarkets in Austin, from Walmart to H-E-B.
Costs fluctuate considerably from retailer to retailer and though costs have crept up lately, meat is routinely fairly inexpensive – 1lb of rooster for underneath $5, and eggs for $3-$4 a dozen. Store round and preserve an eye fixed out for clearance and sale gadgets.
Lodging Prices
Dwelling in Austin isn’t low-cost. Anticipate to pay $2k/month and above for a central house earlier than month-to-month utilities of round $300. Staying outdoors of the town middle can scale back your prices to a extra cheap determine of $1500/month.
Airbnbs with month-stay reductions, funds resort/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 experience. For longer journeys Greyhound and Flix Bus supply inexpensive charges for traversing the town, state, and additional afield.
Uber remains to be a really inexpensive choice for those who select to remain outdoors of the town however need common entry. The 20-minute experience from Pflugerville to Sixth Road normally price me lower than $20. Gasoline is fairly low-cost too at underneath $3 a gallon.
SIM Playing cards and Information
Getting a SIM card within the US is slightly trickier than in another international locations however not unattainable or overly costly for guests. Sadly, it’s not doable to simply decide up a SIM at Walmart and pop it in your cellphone, belief me I discovered this the arduous method.
I counsel heading to a cellphone retailer reminiscent of T-Cellular and buying a SIM in particular person, the place it is going to be activated then and there. I picked up 2 GB of knowledge for $10/month. There was imagined to be a $25 activation payment however for some purpose, the system let me off – bonus!
You’ll discover a full vary of knowledge, calls, and message bundles to fit your wants. Most locations in Austin have respectable WiFi so I all the time go for the bottom price and most versatile information plan, which normally begins at round $10/month.
Cash Saving Ideas for Austin
Listed below are a couple of of my prime suggestions for saving cash whereas dwelling as a digital nomad in Austin:
- 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.
- Glad Hours: Many bars and eating places supply nice blissful hour offers. Right here’s a fantastic web site to assist discover the perfect offers.
- Airbnb Reductions: Hosts usually supply huge reductions for longer stays – the largest reductions normally come at precisely 28 days.
- Go to Free Points of interest: There are lots of free outside spare time activities to get pleasure from across the metropolis reminiscent of Girl Chicken Lake.
- Use Public Transport: Austin’s Capmetro system is an inexpensive and dependable solution to get across the metropolis.
- Dine at Meals Vehicles: There are a great deal of wonderful meals vans in Austin, so scrumptious doesn’t must imply costly.
Coworking Areas and WiFi Pace in Austin
Working remotely in Austin is simple with a number of implausible devoted coworking areas. Listed below are a pair I attempted out throughout my keep within the metropolis:
1. WeWork
WeWork is a superb coworking house for professionals needing a productive atmosphere. There are 7 areas throughout the town and for $47 a day, you get quick WiFi, comfy workstations, and a centered ambiance excellent for tackling duties.
The facilities at WeWork embrace limitless espresso, trendy 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 supplies all the things you want.
2. Frequent Desk
Providing a barely cheaper various in Austin metropolis middle whereas sustaining all of the perks {and professional} high quality of a coworking house, Frequent Desk is a good choice for severe freelancers looking for a fantastic sizzling desking expertise.
Costs are as little as $30/day for those who can persuade an extra 2 associates, staff, or fellow digital nomads to come back alongside for the day. With a membership, 8 particular person day passes price simply $150, for college students, it’s as little as $50 a month!
Greatest Cafes to Work From in Austin
If a extra informal strategy to distant working is what you’re after, Austin’s cafe scene has you lined. I’ll begin you off with a few my favourite spots:
- Houndstooth Espresso: A well-liked place for distant staff due to its welcoming and spacious ambiance and dependable WiFi. The minimalist decor and inexpensive menu make it straightforward to focus whereas sipping on expertly brewed espresso.
- Mozarts Espresso Roasters: Set alongside Lake Austin, Mozart’s Espresso Roasters gives breathtaking views. Its sturdy WiFi and ample energy retailers make it laptop-friendly, whereas the lakeside setting provides a calming contact whereas working.
- 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 centered work periods.
Actions and Issues to Do in Austin
Sufficient about the place to work, let’s discuss 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 prime solutions:
1. Guided Reside Music Downtown Pub Crawl
There are lots 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 solution to rapidly familiarize your self with Austin’s nightlife – study extra right here.
2. Get Out on Girl Chicken Lake
I’ve already talked about Girl Chicken Lake a couple of occasions because it’s a fantastic and tranquil spot that feels one million miles away from the busy metropolis. It’s straightforward to get to and is the proper spot for mountain climbing, biking, and outside pursuits. Or you may 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 the perfect 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 sizzling so that you’ll benefit from the consolation of a door-to-door service in a cushty air-conditioned car.
Tick off the Texas Capital Constructing, well-known avenue artwork, parks, and reside music venues, and revel in a candy deal with from one of many metropolis’s widespread meals vans in a 2-hour small group tour. Click on right here to study extra.
SEE ALSO: Weekend in Austin: The Excellent 2-Day Itinerary
4. Metropolis Escape BBQ and Wine Tour
Escape the town to get pleasure from 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 ebook your countryside journey at the 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 deliver milder temperatures, excellent for festivals and exploring nature.
Winters in Austin are delicate 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 cushty season for having fun with the town’s many parks and trails.
Rainfall is average, with Might 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.
Execs 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 discovered throughout my keep:
Execs of Dwelling in Austin
- Thriving Job Market: Austin is a tech and enterprise hub, it’s house to Tesla amongst quite a few different massive companies. There are rising alternatives in areas reminiscent of expertise, healthcare, and artistic arts.
- Full of life Social Scene: From reside music and world-class comedy exhibits to meals festivals and brewery excursions, there’s all the time one thing thrilling occurring to maintain issues enjoyable.
- Outside Life-style: With parks, lakes, and mountain climbing trails, Austin is a perfect metropolis for outside fans with year-round prospects.
- The Meals: I can attest to the town’s unimaginable meals scene. There are sensational barbecue eating places, inexpensive but beautiful meals vans, and numerous eating choices to fulfill each style and funds.
- 12 months-Spherical Local weather: Every day common temperatures not often drop under 62°F throughout the winter and rainfall is average. 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 fast development has led to congested roads. There was lots of highway work and improvement occurring throughout my keep.
- Intense Summers: Temperatures usually soar above 100°F, which might make dwelling in Austin uncomfortable.
- Loopy Nightlife: On weekend nights, Sixth Road closes to autos 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 at present supply a particular digital nomad visa. Nevertheless, distant staff can discover different visa choices to remain in Austin. The B-1 Enterprise Visa permits non permanent stays for enterprise functions, nevertheless it’s important to grasp its limitations.
The Visa Waiver Program permits residents of taking part international locations, together with the UK, to remain within the US for as much as 90 days and not using 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 participating in employment or important distant work whereas on a vacationer visa or underneath the VWP could violate US immigration regulation. 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 blissful I acquired to tick it off my journey want record, and I’ll actually be again in Texas earlier than too lengthy.
Whether or not your focus is devoted workspaces, exploring an in depth 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!Â
