Making the big move down I-35 from Dallas to Austin is a huge decision. Both cities have their pros and cons and a move can be scary. But, it doesn’t have to be. Here are 5 things you should know as you make the move to ATX.
Austin Has Creatives and Culture
Don’t bring Dallas with you. The Big D has its charms, but you are moving to a new city, so embrace it. While there are still chains in Austin, it is a city full of creatives and culture and as a result has some wonderful mom and pop shops and restaurants. Come to Austin, ready to try some of these new to you places. Try Koriente, serving healthy and affordable Asian inspired meals. Or Peace Bakery, located in North Austin, serving a variety of Middle Eastern dishes. Or peruse Frankie Jean featuring apparel and home decor by Austin artists. Parts & Labour, is another great option if you are looking for some fun local art to hang on in your new digs.
Watering Holes
While Austin is hotter than Dallas, there are more places to cool off. Spend the day soaking up the sun and swimming at Barton Springs Pool. Located within Zilker Park the water never gets above 70 degrees, and is ideal for year round swimming. Climb along the climbing walls at Gus Fruh Trail at Barton Creek Greenbelt and end the day cooling off by taking a dip in the swimming hole, located just below your climb. Head to North Austin and for an easy hike through St. Edwards Park which also boasts of several water access points where you will often find groups of swimmers lounging and relaxing along the water’s edge. Better yet, just North of Austin, you can live on the water at Lake Travis in a community like Lakeside.
Free, Fun Things to Do In Austin
There are plenty of fun and affordable things to do in Austin. Visit Hope Outdoor Gallery, a community art park & cultural center where visitors can view large scale public art displays. Explore the Cathedral of Junk. Located on the Southside of Austin in the backyard of the artist who created it, Vince Hanneman, this is a thoughtful collection and culmination of all things unusual, literally fashioned into a cathedral. Visit the Mueller Austin Solar Sunflowers, an Electric Garden and public art installation that is powered by the sun. Search for Austin’s many instagramable wall murals, or one of Austin’s fifteen moonlight towers, which were established in the late 1800s. Or brush up on your Austin history, by visiting the Neill Cochran House Museum. Located in the heart of Austin, just a few minutes from the UT campus, this historic home was founded in 1856 and now shares Austin and Texas history from 1839 – 1930.
Shopping in Austin is all about HEB
HEB will replace your local Walmart, Kroger, Tom Thumb, Sprouts, or any other grocery store you can think of. HEB is the grocery store of all grocery stores. Located throughout Austin and Southwestern Texas, HEB is the grocery stuff, Dallas folks dream of and it is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Food Trucks
Some of the best food Austin has to offer may come out of a truck. Austin is home to many food truck parks, two of the most popular being the South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery and The Picnic. Think gourmet food meets the ease of a walkup truck. Bonus: many are BYOB.
Discover Your New Home at Lakeside
This is just a sliver of what Austin has to offer. Get out and discover your new home and discover all the amenities that Lakeside has to offer. You won’t regret it.