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Austin is a one-of-a-kind Texas town. Visitors to the state capital often become residents, falling in love with the array of restaurants, gorgeous natural beauty and truly unique blend of all things Texas. Austin has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, yet many of its nearly one million residents believe that Austin has room to grow. Austin lies on the Colorado River in the center of the state and has a temperate-to-hot climate with summer temperatures averaging 90 degrees. However, winters are generally more moderate and dry and snow is uncommon. There are also 3 major lakes in the city that add beauty to the cityscape.
Austin is known for it's entertainment, music, and culture and residents of Austin surely have the opportunity to take advantage of all. In fact, the official slogan of Austin is 'The Live Music Capital of the World' and has gained notoriety from it's famous music festival, South by Southwest (SXSW). This festival, which began in 1987, boasts over 1400 performers each spring. Apart from SXSW, Austin maintains a great music scene with many independent musicians flocking to the city.
Many Austin residents take a great pride in the individuality and uniqueness of their city, going so far as to adopt the mantra 'Keep Austin Weird.' Through celebrating the 'weirdness' of their city, Austinites have successfully developed a culture unique to the city.
The presence of numerous colleges and universities also give Austin a particular feel and Austin sits atop the polls as one of 'The Best College Towns' in America. In fact, Austin is home to the largest university in the country, The University of Texas at Austin. Whether rallying behind the Longhorns or taking advantage of the educational aspects offered by the school, the University certainly lends its flavor to the city.
Austin is home to numerous well known names including (but not limited to): Matthew McConaughey (actor), Andy Roddick (tennis player), Sandra Bullock (actress), Willie Nelson (country music singer), Lance Armstrong (cyclist), Drew Brees (football player), Lyndon B. Johnson (president),and Michael Dell (founder of Dell).
The vibe of Austin is youthful, no doubt influenced by the University of Texas' flagship campus. The university has 50,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs and employs nearly 24,000 full-time employees. Residents are educated, liberal, quirky and affluent. Austin has long been known as a bastion for uniqueness. 'Keep Austin Weird' is not only an unofficial motto of the city, but a way of life. Locals work effortlessly to promote a pulsing community of creativity and innovation, often going out of their way to support local businesses.
The University of Texas at Austin provides a burnt orange backdrop for the whole town, consistently near the top of national rankings for undergraduate and graduate programs. The Colorado River runs right through town, and several large lakes are spread amongst the rolling hills. Floating down the river in inner tubes proves a favorite way for locals to relax and soak up the atmosphere. More daring residents head to Hippie Hollow near Lake Travis to enjoy a state approved 'clothing-optional' day on the water. Aside from the University, computer and technology companies drive the local economy. Dell Computers is based in Austin, employing nearly 15,000 people.
Austin is the live music capital of the world, with dozens of shows nightly. Stubbs BBQ, in addition to their top-notch smoked meat, draws nationally touring acts to their indoor and outdoor stages. Annual festivals such as South by Southwest and Austin City Limits draw artists and visitors from all across the country, showcasing music and art of all varieties. A walk down famous 6th Street offers a great display of the thriving nightlife in Austin. Students, executives, bikers and bachelorette parties all blend together into the wee hours of the night. The highly active population is on full display in Austin?s many parks and the 50 public swimming holes that are part of the award winning Parks Department. Zilker Park, located right on the Colorado River, offers residents biking, jogging, ultimate Frisbee and even Quidditch.
