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| What Austin is like for active adults |
Austin, Texas is becoming a very popular retirement community for a variety or reasons. For one, it was selected by Money Magazine as the #2 best big city to live in. The University of Texas and its array of cultural and other activities is perhaps the biggest draw for Austin, its cosmopolitan and high-tech, quirky soul is another reason. UT is just one of 9 colleges and professional schools in the area. The area is a hotbed of semiconductor and software industries.
Austin, with a population of almost 700,000 is large, but not so big that it is overwhelming. The city bills itself as quirky and fun. Retirees will not only find plenty to do in the live music capital of the world which has an extremely robust cultural scene. Local attractions are many, ranging from the state capitol to the LBJ Library and Museum. There are many public golf courses, including the oldest in the state – the Hancock Golf Course.
Active adults 55+ will find every kind of housing choice – from a dedicated retirement community such as Sun City of Anthem to all types of housing in the city’s neighborhoods. From apartments to condos to houses, the area offers very good value and is a reason why Austin is one of he fastest growing metros in the U.S. The real estate market has been robust even as it slows down elsewhere in the country. According to the NAR the median Austin selling price in the 4th quarter of 2008 was $186,000, up over 6% from the year earlier period.
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Austin is located in Travis County in south central Texas’s Hill Country. For profiles on over 400 cities and towns go to reviews of the best retirement communities. For more information about how to retire in Texas or Athens |
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| What is special about this community |
| • Big city and college town combined – University of Texas
• 23rd Street open air Artists Market
• Cultural Art Center
• The Arthouse – fosters contemporary art
• Austin Museum of Art and Museum of Art Laguna Gloria |
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| What is not special about this community |
| • Hot, humid summers
• City might be too big and fast-paced for those seeking quiet |
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| What kinds of people like living here |
| People live here who like being in a vibrant city with an active cultural scene. Austin could be the most liberal and cosmopolitan city in Texas. For reviews of San Antonio or The Woodlands |
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| Local economy is driven by |
| Software, high tech, education, tourism, real estate |
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| Physical environment |
| Austin is in south central Texas in an area that separates the Texas Hill Country from the prairies to the east. The Colorado River flows across the Balcones Escarpment here; in fact the River goes right through the center of the town. |
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| Cultural environment |
| Austin is a cultural feast. The University is the engine, but the local art world is as active as anywhere in the country with many museums, galleries, even open air art markets. It bills itself as the Live Music capital of the world. There are 3 downtown performing arts theatres. |
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| Medical facilities |
| As is befitting a university town, health care here is topnotch. There are 12 major hospitals in the area. |
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| Transportation |
| Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Amtrak offers service to points east and west.
Austin is rated as one of the 10 best bicycling cities in the U.S.
Capitol Metro, which offers free fares to seniors 65 and over.
City transportation service allows seniors to book rides to appointments for $3.00 each way, Monday through Friday. |
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Active Adult Communities in Austin |
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| Austin Active Communities |
| Facts about AUSTIN | | State | : TX | | Environment | : Urban,Suburban,College Town, | | City Population | : 100,001+ | | Median age of Population | : 25-44 | | Avg Jan Temperature | : 41-60 | | Median HH Income | : 41,001-60,000 | | Average Home Price (MLS) | : $200,001-$300,000 | | Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house | : NA | | Total Crime Index | : 81-90 (low) | | Cost of Living Index | : 101-110 (slightly above average) | | Culture Index | : 121+ (very high) | | State Sales Tax | : Yes | | State Income Tax | : No | | Name of the Guide | : |
| | Can you add to or correct these Facts? Or do you have a photo of this community we could use? If so, please click on |
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Vote on the Ratings for Austin |
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Update Your Ratings |
Overall Retirement Ratings
1. Rating: 3.7/5 ( 3 votes cast)
Expense:
Inexpensive to Luxury
2. Rating: 3.7/5 ( 3 votes cast)
Taxes:
Inexpensive to Expensive
3. Rating: 3.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)
Culture:
None to Cosmopolitan
4. Rating: 5.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)
Recreation:
None to Summer camp
5. Rating: 5.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)
Transportation:
Boondocks to World Hub
6. Rating: 5.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)
Security:
Dangerous to Ft. Knox
7. Rating: 4.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)
Medical Facilities:
None to Excellent
8. Rating: 4.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)
Political Situation:
Conservative to Liberal
9. Rating: 4.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)
Environmental:
Oblivious to Ultra-Green
10. Rating: 4.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)
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