Austin Texas employment figures are positive.  The Texas capital city has grown in population and steadily kept on a path of job creation in both the private and public sectors, grasping the number one position out of 50 metropolitan areas for job creation.  In a time of gloomy news about the economy of the United States the employment data for Austin is especially welcome and positive news.

The majority of the country has been losing year-over-year jobs for over a year now.  Year-over-year jobs have been increasing in Austin Texas since April.  Unemployment in Austin was 7.2% in July, significantly lower than the national average of 9.5%.

The majority of data for Austin Texas adds up to making it a desirable city to live in, one where the economy appears steady and jobs appear attainable.  If you are considering moving to Austin Texas please get in touch with me.  I will use my knowledge and experience to make your relocation a smoother transition.

Click here to read recent employment data from the Austin Chamber of Commerce.

Contact Todd Smith today for up to date information about Austin Texas real estate as well as free access to the Austin Texas MLS and all properties currently for sale in the Austin area.

Austin Texas has been named the number one city for the next decade.  Kiplinger magazine recently created a list of ten cities for the next decade.  Austin Texas tops the list titled “10 Best Cities for the Next Decade”.  Austin is seen as a city that has thrived despite the recession, reinventing itself as needed but sticking true to its roots as a place that fosters new ideas and creativity.

What makes Austin unique and sets it apart is its ability to change and adapt with the times, if not get ahead of the times by being innovative and thinking “outside the box”.  Austin has the ability to attract small businesses and smart people.  In addition Austin remains a fun city with a unique personality that draws to it both people and business.

Recently Austin has proven itself as a recession-proof city and clearly the city is being noticed.  As the number one city for the next decade relocating to Austin has never been more attractive.  Contact me today to learn more about the city and the real estate opportunities that exist here.

Click here to read the article and complete list of “10 Best Cities for the Next Decade” from Kiplinger magazine.

Contact Todd Smith today for up to date information about Austin Texas real estate as well as free access to the Austin Texas MLS and all properties currently for sale in the Austin area.

Austin Texas jobless numbers are better than the state average.  The latest data shows Texas jobless numbers holding at 8.2%, less than the national average which is roughly 9.5%.  This data is not surprising considering many of Texas’ metropolitan areas are showing a strong position in resisting the recession.  Austin had a 7.4% jobless rate in June and has a 7.3% preliminary rate for July.  According to the data that was released by the Texas Workforce Commission private employers have been adding jobs throughout 2010.

One thing that is helping Texas is its diverse, something that is especially noticeable in Austin.  As Austin Texas remains a recession-proof city it appeals to many as a city to relocate to.  If you have been considering relocating to Austin Texas please contact me today.  I can help familiarize you with the city and educate you on the different real estate opportunities that exist here.

Contact Todd Smith today for up to date information about Austin Texas real estate as well as free access to the Austin Texas MLS and all properties currently for sale in the Austin area.

The schools in West Lake Hills Texas are looking to improve.  Knowing that this is not the best time to approach tax payers for more money the Eanes Independent School District has decided to break up their request for money into three parts so that the voters can decide what the priorities are.  This is a crucial election for the education system of this Austin Texas suburb.

The three items for the November ballot are:

1. A proposition for $70.8 million to put toward critical needs for the Eanes ISD which includes renovations to existing school buildings, acquiring equipment and purchasing new school buses.
2. A proposition for $56.8 million to build a new elementary school and to renovate Eanes, Valley View and Forest Trail elementary schools.
3. A proposition for $20.2 million to build new facilities which could include a swim center, a fitness center and additional parking for Westlake High School.

This election is a crucial one for the improvement of the schools within West Lake Hills.  Click here to learn more about the Eanes bond issues.  Please contact me today to learn more about West Lake Hills or any other areas of Austin Texas.

Contact Todd Smith today for up to date information about Austin Texas real estate as well as free access to the Austin Texas MLS and all properties currently for sale in the Austin area.

Austin Texas is home to some of the best fried chicken available in the United States.  A recent article in Travel and Leisure magazine is titled “America’s Best Fried Chicken” and Austin is on the list.  Max’s Wine Dive is the restaurant responsible for Austin making the list of ten cities responsible for finger-licking-good chicken.  Not all of the cities are southern and one in fact is located in the South Pacific.  Chicago, Honolulu, Indianapolis, New York and Seattle are among some of the other cities of the list.

According to Travel and Leisure magazine Max’s Wine Dive is an Austin restaurant that provides fried chicken in a jalapeño buttermilk marinade.  The restaurant is known for its soul food/comfort food, as well as its unique wine pairings.  Click here to read the Travel and Leisure article and learn a little more about fried chicken in Austin Texas.

Austin Texas is know for its uniqueness, in many arenas.  From its music, to its shopping to its restaurants, Austin is an interesting city with a great deal to offer.  Please contact me today if you would like to learn more about Austin and the opportunities that exist here.

Contact Todd Smith today for up to date information about Austin Texas real estate as well as free access to the Austin Texas MLS and all properties currently for sale in the Austin area.

A Formula One race track is coming to Austin Texas and last week the City Council passed a resolution committing public funding for water lines at the site.  The Austin race track will be built in Wandering Creek and the city of Austin will make sure that the proper water and sewer lines are in place for a facility that will undoubtedly bring a great deal of future revenue to the Texas capital.

In addition to a race track, Wandering Creek will house a residential development of approximately 1,800 units.  Wandering Creek is located southeast of Austin.  Austin Texas has a diverse economy and Formula One racing, as well as hosting future Grand Prix races, will only add to it.  Click here to learn more about Formula One racing in Austin Texas.

Contact Todd Smith today for up to date information about Austin Texas real estate as well as free access to the Austin Texas MLS and all properties currently for sale in the Austin area.

Texas is cornering the market on positive news and Austin, as the state’s capital, is enjoying every minute of it.  The Atlantic recently came out with an article titled “How Texas is Dominating the Recession”, displaying how the southern state has weathered the economic storm in fine fettle.  The energy boom experienced by Texas, partnered with its stable real estate market have enabled the state to coast through the hard times.  

In addition Texas is showing its strength in the job market, an area where Austin in particular is faring quite well.  A report from the Texas Association of Realtors was just released, showing that Texas real estate sales improved for the third straight quarter.

Austin Texas has been boosted by the media as well, making lists such as one of “America’s Best Cities for Singles” and one of the best cities for college graduates.  Austin is a capital city in a state that is holding its own just fine.

Click here to read the article from The Atlantic.

Contact Todd Smith today for up to date information about Austin Texas real estate as well as free access to the Austin Texas MLS and all properties currently for sale in the Austin area.

Barton Springs is a renowned swimming hole located in Austin Texas and enjoyed by people from around the world.  The spectacular spring is a tributary to the Colorado River, formed millions of years ago from a fault zone known as the Balcones Fault.  The Austin spring is a landmark both in the city and the state, a swimming hole that is in the memory banks of many, a place where people have both learned to swim (apparently Robert Redford learned to swim here as a young child) and banks of which many have enjoyed picnics and relaxing over the years.

Austin Texas is known for its wonderful lifestyle, of which the outdoors and open space plays a large part.  Barton Springs is one such highlight to the Texas capital city and one that has not gone unnoticed.  The Huffington Post recently came out with a list, Seven Spectacular Swimming Holes, highlighting Barton Springs among them.

Click here to see the list of Seven Spectacular Swimming Holes.

Contact Todd Smith today for up to date information about Austin Texas real estate as well as free access to the Austin Texas MLS and all properties currently for sale in the Austin area.

Round Rock Texas is a great place for families, so great in fact that it was named by Family Circle magazine as a top town for families.  What makes this Austin Texas suburb so great for families?  It has miles of trails, great schools, affordable homes and a low crime rate to name a few key ingredients.

Round Rock is affectionately known as the sports capital of Texas, providing ample playing fields for soccer and baseball, miles of hiking and biking trails, a number of tennis courts and ample open space.  The town of Round Rock also has a huge heart, with many individuals and businesses taking part in the Partners in Education foundation which raises a great deal of money for local education. Located 20 miles from Austin Texas, Round Rock is a family friendly town, offering a healthy and safe lifestyle, as discovered by the magazine’s investigators.

Contact me today to learn more about Round Rock and the real estate opportunities that exist there.

Click here to read Family Circle’s report on Round Rock Texas.

Contact Todd Smith today for up to date information about Austin Texas real estate as well as free access to the Austin Texas MLS and all properties currently for sale in the Austin area.

Austin Texas is a great city for new college graduates.  Austin is ranked number five on a list put out by Businessweek of the best cities for new college graduates.  Out of the top ten cities on the list four are from Texas, Houston being number one, Dallas number three, Austin number five, and Fort Worth in the number ten position.  Affordability and quality of life appear to be a common thread among cities at the top of the list.

Businessweek points out that Austin not only offers a great lifestyle but also offers a low unemployment, low cost of living, and implements good job creation strategies, all of which add up to a solid place to begin a career.

Austin Texas has been making its fair share of lists lately, from the Brookings Institute naming it a top 10 recession-proof city to being named one of America’s Best Cities for Singles by Travel and Leisure Magazine.  Austin Texas is on fire with opportunity and the nation is taking notice.

Contact me today if you are interested in relocating to Austin Texas.  Austin has a neighborhood for everyone and I can help you locate the area which best suits your needs.

Click here to see Businessweek’s list in its entirety.

Contact Todd Smith today for up to date information about Austin Texas real estate as well as free access to the Austin Texas MLS and all properties currently for sale in the Austin area.