Digital Nomad Guide to Living in Austin, Texas

It had been on my list for a while, but I just finished a fantastic month living in Austin, Texas. The state capital lived up to all my hopes and expectations and is a city I’ll return to as soon as possible. House sitting for the duration of my stay allowed me to fully get … Read more

The post Digital Nomad Guide to Living in Austin, Texas appeared first on Goats On The Road.

It had been on my list for a while, but I just finished a fantastic month living in Austin, Texas. The state capital lived up to all my hopes and expectations and is a city I’ll return to as soon as possible.

House sitting for the duration of my stay allowed me to fully get my feet under the table as an Austin digital nomad. There are plenty of excellent facilities for remote workers, all complemented by one of the best social scenes I’ve come across in the USA.

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About Austin, Texas

Austin is the 4th largest city in the state and the 11th most populous in the USA. It’s a huge metropolis that maintains a small city feel with lots of traditional charm and a host of welcoming locals.

Austin labels itself as the ‘Live Music Capital of the USA‘, and rightly so! There are tons of live music venues and daily performances in the city. Comedy has taken a stronghold in recent years since Joe Rogan opened The Comedy Mothership.

It’s the perfect city to pair outdoor adventures with incredible food – one of my favorite ways to spend a day here is by hiking along the trails of Barton Creek, cooling off with a visit to Lake Travis, and then diving into some legendary Texas barbecue at Terry Black’s.

Digital Nomad in Austin: Personal Experience

I thoroughly enjoyed being a digital nomad in Austin. I’ve spent the last three years traveling full-time, and it’s high up on the list of great cities I’ve visited and worked remotely from.

I like places that offer a complete blend of comfortable and reliable facilities, fun places to blow off steam, and the chance to get out into the great outdoors. Austin ticked all of these boxes for me.

Although I was house sitting during my stay and had a beautiful home to work from, I’ve always found I’m motivated by changing up my scenery and working from different cafes, coworking spaces, and libraries. Austin was ideal for this.

Balancing work and life while traveling is one of the biggest challenges digital nomads face. I found the pace of Austin suited my workload while offering plenty of fun social opportunities and healthy recreational pursuits.

Is Austin Safe?

Austin is generally a safe city for visitors, with family-friendly neighborhoods and a welcoming atmosphere. However, like any city, staying aware of your surroundings is key. Stick to well-lit areas at night and avoid isolated spots.

Downtown Austin is lively and popular, but petty crimes such as pickpocketing can happen. Keep your belongings secure, especially around Sixth Street at night. It gets pretty rowdy around here on weekends.

Austin’s parks and trails are beautiful, but be mindful of wildlife and carry plenty of water. It gets hot and there are plenty of creatures in Texas that can bite you! So avoid hiking alone late in the day and during peak hot and dry spells.

Best Areas to Live in Austin

Austin is a big city, but an amazingly well-connected one too. Here are a few great areas to consider basing yourself in that offer their own charm while keeping you in touch with all of Austin’s best attractions.

1. Downtown Austin

Living in Downtown Austin puts you at the center of the city’s energy, with countless bars, restaurants, and live music venues. I loved the walkable lifestyle of Downtown, with attractions including Lady Bird Lake and Sixth Street all within easy reach.

Accommodation can be pricey, but the convenience and access to entertainment make it worth it. High-rise apartments and hotels dominate the area, many offering spectacular views. Downtown is perfect for anyone who thrives in the excitement of urban areas.

2. South Congress (SoCo)

South Congress is one of the city’s trendiest and most iconic neighborhoods. Life in Austin feels authentic in SoCo, where quirky meets cool. You’ll enjoy an eclectic mixture of shops, diverse food trucks, breweries, and live music while staying here.

The area appeals to a diverse group of residents with more affordable housing, hotels, and Airbnbs. The streets are usually bustling around SoCo but there’s also a strong sense of community. It would suit those seeking a fun yet neighborly vibe.

3. Pflugerville

Pflugerville is just 20 minutes from Downtown and offers a quieter suburban lifestyle with easy access to Austin’s attractions. This is precisely where I spent a month house sitting and I enjoyed the welcoming community and peaceful atmosphere.

There are excellent parks and trails, plus convenient shopping, cool bars, restaurants, and cafes which make it a comfortable place to base yourself. If you’re interested in house sitting in Austin, check out my previous article: Everything You Need to Know About House Sitting.

4. East Austin

East Austin is a rapidly evolving neighborhood with a blend of historic charm and modern developments. Known for its street art, trendy coffee shops, and diverse cuisine, this area highlights the creative side of Austin.

With fewer high-end hotels compared to the central parts of the city, rental apartments or house sitting opportunities are likely to be the way to go when it comes to finding decent long-term accommodation. This is a fun part of Austin with easy access to the city center.

5. Zilker

Zilker should be a top consideration for nature enthusiasts and families, thanks to its proximity to Zilker Park and Barton Springs. Living here means being more connected to nature as these are both lush green spaces with ample outdoor activities.

The neighborhood is primarily residential but caters to a wide range of budgets. It’s easy to the best of both worlds in Zilker – a peaceful retreat close to the city’s excitement.

How to Find Accommodation in Austin

If you plan to be a digital nomad living in Austin here are the top 4 ways to find accommodation in the city.

1. Booking.com: The long-term traveler’s best friend, Booking.com offers booking without pre-payment, cancellation at late notice, and the best prices around. It’s not just hotels, there’s a full range of Austin accommodation options on the site.

2. Airbnb: Another reliable tool, Airbnb will be handy for anyone wanting to stay in more suburban areas of Austin. Try to hit 7-day or 28-day stay markers to secure huge discounts and always enquire directly with hosts about reductions for longer stays.

3. TrustedHousesitters.com: The biggest house sitting platform around, Trusted Housesitters regularly has thousands of listings accepting applications globally. It’s how I secured a month of free accommodation in Austin.

4. Facebook Groups: If you’re planning a longer stay in the city check out Facebook groups such as Austin Room Mate. Private homeowners regularly offer sublets, spare rooms, and affordable but flexible accommodation options.

Cost of Living in Austin

Returning to the US after a few years traveling around Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand I was a little concerned about the pending cost of living in Austin. But I was pleasantly surprised. Here’s the breakdown.

Restaurants and Groceries

You’ll find a full spectrum of dining possibilities in Austin, from super high-end restaurants to budget-friendly fast food. As an average, a hearty meal at a reputable BBQ joint will cost around $15-$18pp.

I was happy to find my old friend Aldi in Austin. The budget supermarket was my go-to when living back in England and I always enjoy its familiarity and low prices. There’s a broad range of supermarkets in Austin, from Walmart to H-E-B.

Prices vary significantly from store to store and although prices have crept up in recent years, meat is routinely quite affordable – 1lb of chicken for under $5, and eggs for $3-$4 a dozen. Shop around and keep an eye out for clearance and sale items.

Accommodation Costs

Living in Austin isn’t cheap. Expect to pay $2k/month and above for a central apartment before monthly utilities of around $300. Staying outside of the city center can reduce your costs to a more reasonable figure of $1500/month.

Airbnbs with month-stay discounts, budget hotel/motel stays, and house sitting placements are great ideas for reducing your accommodation expenses as a digital nomad in Austin.

Transportation Costs in Austin

Austin is serviced by a well-connected and efficient public transport service that costs as little as $2.50 a ride. For longer journeys Greyhound and Flix Bus offer affordable rates for traversing the city, state, and further afield.

Uber is still a very affordable option if you choose to stay outside of the city but want regular access. The 20-minute ride from Pflugerville to Sixth Street usually cost me less than $20. Gasoline is pretty cheap too at under $3 a gallon.

SIM Cards and Data

Getting a SIM card in the US is a little trickier than in some other countries but not impossible or overly expensive for visitors. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to just pick up a SIM at Walmart and pop it in your phone, trust me I learned this the hard way.

I advise heading to a phone store such as T-Mobile and purchasing a SIM in person,