Austin’s combination of favorable climate, natural beauty, entertainment options and vocational opportunity makes it a prime destination for those in search of a higher quality of life.  Nestled among the rolling hills and lakes of Central Texas, Austin is the seat of state government, an educational Mecca with seven area universities and an entertainment complex that includes the best of live music, the arts and all the fun of the great outdoors. 

Originally a buffalo hunting ground favored by Tonkawa Indians, Austin was originally named Waterloo for all the springs and creeks. Now more than a million people live in the city renamed to honor Stephen F. Austin, known as the "Father of Texas."

Austin is one of a handful of U.S. cities with professional ballet, symphony, opera and theater companies. With 20 museums, nearly three dozen galleries and as many as 35 theater companies, the city is experiencing a cultural renaissance.

The climate is temperate, with 300 days of sunshine annually. Average temperatures range from 42 to 62 degrees in winter and 75 to 95 degrees in the summer. Average rainfall is 32.49 inches. Snowfall is rare.

Nearby Lake Travis boasts 270 miles of shoreline for hiking, biking, camping and nature study and its clear clean water offers skiing, boating, swimming, fishing, scuba diving and sailing from two dozen marinas, some of which rent house boats. 

With a river running through it and a mild year-round climate, Austin prides itself on natural beauty. Greenbelts, waterways and pockets of undeveloped land create a fertile landscape.