If you’re relocating to Austin, or you already live here and you’re starting to look south, there’s a good chance you’ve landed on this comparison because you’re trying to figure out which of these five suburbs actually fits your life: Kyle, Buda, Manchaca, Dripping Springs, or Driftwood. Two sit along the I-35 corridor south of […]
North Austin Suburb Showdown: Cedar Park vs. Round Rock vs. Leander vs. Georgetown vs. Pflugerville
If you’re relocating to Austin, or you already live here and you’re starting to look north, there’s a good chance you’ve landed on this comparison because you’re trying to figure out which of these five suburbs actually fits your life: Cedar Park, Round Rock, Leander, Georgetown, or Pflugerville. All five sit along the I-35, 183, […]
Moving to Austin Texas in 2026: The Honest Relocation Guide
Most Austin relocation guides tell you what you already know: no state income tax, great BBQ, live music, warm weather. You have already read those. What those guides rarely cover are the things that catch out-of-state buyers off guard after the move: property tax bills they did not budget for, hidden utility district fees stacked […]
Honest Pros and Cons of Living in Austin, TX: A Local’s 2026 Reality Check
If I had a dollar for every time someone asked whether they should move to Austin, I’d have a comfortable nest egg. After more than 17 years helping people buy and sell homes across the Austin metro, I’ve given this answer hundreds of times. And my honest answer has never been “yes, absolutely, it’s perfect […]
20 Things You Need to Know About Austin Before You Move (2026 Update)
When I relocated to Austin about fifteen years ago, there were so many things I didn’t know. I took a few trips before I moved to get to know the Austin area. Though that helped, I learned a lot more by actually living here. In a previous post, I candidly shared the 10 Reasons We […]
What Austin Homeowners Insurance Actually Costs in 2026 (and Why It Keeps Going Up)
Imagine this: you’re relocating to Austin from Denver, you’ve done your homework, and you feel prepared. You plug $150 a month for homeowners insurance into your budget spreadsheet, because that’s what you paid in Colorado for a house about the same size. You get pre-approved, fall in love with a home in Round Rock, go […]
Relocating to Austin From Out of State: What Home Buyers Get Wrong About the Market, Taxes, and Insurance
If you’re relocating to Austin from California, New York, or another high-tax state, you’ve probably heard the pitch: “No state income tax! Texas is so affordable!” While it’s true that Texas doesn’t have a state income tax, that headline number masks a financial reality that catches countless out-of-state buyers off guard—and can add hundreds, even […]
Best Austin Neighborhoods for Tech Workers in 2026: Near Apple, Tesla, Oracle & Samsung
Austin has transformed into one of America’s premier technology hubs, attracting thousands of engineers, product managers, data scientists, and other tech professionals from across the globe. Whether you’re joining the innovative teams at Apple’s sprawling Parmer Lane campus, contributing to Tesla’s revolutionary Gigafactory near the airport, working from Oracle’s stunning South Shore headquarters overlooking Lady […]
Austin Traffic & Commute Guide (2026): Real Commute Times for Every Austin Suburb
This Austin traffic commute guide breaks down real drive times from every suburb—so you know exactly what your daily commute looks like before you buy. Traffic is one of the most overlooked parts of buying a home in Austin. The region’s rapid growth has brought steady congestion across many major corridors. If you’re considering a […]
How to Experience Austin Like a Local, Not a Tourist
If you are visiting Austin to see whether you could actually live here—not just survive a fun weekend—this distinction matters: the Austin you experience as a tourist is very different from the Austin we live in day to day. I have watched plenty of people fall in love with a version of the city that […]
