Student City Guide: Austin 2024

Austin has long been known for its incredible music scene and fantastic food, and it's this city's distinctive personality that has drawn and energised cultural events like SXSW and ACL. Austin has benefited from increased inventiveness, which has filled its Downtown with original restaurant concepts from young chefs and several hip hotels while retaining its unique, Texas-born soul. From the geography of Austin to the best clubs and restaurants, this Austin city guide has it all covered. 

About Austin

Austin is the capital city of Texas and the seat and significant city of Travis County, which extends into Hays and Williamson counties. It was founded on December 27, 1839, and is the fourth-most populated city in Texas. It is also the 11th-most populous city in the United States. Since 2010, it has had one of the largest annual growth rates among big American cities. Austin is renowned as the Live Music Capital of the World. It is home to various lakes, rivers, and waterways and is situated in Central Texas within the larger Texas Hill Country. Some examples include Lady Bird Lake and Lake Travis on the Colorado River, Barton Springs, McKinney Falls, and Lake Walter E. Long. Get to know more about some of the affordable student accommodation in Austin

Austin Geography

Every Austin student city guide must include geography as it proves helpful for the students. The Texas Hill Country and the Blackland prairies to the east are divided by the Balcones Escarpment, where Austin is situated in south-central Texas. The Colorado River forms over 100 miles of beautiful lakes as it passes through the city's centre. Austin spans 305.1 square miles in total. In Austin, the elevation ranges from 425 feet to almost 1,000 feet above sea level. Much of the city's eastern section is flat with heavy clay and loam soils, while the western part and western suburbs are made up of rolling hills.

Population of Austin

The expected population of Austin in 2021 was 964,177, up from the estimated population of 961,855 in 2020. The city serves as the political, social, and economic hub of the Austin-Round Rock MSA, which had an estimated population of 2,295,303 as of July 1, 2020, a growth of around 84% from the year 2000. Austin incorporates a multicultural population which include Hispanic, African American, Latinos, and Asians.  

Weather in Austin

As an Austin city guide, it is mandatory to mention the weather. Austin is situated in the heart of a distinctive, constrained transitional zone between the arid Southwest of the United States and the lush, green, and more humid regions of the Southeast. Its geography, vegetation, and climate all have elements of both. Austin's climate is classified as humid subtropical. This climate is characterised by long, sweltering summers, brief, mild winters, and warm to hot spring and fall seasons. Austin receives an average of 872 mm of precipitation year, with the rainiest months being spring and fall. With 2,650 hours or 60.3% of the possible total, of bright sunshine each year, sunlight is prevalent throughout the year.

Study in Austin

Students can learn through this Austin city guide that they can take advantage of unique cultural, entertainment, and educational experiences by studying abroad in the United States. Choosing a specific area to study can be challenging because there are many fantastic locations nationwide. Austin, Texas, is one city that offers several opportunities. Austin boasts many schools with excellent educational offerings, a vibrant, varied culture, and fantastic entertainment choices.

Why study in Austin?

In recent years, billions of dollars have been put into Austin's tech sector. Austin is known for being the birthplace of two large organisations, Whole Foods and Dell, so it shouldn't be surprising that other major behemoths, like Apple and IBM, are relocating here. This makes Austin the ideal area to create startups and careers in business and cutting-edge technology. But are these elements even essential when moving for academic reasons? Specialised degrees in fields like marketing, business analytics, finance, information technology & management, and accounting are beneficial to virtually every company in academia. Austin's economy is centred on innovation, bursting with entrepreneurship and emerging tech talent.

Top Universities in Austin 

Austin, Texas, presents you with some of the best universities students can opt for. This Austin city guide has noted some of the best universities for further education in Austin.

1. University of Texas

One of the top research universities in the world, the University of Texas at Austin, offers more than 200 specialised research groups and centres, from the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies to the Texas Advanced Computing Center, supporting cutting-edge research in all fields.

Numerous students pick the University of Texas at Austin for their further education since it is one of the best public colleges in the United States. The University of Texas at Austin now has about 50,000 students enrolled. Students frequently choose courses in the physical and biological sciences, computer and information science, psychology, and finance. You will also find many off-campus student accommodations near University of Texas to make your student life even better at this University.

2. Concordia University Texas

Concordia Institution Texas is an Austin, Texas-based private university. The college provides online undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree programmes and a part-time and re-enrolling adult degree programme. With only 26 students enrolled at its original location along east Avenue on the northern outskirts of Austin, Texas, the University was established in 1926 as Lutheran Concordia College of Texas. More than 2000 students are enrolled in more than 25 of the University's courses, including education, business, management, marketing, related support services, biological and biomedical sciences, multi/interdisciplinary studies, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness others.

3. Saint Edward's University

Austin, Texas's St. Edward's University is a private catholic university. It was established and is run in the Holy Cross manner. The Superior General of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the Reverend Edward Sorin, CSC, created St. Edward's University. 

Through its schools of Behavioural and Social Sciences, Education, Humanities, Natural Sciences, and The Bill Munday School of Business, St. Edward's grants bachelor's degrees in more than 50 fields of study and eight master's degree programmes. ST. Edward's University has more than four thousand students enrolled. Students can sign up for college clubs such as The student newspaper, called Hilltop Views, which the school of humanities publishes. There are many student accommodation near Saint Edward's University to ensure students have a great experience in this city.

4. Austin Community College District

The Austin Community College District was established on September 17, 1973. At the time, it had just one campus and about 1700 students, but as time went on, it developed and grew to have 11 campuses, making it one of the major educational institutions. It offers about 100 programmes throughout ten fields of study, including the liberal arts, business, computer sciences, and culinary arts. 

For students from low-income households, it is an economical option because the average programme cost is 80% lower than that of other state educational institutions. Over 13000 students have received financial aid from the approximately $70 million raised. A student typically receives $5200 in financial help. Additionally, scholarships are given; 700 students received an average of $2000 last year. You don't need to worry about your stay while studying at this University because there are many budget-friendly accommodations near Austin Community College District for international students.

5. AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine

The AOMA facility in South Austin, Texas, is conveniently located for patients and students. Numerous academic and administrative structures and areas can be found on the site. It has several fully functional clinics, roomy classrooms, and two Herbal Medicine facilities. The AOMA Mind-Body Centre, which houses most of the community classes, is also located there. The campus provides students with a wide range of amenities to speed up learning. The institute offers Master's and doctoral programmes in acupuncture and Chinese medicine. This University has 11 full-time and 19 part-time highly qualified faculty members.

Best Austin Student Accommodation 

A location near Lakewood Town and Buckhead is what you should look for while looking for a place to live as a student in Austin. The Austin City Guide will provide you with all the necessary information. Amber offers several possibilities for student housing in Austin. Find out about some of the most luxurious student housing in Austin and the reasonably priced options in the area. 

Numerous prestigious universities and colleges can be found in Austin, including St. Edwards University, Austin, Austin Community College, Huston-Tillotson University, the Seminary of the Southwest, Texas Health and Science University, the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, and Austin Graduate School of Theology. The city provides a variety of private accommodations in various versatile locations. Private student housing is inexpensive, comfortable, and luxurious, and the property configurations include ensuites, studios, and shared apartments. 

Top Localities in Austin

Even though Austin is a lovely place to live, a few spots in the city will make you love the city and make your stay more memorable. Thus, this Austin city guide presents you is a list of all the best Austin localities you can live in:

1. Barton Hills

A well-liked residential area in the 78704 zip code in South Austin. Due to the amenities and excellent schools nearby, Barton Hills is one of the most sought-after areas for families. Fitness and leisure activities are easily accessible for residents thanks to the Barton Creek Greenbelt and Zilker Park, where Barton Springs Pool is located. Most of the homes in Barton Hills were constructed in the 1970s and 1980s, though many have been updated with more contemporary designs.

2. Downtown

Like every downtown region, downtown Austin offers residents the best of the best in terms of facilities, nightlife, activities, and housing options. As a student, you won't have far to travel because your neighbourhood puts you in the middle of all the action. Furthermore, Downtown Austin is one of the areas of the city that is well-served in terms of public transit options. You'll appreciate this when you're running late for your 8 a.m. lessons.

3. East Riverside - Oltorf

East Riverside, one of Austin's most prominent neighbourhoods, is located in the southern part of the city, not far from Downtown. You must exercise tremendous caution if you choose to live in East Riverside as a student, even though the region has experienced significant development and is expected to become one of Austin's top neighbourhoods in the next ten years. East Riverside - Oltorf offers reasonable rent, easy access to major highways, and proximity to Zilker Park in Austin. 

4. West Lake

You will be drawn to live in this fantastic community by the luxury homes, the breathtaking scenery, and the lake views. West Lake is highly sought after because of its tranquil setting, abundant greenery, and picturesque Hill Country views. Additionally, homeowners take advantage of a variety of amenities. Zilker Park, Barton Creek Greenbelt, and Mayfield Park are all close by, and the Wild Basin Wilderness is right next door!

5. Cherrywood

This developing area, which is part of East Austin, has a strong sense of community, a creative personality, and a Southern vibe. French Place, University Park, and Delwood are some smaller communities that makeup Cherrywood. Beautiful oak trees border the streets of this established neighbourhood, which also features bungalows, craftsman cottages, and duplexes as housing types. Cherrywood is also a bikeable and walkable neighbourhood with a wide variety of eateries, stores, and entertainment options.

Top 10 Accommodations in Austin

1. Sleeping Pod - Univesity of Texas at Austin
2. Villas on Guadalupe
3. Villas on Rio
4. The Ruckus on Nueces
5. Venue on Guadalupe, Texas
6. Breakers on the Lake
7. Lantana Apartments
8. Volume 3
9. Post South Lamar
10. Barton Mill

Jobs in Austin

As a college student, you need some extra cash to spend in a new city, explore and try new things, visit new places and maybe maintain an aesthetic. Students are presented with multiple job opportunities in Austin, Texas, that will support students economically. Many students opt for part-time jobs in the city as that gives students time for themselves throughout the day. Students can look for part-time or full-time employment on efficient apps like indeed, LinkedIn, Simply Hired and others. Students can opt for jobs like tutoring, store scanning specialist, Independent field surveyor, research associate and much more.

Living In Austin

Austin serves as the centre of Texas' creative culture in addition to being the state's capital. It is the location of the University of Texas at Austin and is well-known for both Tex-Mex food and live music. Each spring and fall, the cities are overrun by the South by Southwest (also known as SXSW) and Austin City Limits (commonly known as ACL) music festivals. Each one offers one-of-a-kind chances to see some of the most extraordinary musical acts ever touring and draw huge crowds of people into the city, making daily life more complicated for locals.

Cost of Living in Austin

Despite the high expense of living in this city, with careful planning and assessment, they may be able to stay within their budget. Remember that these are only average expenses, and the precise sum could change depending on where you live.

1. Food - $50-100 per month  

2. Gas and electricity - $130-160 per month

3. Internet and Mobile Phone- $80-160

4. Dinner at a restaurant - $20-70 per month

5. Laundry- $10-30 per month

6. Stationery and Textbooks - $20-40 per month

7. Clothing - $40-100 per month

8. Travel (buses, trams, and trains) - $50-70 per month

Travelling in Austin

Knowing travel options is a necessity in a big city. This Austin city guide has got you covered. An ideal approach to get around Austin is by transport and light rail. Although some citizens advise renting a car, the expense and inconvenience of doing so are enough to persuade many visitors to use Capital Metro Austin's public transportation system.

Public Transit: Capital Metro Transit gives transport courses that cover the city, just as MetroRapid transport serves the midtown zone. Austin additionally has 32 miles of light rail from Downtown to the northwest suburb of Leander. All open vehicles run regularly during busy times, with more restricted assistance at the end of the week. Likewise, the light rail doesn't work on Sundays. Passages start at $1.25 for a solitary ride; day passes cost $2.50.

Capital Metro Transit Vehicle: The Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority, also known as CapMetro, is an Austin, Texas-based public transportation provider. It runs bus, paratransit, and commuter train services in Austin and some of its suburbs in Travis and Williamson counties under the Capital MetroRail brand.

Pickup - In 2017, Uber launched a low-cost, on-demand ridesharing service. Only specific localities can use the service, especially those not usually served by MetroBus routes.

Taxi: Although taxis are the quicker but pricier option than a rental vehicle or a transport, overdoing it on them will save you numerous cerebral pains. You shouldn't experience difficulty flagging down a taxi in the midtown territory. Ride-hailing administrations like Uber and Lyft, just as Ride Austin, a nearby ride-hailing choice, likewise work in the Austin territory.

Austin Nightlife

Austin is a sure bet for encountering local characters and the city's liveliness, thanks to its colourful and lively assortment of clubs, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Austin, Texas, is the 12th best party city in the US, offering 667 bars, 137 music venues, and 52 dance clubs.
You can attend stand-up performances and open mic nights for students who enjoy comedy at comedy clubs like The Velveeta Room or Esther's Follies. You can also go to The Dizzy Rooster and Pete's Dueling Piano Bar for live music and dancing. In the centre of Austin's nighttime culture, there are numerous activities to engage in, including dive bars, rooftop lounges, and dance clubs.

Best Clubs In Austin

As a student knowing all the best clubs in Austin is just a plus point, so do not worry this Austin city guide has listed down the top 5 hotspots for you.

1. Summit

Location: Warehouse District, 120 W 5th St Austin, TX 78701 United States

The best rooftop lounge in Austin is called Summit. In an unmatched location in the centre of downtown Austin, Summit features some of the country's best DJs. With a high-energy environment, booming sound, lighting, and LED wall system, Summit is sure to give you an unsurpassed nightlife experience in Austin.

2. Tipsy Alchemist

Location: 70 Rainey St, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78701, United States

The main aim of The Alchemist is to blow your mind with sophisticated cocktails made using science, art, and technique in a seductive, sociable lounge environment. A classy cocktail bar serving carefully made drinks with design, science, and art elements. 

3. Green Light Social

Location: Downtown, 720 W 6th Street Austin, TX 78701, United States

An organic Austin patio bar with an inventive craft cocktail and beer menu, Green Light Social features an upscale yet relaxed atmosphere. Open every day till 2:00 a.m., situated at 720 West 6th Street, second floor.

4. The Rose Room

Location: North Burnet, 11500 Rock Rose Austin, TX 78758, United States

The Rose Room is where music and dance combine to create a raucous energy symphony. The Rose Room, a trendy new club in Austin, is situated in Rock Rose. Table service is available on the club's dance floor, mid-mezzanine, and balcony levels.

5. Lit Lounge 

Location: Downtown, 215 E 6th St Austin, TX 78701 United States

Lit Lounge integrates the unique local culture of downtown 6th Street while providing a premium location for Austin's upscale population. Lit Lounge offers a distinctive club culture by presenting a high-quality party experience based on the area's renovations.
The 6th Street District, once the epitome of Austin nightlife, has recently lost some of its lustor. Lit Lounge aims to fill this void by becoming the neighbourhood's newest business asset.

Best Restaurants in Austin

From the best Texas style food to a cosy bowl of ramen, our Austin city guide has jotted down some of the best restaurants in Austin, the high-spirited city.

1. Garrison

Garrison is currently at the top of every Austinite's list of things to do, and it consistently lives up to the incredibly high expectations. The upmarket grill place combines the glitz of a major metropolis with the friendliness of a tiny southern town, and the food is delicious as Texan cooking should be.
Here, you must taste the seafood, poultry, and steaks that are the juiciest. Don't miss their renowned Tater Tots, the divinely tender Barbecue Grouper, or the toasty Pecan Souffle.

2. La Barbecue 

La Barbecue, now situated at East Cesar Chavez and has both indoor and outdoor seating, offers brisket, pork ribs, and house-made sausage. Sandwiches are also delicious, with simple and extravagant alternatives available, such as La Frito Loco, which consists of pulled pork, chopped beef, chipotle slaw, Fritos, cheese, and jalapenos.

3. Picnik

Veggie restaurants in Austin? You heard correctly. Intending to make real food inclusive and available to everyone, Picnik started as a food trailer. Every plate of cuisine on the menu is brimming with plant-based delights and seasonal, ethically sourced meats. The heirloom tomato and watermelon salad will help you cool off, the sustainable pan-seared fish with vegetables will fill you up, and the sweet coconut matcha latte will send you on your way.

4. Sanza

In Texas, during the winter, Sazan is the place to go for authentic ramen. They specialise in pain, which is offered in a flavorful, murky broth. It comes in classic, spicy, or vegan varieties. The Ma-Yu Black Ramen is an excellent option for those looking for more traditional ramen because it's cooked with a flavorful broth and topped with various colourful vegetables. We recommend the Indomitable Chicken Wings as a side dish because they are twice-cooked and seasoned with their spice rub. For dessert, try the Matcha and Ube types of Mochidoki Mochi (purple yam).

Student Apps

MyUT Austin

With class schedules, maps, Canvas integration, and other features, this unique app at The University of Texas at Austin enable busy students, instructors, and staff to remain in touch.

Texas Longhorns

This software is essential if you're a Texas Longhorns sports enthusiast! Thanks to interactive social media, you will always have access to the latest facts and results.

Other educational apps, like Evernote, Alarmy, Mint, Headspace, and Brainscape, benefits students in managing their schedule and college life.

Tourist Attractions In Austin

• The State Capitol and Visitors Center
• Austin cityscape at sunset
• Lady Bird Lake
• Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum
• Barton Springs Pool
• Zilker Metropolitan Park Attractions
• Mexic-Arte Museum
• McKinney Falls State Park

Austin Events

Without mentioning the Annual Austin events, an Austin city guide will fail in its purpose. Austin is a bustling city that hosts a lot of cultural events. Austin is a 24-hour city populated by an upstart mix of musicians, techies, film pros, sports, and foodies, as seen by our yearlong events calendar. Here is a list of Austin events that take place annually

•  Twenty thousand runners from all around the world participate in the Austin Marathon. 
• Visitors from the country are welcomed to the Austin Food + Wine Festival,  featuring the best contemporary food. 
• Old Settler's Music Festival has been celebrated for over 30 years 
• Fantastic Fest, which showcases sci-fi, horror, fantasy, and other genre movies
• The annual SXSW Music, Film, and Interactive Conferences 
• The also conducts the annual O. Henry Pun-Off conducted at the O. Henry House Museum

Music

Living somewhere with a lot to see and do in your free time is a good idea, so make the most of your honorary status as an "Austinite" while you're in Austin. Known as the world's live music capital, you can catch some of the biggest stars in the music industry performing on Sixth Street, which is the epicentre of live music.

Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival is one of the biggest music festivals held by the city of Austin, living true to the slogan "Everything's bigger in Texas." ACL, produced by the same group as LollaPalooza, has hosted performers like Kendrick Lamar, Sir Paul McCartney, Travis Scott, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Florence and the Machine. ACL should resume its regular schedule in 2023.

Austin is full of life and moving to this city for further studies or just travelling purposes will be one of the best decisions you will make. Now that you know most of this city by the back of your palm, go keep the city weird! If you are interested in knowing more about other cities in the US, read our student city guide on Chicago, guide on Boston, and guide on Tempe.