My Experience Moving to Austin from California

Eighteen months ago, my husband and I decided to move to Austin from California. It was not an easy choice. Before this move, I spent my whole life in different parts of California. I was a true California girl! Yet moving to Austin from California was a wise choice for us, and it is beginning to feel like home.

We were at the tail end of a large group who decided to move to Austin from California. Austin, Texas, was the fastest-growing metro area in the United States for 12 years in a row until 2023. Major tech companies brought headquarters to Austin, and people followed. Young people loved it, and it became a popular place to retire, especially for California residents.

My husband and I decided that moving to Austin from California was right for us for a few important reasons:

1. Lower cost of living - Everything is less expensive here: homes, gas, groceries, and utilities, to name a few. Buying a house in Austin can be very pricey in certain areas, but many wonderful neighborhoods offer housing at a fraction of the cost of California markets. I was particularly shocked at the price of electricity. My air conditioning runs far more here than it ever did in Southern California (because it is very HOT here), yet our monthly bill is a fraction of what it was in California. Some costs are not drastically lower, but it all adds up, giving us a sense of financial security and comfort.
   
   
2. No state income tax - This is a big one, especially if you have an asset to liquidate. As a lifelong California resident, I didn't understand what a big difference this would make. A single professional or family making a healthy salary is currently paying somewhere close to 10% to the state of California. Ouch! We appreciate keeping that money in our pockets.
   
   
3. More open space and less congestion - We made the move to Austin from the San Francisco Bay Area. Housing in the Bay Area and Greater Los Angeles is dense, and traffic is intense. We love living someplace that gives us a bit more elbow room. Don't get me wrong, there is some fierce traffic here, too, but there are so many places to live that get you out of the hustle and bustle of downtown. Many of the neighborhoods around Austin consist of tightly spaced new home developments, but even there, there is a sense of openness that is rare to find in the major cities of California. If you are hankering for more land, that is also easy to find, giving you a sense of tranquility and peace.

Some sub-benefits of moving to Austin, Texas, include the incredibly friendly people who make you feel like you've been a part of the community for years; reasonably priced amenities (like country clubs) that make leisure activities more accessible; water activities like boating, paddle boarding, and swimming; great churches that foster a sense of belonging; and some darn good barbeque.

I lived and worked in Greater Pasadena, California, most of my adult life. I lived on Beverly Way in Altadena, California, until 2019 and sold many beautiful homes in the area. Unfortunately, I believe the Eaton Fire destroyed my home and the homes of many of my friends, colleagues, and clients. My heart is broken for the destruction and for the pain and difficulty that residents are experiencing. Many decisions are to follow for these residents. Will they rebuild? Will they buy a new home in the area? Some may decide to move away.

I have never lost my home and earthly possessions in a fire. I cannot imagine the complexity of rebuilding from that type of catastrophe. But I have made a significant cross-country move. It is a big decision. There is no way of getting around it; moving is hard and disorienting, but it is a positive decision for many of us.

I am on the other side of this type of move and am here to help, even to talk about the pros and cons of living in Austin, Texas. You can reach me at 512-599-2388 or by email at [email protected].

Carrie Benuska Leinen | Keller Williams Lake Travis | 1921 Lohmans Crossing Rd Suite #100, Lakeway, TX 78734