and popular Zilker Park, Lady Bird Lake
is the epicenter of outdoor activity –
from kayaking, rowing and
paddleboarding to the miles of running
trails that circle it.
WATERLOO:
THE ORIGINAL AUSTIN
Austin grew from the tiny village of
Waterloo. Like many early towns, it
was originally settled by Indians, and
it’s the area that was chosen to become
the capital of the new Republic of
Texas. Texas was an independent
country for nearly ten years before
being annexed by the United States in
1845.
Waterloo was later renamed after
Stephen F. Austin, “the father of Texas,”
and its founders’ vision included a state
capitol building that would look down
from a hill over the city. The State
Capitol was built on a hill in 1888,
with stunning views of the city.
Built as a result of one of the largest
barter transactions in history (the
Capitol’s builders got 3 million acres in
the Texas Panhandle, which later
became the XIT Ranch – the largest cattle
ranch in the world), the Texas State
Capitol is one of the state’s most popular
attractions with more than 1 million
visitors each year. Constructed from
limestone and pink granite from nearby
Marble Falls in the same architectural
style as the nation’s Capitol, it’s actually
taller than its distant D.C. sibling by
seven feet – making it the largest state
capital in the U.S.
Today, with a population of just over
824,000, Austin is the fourth-largest city
in Texas. The area continues to grow,
with experts predicting an overall
population of about 1. 9 million in 2013
for the five-county Austin-Round Rock
MSA – which covers 258. 43 square
miles and includes Travis, Williamson,
Hays, Caldwell, and Bastrop counties.
DEDICATED CITIZENS
No matter how long they’ve been here,
most people who live in Austin say they
wouldn’t live anywhere else – and for
good reason. The state capital of Texas
inspires fierce hometown dedication to its
rolling terrain, natural living, liberal
attitudes, interesting people, quality of
life, stellar educational opportunities, and
thriving business community – among
other qualities.
The combination has attracted the
attention of those relocating from all over
the country and internationally – and
plenty of accolades from diverse sources.
Consider that in 2012, Austin ranked
second on the Milken Institute’s list of best-performing metro areas, up from fourth
place rating in 2011; that Austin is the
second-best place to find a job (Ajilon
Professional Staffing, 2011); and that
Austin was recognized for the third year
in a row, as the number one city for
economic growth (Forbes, 2013).
The city also regularly leads “best of” lists
for places where your dollar goes farthest
– which include such critical factors as
affordable housing, gas prices, inflation,
and job market. The bottom line is that
Austin has a lot to offer – and that has
inspired a passionate dedication in those
who live here, especially when it comes
to community service and volunteer efforts
to make Austin an even better place to
live and work.
AUSTIN’S INTERESTING MIX
Austin residents – and visitors who want
to be residents – have discovered a
surprising combination that’s like no
other city in the state. The city is a
heady mix of technology, education,
government, music, film and the arts –
and it’s the kind of mix that’s hard to
ignore.
Think authentic Tex-Mex and barbeque
to elegant, four-star restaurants and
nationally-known chefs; two-stepping
WELCOME TO AUSTIN
