Austin is the #2 best big city to live, according to Money magazine. As the Austin area continues to grow, there is no denying that others agree Austin is a great place to live. Austin truly does offer something for everyone. It is the political center of the state of Texas and boasts one of the largest student populations in the US. As the University of Texas started to build its technology lead in the 1980's, it was able to woo MCC to the area. This spark started the growth of the technology industry in Austin. Businesses and employees alike find the lack of a state or a local corporate or personal income tax especially attractive while added to the mild weather and the close proximity to three of the ten largest cities in America (San Antonio, Dallas, Houston).

In 1839, Austin became the capitol of The Republic of Texas due to its central location, fresh water, proximity to timber and limestone, and natural beauty. In over 160 years, the beauty remains and still attracts outsiders.

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Distinctions: Austin-Round Rock area was named the #1 among the top ten metros overall in Expansion Management's 2006 Mayor's Challenge ranking. Other top distinctions of Austin include:

• Among Top 5 "Smartest Places to Live" based on cost-of-living, housing market, access to quality health care, and strong economy (Kiplinger's Personal Finance, 2006)

• #4 Best Overall Standard of Living (Expansion Management, 2006)

• #23 Most Fit City in the USA (Men's Fitness, 2006)

• #18 Hottest City for Business Relocation and Expansion (Expansion Management, 2006)

• #2 "Best of the Best" Places to Live (Men's Journal, 2006)

• #3 Best City for Men (Men's Health, 2006)

• #8 Greatest Golf-Home Town (Golf Digest, 2006)

• #8 Best City for Singles (Forbes, 2006)

• #2 Hottest Spots for Wireless (JiWire, Inc., 2006)

• #2 City for Movie Makers (MovieMaker, 2006)

• #6 Best City for Walking (American Podiatric Medical Association, 2006)

• University of Texas McComb's School of Business among Top 10 Business Schools (Top 100 Business School Research Rankings)

• #3 Most Inventive Town (Wall Street Journal, 2006)

• #4 Best Tech Town (Silicon Valley Leadership Group, 2005)

• Among Top 8 Best, Cheapest Places to Live (MSN.RealEstate, 2006)

• #14 Sustainable City (SustainLane.Com, 2006)

Arts & Entertainment: Even on a cold, rainy day (of which there are very few), you will never be bored in Austin. The "Live Music Capital of the World," as Austinites like to claim, the city ranks sixth in the nation for the number of artists and musicians per capita. It is almost impossible to walk around downtown and not see a display of art or hear an artist performing. For a more formal brush with the music scene, visit one of over 120 live music venues dotting the city.

But first, grab a bite to eat at one of Austin's amazing restaurants. Locals pride themselves on the outstanding Tex-Mex, but there is something for every taste bud. Get your fill of margaritas, enchiladas, chips and queso from The Oasis with its breathtaking view of Lake Travis, the east side's very own Vivo, and the legendary Trudy's chain restaurants. Chomp down on some authentic bar-b-q at The County Line, Rudy's BBQ, The Salt Lick, or Stubb's BBQ. Grab a bite to eat at all hours of the night at Magnolia Café or Kerby Lane. Order a good old fashioned burger at Hut's Hamburgers, Dirty's, or EZ's. Enjoy a formal evening at Carmelo's, Tree House Grill, or Threadgill's.

Museums: Indulge your mind at one of Austin's top-tiered museums, centers, or galleries. History buffs can learn about the state's past at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Musueum. Politics fiends can take a tour of the state capitol building and the Governor's Mansion. Nature-oriented folks can catch the bat colony underneath the Congress Avenue Bridge or explore the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Art enthusiasts frequent the many galleries in the downtown area. More formal art reviews take place at The University of Texas Blanton Museum of Art or Harry Ransom Center.

Outdoor Activities: Austin is famous for its soft, rolling hills, its wide open spaces and its refreshing lakes. While a city through and through, Austin has maintained 28 miles of hike and bike trails that attract everyone from hard-core cyclists like Lance Armstrong to the leisure walker. Mount Bonell offers hikers an expansive view of the city and surrounding lakes; other hikers prefer the scenery of the 809 acres that make up the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Runners tend to favor the trails around Town Lake where people can also rent kyaks for the day or watch competitive crew teams practice their rowing skills. The Colorado River feeds Austin's three local lakes along with numerous others in the region that makeup the 150 mile expanse of the Hill Country lakes. In the summer, the natural Barton Springs Pool promises to cool off Zilker Park visitors; in the winter, the same visitors can take in the beautiful Trail of Lights display. In all, Austin is home to 174 parks and playgrounds and nearly 50 golf courses.

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Transportation: The average commute time in the Austin area is 15-20 minutes, though rush hour traffic may require additional time in the car. Several major highways transect Austin:

Interstate 35 runs north-south through the downtown area and is considered the dividing line for east and west Austin.
U.S. Highway 183 loops around from far northwest to northeast, then south to southeast. Also known as Research Blvd., Anderson Lane, and Ed Bluestein Blvd.
U.S. Highway 290 enters north central Austin from east of I-35, joins I-35 south to State Highway 71 and extends west with Highway 71. Also called Ben White Blvd.
Loop 360 (Capital of Texas Highway) extends north-south on the far west side of Austin intersecting with Highway 183 and then Loop 1 on the north and with Highway 290 on the south.
Loop 1 (Mo-Pac Expressway) runs north-south just west of downtown. Intersects with FM 1325 (Burnet Road) in far north Austin and extends south trough Loop 360 and Highway 290 west to Slaughter Lane in far southwest Austin.

In 1993 when the Department Defense closed down the 50- year-old Bergstrom Air Force Base in southeast Austin, Austinites voted to transform it into the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. It opened in May 1999 as a 4,100 acre, $630 million facility, more than four-and-a-half times the size of the Robert Mueller Airport.

Austin has an extensive public transportation system with buses reaching all areas of the city. For more information about routes, fares and schedules, visit http://www.capmetro.com or call 474.1200.

Miscellaneous:

Libraries: The John Henry Faulk Public Library and its 18 branches, Austin/Travis County History Center, University of Texas at Austin and the State Library together have nearly nine million volumes. Call 512.499.7599 for the Library Information Service

Daily Newspaper: The Austin American-Statesman is Austin's daily newspaper. Call 445.4040 for information.

Electric, water and wastewater and garbage collection: The City of Austin services for most of the Austin MSA. Call 332.6300 for electrical information. Call 322.0101 for water and wastewater information.

Garbage Collection: Contact the Solid Waste Division at 512.472.0500. Private companies handle collection outside the city limits.

Natural Gas: Call Southern Union Gas at 477.6461.

Telephone: The area code for the Austin area is 512. Local telephone service is provided by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. Call 800.464.7928 for more information. Call 800.SWB.BOOK for a copy of the telephone book.

Cable: Time Warner cable provides services for most of the Austin area. Call 512.485.5555 for information.