Even though it seems there is little room left for growth, Austin’s allure continues to pull newcomers to its tempting pocket of Texas paradise.
Registering at No. 7, Austin is on the U-Haul Top 10 U.S. Destination Cities for 2014, one spot below its 2013 ranking. These rankings reflect the top destinations of one-way U-Haul truck rentals for the past calendar year.
While migration trends don’t correlate directly to a city’s population or economic growth, they are a strong gauge as to how well cities are attracting new residents.
Austin proper, despite being all but landlocked, continues to see residential development in the form of retail condos and chic New York-style complexes. But the urban sprawl is what really has Greater Austin growing and U-Haul trucks rolling into town on a regular basis.
“The expansion has gone to Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Leander, Bastrop, Elgin, Manor, Del Valle, and the 290 corridor coming east – that’s the next area you are really going to see explode,” said Glenn Taylor, marketing company president for U-Haul Company of South Austin.
“Texas is a hot destination. A lot of it has to do with the No. 1 rule: no state income tax. Companies from the West Coast are moving here. There are jobs available. The college continues to grow – the University of Texas is opening a medical school here. I think Austin has always been considered a young person’s city, and there’s always something to do. The students come here and decide to stay, which is pretty cool.”
The sprawling University of Texas campus and its 50,000-plus student body serve as the city’s educational backbone and ignite the passion of Longhorn football fans that bleed burnt orange. Students and fans alike can take advantage of the many storage options that U-Haul offers in Austin.
Austin is a hub for leading technology companies and oil industry businesses while offering residents a lively music and nightlife scene, picturesque landscape and active lifestyle options such as hiking, biking and water sports at surrounding lakes. Greater Austin’s unemployment rate was 3.3 percent in March, lowest among all major U.S. cities, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
The Texas capital also is among the country’s fittest cities and is a fixture on practically every Best Places to Live list.
“The Austin region boasts a very creative, innovative and hardworking population with over 1.9 million people calling Central Texas home,” said Stephen Kreher, senior director for economic development with the Austin Chamber of Commerce.
“Austin used to be a sleepy college and government town, but has established itself as one of the top tech hubs in the country, home to companies like Visa, Google, Apple, Facebook, Dropbox and more. The Austin region has positioned itself on an international stage with events like the Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix, Austin City Limits Music Fest, SXSW Music, Film and Interactive (Festival), and the X Games.
“Known as the ‘Live Music Capital,’ Austin also serves as the Texas capital and without a doubt offers more live music, barbeque and breakfast tacos per capita than any other city!”
U-Haul Company’s growth in Central Texas parallels Austin’s decades-long boom, and Bob Lander, president and CEO of the Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau, hinted that Austin’s casual, comfortable feel will continue to attract U-Haul do-it-yourself movers.
“They know our city offers the perfect blend of business and pleasure,” Lander said. “Our unique culture and friendly vibe lends itself to seamlessly transitioning from business attire to casual, all within a few engaging blocks of entertainment, dining and outdoor activity.”
Visit myuhaulstory.com each day as the U-Haul Top 10 U.S. Destination Cities for 2014 counts down to No. 1.
U.S. Destination Rankings
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