ABOUT THE CITY
Texas’ capital city stands apart from the rest. Austin is just simply not like the rest of Texas. This is a city with a heart and with a soul. From the quirky cast of characters that populate Congress Avenue to burnt orange-clad University of Texas students, bats to Longhorns, four-star restaurants to down-home barbecue joints, and corporate CEOs to struggling musicians.
Austin is a city of contrasts. It’s hip and trendy, yet in a vintage sort of way. It’s high-tech and laid-back. Big city, college town. It’s politically charged and culturally rich. It’s eclectic by nature and creative by design.
Austin was selected as the #2 Best Big City in “Best Places to Live” by Money magazine in 2006, and the “Greenest City in America” by MSN (“Greenest” referring to a commitment to sustainable living). How’s that for endorsements for your new location?
About Austin
Austin, the capital of Texas, has been in a shower of superlatives this past decade: the third best place to live in the U.S., the second fastest growing city in the U.S., and first as the nations best read, computer literate and physically fit city in the nation.
Neighborhoods
Central Austin
Central Austin is seeing a revitalization in its housing market, with several loft renovations and the introduction of new housing to historical structures such as the Brown Building.
History
Austin has a history of burgeoning growth, beginning with the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836. As the new nation, dubbed the Republic of Texas, Mirabeau B. Lamar felt a new seat for the government was in order, one named for Stephen F. Austin, founder of the Republic. Lamar sent Edwin Waller to survey the beautiful land off of the Colorado River to found the new capitol. The city was planned in a grid pattern that still maps the downtown area. Congress Avenue was the center street, with the north/south streets named for Texas rivers.
Where To Stay
Austin offers plenty of accommodations for all types of travelers. Whether you are looking to be pampered in a spa resort, swept away by the charm of a bed and breakfast, or just need a room on a tight budget, you will find a comfortable place to stay.
Many of Austin’s finest full-service luxury hotels are in and around the downtown area. The historic Driskill Hotel opened in 1886 and is still offering guests unique rooms and suites right on Sixth Street, where all the hustle and bustle of the live music scene lies.
By Car
Highways
http://www.texasfreeway.com/Austin/austin.shtml
There are two major north-south expressways I-35 and Loop 1 (Also called Mo-Pac for the Missouri-Pacific railroad which runs along it). There are two east-west freeways in Austin located south of the city center which is called Ben White or US 290 West and Texas highway 71. The freeway section of 290 West currently runs from I-35 to just east of Oak Hill. 71 and 290 split at Oak Hill. US 183 runs from the Northwest side of the city down to the Southeast side of the city past the airport.
Parking
Look for municipal parking garages when in the city. Many parking meters are free evenings and weekends, so check them.
Vehicle Registration
Vehicle Title and Registration (VTR) Headquarters
(512) 465-7611
Public Transportation
Capital Metro
(512) 389-7400
Capital Metro is the city’s public bus network with a solid system of inexpensive neighborhood express and downtown routes.
Voter Registration
Secretary of State’s – Office Elections Division
(800) 252-8683
To be eligible to register in Texas, you must:
• be a U.S. citizen
• be 18 years old (you may register at 17 years and 10 months)
• not be a convicted felon (unless a person’s sentence is completed, including any probation or parole)
• not be declared mentally incapacitated by a court of law
By Air
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
3600 Presidential Blvd.
Austin, Texas 78719
(512) 530-2242
Television
| 7 | KTBC | FOX |
| 13 | KVC | IND |
| 18 | KLRU | PBS |
| 24 | KVUE | ABC |
| 36 | KXAN | NBC |
| 42 | KEYE | CBS |
| 54 | KNVA | WB |
Radio
| AM Radio | ||||
| 590 | KLBJ | News/Talk | ||
| 970 | KIXL | Christian | ||
| 1060 | KFIT | Gospel | ||
| 1260 | KTAE | Spanish Talk | ||
| 1300 | KVET | News/Sports | ||
| 1340 | KHLB | Oldies | ||
| 1370 | KJCE | Contemporary | ||
| 1440 | KELG | Tejano | ||
| 1470 | KUOL | Spanish Christian | ||
| 1490 | KFON | Sports | ||
| 1530 | KQQQ | Spanish Top 40 | ||
| 1560 | KTXZ | Tejano | ||
Radio Continued
| FM Radio | ||||
| 88.1 | KNLE | Christian | ||
| 88.7 | KAZI | Jazz/R&B | ||
| 89.5 | KMFA | Classical | ||
| 90.5 | KUT | News/Eclectic | ||
| 91.3 | KNCT | Easy Listening | ||
| 91.7 | KOOP | Varied Music | ||
| 92.1 | KQQQ | Tejano | ||
| 92.5 | KKLB | Tejano | ||
| 93.3 | KLNC | Country | ||
| 93.7 | KLBJ | Rock | ||
| 94.7 | KAMX | Alternative | ||
| 95.5 | KKMJ | Contemporary | ||
| 96.7 | KHFI | Contemporary | ||
| 98.1 | KVET | Country | ||
| 98.5 | KRXT | Country | ||
| 98.9 | KJFK | Talk/Sports | ||
| 100.7 | KASE | Country | ||
| 101.5 | KROX | Alternative | ||
| 102.3 | KPEZ | Classic Rock | ||
| 103.5 | KEYI | Oldies | ||
| 104.3 | KQBT | Contemporary | ||
| 104.7 | KBAE | Contemporary | ||
| 106.9 | KHLB | Country | ||
| 107.1 | KGSR | Folk/Blues | ||
| 107.7 | KAHK | Rock | ||
| 107.9 | KFAM | Blues/Country | ||
Dining & Nightlife
The Warehouse District offers several upscale options, as well as casual, laid-back eateries. Malaga’s Wine and Tapas Bar showcases an extensive wine menu and serves tapas with a Spanish flair. The Mezzaluna name is famous for its Los Angeles counterpart, but here it’s known for three-course Italian meals and grappas. Sullivan’s serves Hollywood stars and politicos top-quality steak with an air of confidence.
Performance Arts
Comedy
Political satire is especially strong at Esther’s Follies, a campy comedy venue located on East Sixth Street that has become part of the fabric of Austin. Just next door is the Velveeta Room, where local and visiting comic talents take the stage and try the outrageous. If you’re looking for big-name comics, look no further than the Capitol City Comedy Club;
Museums
The Austin Museum of Art (Downtown) hosts ten to twelve exhibitions annually, presenting significant 20th-century American visual art. Works by artists from Mexico and the Caribbean are also represented, as well as local and Texas artists.
Outdoor Attractions
Austin Zoo
Take an online interactive tour and play online games.
Recommended Tours
By Foot
Austin is full of places to see and experiences to be had. Most longtime residents still have yet to see all the beauty Austin has to offer. Whether you are a nature lover, an art lover or a music lover, there is plenty for you to explore.
Golf
Private
Austin Country Club
(512) 328-0030
18 Hole
4408 Long Champ Drive
Austin, Texas 78746
Shopping
Highland Mall
(512) 454-9656
6001 Airport Blvd.
Austin, TX 78752
Home to more than 150 stores, including anchors Dillard’s, Foley’s and JC Penney.
Higher Education
Community Colleges
Community colleges exist for two major purposes. The first is to serve as a bridge from high school to college by providing courses for transfer toward a bachelor’s degree. Four out of 10 collegebound high-school graduates start their college education this way.
The second function of community colleges is to prepare students for the job market by offering entry-level career training as well as courses for adult students who want to upgrade their skills for the workplace. They often offer programs that are not available at four-year schools, like fashion design.
Austin Community College
(512) 223-7000
Liberal Arts Colleges
Liberal arts colleges offer a broad base of courses in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Most are private and focus mainly on undergraduate students. Classes tend to be small and personal attention is available.
Online Learning
Recent years have witnessed the rise of online degree programs, to allow the busy professional a chance to work at their own pace from the comfort of their home on the path to getting a degree. The costs to students are typically the same as for traditional classes— and financial aid is equally available—while the cost to the institution can be much less.
There are online universities ranging from legitimate distance learning systems to fly-by-night degree-mills. It’s important to research a particular institution before deciding to enroll in their system. Generally, brick-and-mortar schools that also offer online classes are the safest, though there are plenty of fully accredited online universities out there.
Nearly 3 million students are believed to be taking online classes at institutions of higher education in the United States this year. That number has been growing about 25% a year recently. Now, virtually all public higher education institutions, as well as a vast majority of private, for-profit institutions, now offer online classes. By contrast, only about half of private, nonprofit schools offer them.
Online schools offer everything from Associate’s degrees to Doctoral programs with available emphases in everything from Business Administration to Criminal Justice to Nursing. Some programs require students to attend some campus classes or orientations, but many are delivered completely online.
Online courses generally require a computer with a broadband connection, but are now a serious option for the busy professional.
Public vs. Private
Public colleges are usually less expensive, particularly for in-state residents. They get most of their money from the state or local government. Private colleges rely on tuition, fees, endowments, and other private sources. Private colleges are usually smaller and can offer more personalized attention and often more prestige.
Universities
Generally, a university is bigger than a college and offers more majors and research facilities. Class size often reflects institutional size and some classes may taught by graduate students.
The University of Texas at Austin
(512) 475-7348
Austin is home to The University of Texas at Austin, one of the largest universities in the country and the flagship institution of The University of Texas System the largest state system of higher education in Texas.
Concordia University, www.concordia.edu (512) 486-2000
Huston-Tillotson University, www.htu.edu (512) 505-3000
St. Edward’s University, www.stedwards.edu (512) 448-8400
Upper Division
Upper-division schools offer the last two years of undergraduate study, usually in specialized programs leading to a bachelor’s degree. Students then generally transfer to an upper-division college after completing an associate degree or after finishing a second year of study at a four-year college.
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