AUSTIN, TEXAS: A DIGITAL NOMAD HAVEN YOU NEED TO VISIT
With a relatively low cost of living, fast wifi speeds, and vibrant nightlife, Austin is a true contender in the world of digital nomads.
The digital nomad lifestyle has really taken off in recent years, getting considerably more popular because of the pandemic. As companies and professionals realized what was possible, more and more people decided to take their work life into their own hands and go online. A large variety of professions, from programmers to teachers to investors and beyond, have been able to find success working in the digital world. The most attractive upside to this work style is that work can now be done from anywhere, and many people are using this freedom to travel the World.
If you’re familiar with the fast-growing digital nomad community, you’ll have noticed Austin, Texas appears on a ton of lists and with good reason. Both weird and wonderful, Austin is known for its arts and music scene, which makes it an exciting place to work in. The weather is warm and sunny, the food is delicious, and the nightlife and community are among the best in the world. The city is home to celebrated festivals and events, and many live music venues. Let’s look at some of Austin’s notable features that make it one of the hottest spots for slow travelers and digital nomads right now.
WORKSPACES
Austin is booming with co-working spaces. No matter what type of shared space you’re looking for, there are sure to be plenty of options. There are some more traditional office spaces available, like Industrious Coworking and Link Coworking, but also an enormous selection of coffee shops, breweries, and patio spaces. Also not to be missed is the Central Library, a 6-floor modern building with stunning views, roomy seating, desk areas, and a rooftop garden where you can take a break and enjoy the view. It’s also got a cafe and a shop, which makes it pretty perfect for anyone looking to settle in for the workday.
WIFI
Although not the most exciting topic in the world, a digital nomad has to be able to rely on wifi. Having stable and fast internet is crucial to this work and lifestyle. Fortunately, Austin boasts a 114mbps download speed, and the internet is known to be very reliable with few or no outages. Pull up a chair at your favorite Austin coffee shop, and you’ll be working uninterrupted in no time.
FOOD & DRINK
Any foodies in the digital nomad community will be delighted to know that Austin has basically got it all. Texas is known for its barbecue, and Austin is no exception. You can finish off your work day and head out to explore staple spots like Interstellar BBQ, Franklin Barbecue, and Sam’s BBQ. But it doesn’t stop there: Austin also has a wonderful taco scene, and you can find delicious tacos in places all over the city.
Coffee lovers can also rest easy. Austin has excellent coffee in a wide selection of cafes and coffee shops, many of which have spaces to work. Craft beer fans will also be thrilled at the huge number of breweries. Austin has a reputation as a bit of a party town, so things can get wild on the weekends, but it’s important to note that Austin is still relatively safe, with the majority of crime being property-based instead of violent.
WEATHER
You can’t beat this: Austin’s average high temperature is above 20 degrees Celsius for all but three months of the year. Bring your laptop, find a coffee shop with a patio, and you can work on your tan while you work on your projects. The winters are short, and the summer can be quite hot, making it a great place to work poolside. Spring and fall are the real highlights, they are warm and comfortable, and just a bit of rain is to be expected. These warm seasons tend to make the city feel very walkable as well, and there are scooter rental stations all over Austin if you want to zip around the city in style.
Current Results - Austin Temperatures: Averages by Month
ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE
Austin refers to itself as the Live Music Capital of the world…and they just might be right! At any given time of year, you are bound to see some incredible music, art, and entertainment all throughout the city. Springtime in Austin is particularly bustling, with the South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) kicking off the season in March. Next comes the Austin Rodeo, the Austin Food & Wine Festival, and Austin City Limits. Austin is the home of over 250 live music venues. The amazing part is that many of them stay busy on any given night. The city is a destination for a constant stream of artists and musicians performing and displaying their work, so there’s no shortage of new acts to take in. At night, the lively bar culture will make sure your weekends are eventful in the best ways.
DIGITAL NOMAD COMMUNITY
With a handful of digital nomad-specific groups meeting in and around the city, a rising number of resources and articles online, and great reviews coming in from fellow digital nomads, Austin is becoming steadily more appealing to people working remotely. Digital workers who are interested in Austin have plenty of recommendations and guidelines to help them along, and you’re likely to run into a large number of other digital nomads when you arrive there. It is worth noting that there is currently no specific Digital Nomad Visa for the United States. However, there are a lot of other types of visas that are available in the USA for foreigners. Be sure to research which is the right one for you. Some may apply to your work, and it may be possible to live in the USA and work as a freelancer.