An aerial view of downtown Austin, Lady Bird Lake and Zilker Park.

Life in Austin

Austin is an exciting part of the ¶¥¼¶¹ú²úÊÓƵ experience. It’s a big city with a small-town feel. It’s relaxed yet bustling, rich in tradition yet eclectic.

Opportunity Awaits in Austin

#1
College City in the U.S. and Top-10 City to Start Your Career

— WalletHub (2023)

#2
Hottest Job Market in the U.S.

— The Wall Street Journal (2023)

#9
Best Place to Live in the U.S.

— U.S. News & World Report (for 2024–2025)

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Explore Life in Austin

Scenes from Austin
St. Edward’s and Austin
Students Tap into Austin
Bluebonnets on the Hilltop
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Get a Glimpse of the City

An aerial view of downtown Austin, Lady Bird Lake and Auditorium Shores.

A sunny view of Auditorium Shores (just 2.5 miles from campus), Lady Bird Lake and the downtown skyline capture a dynamic city on the move.

Discover Great City Spaces
Two Ballet Folklorico performers dance in traditional dress.

Experience the arts through Austin’s many museums, cultural exhibits and festivals. 

Get Involved in the Arts
A student and a professor stand by Lady Bird Lake with a bike and are surrounded by trees.

The urban trails around the city offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Go for a hike, kayak or swim, or relax under the trees along Austin’s hike-and-bike trail, greenbelts and many waterways.

Hike Wild Basin
Brass musicians play their instruments at a concert.

Austin is home to SXSW and more than 200 music venues. Catch a show any night of the week. Explore Austin’s vibrant nightlife and cultural offerings.

An alumna, now a staff member at Austin FC, stands by an Austin FC logo.

Connect with Austin’s Business Scene

See how students and alumni have made connections with local businesses and organizations.

Partnership Program Alumni Shaping Austin

See Yourself Here

Three students sit on a sidewalk on South Congress Avenue in front of a black, white and pink mural.

SoCo District

Head to the SoCo district (also known as South Congress Avenue) for shops, restaurants and local favorites. Just one mile from campus, SoCo is loaded with popular dining and shopping spots.

People swim and sunbathe at sunset at Barton Springs. A view of the downtown Austin skyline is visible behind trees in the background.

Barton Springs

Cool off at Barton Springs, a natural spring fed pool in the heart of Austin. The temperature hovers just around 69 degrees year-round.

People play sand volleyball in Zilker Park. A part of the downtown Austin skyline is visible behind trees in the background.

Plenty of Parks

Plan a picnic at Zilker Park or a game of sand volleyball with friends. Home to the annual ACL Music Festival and Blues on the Green, Zilker offers plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors.