Relocating to Austin
Moving to Austin?
Live downtown, not the suburbs.
The people who fall hardest for Austin are the ones who land in the middle of it. A downtown high-rise like Fifth & West Residences gives a newcomer a walkable, amenity-rich, lock-and-leave home minutes from work, the lake, and the music, with no yard to mow while you get your bearings.
Most people move to Austin and default to a house in the suburbs. The ones who love it live where the city actually happens.
Why people are moving to Austin
The case for the move
No state income tax
Texas has no state income tax, one of the most common financial reasons people relocate to Austin from higher-tax states. More of your income stays yours.
A deep job market
Major employers like Apple, Tesla, Samsung, and Google anchor a dense tech, healthcare, and startup economy, alongside state government and the University of Texas.
Live music, food, and culture
As the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin pairs a legendary music and food scene with festivals, galleries, and a genuinely social downtown.
Outdoors at your door
Lady Bird Lake, the hike-and-bike trail, Barton Springs, and the hill country put paddleboarding, running, and open water minutes from downtown, most of the year in warm weather.
The relocation decision
Suburb versus downtown high-rise, when you are new to Austin
The default relocation move is a big house far from the core. For many newcomers, a downtown high-rise is the better first chapter. Here is the honest side by side.
| When you are relocating | Typical suburb move | Downtown high-rise (Fifth & West) |
|---|---|---|
| Learning a new city | Car-dependent and isolated. You drive to discover everything. | Walk out the door into restaurants, the lake, and the trail. You learn Austin on foot. |
| The commute | Long runs on I-35 or MoPac in growing traffic. | Minutes to major employers, or a short walk. Time back in your day. |
| Upkeep | Yard, roof, and pool maintenance are on you. | Lock-and-leave. The HOA and staff handle the building and grounds. |
| Amenities | Build your own, or drive to a gym and pool. | Pool, fitness studio, lounge, and concierge on site from day one. |
| Social life | Drive to dinner, drinks, and live music. | Downtown's restaurants, music, and lakefront are steps away. |
| Flexibility | A large, less liquid commitment while you are still new. | Lock-and-leave freedom, easy to travel, central if plans change. |
Your soft landing
Fifth & West, a move-in-ready home base downtown
Fifth & West Residences rises 39 stories at 501 West Avenue, Austin, TX 78701, with 154 residences and a Walk Score of 97. A pool, fitness studio, concierge, and resident lounge mean your new-city life is set up on day one, and lock-and-leave living means the building is handled while you explore.
Getting settled
The practical side of your Austin move
Cost of living
No state income tax offsets relatively high property taxes. Downtown condo pricing spans a wide range by floor, view, and finish, so read the live listings and market report rather than a single average.
See the market reportGetting around
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is about 15 minutes from downtown. I-35 and MoPac carry most cross-town traffic, which is exactly why a walkable downtown base saves newcomers hours behind the wheel.
Explore the neighborhoodWhere to land first
New to the city, most people cannot yet pick the right suburb. A central downtown home lets you learn Austin on foot, then decide, or simply stay for the lifestyle. The Market District is among the most walkable pockets in town.
Compare downtown towersSchools and essentials
Fifth & West Residences is zoned to Austin ISD (Mathews Elementary, O. Henry Middle, Austin High), with the Whole Foods flagship, Trader Joe's, and the Central Library all within a short walk. Verify current attendance boundaries with the district.
See building amenitiesMoving from out of town? Start with someone who lives it.
Luke Allen helps people relocating to Austin land in the right downtown home, often before they ever set foot in the city. Ask about virtual tours, current availability, and a straight read on downtown versus the suburbs for your situation.
Moving to Austin, answered
Relocation questions people ask
- Is it worth moving to Austin?
- For most people relocating for work or lifestyle, yes. Austin pairs a deep job market in tech, healthcare, and government with no state income tax, a warm climate, live music, great food, and easy access to Lady Bird Lake and the hill country. The biggest adjustment is usually traffic, which is one reason a central, walkable home base appeals to so many newcomers.
- What is the best area to live when you move to Austin?
- It depends on your commute and your lifestyle, but if you value walkability and want to learn the city quickly, downtown is hard to beat. Downtown neighborhoods like the Market District put restaurants, the lake, the trail, grocery stores, and major employers within a short walk or drive, which is why many newcomers choose a downtown high-rise over a car-dependent suburb.
- Do you pay state income tax in Austin, Texas?
- No. Texas has no state income tax, which is one of the most common financial reasons people relocate to Austin from higher-tax states. Property taxes are relatively high, so factor those into a purchase, but many movers still come out ahead overall.
- Can you live in downtown Austin without a car?
- Largely, yes. Downtown Austin is one of the most walkable parts of the city. A building like Fifth & West carries a Walk Score of 97, with a Whole Foods flagship, Trader Joe's, the Central Library, restaurants, and the Shoal Creek and Lady Bird Lake trails all within walking distance. Many downtown residents keep a car for weekend trips but rarely need it day to day.
- How much does it cost to live in a downtown Austin high-rise?
- It varies widely by building, floor, view, and whether you buy or lease. Pricing at Fifth & West is best read from the current active listings and recent sold comps rather than a single number, since floor level and line drive real differences. See the live listings and market report on this site, or ask for a same-day read on what fits your budget.
- Is a high-rise like Fifth & West a good choice for someone new to Austin?
- It is one of the smartest soft landings in the city. A full-service tower gives you a lock-and-leave home with a pool, fitness studio, concierge, and lounge from day one, a central location to explore every neighborhood, and no yard or exterior upkeep while you settle in. It lets you learn Austin on foot before committing to a specific suburb.
Related guides
Keep planning your downtown move
Downtown High-Rise Condos
Compare Fifth & West with the other luxury towers downtown.
Read moreThe Neighborhood
What is walkable from the Market District, block by block.
Read moreCondos for Sale
Current residences for sale, updated from the live MLS.
Read moreThe Building
Architecture, views, and the story of the tower.
Read moreAmenities
The pool, fitness studio, concierge, and resident spaces.
Read moreMarket Report
Downtown pricing, price per square foot, and trends.
Read moreLand in the middle of Austin
From first virtual tour to keys in hand, get a local specialist who knows every line in the building and every block around it.