SellAustinTexas

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Austin’s excellent quality of life, strong economy and high employment rates made it a top choice among American cities in several recent studies and best of lists for 2011.  Here’s a quick re-cap of some of the bigger accolades as compiled by the Austin Business Journal:

•In July, Forbes and the Praxis Strategy Group named Austin America’s No. 1 “boom town.”

•Earlier this month, Austin was ranked by the Milken Institute as the fourth best-performing city in the U.S.

•Austin was ranked this month as the top city for the highest job levels in a decade but Forbes magazine cited a 19 percent drop in high-tech jobs over the past decade when it ranked Austin No. 32 on a list of best cities for tech jobs.

•In September, Austin snagged fifth on a list of U.S. cities with the most healthy employment outlooks.

•The Brookings Institution named Austin among the best green job generators in its “Sizing the Clean Economy: A National and Regional Green Jobs Assessment” report.

•Ajilon Professional Staffing said Austin has the second best jobs market in the U.S. but Forbes ranked the Capital City No. 3 for best jobs market in its January report.

•Austin leads the nation for having the most favorable conditions for small businesses, an April report said.

•Businessweek listed Austin among the best places to live, Business Review USA chose Austin as one of the eight best places to live and work in the U.S., and RelocateAmerica named the Capital City as one of the 100 finalists in its 14th annual best places to live contest.

For a more expanded list, read the full article here.

Parenting magazine recently named Austin the #2 city for families right behind Washington, D.C.  The magazine compiled data based on quality of schools, affordability of homes, strong job market, parkland space and cultural activities.  The article noted our city’s 27,000 acres of parkland(!), abundance of pools to keep us cool, Town Lake, great schools and many pediatricians.  It also mentions the many year round festivals in Austin and, most importantly, the many innovative companies who make Austin a progressive city.  Other cities include Honolulu, Omaha, Seattle and Boston.

It’s March in Austin Texas, we have sprung forward, seen the last of winter’s chill and we prepare for over 200,000 internet enthusiasts, film buffs and music enthusiasts to visit our fair city for the SXSW Music Film and Interactive Festival.  We welcome not only the fans, but major film and television personalities, politicians and world renown musicians such as Jake Gyllenhaal, Al Franken, Kanye West, The Foo Fighters and many, many more.

There are even events for those of us who would prefer to avoid the crowds downtown, but still want to see amazing performances. This week SXSW is featuring a stellar lineup at Auditorium Shores…kid friendly and completely free!

Thursday, March 17th,  Luke Rahtborne starts the evening off at 6:00pm, followed by Twin Shadow at 7:00 and ending with The Strokes at 8:00.

Friday, March 18th,  Suzanna Choffel kicks it off at 6, followed by Bowling for Soup then Blue October finishes it up at 8pm

Saturday, March 19th is tailor made for the whole family starting at 11am with The Groundwork Music Orchestra, Ozokidz and MarchFourth Marching Band.  The evening ends with Bright Eyes taking the stage at 7:30 (see the full schedule here)

With all the energy, amazing March weather and, let’s face it, the incredible people who live in Central Texas, it’s no wonder that after SXSW there  is a renewed interest in all things Austin, including making it a new home or even 2nd home.  You can find your Central Texas home away from home on the DMTX Realty Group website…whether it be land in Hill Country, a lakeside retreat or your Central Austin dream house.