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.

Double Horn Creek Home

We just listed this elegant estate home sits on 5 acres located in the Hill Country community of Double Horn Creek. Perfect for entertaining family and friends, this property features a large great room and open gourmet kitchen along with a huge back patio with BBQ and dining areas. A comfortable master suite includes a sitting area, luxurious bath and private screened patio/sun room. Guests are accommodated in a separate entry bedroom with full bath. Looking to work from home? This property includes a huge office with vaulted ceilings, hobby/craft room and HVAC bonus room above detached 3 car garage perfect for meetings or storage. This home also features another attached 2 car garage creating lots of room for cars and other toys. Many energy efficient upgrades including 3 programmable HVAC zones, R-38 insulation, double pane sealed windows and doors, Low E vinyl windows. Located in the Spicewood area, only 5 minutes to upcoming Seton Hospital in Marble Falls, 25 minutes to Hill Country Galleria shops.

Find out more about this property here or watch the video below.

Those living outside of Texas might picture the State as flat, dry, and unexciting. Those of us in Austin have always known that’s just not true! About.Com put Texas Hill Country at the top of their list of Texas’ Natural Wonders. They broke it down into a list of their 10 favorite Hill Country attractions. These are for explorers and wide-eyed-wonderers of all types and all ages. Here are just a few off their list.

10. Barton Springs

We just blogged about this beautiful and fun swimming spot!

5. Inner Space Cavern

Just north of Austin, in Georgetown, Inner Space Cavern explorers have found Ice Age animals including wooly mammoths and saber-toothed tigers, and human cave paintings.

4. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Just south of Austin are these beautiful gardens and preserves featuring wildflowers, butterflies, and many natural beauties. Consider visiting after dark – great for amateur astronomers!

3. Longhorn Caverns

The aptly named Longhorn Caverns is Northwest of Austin, near Burnet. It housed Comanches, Confederate Soldiers, and maybe outlaws? Now a State Park, with a Concert Series.

2. Lost Maples

This area gets beautiful fall colors in the late months of the year, like much of Central Texas Hill Country!