Austin Area Info

Do you drink bottled water?  If so, you probably choose to drink bottled water so you can avoid the chemicals and pollution that still manage to make their way into city water.  If you live in Austin, Texas, however, this is not a concern.  According to Forbes.com, Austin has some of the cleanest tap water of any city in the United States.  In fact, Forbes.com lists it in second place in terms of cleanliness, with Des Moines, Iowa taking the first place spot and Sioux Falls, SD taking third.

A number of factors were considered when determining the cleanliness of the water in Austin.  For example, the researchers looked at the bacteria level of the water as well as its cloudiness and the amount of lead and haloacetic acid the water contained.  The…

If you love to shop, you will be thrilled to learn about the many malls and other shopping opportunities that are available in the Austin area.  Not only are there many great stores to shop at, there are entire streets and blocks that are filled with great boutiques and shopping opportunities.

The Domain

If you are looking for high-end specialty stores, The Domain is the answer.  Here, you will find stores such as Tiffany and Co, Neiman Marcus, and Louis Vuitton.

The Arboretum

The Arboretum offers a number of specialty stores and restaurants, all of which are centered around a Saks Fifth Avenue.  Gateway Market, which is home to several large chain stores, is also located near the Arboretum.

Barton Creek Square

Barton Creek Square is home…

If you are looking for reasons to consider moving to the Austin area, you won’t have to look very far.  In fact, the city has received a number of awards and recognition throughout the years for a wide variety of reasons.

Finding a Job in Austin

One of Austin’s strengths is the availability of jobs in the area.  In fact, the Forbes website recognized Austin as the third best place to get a job in 2008.  This is partially due to the fact that it is a great city for new businesses to start up operation.  This was demonstrated in 2007 when MoodysEconomy.com named the city the best place for business in the United States.  In 2006, Expansion Magazine also named the Best Place to Live for Future Business Locations and Entrepreneur.com listed it as the 9th

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As a taxpayer in Texas, you certainly want to save as much money as possible.  After all, you don’t want to have to pay money in taxes if you don’t have to!  At the same time, in order to reduce the amount of money you have to pay on property taxes, it is important to work within the parameters of the law.

There are four different types of home exemptions that you can apply for as a property owner in Texas.  These apply to your primary residence and they include…

    * School taxes
    * County taxes
    * Optional exemptions
    * Age 65 or older

Understanding these exemptions and how they work is important so you can take full advantage of the benefits they offer.

School Taxes

School tax exemptions are available to all homeowners and qualifying for one is quite

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A visit to Austin will provide you with a number of entertainment opportunities.  From theme parks to caverns, from family-friendly activities to fun for adults, there is plenty to do and see in the Austin area.

Austin Duck Adventures

Austin Duck Adventures take guests on a 75 minute narrated tour of the land and the lake with te help of its amphibious vehicles.  These vehicles even take a trip through downtown Austin.

Austin Ghost Tours

Austin Ghost Tours take guests along a walking tour through downtown Austin.  Offered on Saturday and Sunday nightes throughout the year, this guided tour tells of all of the Austin “haunts.”  Reservations are required to join this tour.

Austin Nature and Science Center

The Austin Nature and Science Center is a…

When purchasing or selling property in the state of Texas, there are two key laws that you must be aware of:  Community Property Laws and the Homestead Law in Texas.  Becoming knowledgeable about these laws is important in order to keep yourself protected.

Community Property Laws

According to Community Property Laws, any property that is acquired during a marriage is the property of both partners.  The only exception to this rule is if either spouse has property that is defined as “separate property.”  In order to be considered separate property, the property has to have been claimed by one of the spouses before the marriage.  Or, if it is acquired after marriage, it can be considered separate property if it is acquired as “by gift, devise or descent.”

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Do you love art?  If so, you will be thrilled by all of the art opportunities available in the Austin area.  Here is a look at just some of what Austin has to offer.

23rd Street Artists Market

The 23rd Street Artists Market is an open-air crafts market that is located across from the University of Texas.  This market showcases unique handicrafts and is open every day from 8:00 in the morning until 10:00 at night.

Art on 5th

Art on 5th showcases a variety of originally pieces as well as contemporary fine art prints. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 in the morning to 6:00 at night.

Arthouse

Arthouse strives to promote appreciate of local contemporary artists. In addition to its exhibits, Arthouse

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The Austin area is home to a number of beautiful parks and nature preserves.  At these parks and preserves, you can enjoy biking, walking, running, and hiking.  At some, you may also be able to enjoy boating and swimming as well as other recreational activities.  Here is a look at just a few of the parks and nature preserves you can visit in the Austin area.

Austin Parks

There are many parks in the Austin area for you to choose from.  The 215 acre Commons Ford, for example, offers numerous trails for you to explore.  Or, you can swim, camp, and take your boat out on Lake Austin by visiting Emma Long.  If you are interested in playing disc golf, volleyball, tennis, basketball, or fishing, on the other hand, you might want to visit Mary Moore Searightt.

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As a resident of Austin, it is important to know about Municipal Utility Districts in order to make certain you make informed decisions.  A Municipal Utility District, which is generally referred to simply as MUD, is a political subdivision in Texas.  This subdivision has been authorized by the Texas Water Code, or TWC, to provide residents with sewage, water, drainage, and other services that are within the designated MUD boundaries.

The History of MUDs in Austin

During the 1970s, legislation was proposed that would extend the water and sewage services offered by Austin to new subdivisions.  The residents of Austin voted against these bonds, however, which left residents in these subdivisions without water or a means of getting rid of waste.  In

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Residents of the Austin area can take comfort in knowing that there are plenty of great healthcare facilities in the area.  With the help of the St. David’s Healthcare Partnership and the SETON Healthcare Network, residents receive both emergency and acute care services with the help of a number of full-service hospitals.  Here are some of the major hospitals in the Austin area:

The Brackenridge ER in Austin, Texas

The Brackenridge ER in Austin, Texas is the only Level II trauma center in Austin.  In addition, it is the only hospital in the city that accepts patients that do not have insurance.

SETON Healthcare Network

The SETON Healthcare Network includes a number of facilities, including the Seton Medical Center, a Children’s Hospital, and the Seton…