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Post-College City Guide: Austin, Texas

Another City Guide from Sophie taking us deep into the south to Austin, Texas.

Photo source: http://social.cotaexperiences.com/?Tag=Austin+Texas

Photo source: http://social.cotaexperiences.com/?Tag=Austin+Texa

Post-College City Guide: Austin

Some Background Stats:

Population: 1,121,847
Unemployment Rate: 5.2%
Cost of living index: 93/100
Major industries: High technology, biomedical and pharmaceutical industries
Climate: Winter—high 40s, Summer—high 90’s
Professional Sports: Austin Outlaws, Texas Stars, Austin Gamebreakers, Austin Toros
Closing Time: 2 AM
Best known for: Being the geographic and political center of the Lone Star State, SXSW
Best Dish: Anything barbecued

Why We Chose It:
Forbes named Austin in their “10 Up and Coming Cities for Entrepreneurs” article, Business Insider heralded Austin as one of the “10 Best Cities for Young Job Seekers,”and we spotted this infograph highlighting Austin as a “Top Cities for Female Entrepreneurs.” With all this press we had to see for ourselves.

Austin, Texas is renowned for its lively entertainment and culture, delicious cuisine and stunning outdoor settings. Home to more than 250 live music venues and a multitude of music festivals (such as Austin City Limits, South by Southwest, Pachanga Latino Music Festival, Urban Music Festival, Fun, Fun, Fun Fest, and even more), this city is the place to be. If food is what piques your interest, there are infamous chefs within the borders of Austin. Paul Qui from Top Chef opened Qui, which is an East Austin fusion restaurant that combines Asian, American, French, and Mexican tastes. Hopdoddy is known as the ideal place to snag a burger and beer, if you are a recent college graduate. If you want a fancier establishment to chow down in, former Iron Chef Competitor David Bull also opened Congress, which has five-star acclaim. As for cheap but quality finds, there is Juan in a Million, Torchy’s Tacos, Polvos, La Barbecue, Hula Hut, and Oasis. Finally, a unique eatery comes in the form of Trailer Food Tuesdays. The event boasts a description: “Sample the delicious food trucks of Austin in one convenient location, the last Tuesday of each month through October from 5-9pm. Special weekend editions of Trailer Food Tuesdays will be held on Saturday, July 13 and Saturday, September 7 from 11am-8pm. Bring your picnic blanket and an appetite, because 8-10 trucks will be rolling onto the City Terrace fronting the Long Center of the Performing Arts with the scenic city skyline. Family-friendly entertainment and music will be provided.” Best of all – Trailer Food Tuesdays are free!

As for leisure activities, there have been very good reviews for Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar. This bar sports a “sing along, clap along, drink along” motto. If nature is more of your thing, you can dive in Barton Springs Pool, which is 68-degres year round. As for museums, there is Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, along with the LBJ Presidential Library, and the Elizabeth Ney Museum.

Overall, if you seek to break free from the Bucknell bubble, Austin is a place you should definitely consider living in come graduation.

Why You’ll Love It:

If the amazing restaurant, bar, and music scene has not yet convinced you, you should know about the plethora of both current and former Austin, Texas residents. Wes Anderson, Lance Armstrong, Sandra Bullock, Ciara, Patty Griffin, Ethan Hawke, Nelly, along with many others can proudly say that they are “Austinites”. Don’t you want to be a part of the Austinite scene now?

 Not ready to leave Bucknell? We didn’t think so.

While we couldn’t find an official Bucknell Alumni club in Austin (maybe you can start one?!) we did find 124 alumni in Austin through B-Link and 99 alumni profiles on LinkedIn.

Check out B-Link if you want to talk to people willing to speak about career advice and job opportunities at such places as:

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. ‘98
URS Corporation ‘06
Waddell & Reed, Inc. ‘75
Oracle Corporation ‘82

Top industries in the Austin area  include: Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Education, and Media and Communication

And if you are really missing Bucknell in the great wide expanse of Texas you can always take a road trip to Dallas and mingle with the 420 alumni in the Bucknell Club of Dallas.

This post was written and researched by Bucknell Sophomore Sophie Hattery.

Our city guides were started in an effort to highlight various cities across the U.S. to help you discover and learn about a city you may not have considered but could make a great spot for your first job or internship. See past city guides

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