Has Austin, Texas Fallen from Grace?

Says who?

Well, so says the Harris Interactive Poll who conducted a poll for Forbes, recently asking more than 2,000 adults from across the US to name the coolest metropolitan areas to live. 

 The results put New York and Las Vegas in a tie for 1^st place with Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco, Orlando, San Diego, Los Angeles, Miami and Washington DC following – in descending order. 

No not one Texas cities made the hip list, but Texas dominates --  especially Austin -- all other lists from Kiplinger’s to Entrepreneur. This could explain why Katie Couric is traveling to Austin to find out just why Austin has made so many Top 10 list during the past year.

Tune to CBS in this Friday, Jan. 7, at 5:30 p.m. to see it for yourself.

Here is what Katie and the CBS news team have been reading recently. 

Earlier this month, Austin was deemed to have the second-strongest job market in the country by the Milken Institute (behind only Killeen).

That backs up another list in July that put Austin among the top job-generating cities.

Austin was picked as the No. 1 best city to live in for the next 10 years in a Kiplinger’s Personal Finance ranking in May.

Also in May, Austin was listed among the country’s healthiest cities on two other lists.

The Austin area tied for first on a Forbes list of large metros where the recession is easing.

A CNN/Money study labeled Austin as recession-proof.

Austinites have the ninth-best “quality of life,” according to Portfolio.com study in May.

Austin was ranked the third-best city to move to in the United States, according to a RelocateAmerica.com report about seven months ago.

Austin was picked as the nation’s most progressive and proactive entrepreneurial center in a July article from Entrepreneur.com.
Austin is the third-best city for young entrepreneurs, says Under 30 CEO.
Entrepreneur magazine ranked Austin a top creative center in July.
Austin ranks as the nation’s fifth-best city for new college graduates in the latest annual listing by Bloomberg Businessweek.
Austin was deemed by Men’s Health to be America’s most sex-happy city.
Perhaps consequently, Austin was Yahoo Travel’s third-best city for singles earlier this year.
Austin did well on a Forbes list in June highlighting the best cities for young professionals.
We have some of the cleanest air in the country, according to another list.
Austin is the best city for Hispanics, according to Popular Hispanics.
When it comes to live music, Austin is No. 3 in the U.S., according to MSNBC.com.
And just weeks ago, Austin residents were ranked the 7th brainiest in the U.S. by Daily Beast.
So everybody living in Austin or considering calling Central Texas home – chill out.  Austin is in great form, despite begin ousted from the Harris Interactive’s top-desired cities list. But of course, I don’t have to tell my fellow citizens to chill. According to a list last month, Austin is one of the least-stressed cities in the U.S.

This Should Make You Feel Good About Buying Real Estate in Austin

The 5 counties that make up the Austin metropolitan area (Travis, Williamson, Hayes, Bastrop and Caldwell counties):

●lead the nation in job growth during the last year - both in percentage increase and actual number of new jobs - wow!!

●Forbes magazine ranked Austin #1 in the nation on its list of best large cities/regions for job growth.

●Monster.com also named Austin as the #1 city in America for job growth.

●Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine ranked Austin #1 in America on its list of Ten Best Cities for the Next Decade

●The Milken Institute ranked Austin #1 in America on its list of Best Performing Cities In 2009 where jobs are created and sustained.

●Porfolio.com ranks Austin #1 in America in its Small Business Vitality rankings for 2010.

●RelocateAmerica.com ranked Austin the 3rd best city in the United States to move to.

●America's Top 100 Places to Live For 2010 ranked Austin the 2nd best City in America.

●Airports Council International's survey of passengers at 118 airports worldwide ranked Austin's airport as #1 in North America - and #2 worldwide.

●The Brookings Institution named Austin as one of only 10 American Cities as a "Next Frontier" Metro Area based on exceeding national averages on population growth, diversity and educational attainment.

●The Brookings Institution also reports that Austin and Raleigh, North Carolina lead the nation in growth among "pre-seniors" (55 to 64 year olds) - translation, Austin area is a great place to retire.

●Add on top of all of that Samsung's recently announced $3.6 Billion direct investment for Phase 2 of its semi-conductor fabrication plant in northeast Austin - the largest private capital investment so far this year in the U.S. - and in the top ten largest private capital investments in America in the last decade - creating 500 new, high paying permanent jobs and more than 1,000 construction jobs - and total payroll of $105 million per year - double wow!!

●Plus Hanger Orthopedic, Pioneer Surgical, Face Book, Legal Zoom, Formula One Racing.........all coming to Austin.

Even two of our local bars took best of show in Playboy's best places to drink list,then there is the news that Dell sales up 19%, reclaims No. 2 ranking on the world’s computer maker ladder.

Austin Up - Texas Dominates - Houston No. 1

A concentration of talent, the presence of alumni from prestigious schools, big company headquarters and good job growth make Houston, Austin and Dallas headliners in Forbes list of top 10 cities in the nation where young professionals are most likely to succeed.

Houston takes top billing on the list with Dallas in the 6th spot and Austin rounding out at No. 10.

It is a good thing we are friendly in Texas because it looks like we are going to have some new guys and gals in state.

Welcome!

Do You Know This About Austin?

I am amazed at the press that circulates about the economic viability of Texas and Austin in particular. During the past week Austin ranked HIGH on 'Quality of Life' in a new study released by Portfolio.com. Stated in the report, Austin ranked highest on the job opportunities for young adults, Houston taking the 5th position and Dallas 7th. In another report released by NEWSMAX, Texas ranked numero uno for business, the result of a recent survey of CEO's and stating that "Texas is pro-business with reasonable regulations. The article went on to mention that Texas is where 70% of all new U. S. jobs created since 2008 are based.
There is more -- Kiplingers just released an article ranking the top 10 cities in the nation for the next decade. Guess which city is #1 – A town. The article states that while smart people and great ideas charge a city -- collaboration supercharges. Another characteristic that is usually always mentioned when referencing Austin -- it is just a fun city to live, work, play and visit.