The Austin Report

💻 Austin Is Now One of America’s Top 5 Tech Talent Hubs

📄 Comment “REPORT” for the full tech growth breakdown

🔥 Austin continues to rank among the Top 5 tech talent markets in North America, fueled by rapid job growth, AI innovation, startups, and major corporate expansions

🚀 By The Numbers:
👉 #5 tech talent market in North America
👉 99,460 tech workers
👉 22,390 new tech jobs added in five years
👉 Tech workforce grew 29.1% from 2018–2023 — the fastest growth rate among major U.S. tech markets

🤖 Austin's AI Boom:
The city is now a Top 10 market for AI talent, with growing demand for software engineers, machine learning specialists, semiconductor experts, and cybersecurity professionals

🏢 Major Employers Expanding in Austin:
Apple
Google
Oracle
Tesla
Samsung Electronics
Dell Technologies
Amazon
AMD

🎓 Talent Pipeline:
The University of Texas at Austin continues to be one of the nation’s strongest sources of engineering, AI, and STEM graduates, helping fuel Austin’s innovation economy

📈 Why Companies Keep Choosing Austin:
👉 Strong startup ecosystem
👉 Growing AI sector
👉 Highly educated workforce
👉 Business-friendly environment
👉 Continued population growth

🏆 Austin also ranks #1 among major markets for growth in college-educated residents in their 20s and 30s, helping keep the city’s talent pipeline strong

🚀 Do you think Austin can eventually challenge Silicon Valley as a tech powerhouse?

🏡 Sagun Sedai, REALTOR®️ & Insurance Agent | Austin, Texas

Sources: CBRE, Frontline Source Group, Austin American-Statesman, Opportunity Austin, UT Austin

🏆 Austin Was Just Ranked the Best State Capital to Live In for 2026

📄 Comment “REPORT” for the full rankings breakdown

🔥 Austin earned the No. 1 spot on WalletHub’s list of the Best State Capitals to Live In for 2026, beating cities like Madison, Raleigh, Denver, and Nashville

💰 Why Austin Ranked #1:
👉 Highest cost-of-living-adjusted median household income among all U.S. state capitals
👉 Strong job market across tech, healthcare, education, and professional services
👉 Thriving startup and business community

🎓 Education Advantage:
Home to The University of Texas at Austin, one of the nation's top public universities
👉 Highly educated workforce
👉 Strong research and innovation ecosystem

🌳 Quality of Life:
Austin scored highly for parks, outdoor recreation, entertainment, dining, and cultural attractions

📍 Local favorites include:
👉 Lady Bird Lake
👉 Zilker Park
👉 Barton Springs Pool
👉 Texas State Capitol

⚠️ Challenges Remain:
Housing affordability, traffic, and infrastructure demands continue to be key issues as the city grows

📈 Austin's continued investment in transit, parks, and redevelopment projects helped strengthen its overall ranking and long-term outlook

🚀 Do you think Austin deserves the #1 spot?

🏡 Sagun Sedai, REALTOR®️ & Insurance Agent | Austin, Texas

Sources: WalletHub, Spectrum News, Opportunity Austin, The University of Texas at Austin

🚧 Downtown Austin Is Undergoing a Multi-Billion-Dollar Transformation

📄 Comment “REPORT” for the full development breakdown

🔥 Austin is experiencing one of the biggest infrastructure booms in its history, with billions of dollars being invested in transportation, public spaces, tourism, and redevelopment projects across downtown

🏗️ Biggest Projects Underway:

🚉 Austin Convention Center Redevelopment
👉 $1.6 billion project
👉 Expanded event space and new public plazas
👉 Expected to reopen in 2029

🚆 Project Connect Light Rail
👉 New light rail system and transit hubs
👉 Designed to improve mobility and reduce traffic congestion

🛣️ I-35 Capital Express Central
👉 Rebuilding sections of I-35 through downtown
👉 New bridges, bike infrastructure, and improved connectivity

🌳 Waterloo Greenway Expansion
👉 35 acres of connected parkland and trails
👉 New green spaces linking downtown to Lady Bird Lake

🌆 South Central Waterfront
👉 Long-term redevelopment near South Congress and Lady Bird Lake
👉 New housing, public spaces, and mixed-use development

🚶 Congress Avenue & Palm District Improvements
👉 Better walkability, public plazas, and pedestrian connections throughout downtown

📈 Why It Matters:
These projects are expected to reshape transportation, tourism, housing, and public spaces while supporting Austin's continued growth for decades to come

🧠 Big Picture:
While new skyscrapers often grab headlines, many experts believe these infrastructure investments will have the biggest long-term impact on Austin's future

🚀 Which project do you think will change Austin the most?

🏡 Sagun Sedai, REALTOR®️ & Insurance Agent | Austin, Texas

Sources: Downtown Austin Alliance, Austin Convention Center, TxDOT, Waterloo Greenway, K*T

🏗️ A Major Redevelopment Could Be Coming to Northcross Mall

📄 Comment “REPORT” for the full development details

🔥 One of Austin’s most recognizable retail properties could be getting a major makeover as developer Riverside explores plans to transform Northcross Mall into a mixed-use district

📍 The Northcross property sits near Burnet Road and West Anderson Lane and has been a North Austin landmark for decades

🏢 Early plans reportedly include:
👉 New housing
👉 Retail and restaurant space
👉 Office space
👉 Walkable streets and public gathering areas

🚶 Why It Matters:
The site is located near major transit routes, established neighborhoods, and Austin's growing Burnet corridor, making it one of the city's most valuable redevelopment opportunities

📈 Part of a Bigger Trend:
Austin continues to see aging shopping centers transformed into mixed-use communities as housing demand and land values increase across the city

⚠️ Still Early in the Process:
No construction timeline, building heights, or final site plans have been released, and the project would still need city review and public input before moving forward

🌆 If approved, the redevelopment could reshape a major section of North Austin for years to come

🚀 Would you rather see more housing, retail, or green space added to Northcross?

🏡 Sagun Sedai, REALTOR®️ & Insurance Agent | Austin, Texas

Sources: Hoodline, Austin Business Journal

🦞 Best Seafood Spots in Austin This Summer (2026)

📄 Comment “REPORT” for the full seafood guide + hidden gems

🔥 Austin may not be on the coast, but its seafood scene is stronger than ever with fresh oysters, seafood towers, ceviche, and Gulf Coast favorites across the city

🦞 Best Overall Seafood:

Perla's Seafood and Oyster Bar
👉 Fresh oysters, lobster rolls, seafood towers, and one of Austin's best patios

🌊 Best Coastal Seafood:

Salt Traders Coastal Cooking
👉 Gulf oysters, fish tacos, chowder, and coastal-inspired dishes

🦪 Best Oyster Bar:

Skipjack Oyster
👉 Oyster flights, seafood cocktails, and downtown vibes

🎣 Austin Seafood Institution:

Quality Seafood Market
👉 Serving Austin since 1938 with fresh seafood, po'boys, and oysters

🔥 Trendiest Seafood Spot:

Este
👉 Mexican coastal seafood, ceviche, aguachile, and fresh fish

🐟 Best New Seafood Spot:

Fish Shop
👉 East Austin favorite for oysters, seafood towers, and fish & chips

🍸 Best Date-Night Seafood:

Bill's Oyster
👉 Upscale oysters, martinis, and seafood-focused dining

🧠 Quick Picks:
Best overall – Perla's
Best oysters – Skipjack Oyster
Best local institution – Quality Seafood
Best Mexican seafood – Este
Best new spot – Fish Shop
Best date night – Bill's Oyster

🚀 Which seafood spot is your favorite in Austin?

🏡 Sagun Sedai, REALTOR®️ & Insurance Agent | Austin, Texas

Sources: Axios Austin, Mashed, Austin American-Statesman

🎸 LEVITATION 2026 Just Dropped Its Full Lineup

📄 Comment “REPORT” for the full lineup + festival details

🔥 LEVITATION returns September 10–13, 2026, bringing four days of alternative, psychedelic, post-punk, shoegaze, and underground music across Austin venues

🌟 Headliners & Major Acts:

🎤 Bikini Kill
🎤 Molchat Doma
🎤 Peter Hook and The Light
🎤 Cabaret Voltaire
🎤 American Football
🎤 The Garden
🎤 Arlo Parks

📍 Festival Venues:
Radio/East will serve as the main hub, with shows also taking place at Stubb’s, Mohawk, Hotel Vegas, Elysium, 13th Floor, and other Red River venues throughout the weekend

🎶 What Makes This Year Different:
LEVITATION is returning to its classic multi-venue format, combining larger festival productions with intimate club performances throughout downtown Austin

🤘 Why Fans Are Excited:
👉 One of the festival’s strongest post-punk and darkwave lineups yet
👉 Major legacy acts alongside rising underground artists
👉 A mystery closing act is still set to be announced

📅 September 10–13, 2026

🚀 Which artist are you most excited to see?

🏡 Sagun Sedai, REALTOR®️ & Insurance Agent | Austin, Texas

Sources: LEVITATION, Pitchfork, Relix Media, Austin Texas Tourism

🚌 CapMetro Is Opening 2 New Park & Ride Hubs in Austin

📄 Comment “REPORT” for the full transit update + route details

🔥 Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority is expanding Austin transit again with two new Park & Ride hubs opening June 7, 2026

📍 New Locations:

🚍 Goodnight Ranch Park & Ride – Southeast Austin
👉 64 parking spaces + electric bus charging
👉 Will serve Rapid 800 Pleasant Valley and additional local routes

🚏 Expo Center Park & Ride – Northeast Austin
👉 159 parking spaces + expanded bus bays
👉 Will connect Rapid 837 Expo Center and multiple bus routes

⚡ Why It Matters:
CapMetro says both hubs are designed to improve commuting access, reduce downtown parking pressure, and support Austin’s growing Rapid bus network

🌱 Both facilities also include electric bus infrastructure as part of Austin’s larger Project Connect transit expansion plans

🚗 Park & Ride systems are becoming more important as Austin continues growing and traffic congestion increases across the metro area

📅 Official Opening Date: June 7, 2026

🚀 Would you use more public transit if Austin expanded options like this?

🏡 Sagun Sedai, REALTOR®️ & Insurance Agent | Austin, Texas

Sources: CapMetro, Project Connect, CultureMap Austin