Austin, Texas: a great place to visit
Austin, Texas is the state capitol and has long been a “cool” town and a popular tourist destination. In the 1970s it was one of the most progressive towns in Texas, thanks in part to the local university and a hip and liberal college population. Then during the 80s the town grew into a rather robust little city, and as the population increased, so did the cost of living. But Austin still attracted people from all over the USA who came there to enjoy its great music scene, California-style social life, independent arts theatre, and proximity to natural wonders like the local swimming hole fed by a deep underground spring. As the university invested more and more money to expand its enrollment and popularity, the state government also grew, thanks to strong connections to politicians in Washington DC, including sitting presidents. Then during the 1990s, as a high tech sector moved to town and offered more jobs and an expanded business environment, so did the music industry. The popular television show “Austin City Limits” captured many of the local artists for the whole country to see, and eventually music moguls who found California too expensive relocated their studios to Austin. Now it is regarded as the “other Nashville” and provides the middle part of the USA with the most powerful music industry presence, competing head to head with the music markets of New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville. Because of these developments, the city’s popular nightclubs are packed on weekends and showcase some of the best talent in the nation.