Moving to Austin

Settle the school district before the house. Eanes ISD, which serves Westlake and Rollingwood, sets the price of everything inside it, and the homes that fit sell before they list.

Establish Texas residency as you arrive, then house-hunt with an agent who has access to off-market stock.

Texas has no state income tax. The real bill is property tax, often near 2% of appraised value, and appraisals rise with the market, so budget for the carrying cost, not the purchase price alone.

Residency follows a Texas driver's licence, voter registration and a homestead exemption filing on your primary home.

US citizens move freely. International movers usually come through employer sponsorship such as H-1B or L-1 at Austin's large technology employers, or through an O-1 or E-2 for founders.

The visa timeline sets the earliest start date, so confirm it before signing a lease.

There are no restrictions on foreign ownership. Inventory in the prime west-side districts is thin, so expect competition and limited room to negotiate.

Many buyers rent for six months in Tarrytown or downtown while they learn the districts, which costs less than buying in the wrong one.

Eanes ISD is the strongest public district and the reason most families choose Westlake. Lake Travis ISD is strong further west, and Austin ISD varies by zone, with Casis Elementary in demand.

St. Stephen's Episcopal, St. Andrew's Episcopal and Regents School of Austin are the main independent options.

Care is private and insurance-led, with Dell Medical School and the major hospital systems in the city.

Arrange coverage through an employer or the marketplace before the move date.

Opening an account is straightforward with a Texas address. Founders often bank with technology-focused banks for business accounts and a national bank for personal ones.