Living in the Austin Area

Consistently ranked one of the best cities and places to live in America, the Austin area has it all. Whether you are looking to live a relaxing life in the country or to take in great music and food in city, there is something for everyone here. The climate is mild, the people are friendly and there is always something to do. While Science Park is located in the town of Smithville, Austin is only minutes away making the best of country and city life available.

Smithville Area

No one can deny that Smithville has charm, located in the Lost Pines region, where 100-foot loblolly pines provide a gorgeous backdrop. Smithville was designated the first “Film Friendly” town in Texas, where Hope Floats, Tree of Life and many other movies have been filmed due to the idyllic scenery. Just down the road is Bastrop, with apartments, shopping and additional dining options. Don't like driving? Commuting from Smithville or Bastrop to Science Park will take you less than 15 minutes door-to-door! These Texas towns also provide you quick access to an abundance of outdoor activities such as: camping, biking, hiking and kayaking.; they hosts a variety of events that include: Festival of Lights, Bastrop Pedal Through the Pines, Rebel Race 5k & 15k mud run, Smithville Music Festival, Thunder on the Colorado Motorcycle Rally, Bastrop Yesterfest, Smithville Jamboree, Casino Night, and the Bastrop Pet and Pal Parade.

Buescher State Park
Bastrop County Calendar of Events
City of Smithville
City of Bastrop

Austin, Texas

Austin consistently sits atop numerous lists of the best cities in America for jobs, living, families, technology, activities and quality of life. It has received top ranking in numerous categories including:

#1 City for the next decade - Kiplinger Finance Magazine - July, 2010
Greenest city in America- MSN.COM
Job growth - Forbes Magazine
Overall economic vitality - Moody's Economy.com, "Business Vitality Index"
One of top four cities to watch - AARP's The Magazine's "Great Places to Live"
Overall characteristics - Travel + Leisure's " America's Favorite Cities"
Best eco-neighborhood - Natural Home magazine

Best walking city - Prevention Magazine
Cities to live and raise a family - Parenting.com
Best adventure cities - National Geographic
Best cities for young singles - Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Among safest Cities in America, according to Travel and Leisure
One of the top 25 places in the US to raise a family. (Mothering Magazine)
Best City for the Outdoors (Forbes)
Most educated cities -U.S. Census Bureau

Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World with over 200 live music venues and world class music festivals you will always find something playing. While there is fantastic live music year-round the various music festivals certainly attract some of the acts of the year. South by Southwest (SXSW) is the premier event for original music, independent films, and emerging technologies. At SXSW 2011, approximately 50,000 people descended on Austin to take in the 2,098 music acts, 140 feature films, and 935 interactive sessions - all of this in just 10 days. Austin City Limits is a three day festival which takes place on 46-acres in Zilker Park, a green space located in downtown Austin. Each year over 130 artists from across the globe and more than 70,000 fans per day attend the festival. Other musical festival of interest include: Blues on the Green, Pachanga Festival and the Urban Music Fest.

Food

With a vibrant foodie culture and the Whole Foods Headquarters you will find an endless variety of dinning options. Barbeque does abound - for those of you from the coasts this means meats are cooked for many hours over low heat and will be finished with a Texas style sauce that is less sweet than Memphis style and less tangy than that from the Carolinas. We are in Texas and Mexico is our neighbor, so get ready for the Tex-Mex favorites of queso, migas, breakfast tacos and Mexican Martinis. If these options do not talk to your taste buds, do not despair over various countries are represented by the restaurants in Austin. You will find plenty of super unique and tasty cheap eats at the burgeoning food trailer culture. For more information of dinning options visit: