Moving from San Diego, CA to Austin, TX

What to know when trading waves for weirdness 

There’s something unique about Austin, TX. In fact, the locals embrace that spirit through the city’s unofficial slogan, “Keep Austin Weird.” It’s a rallying call that allows Austin’s many transplants to seamlessly blend in and live their best lives. 

If you’re moving to this hotspot from San Diego, CA — another sunny and laid-back locale — prepare for an unforgettable adventure! Read on to learn more about living in the Texas state capital and discover an easy, affordable long-distance relocation option. 

Heading to the hills? You aren’t alone 

San Diego has a larger population base, but Austin is catching up quickly. Famous for its music scene and picturesque hills, Austin is the country’s fastest-growing metropolitan area with at least 1 million residents (2.1 million as of early 2021). Since 2010, the Austin area has grown by almost 600,000 — a 34-percent increase. Here are a few reasons why Austin is rated by U.S. News & World Report as the nation’s No. 5 Best Place to Live and No. 1 Best Place to Live in Texas. 

There’s plenty of nature to explore 

Like San Diegans, Austinites typically love being outside. But while San Diego is known for its ideal year-round climate, Austin can be brutally hot and humid from late spring through early fall. Surprising fact: Austin gets more than 300 sunny days per year on average compared to 146 in San Diego! 

Leaving San Diego, you’ll no longer have quick and easy access to the Pacific Ocean, but the Highland Lakes Chain is a great option for water-related fun in Central Texas. Lady Bird Lake, Lake Travis and Lake Austin all run along the Colorado River and are popular spots for canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding. Next to Lady Bird Lake is the 10-mile Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, and just south of Austin are the massive Zilker Metropolitan Park and McKinney Falls State Park. 

Want some awesome sunset views? Head to Lake Austin and Mount Bonnell, which you can reach by climbing a 102-step staircase. 

Career and educational opportunities 

San Diego has long been known as a military town with defense contractors like Northrup Grumman, but the city is evolving into a technology hub with companies like Qualcomm headquartered there. Austin offers a diverse job market with opportunities in tech, education, health care and government. The top employers in the Austin area (each with more than 6,000 people) include the State of Texas, the City of Austin, IBM, Apple, the University of Texas at Austin, the Austin Independent School District and the U.S. Federal Government. 

Weighing higher education options? Nearly 200,000 college students live in and around Austin, including 52,000 at the state’s flagship institution, the University of Texas at Austin. 

Go U-Pack and get a head start on your new life 

With service centers nationwide, U-Pack® can easily help you cover the 1,300 miles from San Diego to Austin. We drop off the equipment, you load it and we haul it to your new home in less than a week — all at a cost you can manage.  

Need help planning a college move? We can arrange that, too! Get a free quote today.