Remote Work & Business Relocation

Why so many are moving here for work

Central Texas has spent two decades becoming one of the country's real hubs for technology, business, and creative work. For remote employees and companies alike, the pull is a mix of no state income tax, a deep talent pool, a lower cost of living than the coasts, and a lifestyle that makes people want to stay. You are not moving to the edge of anything. You are moving to a center of gravity.

The remote worker's home setup

If your job now lives at home, your home has a new job. A few things worth building into the search from day one:

• A real office, not a corner. Prioritize a dedicated room with a door, ideally away from the household's noisiest zones. A true home office changes your quality of life more than an extra bedroom you will rarely use.
• Check the actual internet. Speeds vary sharply by neighborhood and by how new the infrastructure is, especially on the metro's fast-growing edges. Confirm the real available service at the specific address, not the general area.
• Light and video presence: north-facing rooms and good windows make a difference for people on camera all day. It sounds small until you are on your fourth call.
• Power resilience: ask about the home's electrical service and, if it matters to you, whether generator or backup options fit. Plan for the occasional Texas weather event.
• Third places to work: if you need to get out of the house, look for nearby coffee shops, libraries, and coworking. Some areas are rich with them and some are not.

The Texas tax picture, honestly

• No state income tax is the headline, and it is genuinely meaningful for high earners and business owners. But it is not the whole story, so build your budget on the complete picture.
• Property tax runs higher than in many states, and it varies by county, city, school district, and any special districts. On a new build it often steps up as the home and neighborhood finish out. Price the settled number.
• The all-in comparison that matters is your total cost of living here versus where you are now, not one line item. For most relocating professionals the overall math still favors the move, but run it for your situation.
• Homestead exemption lowers the taxable value of your primary residence once you own and occupy it. File it, and verify current rules with the county appraisal district.
• Talk to a professional about your specific tax situation, especially if you own a business or have equity compensation. This guide is orientation, not advice.

General information only, not tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult a qualified tax professional about your specific situation.

Relocating a business or team

Moving a company or a team is a bigger project than moving a household, and the real estate decisions ripple through hiring, culture, and cost. A few things we help founders and relocating executives think through:

• Where your people can live well shapes hiring and retention. Understanding the metro's areas and price points helps you set relocation packages and advise your team realistically.
• Commute geography for a hybrid team: if people come in a few days a week, the location of an office or hub changes which neighborhoods are livable for your staff. We can map that with you.
• Personal and executive moves first: founders and key leaders usually land their own homes before the broader team follows. Getting those right, often from a distance, is where we start.
• Trusted professional network: we can connect you with the lenders, attorneys, and local pros a relocating business needs, so you are not assembling a team from scratch in a new state.
• Discretion when it matters: executive and founder moves often call for privacy. We handle them accordingly, including quiet, off-market searches.

Matching the area to how you work

• Fully remote, city person: the close-in core keeps coffee shops, coworking, and the trail steps away, so working from home never means isolation.
• Fully remote, space person: the Hill Country or the southern corridor buys you a dedicated office and a yard, with the city there when you want it.
• Hybrid, a few days downtown: weigh commute geography carefully. Close-in or a straight-shot corridor location keeps those in-office days sane.
• Frequent flyer: areas with an easy airport run, generally the south and east sides, save you real time over a home on the far opposite edge.
• Building a company here: proximity to talent, an eventual office, and the lifestyle that helps you recruit all belong in the decision, not just the house itself.

Buying from a distance

Most work relocations start before you ever land in Texas. You can do the bulk of it remotely:

• Live video tours of homes and areas, with an honest read on each, so you are not flying in for every listing.
• One focused trip to confirm a shortlist rather than a scattered week of open houses.
• One point of contact coordinating inspections, financing, and the moving parts across the miles.
• A clean, often-remote closing so a cross-country move does not require a second trip to sign.

What matters to you	1	2	3	4	5
Commute to your must-reach places
All-in monthly cost fits comfortably
Home age / condition / warranty
Space & layout for your life
What's within 15 minutes
Taxes & district fees (MUD/PID/HOA)
Resale outlook you're comfortable with
Overall gut feel

Comparing two or three homes? Score each one and the right answer usually gets a lot clearer.

Official links

• Austin Chamber of Commerce regional economy, employers, and relocation information
• Texas Comptroller tax basics for individuals and businesses
• Office of the Governor, Economic Development business relocation and incentives
• Texas Secretary of State registering a business in Texas
• Visit Austin getting to know the city before you land

This guide is educational and general, not tax, legal, or financial advice. Verify specifics for your situation with qualified professionals. Equal Housing Opportunity. TREC Information About Brokerage Services · TREC Consumer Protection Notice.