Congratulations on your decision to move to the Texas capital! It’s time to contact an Austin Moving Service. Before you move, we want to clue you in on a few things about your new home.
What New-Comers Need to Know
Streets & Highways
First of all, we think you should have an overview of the local roads. It may help when talking about directions with your Austin Moving Service. The main highways are US Hwy 183, Mopac, US 290, and I-35. Before committing these names to memory, you should be aware of their aliases. For example, Mopac is also known as Loop 1, and the highway signs even bear the name. The same principle applies to US Hwy 183, also known as Research Boulevard the further north you travel. As for US 290, at the cross-intersection of South Congress Avenue, it turns into Ben White Boulevard. Speaking of South Congress, its nickname is SoCo, and it is spelled as such. As you travel into the heart of downtown, it changes into Congress Avenue when it intersects with Cesar Chavez Street. Speaking of which, don’t be alarmed when you’re driving down Cesar Chavez Street and it transforms into 1st Street. One more thing – Guadalupe Street is also known as The Drag. The name specifically refers to the stretch of the street near the University of Texas.
Barton Springs Pool
When the Texas heat is too much to bear, you’ll see people walking around Barton Springs Road and its shops in swimwear. The reason is that Barton Springs Pool is within walking distance, hence the street’s name. The pool is famous for staying 70 degrees year-round due to the underground springs which serve as its source. The pool occupies 3 acres within Zilker Park and is described by the city’s official website (www.austintexas.gov) as “one of the crown jewels of Austin”.
Eeyore’s Birthday Party (www.eeyores.org)
While the event refers to the Winnie the Pooh character, it is a family-friendly fundraiser at Pease Park which benefits local nonprofits. The first celebration was in 1964 and was started by some UT English majors. The local nonprofit organization which continues the tradition is the Friends of the Forest Foundation. It’s a free event which invites costume wearing, musicians to play their non-amplified instruments, and “the young and young at heart” to dance around the maypoles. This year’s Birthday Party is Saturday, April 26, so bring the family to enjoy a 51-year-old Austin tradition.
We hope you feel a bit more prepared when contacting the Austin Moving Service. Best of luck on your move to Austin!
(Photo Credit: StuSeeger via Compfight cc)