Your First 30 Days in Austin
A comprehensive checklist for your first month in Austin. From filing your homestead exemption to finding a doctor and exploring the city's incredible outdoor spaces, this guide ensures you do not miss any critical deadlines or opportunities as you settle into the ATX lifestyle.
File your homestead exemption with Travis County Appraisal District
If you purchased a home, file a homestead exemption with the Travis County Appraisal District (TCAD) as soon as possible. The deadline is April 30 of the tax year, and the exemption can save you $1,200 or more per year on property taxes. Austin and Travis County have some of the highest property tax rates in Texas, so this exemption is critical.
- 💡 File as soon as you close on your home — do not wait until the April 30 deadline.
- 💡 The homestead exemption removes $140,000 of your home's value from school district taxes (increased from $100K in 2025 via Proposition 13).
- 💡 Travis County, City of Austin, and Austin ISD each offer additional exemptions on top of the state exemption.
- 💡 You can file online through the TCAD website — no need to visit in person.
- 💡 If you are 65 or older or disabled, you qualify for additional exemptions and a tax ceiling — file both applications.
Register children for school (determine your ISD)
Austin is served by multiple independent school districts depending on your exact address. Austin ISD covers most of central Austin, but many families live in Eanes ISD (Westlake area), Round Rock ISD, Leander ISD, Pflugerville ISD, or Lake Travis ISD. Check your address against district boundaries to determine which ISD you are in before registering.
- 💡 Use the Texas Education Agency school finder tool or your ISD's website to confirm which district and campus your address is zoned to.
- 💡 Eanes ISD (Westlake) and Round Rock ISD consistently rank among the top school districts in Texas.
- 💡 Leander ISD has grown rapidly and has several highly rated newer campuses.
- 💡 Austin ISD has some excellent individual campuses but varies significantly by neighborhood.
- 💡 Registration typically requires proof of residency, immunization records, previous school records, and birth certificate.
Get established with a primary care doctor
Find and schedule an initial appointment with a primary care physician. Austin has excellent healthcare options including Baylor Scott & White, Ascension Seton, St. David's Healthcare, and Austin Regional Clinic (ARC). Check your insurance network before selecting a provider.
- 💡 Austin Regional Clinic (ARC) is a large multi-specialty practice with locations throughout the metro area — a popular choice for newcomers.
- 💡 Baylor Scott & White and Ascension Seton both have extensive primary care networks across Austin.
- 💡 St. David's Healthcare operates several hospitals and affiliated physician practices.
- 💡 New patient appointments can take 2-4 weeks to schedule, so call early in your first month.
- 💡 If you need immediate care before establishing with a doctor, MinuteClinic, CareNow, and NextLevel Urgent Care are widely available.
See an allergist if Cedar Fever hits you
If you move to Austin during cedar season (December through February) or experience allergy symptoms at any time, consider seeing an allergist. Austin's combination of cedar, oak, ragweed, and mold makes it one of the worst cities in the country for allergies. Many newcomers develop new allergies within their first year.
- 💡 Austin Allergy and Allergy & Asthma Center of Austin are well-known local practices specializing in Austin-specific allergens.
- 💡 Allergy testing can identify your specific triggers — cedar, oak, elm, ragweed, and mold are the most common.
- 💡 Immunotherapy (allergy shots or drops) can provide long-term relief for severe cases.
- 💡 Over-the-counter nasal steroids (Flonase, Nasacort) combined with antihistamines work for most mild to moderate sufferers.
- 💡 Keep windows closed and change your HVAC filters monthly during high pollen seasons.
Update your voter registration (Travis County)
Update your voter registration to your new Texas address within 30 days of moving. You can register online through the Travis County Tax Office or the Texas Secretary of State's website. Texas requires you to be registered at least 30 days before an election to vote.
- 💡 You can register to vote online at voterregistration.tax.texas.gov or pick up a form at any Travis County library.
- 💡 If you live in Williamson County (Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown), register with Williamson County Elections instead.
- 💡 Texas does not have same-day voter registration — you must register at least 30 days before any election.
- 💡 Bring your updated Texas driver's license when you go to vote — Texas has a voter ID requirement.
Get an Austin Public Library card
The Austin Public Library system has over 20 branches across the city, including the stunning Central Library downtown. A library card gives you access to books, e-books, audiobooks, streaming services, meeting rooms, and free programs for adults and children.
- 💡 The Austin Central Library downtown is an architectural landmark and worth visiting even if you rarely use libraries.
- 💡 Library cards are free for all Austin and Travis County residents.
- 💡 The library provides free access to Libby (e-books), Kanopy (streaming), LinkedIn Learning, and many other digital resources.
- 💡 Children's programming includes story times, STEM activities, and summer reading programs at all branches.
Set up recycling and composting with Austin Resource Recovery
Austin has a robust recycling and composting program operated by Austin Resource Recovery. Residents receive separate bins for recycling, composting, and trash. Austin aims to be a zero-waste city, and composting is included in your utility bill at no additional cost.
- 💡 Austin provides three bins: blue (recycling), green (composting), and grey (trash).
- 💡 Composting in Austin includes food scraps, yard waste, pizza boxes, and food-soiled paper — much more than most cities.
- 💡 Check your pickup schedule at austintexas.gov/page/collection-schedule-702.
- 💡 Bulky item pickup and large brush collection can be scheduled for free through Austin Resource Recovery.
- 💡 Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals, electronics) can be dropped off at the Household Hazardous Waste facility.
Explore Lady Bird Lake, Barton Springs, and Zilker Park
Austin's crown jewels of outdoor recreation are Lady Bird Lake (10-mile hike and bike trail through downtown), Barton Springs Pool (a 68-degree natural spring-fed swimming pool), and Zilker Park (the city's 351-acre central park). These are essential Austin experiences and should be explored early in your time here.
- 💡 The Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail loops around Lady Bird Lake — it is the most popular running and cycling trail in Austin.
- 💡 Barton Springs Pool is open year-round and maintains a constant 68-degree temperature — it is cold but incredibly refreshing in summer.
- 💡 Zilker Park hosts the Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL) in October and is a popular spot for picnics, disc golf, and the Zilker Botanical Garden.
- 💡 Paddleboarding and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake are quintessential Austin activities — rentals are available at multiple docks.
- 💡 Visit on weekday mornings to avoid weekend crowds, especially at Barton Springs.
Find your gym or fitness routine
Austin is one of the most fitness-oriented cities in the country, with countless options for staying active. From traditional gyms to outdoor boot camps, rock climbing, and yoga studios, you will have no shortage of choices for your fitness routine.
- 💡 Castle Hill Fitness and Big Tex Gym are popular local gyms with strong Austin followings.
- 💡 November Project Austin is a free outdoor fitness group that meets weekly — a great way to meet people.
- 💡 Austin Bouldering Project is one of the best climbing gyms in the country with multiple locations.
- 💡 Black Swan Yoga offers affordable, donation-based yoga classes at several Austin locations.
- 💡 The Barton Creek Greenbelt and Walnut Creek Trail are excellent for trail running and mountain biking.
Join neighborhood Nextdoor or Facebook groups
Connect with your new neighbors and community by joining local Nextdoor groups and neighborhood-specific Facebook groups. These are invaluable resources for local recommendations, lost pet alerts, community events, and staying informed about what is happening in your area.
- 💡 Nextdoor automatically connects you to your verified neighborhood — download the app and enter your new address.
- 💡 Search Facebook for your specific neighborhood name (e.g., 'Mueller Neighborhood Group,' 'East Austin Community').
- 💡 The subreddit r/Austin is very active and useful for broader Austin questions and recommendations.
- 💡 Many neighborhoods have their own neighborhood associations with regular meetings and events — ask on Nextdoor to find yours.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which Austin school district is best?
Eanes ISD (serving the Westlake Hills and Bee Cave area) is consistently rated as one of the top school districts in the entire state of Texas. Round Rock ISD and Leander ISD are also highly rated and serve the fast-growing northern suburbs. Lake Travis ISD (western Travis County) is another strong option. Austin ISD, the largest district in the area, varies significantly by campus — some Austin ISD schools are among the best in the state, while others face challenges common to large urban districts.
How much will I save with a homestead exemption in Austin?
The homestead exemption provides significant savings in the Austin area due to high property tax rates (typically 1.8% to 2.2% of appraised value depending on your taxing jurisdictions). The state-mandated $140,000 exemption on school district taxes alone saves most homeowners roughly $1,200 to $1,500 per year. Additional exemptions from Travis County, City of Austin, and your specific ISD can add several hundred more in savings. For homeowners 65 and older, additional exemptions and a tax ceiling provide even greater relief.
What ISDs serve the Austin metro area?
The Austin metro is served by many independent school districts. Austin ISD covers most of central Austin. Eanes ISD serves Westlake Hills and parts of Bee Cave. Round Rock ISD covers Round Rock, parts of Cedar Park, and northern Austin. Leander ISD serves Leander, most of Cedar Park, and parts of northwest Austin. Pflugerville ISD covers Pflugerville and parts of northeast Austin. Lake Travis ISD serves the Lakeway and Lake Travis area. Hays CISD covers Kyle, Buda, and parts of south Austin. Georgetown ISD serves the city of Georgetown in Williamson County.