The biggest change families notice
When parents move from LA to Austin, they expect different weather, housing, and pace. What surprises them most is how daily life feels different—especially for families raising young kids. Everything slows down just enough to notice it.
School mornings are calmer
Instead of fighting through 45 minutes of freeway traffic, many West Austin families are 5–10 minutes from their schools—sometimes by golf cart or on foot. Both Eanes ISD and Lake Travis ISD have campuses tucked into neighborhoods, so the morning rush is more “neighbors waving” than “stop-and-go chaos.” Parents say that single change shifts the whole tone of their day.
Weekends are outdoors again
In LA, family weekends often mean planning around parking, traffic, or reservations. In Austin, they start with the question “What trail, pool, or patio do we want today?” Barton Springs, Lake Austin, and the Hill Country are all within 20 minutes of most West Austin neighborhoods. Kids grow up fishing, biking, and exploring—not waiting in lines.
The community is personal
Austin still feels small enough that you see the same faces at school events, youth sports, and the local coffee shop. People know each other’s kids and dogs by name. Neighbors stop to talk. There’s a level of warmth that reminds many Californians of how communities used to feel before big-city busyness took over.
Safety and independence
West Austin neighborhoods are safe enough that kids ride bikes to friends’ houses or the neighborhood park. Parents can exhale. That sense of safety—real, not imagined—gives kids more independence and parents more peace of mind.
Lifestyle differences parents talk about most
Less traffic. More green space. Teachers who live nearby. Local restaurants with kids’ menus and dog bowls. Evenings spent in backyards instead of screens. It’s not perfect—summer heat and allergies are real—but the tradeoff is time back with family, every single day.
My take
If LA feels like it takes energy from you, Austin gives some back. Raising kids here feels grounded and present. The balance between ambition, family, and fun actually works. It’s why so many families visit once, then never leave.
Brandon Galia | West Austin Realtor
brandongalia.com
