#WorkFromAnywhere: A Digital Nomad’s guide to remote work in Austin

Planning to make Austin your new headquarters for your digital nomad lifestyle? Here’s all you need to know about working in Austin.

Austin’s welcoming and laid-back vibe makes it pretty easy for digital nomads to ease right in. Remote workers in general will find that connecting with like-minded individuals is easy with the amount of events being held in the city.

Remote work culture in Austin

Austin’s welcoming and laid-back vibe makes it pretty easy for digital nomads to ease right in. Remote workers in general will find that connecting with like-minded individuals is easy with the amount of events being held in the city.

What’s really cool about Austin is how the city’s tech scene paved the way for a culture that encourages remote work. Because of technological innovations, the freelance and gig economy in the city has continuously thrived over the years.

That said, enjoying the work-life balance in Austin is definitely in the books because there are plenty of work and networking opportunities. Best of all, there is a supportive community.

Office hours

Austin generally follows the standard business hours in the US, that is, Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM. Of course, this depends on the nature of the work and the policies enforced by the company. Some even employ a flexible working schedule. While digital nomads and remote workers don’t necessarily adhere to these office hours, it’s still good to know as the schedules might affect any transactions or meetings you may have.

Holidays

Austin celebrates both national holidays and state-specific holidays. Shops, government offices, and businesses are usually closed during holidays, but it still depends on the discretion of business owners if they are to close shop. Establishments that remain open during holidays include restaurants, theaters, and convenience stores. Some of the major holidays in Austin are listed below:

• New Year's Day - January 2
• Martin Luther King Day - January 16
• Presidents' Day - February 20
• Texas Independence Day - March 2
• San Jacinto Day - April 21
• Memorial Day - May 29
• Juneteenth - June 19
• Independence Day - July 4
• Labor Day - September 4
• Veterans Day - November 10
• Thanksgiving Day - November 23
• Thanksgiving Friday - November 24
• Christmas Day - December 25
• Texas Statehood Day - December 29 (Anniversary of Texas becoming a state in 1845)

Local labour regulations

When it comes to local labor regulations, Austin follows state and federal laws. It would be wise to familiarize yourself with such regulations before moving to Austin to avoid unnecessary surprises.

Businesses in Austin

Austin boasts top businesses not just in the tech industry, as it is well known, but also in the startup economy. Dell Technologies, Oracle, Amazon, Apple, and IBM are just a few of the tech businesses that settled in Austin.

It was reported in 2022 that startups based in Austin were valued at a total of $128 billion, with transportation and real estate startups as the leading industries. That being said, there definitely are a lot of opportunities in Austin for talented individuals in the IT sector.

Cafes and coworking offices

True to its reputation of being a digital nomad’s paradise, Austin has plenty of co-working spaces or cafes that act as enabling environments for creativity and networking. Here are a few places to keep in mind:

• WeWork - Global travelers will be pleased to know that there is a WeWork in Austin where they will feel right at home. The Austin spaces also have the signature bright and airy layout.
• Capital Factory - This vibrant co-working space and startup accelerator really fosters a strong and collaborative environment among digital nomad
• Vuka - Vuka Bouldin Creek has a whimsical vibe, with a working area under a huge oak tree, a loft area that has a treehouse vibe, and handmade furniture. Meanwhile, Vuka North Loop has that modern and eclectic vibe.
• Bennu Coffee - This 24/7 coffee shop is family-owned and seems to have been made to fuel productivity. With lots of comfortable seating, remote workers get to have their pick from wooden chairs or soft couches.
• Craft - One of Austin’s best gems. Craft offers a creative hub where magic happens. It has free wifi, vegan snack breaks, and plenty of workshops to join.

To sum it up…

Austin’s slogan “Keep Austin Weird” basically cements the point—Austin is a city that loves uniqueness and individuality. Aside from being a tech hub, Austin is a city that brings out both a sense of individuality and community for each digital nomad.