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Axios Austin
Why Austin has more mortgage-free homes
Data: Census Bureau; Note: Data unavailable in 2020; Chart: Axios VisualsNearly one-third of Austin homes were owned outright in 2022, up almost 2% from 2017, according to the latest Census Bureau data.That's compared to nearly 40% nationally, the highest share since 2005.Why it matters: This means some people aren't worrying about high mortgage rates.Driving the news: Many free-and-clear homeowners are baby boomers who refinanced their mortgages when rates were lower, Bloomberg reports.Plus: Cash buying was en vogue during the Austin real estate market feeding frenzy of the pandemic times.Between the lines: There can be a psychological perk to paying off a loan early, but according to some personal finance experts, it could be smarter to invest that money instead."If people derive some intrinsic happiness out of paying off their mortgage because it reduces their stress, then that has value," Michael Roberts, a Wharton School finance professor, tells Bloomberg.What we're watching: Mortgage-rate humble brags. Major forecasts predict rates will dip in 2024, but those with 3% rates likely got the interest rate of a lifetime.Go deeper: Pending home sales neared record low in October as mortgages approached 8%Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
Things to do in Austin this weekend
Here's what we're eyeing for some weekend fun.πΆ Enjoy free live music Friday and Saturday during the Red River Cultural District's Free Week.π Shop from vendors at the Deaf Artisan Market Day from 12-4pm Saturday at Meanwhile Brewing.π©° Watch Austin's only all-Black en pointe dance company, Ballet Afrique, perform "Duke Ellington's: The Nutcracker Suite" at the Paramount Theatre at 7pm Saturday.π€£ Catch comedian, actor and film director Marlon Wayans at the Cap City Comedy Club this weekend. Tickets are still available online for Friday and Sunday showtimes.βοΈ Take the kids in your life to Cherrywood Coffeehouse's family day β always the first Sunday of each month βΒ with a weekend brunch menu from 10am-3pm.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
Things to do in Austin this weekend
Here's what we're eyeing for some weekend fun.πΆ Enjoy free live music Friday and Saturday during the Red River Cultural District's Free Week.π Shop from vendors at the Deaf Artisan Market Day from 12-4pm Saturday at Meanwhile Brewing.π©° Watch Austin's only all-Black en pointe dance company, Ballet Afrique, perform "Duke Ellington's: The Nutcracker Suite" at the Paramount Theatre at 7pm Saturday.π€£ Catch comedian, actor and film director Marlon Wayans at the Cap City Comedy Club this weekend. Tickets are still available online for Friday and Sunday showtimes.βοΈ Take the kids in your life to Cherrywood Coffeehouse's family day β always the first Sunday of each month βΒ with a weekend brunch menu from 10am-3pm.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
Things to do in Austin this weekend
Here's what we're eyeing for some weekend fun.πΆ Enjoy free live music Friday and Saturday during the Red River Cultural District's Free Week.π Shop from vendors at the Deaf Artisan Market Day from 12-4pm Saturday at Meanwhile Brewing.π©° Watch Austin's only all-Black en pointe dance company, Ballet Afrique, perform "Duke Ellington's: The Nutcracker Suite" at the Paramount Theatre at 7pm Saturday.π€£ Catch comedian, actor and film director Marlon Wayans at the Cap City Comedy Club this weekend. Tickets are still available online for Friday and Sunday showtimes.βοΈ Take the kids in your life to Cherrywood Coffeehouse's family day β always the first Sunday of each month βΒ with a weekend brunch menu from 10am-3pm.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
Property taxes dropping for many Texans
Central Texans are likely paying less in property tax than they did last year.Driving the news: Property taxes are due at the end of January.Why it matters: Trying to make good on their campaign promises, state GOP lawmakers have for years struggled to cut property taxes in ways that actually translate into savings β rather than merely slowing the taxes' growth rate.Details: In November, Texas voters approved an $18 billion property tax cut package that was promoted by Republican officials.What happened: We asked the tax assessor-collectors in Central Texas counties how that tax cut has translated into the property tax...
Real estate experts' hot takes for 2024
Real estate experts predict Austin's housing market will continue to stabilize while affordability will remain a concern heading into 2024.Why it matters: Austin buyers slowed their pace in 2023 as they waited for mortgage rates to drop.Between the lines: Major forecasters now expect rates to dip slightly, but they're not likely to decline enough to see a significant uptick in demand for homes, according to Clare Losey, housing economist for the Austin Board of Realtors."While we may see a slight fluctuation in home prices to the tune of 5% year over year, they will essentially remain flat, and we can...
A psychic's predictions for Austin in 2024
A new year comes with a lot of predictions about the future. What's next for housing? Politics? UT sports?What's happening: We reached out to Angeliska of Sister Temperance Tarot for a different kind of insight into Austin's new year.She offers tarot and transit readings and gave us an astrological reading for Austin in 2024.Astrological readings use the position of the sun, moon and planets at the time of a person's birth β or in this case, when Austin was incorporated, on Dec. 27, 1839.What to expect: Get ready for big shifts for Austin in the year ahead, "mostly very positive,...
Where to catch live music during "Free Week" in Austin
Raise your hand if your New Year's resolutions include "catching more live music" and "saving money."What's happening: This Friday and Saturday, music clubs in the Red River Cultural District host Free Week, an event aimed at juicing revenue for local musicians and venue staff during slow seasons.Flashback: Free Week got its start in 2003 at Emo's, back when it was at Sixth and Red River, as a way to keep the club's lights on and staff working during the dead of winter.Now at least 13 clubs participate, from Cheer Up Charlies to Stubb's. Others are:The 13th FloorBarbarellaChess ClubCreek and the CaveElysiumEmpire Control Room & GarageFlamingo CantinaMohawkSwan DiveValhallaVaquero TaqueroWhat we're watching: A low-stakes way to see local talent up close.Friday: Among the dozens of bands on the bill, Billy Glitter plays at Cheer Up Charlies at 10:30pm, and Retro Cowgirl performs at midnight at Swan Dive.Saturday: Large Brush Collection plays at Stubb's at 9:30pm, Luxury Television goes on at 10pm at Mohawk, and The Tiarras perform at Flamingo Cantina at midnight.Sponsors are Airbnb, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Red Bull, KUTX, the Austin Chronicle, the Moody Center and Showlist Austin.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
How to navigate Dry January in Austin
If you're giving Dry January a shot in 2024, a growing number of restaurants and bars are offering high-quality nonalcoholic alternatives to make that New Year's resolution easier to achieve.State of play: Nationally, views on alcohol and drugs are shifting, especially among millennials and Gen Z.More than half of young adults in the U.S. see even moderate drinking β one or two drinks a day β as unhealthy, new Gallup polling found.Four places making "sober-curious" easier in 2023:Bottle shop: Dear Dry Drinkery is a mobile nonalcoholic bottle shop across from Bufalina on East Cesar Chavez Street. The business, which opened...
How to navigate Dry January in Austin
If you're giving Dry January a shot in 2024, a growing number of restaurants and bars are offering high-quality nonalcoholic alternatives to make that New Year's resolution easier to achieve.State of play: Nationally, views on alcohol and drugs are shifting, especially among millennials and Gen Z.More than half of young adults in the U.S. see even moderate drinking β one or two drinks a day β as unhealthy, new Gallup polling found.Four places making "sober-curious" easier in 2023:Bottle shop: Dear Dry Drinkery is a mobile nonalcoholic bottle shop across from Bufalina on East Cesar Chavez Street. The business, which opened...
Brace for busy holiday travel period
A year after bad weather and Southwest's winter meltdown caused nearly two hundred flight cancellations here alone, Austin airport officials are expecting a smoother holiday travel season.What's happening: Even so, brace yourself for busy airports and highways across the country during the Christmas and New Year's holiday travel period, according to new AAA projections.Zoom in: Austin airport officials are encouraging travelers to arrive early.TSA predicts a 1% growth in holiday travel in Austin this year compared to 2022, according to airport spokesperson Sam Haynes.Roughly 33,000 passengers are expected Wednesday, Haynes added, and the busiest travel days are typically the Thursday...
10 spots to spend your New Year's Eve in Austin
It's time to make your New Year's Eve reservations if you're planning to hit the town.What's happening: Gear up for parties, food specials and more across the city.Enjoy fireworks at the city's annual free New Year celebration, featuring live music, food and a midnight fireworks show at Auditorium Shores.Celebrate early at Camp Out and Yard Bar with a noon New Year's Eve tennis ball drop. Food and drink specials available from 11am-6pm.Head to a free NYE disco party at Hotel San JosΓ©, with tunes from Mike Garrido, a Champagne tower, festive drink specials and more. Open from 8pm-1am.Bid farewell to...
Wastewater shows spike in Texas COVID cases
Texas is seeing high levels of COVID-19 as we head into the holiday travel season.Why it matters: While many Americans by this point have some combination of natural and vaccine-induced immunity, COVID can still make people plenty sick and force them to miss school, work (if they can) and holiday activities.It also remains a potentially fatal threat for vulnerable groups, like the elderly and immunocompromised.Plus, some evidence suggests that multiple exposures can have a kind of cumulative negative effect, though research is ongoing.By the numbers: This year, there have been more than 2,900 deaths related to COVID-19 in Texas, per...
Soupleaf Hot Pot serves up warm meals for chilly weather
On a recent chilly night, a craving for a dinner that would warm us up took us to Soupleaf Hot Pot.What's happening: At Soupleaf, each person gets their own bowl of broth to dip their ingredients into.Rather than ordering a specific set of ingredients, they're laid out buffet-style, and you can go up and pick as many as you want.Then it's up to you to dip your items in your bubbling pot of broth and cook them to your liking.What we got: Pretty much every vegetarian item available.The options felt endless. We got tofu, tofu skins, several varieties of mushrooms,...
Austin restaurants' wage growth rate slows
Austin-area restaurant workers' wage growth has slipped considerably since last year, falling below even pre-pandemic rates.Why it matters: It's a sign that restaurants are no longer as desperate for workers as they were during the late pandemic era, when many struggled to replace employees who left for other fields during the pandemic slowdown.It's also a reflection of inflation's impact on restaurants and consumers.What's happening: Year-over-year wage growth for Austin restaurant workers fell to 2.8% in October, from 3.6% in September, per Square's third-quarter industry report.Wages saw the most growth in April 2021, increasing 17.4% β about the time many of...
Austin restaurants' wage growth rate slows
Austin-area restaurant workers' wage growth has slipped considerably since last year, falling below even pre-pandemic rates.Why it matters: It's a sign that restaurants are no longer as desperate for workers as they were during the late pandemic era, when many struggled to replace employees who left for other fields during the pandemic slowdown.It's also a reflection of inflation's impact on restaurants and consumers.What's happening: Year-over-year wage growth for Austin restaurant workers fell to 2.8% in October, from 3.6% in September, per Square's third-quarter industry report.Wages saw the most growth in April 2021, increasing 17.4% β about the time many of...
Fab food trailer sushi in the heart of Austin
The terms "food trailer" and "sushi" don't obviously belong together, but the marriage is very much a happy one at newcomer Little Nishi.What's happening: I stopped by the spot, in the little food trailer park on South First, across the street from El Mercado, to grab their bites.Among the highlights: A beautiful hama toro roll ($9), presented like the sushi equivalent of a flower bouquet β filled with yellowtail belly, avocado, cilantro, crispy shallots and rice β and a chicken kara-age ($7) with an oh-my-god-that's-good wasabi-honey dipping sauce.Six-word review: Loveliness can emerge from food trucks. Pro tip: If you're feeling...
Things to do in Austin this week: Mariah Careyoke, pinball meetup
It's a busy pre-holiday week in Austin, and we've got you covered with plans.π« Watch "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," the trippy Gene Wilder vehicle, at We Luv Video. Monday at 7pm, $10, with homemade desserts from Ari Bakery.βοΈ Try your hand at the Write Club, doing creative writing exercises with other writers. Tuesday at 6:30pm at the Austin Central Library. Free.πΉοΈ Head to the Cidercade on East Riverside for the Belles and Chimes Pinball Meetup, aimed at pinball for women and nonbinary players. Wednesday at 8pm, with entry starting at $10.π± Buckle up for "Turbulence," a 1997 Ray Liotta Christmas Eve action-thriller set aboard a 747 bound from NYC to L.A. Alamo South Lamar, Wednesday, 9:30pm. $8.Of note: "Turbulence" was nominated for a Razzie that year for "Worst Reckless Disregard for Human Life and Public Property" but lost to "Con Air."π€ Sing your heart out at Mariah Careyoke, a Mariah Carey-themed karaoke party. Thursday, 7pm at Captain Quackenbush's on Menchaca Road. $5.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
Things to do in Austin this week: Mariah Careyoke, pinball meetup
It's a busy pre-holiday week in Austin, and we've got you covered with plans.π« Watch "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," the trippy Gene Wilder vehicle, at We Luv Video. Monday at 7pm, $10, with homemade desserts from Ari Bakery.βοΈ Try your hand at the Write Club, doing creative writing exercises with other writers. Tuesday at 6:30pm at the Austin Central Library. Free.πΉοΈ Head to the Cidercade on East Riverside for the Belles and Chimes Pinball Meetup, aimed at pinball for women and nonbinary players. Wednesday at 8pm, with entry starting at $10.π± Buckle up for "Turbulence," a 1997 Ray Liotta Christmas Eve action-thriller set aboard a 747 bound from NYC to L.A. Alamo South Lamar, Wednesday, 9:30pm. $8.Of note: "Turbulence" was nominated for a Razzie that year for "Worst Reckless Disregard for Human Life and Public Property" but lost to "Con Air."π€ Sing your heart out at Mariah Careyoke, a Mariah Carey-themed karaoke party. Thursday, 7pm at Captain Quackenbush's on Menchaca Road. $5.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
Things to do in Austin this weekend
Here's what's in store this weekend:π Find gifts from local vendors during the second weekend of Ani's Day and Night holiday market from 12-5pm Saturday.π Catch ZACH Theatre's final performance of "Una Noche Buena," the story of a 10-year-old boy who finds his true home on the last night of Las Posadas. Show starts at 11am Saturday.π€ Celebrate the queen of country at Sky Candy's "A Very Dolly Holiday" show, with aerial, burlesque and drag performances from staff and local guest performances. Doors open at 7:30pm Saturday, and tickets are available online.πΈ Listen to singer-songwriter Hayes Carll and a curated cast of his favorite musicians and singers at a holiday-themed evening at the Paramount on Saturday. Doors open at 7pm and tickets are available online.ποΈ Enjoy local live performances while you shop at Nature's Treasures Texas' annual Yule Bazaar from 12-5pm Sunday.π Treat your tastebuds to a Cuantos Tacos and Ramen del Barrio collaboration at Hana World Market beginning 11am Sunday until they sell out.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
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Axios Austin, anchored by Nicole Cobler and Asher Price, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.
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