Austin, Texas: The Accolades Come For Good Reason

Those who live in the city of Austin are well-aware that the city has much to offer to its residents as well as to its visitors. For many, this dedication to Austin is based simply on the way they "feel" about the city, but the reality is that there are numerous concrete reasons to enjoy living and visiting Austin. In fact, many organizations around the country have recognized Austin for a multitude of reasons. Here is a look at just a few of the national accolades Austin has earned.

*Voted "Greenest City in America" by MSN

*Voted "Least Stressful Large Metro" in the country by Forbes

*Voted into the top two "Best Cities" in the country by Money Magazine

*Voted into the top three "Hippest Cities" in the country by Forbes

*Voted into the top five "Safest Cities" in the country by Forbes

*Voted into the top ten "Sports & Fitness Cities" in the country by Sports Business Journal

So, why has Austin been showered with so many accolades? The simple truth is that the city has many things to offer to its residents as well as its visitors. Some of the key features the city has to offer include:

*The State of Texas has the 11th strongest economy in the world

*The State of Texas has more Fortune 500 company headquarters than any other state in the country

*The city has been nicknamed 'Silicon Hills' because it is considered to be one of the country's most important regions within the Technology Industry

*The city is the 15th largest city in the United States and is located near to several other large cities (only 145 miles from Houston, which is the fourth largest city, 70 miles from San Antonio, which is the seventh largest city, and 180 miles from Dallas, which is the eight largest city) - as such, the population triangle in the region is an impressive 22 million people

*Over 130 international flights depart on a daily basis within a 180 miles from the city

*More than 250,000 hotel rooms are available within 180 miles of the city

*The average annual temperature is a comfortable 68 degrees Fahrenheit

*The city is located within Texas Hill Country, which is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful areas in the country

*The city offers world class night life entertainment along "Sixth Street"

*The city has a large film industry presence, with many movies having been filmed in the area

This is only a sampling of what Austin has to offer. No wonder the city's economy has fared better than most during the recent recession and is expected to be among the first cities to recover.