I was born in El Paso, Texas. Now I live in the heart of Austin in the Zilker neighborhood. In between, I’ve lived in DC and Denver. 

As an Austinite, I can’t live without bluebonnets, the Texas state flower; Lady Bird Lake, which includes a 10-mile trail for hiking and biking; and the city’s awesome food—from vegan cuisine to barbecue to the best Tex-Mex in the country. Our Tex-Mex was influenced by German immigrants, so you’ll see lots of sausage wraps on the menu. 

Movies that get Austin (mostly) right are Dazed and Confused and Slackers. Both were filmed in the city and capture its laid-back vibe. The most famous face I’ve seen in Austin is Matthew McConaughey. Our motto is “Keep Austin Weird,” which speaks to how we celebrate and welcome diversity. My favorite Austin traditions are festivals like Austin City Limits and South by Southwest. 

You know you’re from Austin if you say, “All right, all right, all right.” You know you’re from Austin if you wear flip-flops—year-round and with any outfit. You know you’re from Austin if you eat breakfast tacos. 

A perfect visit to Austin includes enjoying live music at one of our 250 venues; swimming at Barton Springs Pool, which is fed from underground springs with an average temperature of 68 to 70 degrees; checking out the 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats that live under the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge; throwing a Frisbee in Zilker Park; and touring the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum. 

One thing about Austin that reminds me of DC is politics. Austin is the state capital, and we’re known for being extremely progressive, which can sometimes lead to tension when the legislature is in session. If I could transport one thing from DC, it would be the Metro. We passed bonds to build out a rail system in Austin, but we’re getting pushback because Texans love their vehicles. But DC can keep its humidity. 

When I need to get away, I go to Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, which is just 45 minutes outside the city in the hill country. But my nest is best because we have a vibrant economy, diverse industries, and great jobs. We enjoy the outdoors, music, food, culture, and a healthy work-life balance. How could anyone not want to live here?