on the move

Austin was a top-3 destination for movers in 2025, U-Haul says

Austin attracted more newcomers than almost any other U.S. metro in 2025.

Austin attracted more newcomers than almost all other U.S. metros in 2025, according to a new migration report from U-Haul.

The Austin metro ranked No. 3 nationally in U-Haul's annual list of the top destinations for people on the move in 2025.

U-Haul's annual Top U.S. Growth Metros and Cities report is based on how many one-way transactions were made by do-it-yourself movers using a U-Haul truck, trailer, or U-Box moving container across the U.S. and Canada. According to the study's methodology, more than 2.5 million one-way moves took place in North America in 2025.

Austin last ranked as the 5th most-moved-to destination, a position it held for two consecutive years starting in 2023.

Additionally, Texas reclaimed the No. 1 spot as U-Haul's Top Growth State in 2025, which was held by South Carolina in 2024.

"U-Haul customers arriving in Texas accounted for 50.7 percent of all one-way traffic in and out of the state last year (49.3 percent leaving)," the report said. "Compared to 2024, customers coming to Texas rose 3 percent [year-over-year] while departures rose just 1 percent [year-over-year]."

Dallas and Houston, respectively, claimed No. 1 and No. 2 in U-Haul's top growth metros for 2025. This is the second year in a row Dallas has remained at the top of the list, while Houston previously ranked No. 9 in 2024.

Two booming Central Texas cities also appeared in U-Haul's separate list of the top growth cities: Seguin (No. 14) and New Braunfels (No. 15).

"We continue to find that life circumstances — marriage, children, a death in the family, college, jobs and other events — dictate the need for most moves," said U-Haul International president John "J.T." Taylor. "But other factors can be important to people who are looking to change their surroundings. In-migration states are often appealing to those customers."

The top 10 growth metros in 2025 are:

No. 1 – Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
No. 2 – Houston, Texas
No. 3 – Austin, Texas
No. 4 – Charlotte, North Carolina
No. 5 – Phoenix, Arizona
No. 6 – Nashville, Tennessee
No. 7 – Charleston, South Carolina
No. 8 – Raleigh, North Carolina
No. 9 – Atlanta, Georgia
No. 10 – Brownsville & McAllen, Texas

moving population growth population reports

Oxbow Overlook

13-acre estate north of Austin listed at $5.95M hits the auction block

Photo courtesy of JPM Real Estate Photography

Someone could buy this house for well under its listed value...or it may go well above.

A 13-acre waterfront estate about 60 miles northeast of Austin is being marketed in a very public way. Bidding on the Oxbow Overlook estate, about seven miles southeast of Belton, is scheduled to start February 13 on the Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions website.

Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions is an auction house for luxury real estate. The sale process will conclude February 28 when the estate is featured at ModaMiami, a luxury event hosted by South Florida’s Biltmore Miami-Coral Gables.

The property, at 8536 Armstrong Rd., is co-listed at $5.95 million by Debbie Stevenson of Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty. Bidding will start at $2 million to $2.5 million.

Oxbow Overlook estate The house sits on top of a drop-off.Photo courtesy of JPM Real Estate Photography

“This incomparable offering perfectly captures the essence of refined Hill Country living,” Stevenson says. “From its serene creekside setting and acres of privacy to its remarkable architectural details, Oxbow Overlook delivers a level of craftsmanship and lifestyle that is rarely available.”

Built in 2001 of native limestone and stone, the French Provincial-inspired main house boasts a 24-foot entry wall made of iron and glass, and a grand foyer crowned by a 31-foot copper dome ceiling. The ceiling hovers above an oak staircase with copper accents.

Oxbow Overlook estate Everyone who enters from the front door will be looking up.Photo courtesy of JPM Real Estate Photography

Other highlights of Oxbow Overlook’s nearly 7,000-square-foot main house include:

Six bedrooms
Five full bathrooms and two half-bathrooms
Seven fireplaces
Three laundry rooms
Wet bar
Eat-in kitchen
Elevator access to second story
Home office
Gameroom
Exercise pool with swim jets and spa
Outdoor kitchen
Covered and open patios
Coffered and beamed ceilings
Crown molding
Indoor and outdoor fireplaces
Generac backup generator

Oxbow Overlook estate Natural elements break up all the white.Photo courtesy of JPM Real Estate Photography

The property includes a separate 3,118-square-foot carriage house.

Oxbow Overlook is close to Belton Lake, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Salado, and Temple.

“Designed to embrace its natural surroundings, creekside walls and outdoor living spaces conform to the bluff’s natural curve, offering spectacular views across the property and showcasing thoughtful conveniences at every turn,” Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions says.

Photo courtesy of JPM Real Estate Photography

Someone could buy this house for well under its listed value...or it may go well above.

home for sale auction mansion belton