Google soars to No. 3 in prestigious list of Forbes' best employers in Texas, plus more top stories

Hot Headlines

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Editor’s note: It’s that time again — time to check in with our top stories. From employers to non-hierarchical art, here are five articles that captured our collective attention over the past seven days.

1. Google soars to No. 3 in prestigious list of Forbes' best employers in Texas. Austin continues to hosts the best of the best employers in Texas, as Google and Apple move into coveted spots on Forbes' list.

2. Country icon Willie Nelson returns to traditional 'hillbilly' inspiration in new album. Nelson's new LP, Bluegrass, is his first album-length tribute to the traditional country genre.

3. Austin art collectives bring work made by 1,000 local hands to Burning Man. 500 Austinites helped dye and tie scraps of fabric in a flowing mosaic that became an unmissable part of the Playa.

4. More closed home sales in Austin show growing homebuyer confidence. The latest data showed the first increase in closed home sales year-over-year since February 2022.

5. Famous Austin furniture store Louis Shanks shutters last remaining locations. The furniture retailer first opened in 1945, and had been operated by the Shanks family for four generations.

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Texas is looking healthy as the 2nd best state for nurses, Forbes says

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As the United States emerges from a global pandemic and watches its workforce reach retirement in larger proportions, strong healthcare is becoming increasingly crucial.

Nurses are in great demand throughout the nation and can make significant impacts in a state like Texas, which was just named the No. 2 best state for nurses in a study by Forbes Advisor.

Texas currently employs more than 231,000 nurses, the second-highest number in the country behind California's 325,620 nurses. Florida rounds out the top three with more than 197,000 nurses employed.

There are several factors to keep in mind when considering a career as a nurse, but one has been in a lot of recent discourse: the salary. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says nurses in the U.S. earn a median salary of $81,220 per year, while healthcare company Trusted Health places a Texas nurse's annual salary at $74,540. That's more than enough to cover rent costs in the city.

"Salary is a significant factor in any professional’s career decisions, but it’s not the only one to weigh when deciding where to work," the report's author wrote. "You should also consider job availability, economic demand and licensing processes before settling on a place to grow your career."

Regarding job availability, Projections Central estimated there would be a demand for more than 16,000 nursing positions in Texas between 2020 and 2030. Demand will be higher in Austin after two new medical centers are built downtown.

Texas is also part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which can help nurses transfer their licenses from other states.

"NLC members grant RNs multi-state licenses, which allow them to practice in any NLC-participating state without jumping through the hoops of meeting a new state’s specific licensing guidelines," the report says. "NLC nurses can offer their skills to another compact state in the event of a crisis and provide telehealth services across compact states."

The full report can be found on forbes.com.

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Acclaimed East Austin taqueria risks closure amid bureaucratic battle, plus more top stories

Hot Headlines

Editor’s note: It’s that time again — time to check in with our top stories. From red tape to limelight, here are five articles that captured our collective attention over the past seven days.

1. Acclaimed East Austin taqueria risks closure amid bureaucratic battle. Community members have poured out support for Nixta Taqueria, which is caught up in an electrical and permitting issue.

2. ACL Nights will drop tickets all at once to more than 40 festival acts in 9 Austin venues. ACL Nights, an after-hours concert series, is solving FOMO left and right — for those who can snag tickets.

3. Lyle Lovett and His Large Band show the depth of country music in 3-night Austin residency. The ACL Live shows highlighted the beloved singer-songwriter close-up, where his witty lyrics and stage charisma could be appreciated in full.

4. Austin is caught slacking in Forbes study on best cities for remote workers. Austin is (remotely) clocking in as the No. 39 best city for remote workers in 2023, according to a study by Forbes Advisor.

5. Indeed opens its global co-headquarters in high-profile downtown Austin tower. Indeed employees are finally moving into the Indeed Tower and out of the pre-existing downtown office space.

Photo by Dan Ryan

Indeed opens its global co-headquarters in high-profile downtown Austin tower

Big News, Indeed

Indeed has been around Austin for quite a while — 18 years, to be exact. In fact, it was born here and Stamford, Connecticut (working remotely before it was cool). So it may catch some locals by surprise to hear that the global co-headquarters is opening now in downtown Austin, and it's a pretty big deal.

Austinites are used to driving past Indeed buildings but are still majorly unfamiliar with the relatively new Indeed Tower, which has been collecting tenants since its completion in 2021. The 36-story tower was immediately bought by the California-based Kilroy Realty Corp., with Indeed as the majority leaseholder.

Now Indeed employees are moving into the new space and out of the pre-existing downtown office space. Employees who work at The Domain will remain there. The hiring company publicly announced the change on August 22 — the first day of business at the new HQ. A spokesperson for Indeed could not confirm whether or not employees from the other lease holders would also start work today.

The tower's size and sleekness alone should signal to Austinites that this aims to be a great place to work — and it ought to be, considering that the entire business model is getting people into new jobs. And that's why this news could be big: Many new employees will begin streaming in — both from Indeed and other leaseholders — perhaps even creating a new standard for how Austinites expect their offices to run.

"Indeed has always believed in flexibility for its employees," said a press release. "We know that a modern workspace designed with today’s needs top of mind will make for a more comfortable and productive work day when employees are in-person together."

It also notes that everything in the tower "from the architecture to the furniture and technology" was chosen with flexibility in mind. Some project highlights in the release include: "wireless-first offerings," expanded video conferencing, flexible partitions, and adjustable or ergonomic office furniture.

Indeed worked with its longtime partner EdgeQuarters — at least since 2016 when the smaller company outfitted Indeed's existing Austin space at Champion Office Park — to create a sustainable interior utilizing "reusable furniture." The walls are adorned by an unnamed Austin artist.

"We’re thrilled to open our new global co-headquarters office here in Austin," wrote the spokesperson in an email to CultureMap. "Indeed Tower demonstrates our long-term commitment to building our presence in Austin’s fast-growing tech sector and tapping top local tech talent."

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Austin is caught slacking in Forbes study on best cities for remote workers

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With many companies encouraging — or commanding — that remote workers return to the office in 2023, more and more Americans are seeking employment opportunities that will give them the freedom to work from elsewhere.

Austin is (remotely) clocking in as the No. 39 best city for remote workers in 2023, according to a study by Forbes Advisor. The city's disappointing rank has much room for improvement in this burgeoning Central Texas mega-metro.

The study examined 100 U.S. cities and metro areas, and ranked them based on the earning potential of remote workers, internet access, lifestyle amenities, worker friendliness, living costs, and more.

Austin did great in one of these categories, but it seems that earning potential and lifestyle amenities just couldn't keep up. for Austinites, it's all in the Wi-Fi: a remote worker's most important tool.

Austin's average internet download speed is 425.90 Megabits per second (Mbps), and when coupled with the wide variety of free Wi-Fi hotspots around the city, Austin earned No. 3 in the category for "cities with the best internet access." And we do like to take advantage of that at restaurants and bars around town.

"Remote work saves workers time and money on commuting and office clothing, while keeping their morale and productivity levels high," the report said. "Ideally, you’d live in a place with an affordable cost of living, high earning potential, reliable internet connection, low taxes, a low unemployment rate, and various entertainment options."

Austin-Round Rock ranks as the third overall best metro area in Texas for remote workers, after Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington (No. 15 nationally) and San Antonio-New Braunfels (No. 6 nationally). Elsewhere in Texas, Houston (No. 49) barely made it into the top 50, outranked by El Paso (No. 46). McAllen-Edinburg-Mission ranked No. 85.

The top 10 U.S. metro areas for remote workers are:

No. 1 – Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, Florida
No. 2 – Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, Indiana
No. 3 – Omaha-Council Bluffs, Nebraska-Iowa
No. 4 – Tulsa, Oklahoma
No. 5 – Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, Michigan
No. 6 – San Antonio-New Braunfels, Texas
No. 7 – Jacksonville, Florida
No. 8 – Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida
No. 9 – Tuscon, Arizona
No. 10 – Cleveland-Elyria, Ohio

The study can be found on forbes.com.

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Exciting Austin makes top 10 in list of best cities for Gen Z

Gen Z News

A new report confirms that Austin — with a super-active music scene, a great mix of fine and popular art, and a big college population around the University of Texas — is a great place for young adults to call home.

A new study by commercial real estate website CommercialCafe has pegged Austin as the No. 7 best city in the United States for Gen Z.

As the report puts it, the "experience-hungry generation" often seeks out an affordable area of town with vast opportunities for entertainment, education, or employment, which are three things Austin excels in.

Approximately 7.1 percent of the city's total population are Gen Zers, according to the analysis. (Gen Z is defined as the "newest generation," born between 1997 and 2012, now aged 11 to 26 years old.)

In the category for fun things to do, the study found that San Antonio has nearly 3,099 different recreational establishments for Gen Zers to enjoy. That's only 501 fewer than San Antonio, which is has a population about 50 percent larger than Austin's, meaning the smaller city has a much higher concentration of things to do.

Other metrics that were taken into account in CommercialCafe's report include an affordability index, jobs for recent graduates, the city's unemployment rate, and the number of parks per 10,000 residents. Even though rents aren't exactly cheap, Austin and the towns nearby are still more affordable than many large cities across the U.S.

Austin was No. 6 in a smaller breakdown within the report that compared job availability to cost of living and unemployment rate. It's not just that things don't cost much in Austin, but that young people are more likely to have the tools they need to afford them.

"Specifically, we looked at the share that Gen Zers hold out of each city’s total population to identify where relocating young professionals are more likely to find like-minded individuals," the report's author said.

Austin wasn't the only Texas city to make it into the top 20. Houston ranked No. 9, followed by Fort Worth (No. 17) and San Antonio (No. 20). Dallas, surprisingly, didn't make it onto CommercialCafe's list.

The top 10 best cities for Gen Z are:

No. 1 – Minneapolis
No. 2 – Atlanta
No. 3 – Boston
No. 4 – Columbus, Ohio
No. 5 – Raleigh, North Carolina
No. 6 – Tucson, Arizona
No. 7 – Austin, Texas
No. 8 – Milwaukee
No. 9 – Houston
No. 10 – Philadelphia

The full report can be found on commercialcafe.com.

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Esquire's praise for top Austin Mexican restaurant leads this week's top 5 most-read headlines

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Editor’s note: It’s that time again — time to check in with our top stories. From our best chefs to our neighbors' strong tourist pulls, here are five articles that captured our collective attention over the past seven days.

1. Austin's new favorite Mexican restaurant scores coveted spot on Esquire's Best New Restaurants list. Este was the only Texas restaurant on the main list.

2. 'The twinkliest town in Texas' and 6 other Hill Country locales become Christmas wonderlands. Those warm fuzzies aren't always easy to find amongst Austin's seasonal glitz — they're a mall-town affair.

3. Austin sparkles and shines as the No. 1 most festive city in the U.S. for 2023. Thumbtack specifically focuses on home holiday projects, but Austinites can glean inspiration from the city's many festive displays.

4. Austin is among the 20 most 'house rich' cities in U.S., report says. The study found that 44.70 percent of all housing in Austin is owner-occupied. The median home value of a home in the city was $593,000.

5. This Texas city is among the 50 best places to travel in 2024, says Travel + Leisure. Fort Worth was the only Texas city to make Travel + Leisure's prestigious list, and one of just a handful of U.S. cities.

A new daiquiri bar and authentic spicy ramen top Austin's 11 tastiest bites of food news

News you can eat

Editor’s note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of Austin’s restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our regular roundup of essential food news.

Openings and closings

Despite Austin's proximity to the Gulf Coast and the Louisiana Bayou, we don't have too many restaurants replicating the area's cuisine. A new bar and grill called Austin's Very Own Saltt is adding to the growing niche, highlighting seafood and daiquiris — popular in New Orleans for how easy they are to make and dispense to loaded, novelty-seeking tourists on a hot day. Along with seven or more variations on the sugary frozen drinks, expect classics like Cajun butterfly shrimp, fried catfish, and shrimp fried rice as a side. Surprisingly, this bar won't entertain downtown day drinkers, but a milder crowd up north (2525 W. Anderson Ln.). It opens December 2 at 5 pm.

Austinites likely need no introduction to Shake Shack, the fast food burger joint with surprisingly upscale culinary initiatives. A new location in Cedar Park (1905 E. Whitestone Blvd.) is the first in the area, and it's wooing new customers with several opening day offers. On December 5, guests will receive branded holiday ornaments, and Shake Shack will donate $1 for every sandwich sold to Texas Humane Heroes, a pet shelter with an adoption center in Leander. Hours are 11 am to 10 pm Sunday through Thursday, and 11 am to 11 pm Friday through Saturday.

ICYMI: One of the most famous barbecue joints near Austin, the Salt Lick BBQ, offered big news this week: It's opening its third full-scale location. This one will be in Fredericksburg, opening sometime in 2025 if everything goes according to plan. Another famous restaurant with more upscale international credentials, Quince, also shared photos of its beautiful plates and views after a very quiet soft opening of its Lake Austin location. If you've been reading for a while, you may recognize a few other restaurants that opened this week: Mutts Canine Cantina,El Alma Cafe y Cantina, and a Milk Bar pop-up.

Other news and notes

Many Austinites swear by Jinya Ramen, which originated in Tokyo and now commands a cult following here, in Austin. On December 1, it brings back its "fan-favorite" Red Garnet bowl, featuring "thick noodles," vegan broth, a spicy garlic sauce, pork chasu, green onion, kikurage (wood ear mushrooms), onion, and spinach. It'll be on menus until February 29, 2024. New to the United States locations is also the Curry Nikuman bun with pork soboro (ground pork) and a curry dipping sauce.

Speaking of local favorites, Home Slice is also bringing back a special menu item: a vodka pie (not sold by the slice), featuring a cream sauce made with Tito's Handmade Vodka and fresh mozzarella. The pies, two new natural wines, and a prize drawing will all raise funds for Southern Smoke in Houston, and Foundation Communities in Austin. One lucky winner will win free pizza for a year; Tickets ($10, or 3 for $25) are available for purchase in-store until December 24.

Widely recognized as one of Austin's best new-ish restaurants, Canje charms guests with Caribbean flavors — especially as Austinites crave a little tropical feeling during winter months. On December 3, the restaurant is inviting anyone to stop by for a free Trinidadian dance party with a DJ and Trinidadian street food. Details are sparse, but we don't need much else to be convinced it'll be worth a visit. The party goes from 5 pm to midnight. RSVP on Eventbrite.

Aspiring architects who don't have the budget to experiment on Austin land can try on gingerbread houses first, at beautiful South Lamar restaurant Eberly. Pastry chef Raven Breitfeller will guide visitors through the delicate process, but things won't be too serious as the seasonal cocktails and passed apps start rolling in. Tickets ($90) include all materials, one cocktail, and snacks, and are available via Resy.

Photos with Santa, holiday hotel deals, and 8 more Texas travel tidbits for December

WHERE TO TRAVEL RIGHT NOW

It's the most wonderful time of year for Texans to travel and spend quality time with family. Need help deciding where to take a quick vacation, road trip, or staycation? Here are 10 events, special celebrations, and hotel happenings to help plan a getaway in December.

In the Hill Country

Pedernales Cellars in Stonewall is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a special event December 8-10. Throughout the weekend, the winery will offer an anniversary bundle featuring three special wines for $99 plus tax. On Saturday, December 9, visitors can stop by to enjoy wine and cake while supplies last. Reservations are required for tastings, and can be made online via Tock or by emailing tasting@pedernalescellars.com.

From Jingle Bell Runs to photos with Cowboy Kringle, the Christmas season is in full swing in Gruene. There are festive holiday happenings during every weekend in December, starting with the 22nd annual Gruene Pony Express Ride, the Gruene Town Lighting, and the Christmas Market Days on Saturday, December 2. And if swing dancing is on the list of resolutions for 2024, Texans can get a head start by visiting Gruene Hall on December 19 and 26 to learn easy, fun moves for beginners. Swing dancing lessons are $10 per person, but many other family-friendly events in Gruene are free to the public.

There's plenty of time to make your way down to Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk for a unique 12 Days of Christmas event that runs December 12-23. Activities include complimentary mini-massages from the Thompson Spa's expert therapists on December 13, a must-know mixology class on December 17, and a live jazz performance on December 21. These events are free, and visitors can register to participate online via the website.

Across North Texas

In its first holiday season, the new Omni PGA Frisco Resort is offering a special "Home On the Range for the Holidays" package that includes movie nights, holiday games and crafts, s'mores, and a Santa meet-and-greet. Valet parking, early check-in and check-out, and weekend breakfast are included. Nightly rates for the holiday package (offered through December 23) begin at $426. For some extra holiday wonderment, guests can unwrap up to 20 percent off their stay at the resort with the Ticket to Wonder package in partnership with Dallas chocolatier Kate Weiser.

In the Houston-Galveston area

The Dickens on the Strand Festival in Galveston received quite a gift for its 50th anniversary: official recognition from the United Kingdom’s Parliament. The annual event immerses visitors in the world of Charles Dickens' larger-than-life characters in 19th-century England. From December 1-3, the family-friendly festival will include fun parades, entertainment on four different stages, and costumed vendors selling Victorian-inspired crafts, clothing, jewelry, and more. Admission is $25 for adults, $18 for children aged 7-12, and free for children aged 6 and under. Tickets can purchased via Eventbrite.

And if you're looking for a swanky place to stay during the festival weekend (or any weekend, for that matter), Gavleston's newly-opened Hotel Lucine (formerly the Treasure Isle Motel) is a brand-new contender. CultureMap's Eric Sandler shared his first impressions of the hotel and all of its luxe amenities, including its rooftop bar, lobby bar and restaurant, and The Fancy – a "fine-ish" dining restaurant currently serving dinner. The hotel’s owners aimed to transform the two-story property into a "modern experience designed to appeal to gen x’ers and millennials." Nightly rates at Hotel Lucine begin at $155 in December.

The C. Baldwin Hotel in downtown Houston is enticing hotel guests (and any visitors who want to make merry) with 12 Days of Cocktails, featuring a rotating specialty cocktail menu available at the hotel's Lobby Bar and Rosalie Italian Soul. Seasonal offerings include Apple Cider Old Fashioned, Pumpkin Spice Martini, Winter Spritz, and more. Plus, a special holiday market in partnership with Houston's Southern Kindness Gallery will feature 30 local artisans, Saturday, December 9. More information can be found online.

At home in Austin

On Christmas Eve, families staying at Austin's Commodore Perry Estate can enjoy milk and cookies while children write their letters to Santa, then feast on a special Christmas Eve prime rib dinner and participate in holiday cookie decorating. On Christmas Day, the resort will have a breakfast display of homemade pastries and more. A special yuletide feast prepared by Chef Bradley and Chef Susana will be available all day, paired with holiday wines curated by the estate's sommelier. Rates at Commodore Perry Estate begin at $454 per night in December.

Santa is making special appearances throughout Texas to learn what children want for Christmas, and at the Barton Creek Square, families will be able to grab a photo with Mr. Claus throughout the month. On December 5 and 12, families can don their most festive holiday pajamas for a Pajama Day photo op with Santa. Visitors also can bring their furry friends for special pet photo sessions on December 10, 6:30-8:30 pm. Reservations are encouraged, and can be made via whereissanta.com.

The Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin has launched its own deluxe holiday deal for guests through January 3: the Miracle on Congress Avenue package. Guests can use the promo code "WINTER" when booking a stay at the hotel's Artist's Residence and enjoy the comforts of a beautifully decorated holiday-themed penthouse suite on the 31st floor, a $100 food and beverage credit that can be used at the famed Luminaire restaurant or Le Bis rooftop terrace bar, and a complimentary holiday mini bar. Rates for the Miracle on Congress Avenue package begin at $747 per night.

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