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New poll reveals shocking results on how outsiders view Texas, plus more top stories

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Editor’s note: It’s that time again — time to check in with our top stories. From Texas being more popular than we thought, to Austin getting a lot less popular, here are five articles that captured our collective attention over the past seven days.

1. New poll reveals shocking results on how outsiders view Texas. We may be able to lay down the "don't mess with Texas" attitude when it comes to outside opinions of the state — we're actually pretty well-liked.

2. The Austin housing market is outperforming national trends, latest report shows. Even though home sales are falling everywhere, they're falling less dramatically in Central Texas. It looks like the Austin market is stabilizing.

3. Austin plummets on list of best places to live in new national report. Austinites can't seem to tell if this is good news (less hype) or bad news (we already live here). We're not even close to the top 10 anymore.

4. Rock legend Stevie Nicks extends tour with new Austin date. One of rock's most iconic and stylish performers is coming to Austin's Moody Center for a solo show this August. At 74, she still has a strong hold on fans' imaginations.

5. Here are the top 7 things to do in Austin this weekend. Austinites are always adding things to their busy schedules — this week it was a comedy show with Steve Martin and Martin Short, a big same-name meetup, a benefit show with local stars, and more.

Photo by James Pharaon / Compass

Lengendary Texas ranch resort makes waves on the market with $15 million price tag

give me land, lots of land...

A magnificent, 313-acre ranch resort in Brenham, Texas has made a grand entrance onto the real estate market for a mere $15 million. With that considerable price tag, the future owners would be inheriting a luxuriously grand hacienda that's perfect for drawing in the elite crowd and maybe a few Austin billionaires.

Dos Brisas is just a 90 minute drive east from Austin, tucked away at 10000 Champion Drive between Highway 290, TX-105, and Highway 6. The resort building, whose name translates to Two Breezes, was built in 2002 and spans nearly 14,300 square feet.

The business had been in operation for over 17 years before the announcement of its closure. On their website, Dos Brisas thanked its guests for their patronage as the owners now "look forward to spending more time with [their] family."

In addition to being surrounded by gorgeous pecan trees, wildflowers, three stocked ponds, and Peach Creek, Dos Brisas also hosts several prestigious amenities on its premises, including a tennis court, an equestrian facility, and a fully-functioning organic farm. And we can't forget their world-renowned, Forbes five-star restaurant that boasts a "Best of Award of Excellence" from Wine Spectator magazine for their 7,000-bottle wine cellar.

The show barn is just one part of the pristine equestrian facility on the premises at Dos Brisas.Photo by James Pharaon / Compass

Photo by James Pharaon / Compass

The property is located at 10000 Champion Drive in Brenham, Texas.

The haciendas on the ranch are highlighted by private entrances, personal pools, floor-to-ceiling windows, grand bathrooms, and much more. They suit the beautiful Texas landscape and truly give the feel of a relaxing getaway, the perfect destination for those needing an escape from the busy city life.

Looking back at the history of the listing, it first appeared on the market in April 2022 with a $17.5 million price tag, which expired later in the year in September. The $2.5 million price decrease is just a drop in the bucket for its next owners, who could take on this fabulous opportunity to expand their business or real estate portfolio.

Tonya Currie of Compass is handling the listing. More information about the ranch resort can be found on compass.com.

Photo courtesy of West U Home Tour

The Austin housing market is outperforming national trends, latest report shows

REAL ESTATE REPORT

Housing inventory is on the rise, as is the number of days houses spend on the market, while prices are steadily falling. That spells another month of a balancing act in the Austin-Round Rock housing market, according to the latest report from the Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR).

“This is still a market that is seeing lots of activity, just not at a record-setting pace, and that is to be expected given broader economic trends,” said 2023 ABoR president Ashley Jackson. “Home prices are moderating, pending sales are holding strong, and homes on the market last month are selling closer to list price. These are all signs of a market that is still balancing and doing so in a healthy way.”

Housing inventory has continued to increase from March to April, now at 3.2 months (active listings for the month divided by sales), and homes are spending 53 days longer on the market now than they were in April of 2022.

An additional sign of a stabilizing market in Austin comes from a recent comparison to declining home sales across the country. The National Association of Realtors' latest data from March of 2023 showed nationwide home sales falling 22.7 percent, but that was not the case in Central Texas, where home sales only fell 14 percent over the same period. The report said these findings demonstrate the “resilience of the region’s economy.”

In Austin proper, April home sales fell by 31 percent, and median home prices fell 11 percent to $565,000. Though pending sales also declined last month, active listings spiked to 2,357.

Active listings in all five Central Texas counties continued to skyrocket from last month’s report. While home sales dropped in most counties, Hays County saw a 1.1 percent increase in April.

Median house prices are still dropping across the Central Texas region, though houses in Travis County remain the most expensive at $537,500. Hays saw the largest year-over-year price drop at 16.9 percent, with homes priced around $416,500. Median home prices in Caldwell County dropped 15.1 percent year-over-year and are the lowest in the region at $297,000.

ABoR housing economist Clare Losey cited inflation and mortgage rate woes, recession fears, and banking stress as major contributors to falling housing prices.

“In Austin, robust job and population growth have mitigated these effects on homebuyer demand, favorably indicating that our region’s economy and housing market continue to outperform national economic trends,” Losey said. “Austin remains resilient and able to withstand broader economic turbulence more effectively.”

Photo by GeoJango Maps on Unsplash

Austin was a top 10 destination for movers in 2022, study says

HEY SIRI, TAKE ME TO ATX

Many Americans relocated to Texas’ Sunbelt region in 2022, but Austinites may be surprised to see the city movers set as their destination. Perhaps they're also a little relieved to learn that city is Houston. However, Austin is still a top 10 destination for American movers, according to a the latest “Top Moving Destinations” report from Penske Truck Rental.

Austin only ranked No. 10 this year, which is a one-place drop from the 2021 report. Meanwhile, 2022 was Houston’s second consecutive year as the No. 1 moving destination. Dallas' rank remained the same year-over-year from the previous report at No. 7. San Antonio also appeared ahead of Austin at No. 9, which is a three-place drop from 2021 when the city ranked No. 6.

Penske has been reporting on the migration patterns of Americans for 13 years, using data from the U.S. cities with the most inbound one-way consumer rentals throughout the year. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 23.7 million Americans moved in 2022, which is about 4 percent more than in 2021.

In the report, Penske Senior Vice President Kevin Malloy said it’s “always exciting” to find out where the company’s customers are moving with each new release.

“We understand just how hectic the moving experience can be and pride ourselves on putting the consumer first throughout the rental experience,” he said.

Penske’s top 10 moving destinations in 2022 are:

No. 1 – Houston
No. 2 – Las Vegas
No. 3 – Orlando, Florida
No. 4 – Phoenix
No. 5 – Atlanta
No. 6 – Charlotte, North Carolina
No. 7 – Dallas
No. 8 – Jacksonville, Florida
No. 9 – San Antonio
No. 10 – Austin

With the arrival of National Moving Month in May, Penske decided to commemorate the month by releasing four specially-curated playlists on Spotify. Each playlist is under an hour and a half long, and has its own unique “vibe” to describe what it feels like to move. They also come with apt names: “Pack It Up,” “Moving on Mix,” “Forwarding Address,” and “Make This House, Home.”

The song choices are intended to “help people look forward to the journey ahead,” according to Malloy.

More information about Penske's report can be found on pensketruckrental.com.

Photo by Chase Yi on Unsplash

More inventory signals stabilizing Austin housing market, says latest report

real estate report

In what looks like signs of normalizing for both homebuyers and sellers, the Austin-Round Rock metro area now has three months’ worth of housing inventory with active listings soaring to over 8,000.

The latest housing market report from the Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR) stated nearly 4,400 homes hit the market in March, which is a 6.6 percent year-over-year increase from last year. While pending and completed home sales in Austin decreased by about 19 and 25 percent, respectively, there was a spike in both new and active listings.

2023 ABoR president Ashley Jackson said in a press release that the past quarter has “ushered in a sweet spot for both buyers and sellers” exploring the current market.

“There are three times the number of homes on the market than a year ago, bringing more choice and opportunity to homebuyers in over a decade,” she said. “REALTORS® are reporting that they are busy and the market is moving at a much healthier pace than it has in years.”

Home prices continue to drop in all five Central Texas counties, which is a continuation from last month’s report. Median home prices fell the most in Bastrop County, by 17.5 percent, to $329,990. Active listings skyrocketed in all counties, with completed sales increasing slightly in Hays and Bastrop counties, but home sales decreased in Travis, Williamson, and Caldwell counties.

ABoR’s first housing economist Dr. Clare Losey said in the release that the housing market is seeing stabilization in line with the current demand.

"Austin’s housing market is still demand driven, contributing over $1.5 [billion] to our region’s economy last month even as the pace of home sales and price growth adjusts from the extreme anomaly of the last two years,” said Losey. “The increase of new listings in March, specifically month over month, indicates rising seller confidence, and the recent decline in mortgage rates provided momentum for homebuyers”

Dr. Losey recommended this spring as the best time for Central Texans to move, taking into consideration the expected consistency of mortgage rates for the remainder of 2023. She also dismissed rising concerns for the housing market after recent layoffs nationwide.

“Recently announced layoffs have not been enough to indicate a downturn in Austin’s job market or impact housing demand,” she said. “In fact, Travis County’s job market is projected to grow at nearly double the pace of job growth statewide over the next decade, with the leisure and hospitality sector leading that growth.”

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Dip your toes into these 7 Austin pools with passes, snacks, and summer events

Wet Hot Austin Summer

Memorial Day is here, which means so are the days of sitting in a lounge chair and sweating while looking unreasonably fabulous. Whether it's to beat the summer heat or to show off a new swimsuit, Austinites may have more options than they think to take a swim at the many pools around town. Even if you haven't committed to an overnight stay, most hotels offer day passes, and some even offer other deals or poolside programming.

One great way to find passes not just to pools around town, but also to spas and other hotel amenities, is to browse ResortPass. (Not sponsored, just cool.) There are 26 Austin options on the site right now.

But we wanted to let you know what's going on beyond the pass — who will set you up for a great meal, who lets you drink out of a coconut, and whose views (or lack thereof) provide the best ambiance for your day off. Some of our choices aren't even on the platform.

Go grab your sandals, and save us a towel.

Greater Austin YMCA
Let's start with the less glamorous before we break out the poolside fashion. The YMCA is a family staple for a reason, and if your goal is just to get in the water regularly throughout the summer, especially with kids, it's a great place to start. There are "interactive hours" at the outdoor pools (more fun than swimming laps) at the East Communities, Hays Communities, Northwest Family, Southwest Family, and Springs Family YMCAs, as well as the YMCA at Camp Moody. The Y is semi-affordable; It would probably be cheaper to visit a hotel pool once or twice, but a Y membership includes a month of access, guest passes, and much more, and may replace your gym membership for the summer. $69 per month, with age and household discounts. austinymca.org

Hotel Van Zandt
If your pool visit doesn't include spritz and giggles, why are you even there? Hotel Van Zandt is opening up its stylish rooftop pool for the "Spritz & Giggles Poolside Happy Hour & Sunset Swim" event series. Every Monday through Thursday, visitors can enjoy $8 frozen Aperol spritzes, $8 specialty cocktails, and a special pool menu with items like a refreshing green salad, pork belly al pastor tacos, and a spicy fried chicken sandwich. Geraldine's, the main restaurant, is right inside for even better drinks, expanded bites, and sometimes live music. Starting at $48 per day for adults, $15 for kids. hotelvanzandt.com

Carpenter Hotel
If one day at the Carpenter Hotel pool is just not enough, the hotel has now added monthly passes. In addition to unlimited access to the secluded pool in the Zilker neighborhood, a pass gets a $30 discount for the new monthly BBQ Pool Parties (bringing attendance down to $25). That will include a great spread of less commonly seen barbecue items like grilled bay scallops, mushroom skewers, elotes, deviled potato salad, and more. Monthly pass holders also get to bring one child under 8 for free. $40 daily, $200 monthly. Both Monday through Thursday. carpenterhotel.com

South Congress Hotel
The South Congress Hotel is right in the middle of where many Austinites want to be on a summer day, if it weren't so dang hot. This rooftop pool solves that problem in style, with daily pool passes every day of the week, as well as cabana rentals. Café No Sé supplies poolside drinks and snacks, and downstairs, Austin's Best New Restaurant Maie Day offers a hearty meal after a day of napping in the sun. Cabanas can be rented for four people and include self-parking, bottled water, and a bottle of champagne or bucket of High Noon. Days for $40 and cabanas for $300 on weekdays; days for $75 and cabanas for $400 on weekends. southcongresshotel.com

Hotel Viata
Hotel Viata is a bit of a sleeper hotel among Austin boutiques, as it's located a little beyond West Lake Hills. Still, if you want a taste of Italy, the drive to this retreat will be worth it. Not to mention, with the extra room these downtown hotels can't offer, a pool pass includes access to a hot tub, fire pits, and great views of the hills around the city. Pool passes are available, but if you want to see it for free before you spend, wait for June 10; The hotel invites guests 21 and up to check out the pool for free at the "Summer Festa in Piscina" party, with a "Taste of Italy" add-on ($55) for Aperol Spritz, limoncello lemon drops, and negronis all day. $45 per day for adults, $25 for children. resortpass.com

Wax Myrtle's
This rooftop bar and pool is known for its never-ending events calendar, and of course that energy extends to poolside entertainment. There will be live music on the weekends, plus live DJ sets on Saturday nights, alongside whatever other programming happens to be going on inside. Even if it's a do-nothing day, these large, over-the-top drinks will give you a delicious challenge. The "Boot Scootin Fruity" mixes rum, an aperitivo, hibiscus, and lime in a cowboy hat punch bowl ($90); the luxe "Mojito 75" combines Moët & Chandon with rum and mojito must-haves in a disco ball ($230); and an unnamed cocktail is worth trying just to enjoy it from a real coconut. Starting at $15 for adults, $10 for children, and more for daybeds and cabanas. waxmyrtles.com

Austin Motel
Perhaps one of the best known pools in Austin for its retro vibes, fun events, and accessibility to on-foot wanderers is the Austin Motel. This is a great, less expensive choice that's probably more fun for casual pool revelers who would feel a little put out by having to dress up and behave in a more luxe hotel setting. There are also frequent poolside events at this motel, like the free "Bounce Motel" series with live DJs, or the body-positive "Chunky Dunk." The pool is offers daily passes every day, even when there's nothing on the calendar. $25 on weekdays, $45 on weekends, or $600 in three-and-a-half-month "waves." austinmotel.com

Photo by Andrea Calo

Austinites don't need to stay at a hotel to be invited to the pool. (Pictured: The Carpenter Hotel)

6 Austin museums are offering free admission for military families all summer long

spread the museum love

Half a dozen Austin museums are honoring active-duty military personnel and their families with free admission through the Blue Star Museums initiative, May 20 through September 4, 2023.

Established by the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and the U.S. Department of Defense, the Blue Star Museums program annually provides military families free access to 2,000 museums nationwide throughout the summer. The program begins yearly on Armed Forces Day in May and ends on Labor Day.

Free admission is extended to personnel currently serving in the U.S Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard (including those in the Reserve), and all National Guardsman. Members of the U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps and NOAA Commissioned Corps are also included in the program.

Those who qualify can use their military ID to bring up to five family members – including relatives of those currently deployed. More information about qualifications can be found here.

There is no limit on the number of participating museums that qualifying families may visit. Admission for non-active military veterans, however, is not included.

According to the National Endowment for the Arts website, the initiative was created to help "improve the quality of life for active duty military families" with a specific focus on children. The site states two million have had a parent deployed since 2001.

"Blue Star Museums was created to show support for military families who have faced multiple deployments and the challenges of reintegration," the website says. "This program offers these families a chance to visit museums this summer when many will have limited resources and limited time to be together."

Among Austin's participating museums, the Blanton Museum of Art recently held its grand opening celebration to debut their new grounds, complete with a new large mural by Cuban-American artist Carmen Herrera.

“As a museum that has long been at the forefront of collecting work by artists of Latin American descent, as well as the place where Ellsworth Kelly realized his last great work of art, entering the collection at this moment marks a high point in my long career," Herrera said.

Here's a look at all the museums in Austin that participate in the Blue Star Museums initiative.

For those looking to take a drive around Central Texas, the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum and Taylor's Moody Museum are also participants in the Blue Star Museums initiative.

More information about Blue Star Museums and a full list of participants can be found on arts.gov.

Awe-inspiring new exhibit debuts at the Alamo with sneak peek

REFIGURE THE ALAMO

Ask first-time visitors about their experience at the Alamo, and you're likely to hear a frequent refrain. Guests accustomed to hearing about the mission's heroic history are surprised that the grounds are so small. But that's slowly changing with ambitious plans to bring the site's original footprint back to life.

Starting May 25, visitors will get a sneak peek at the complex's newest structure, the Mission Gate and Lunette exhibit, before it officially opens in 2024. Funded in part by a $3 million donation from the Joan and Herb Kelleher Charitable Foundation, the exhibition gives guests a broader understanding of the Alamo's scale.

The historical recreation was crafted by lauded San Antonio artist Carlos Cortés. A third-generation concrete faux bois artisan, his work is featured throughout the city, most notably on the River Walk, where his fantastical The Grotto greets thousands of Museum Reach visitors each year.

The life-size sculpture stands in for the original main gate of the fort at the southern boundary of the complex. Cannons and placards scattered throughout give crucial context to the structure. Though early renderings show the beams and spiked fence with more verisimilitude, the forms currently stand in ghostly concrete — inviting quiet contemplation.

When the exhibit is finished next year, guests will be more fully immersed in the hallowed grounds, which extend far beyond the walls of the iconic Church and Long Barrack. Coupled with the upcoming Alamo Visitor Center and Museum and the recently debuted Ralston Family Collections Center, it will turn the grounds into one of Texas' most awe-inspiring historical sites.

"We are deeply grateful to the Joan and Herb Kelleher Charitable Foundation for their support of the Alamo and our ongoing efforts to preserve this important piece of Texas history," said Dr. Kate Rogers, Executive Director of the Alamo Trust, Inc., via a release. "Their generosity will allow us to continue to educate and inspire visitors from around the world, ensuring that the legacy of the Alamo lives on for generations to come."

Photo courtesy of the Alamo.

The Mission Gate and Lunette exhibit gives visitors an understanding of the original ground's scale.

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Charming Austin suburb is the fastest-growing city in the country, plus more top stories

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