Austin is the capital of Texas, currently home to over 1.3 million people. The Hispanic community represents approximately 25 percent.
The Hispanic average household income is $60,000; home values around $150,000; 4 percent unemployment rate and has the highly rated University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business, with 14 percent Hispanic business majors; and is ranked by Forbes as best American city for singles based on night life, culture, job growth, number of other singles, cost of living alone and coolness.
Specifically, Hispanic coolness includes the Mexic-Arte Museum, with revolving exhibits; the annual Cine Las Américas, an international festival of new Latin cinema; the Fonda San Miguel (a far cry from Tex-Mex—its legendary Sunday brunch features mole, nopalito salad, chicken in almond sauce and tres leches); Tesoros Trading Company, carrying everything from Day of the Dead reta- blos to portable Virgens de Guadalupe; and the Latino Comedy Project (LCP), a Tejano Spanglish-speaking touring sketch comedy troupe that “Will Stereotype for Food.”
LCP member Omar Gallaga calls Austin an emerging place for Latinos—politically, educationally and culturally.
“Austin’s hospitable, fulfilling and beautiful,” Gallaga says. “It’s easy to get out and see stuff without drowning in it. The hill country climate’s laid-back, liberal and lends itself to the arts. We Latinos succeed and stay here.” |
