Austin, Texas is a city with a rich history and culture.
From its days as a small frontier town to its present-day status as a major metropolitan area, Austin has always been a place that people have been drawn to.
Over the years, many famous and notable people have had something to say about our great city.
Also Read: Best Quotes and Instagram Captions about Texas
Famous Quotes about Austin, Texas
Here are some famous Austin quotes and sayings that help show why this city is so loved.
“People don’t live in Austin to work, they work to live there.”
– Robert Rodriguez, the American filmmaker.
Did you know that Robert Rodriguez has a personal Texas connection?!
He was born in San Antonio, which is just a couple of hours south of Austin!
Also, he attended the University of Texas at Austin and has lived in the city!
“There’s a freedom you begin to feel the closer you get to Austin, Texas.” – Willie Nelson, the American country music legend, singer-songwriter, musician, and guitarist.
Willie Nelson was born in Abbott, Texas.
He lived in Nashville in the 1960s but grew tired of the city and move to Austin in 1970.
Here’s some more Austin trivia…
Willie Nelson produced and even acted in the pilot of Austin City Limits – the live music show that cemented Austin’s place in the world of music!
The Weird Side of Austin
“Keep Austin weird.” – slogan seen around the city
Austin is a city full of character and quirks, and its unofficial slogan encapsulates that spirit perfectly.
“Keep Austin Weird” was coined in the 2000s as a way to promote local businesses and encourage residents to support them.
The slogan caught on, and soon became a rallying cry for Austinites of all stripes.
Today, “Keep Austin Weird” is more than just a motto – it’s a way of life.
Also Read: 14 Amazing Things to do in Austin at night
It is also one of the most popular Austin Texas quotes.
And it’s not just about supporting local businesses; it’s about celebrating the uniqueness of Austin and everything that makes it such a special place to live.
Whether it’s the local music scene, the food trucks, or the diverse array of people, there’s always something weird and wonderful to discover in Austin.
Quotes about living in Austin
“Of all the places I’ve ever been, Austin is the only place that has felt like home. I fit in here.” -Martha Kelly, American stand-up comedian and actress.
Did you know that while she’s from Los Angeles, Martha Kelly started her comedy career in Austin Texas in 1999?
She even won the ‘Funniest Person in Austin’ contest in 2000 and still regularly performs in Austin.
“During the cold war, West Berlin was an exclave – a tiny outpost of liberalism surrounded by people who want to crush it. It was like Austin, Texas.” – Craig Ferguson, the comedian
While this might have been true in Austin’s early days, today’s Austin is much more than a tiny outpost of liberalism in conservative Texas.
In fact, Austin is now one of the most progressive and liberal cities in the country.
The Austin Connection
“I will say, I’m a great, great, great grandson of Stephen F. Austin. He founded Austin, Texas, which is kind of cool.” – Jesse Plemons
That’s right – Austin is named after one of its most famous residents, Stephen F. Austin.
Stephen F. Austin is considered the “Father of Texas,” and his legacy can still be seen in the city that bears his name.
From the iconic Capitol building to the University of Texas at Austin, there are reminders of Stephen F. Austin everywhere you look in the city.
However, the part about Jesse Plemons being his great-great-great-great grandson is not strictly accurate.
In fact, he is Stephen F. Austin’s great-great-great-grandnephew! Still cool, right?
Also, Jesse Plemons lives with his partner Kirsten Dunst in Austin!
“I like to say I live in Austin, Texas, because I can live where I want to.” – Matthew McConaughey, the American actor.
Matthew McConaughey was born right here in Uvalde, Texas.
He has also said this about the city: “The unwritten motto of Austin has been to Keep Austin Weird. …The landscape has changed, but I hope that doesn’t change. It’s a cool spot. Hopefully, it stays that way.”
Thinking of moving to California? Don’t!
Here’s what Texas Gov. Rick Perry has to say on the same.
“If you rent a U-Haul to move your company, it costs twice as much to go from San Francisco to Austin than the other way around, because you can’t find enough trucks to flee the Golden State.” – Rick Perry
More Popular quotes about Austin by celebrities
Various celebrities have called Austin home over the years and have fallen in love with it.
Here are some of their thoughts on the capital city.
“I always love to come to Austin. ” – R. Lee Ermey, the late American actor
“I do think Austin is a great town for writers; we have a lot of them here. But I grew up in Austin, and so I didn’t move here because it was a creative mecca; I was just lucky to live here.” – Jeff Abbott, the American suspense novelist, who lives in Austin.
“To me, Texas is Austin, a bunch of cool people trying to make a difference.” – Bill Hicks, the comedian.
His biographical documentary premiered at Austin’s South By Southwest Film Festival in 2010.
“I’ve been surprised by Austin. I had a cowboy image of the place. It’s a pretty sophisticated city – in some ways, more sophisticated than Boston. And there’s a lighter feel to the place. It’s very good for my spirits.” – Tim O’Brien, American author.
He lives in Central Texas and his papers are archived at the Harry Ransom Center in Austin.
Austin & The Rolling Stones
“I like it here in Austin. Anybody got a room?” – Keith Richards, English musician, and the songwriter of the Rolling Stones.
Rolling Stones has performed twice in Austin.
The most recent show was in 2021 at the Circuit of the Americas venue.
Prior to that, they performed at Zilker Park in 2006, when Keith Richards made the statement.
“We like Austin so much that we’re thinking about moving here after the tour,” Mick Jagger, Rolling Stones.
At their most recent concert, Mick Jagger announced this before saying “Of course, none of this is true, as you well know.”
Nonetheless, the band is definitely in love with Austin!
Austin Sayings by more famous musicians
“We played in Texas about a year ago, at Emo’s, the famous country and western club in Austin. And I figured, well, if I’m finally gonna die onstage, that’s where it’s going to be!” – Alan Vega, American musician.
“In cities like New York and Austin, there’s much more of a social context for music than in other places.” – John Cale, the Welsh musician.
John Cale was at one time in a relationship with Margaret Moser, who lived in Austin and even has a plaza in the city named after her.
“There’s so much music in Austin, and it’s all so different.” Gary Clark, Jr., American musician.
Gary Clark Jr. is from Austin and known for his rock, blues, and soul music.
“I like the fact that Austin’s the first place I’ve ever lived where there’s a real sense of community. People care about their neighbors.” – Ian McLagan, instrumentalist
More Austin Sayings
“During my Austin years, I was drawing a regular strip for the University Of Texas newspaper, going to school, delivering blood, and trying to change my approach and ‘style’ as much as I could, since I knew that I’d calcify as I got older.” – Chris Ware, the American cartoonist.
He is one of the famous University of Texas at Austin alumni and published comics for The Daily Texan.
“Texans don’t want to sit back and watch Austin turn into Washington, D.C. State leaders in power keep forcing people to opposite corners to prepare for a fight instead of coming together to get things done.” – Wendy Davis, Texas Senator.
Instagram Quotes, Captions, and Sayings about Austin
Looking for Austin Instagram captions for your trip?
The below Austin sayings work perfectly for your trip to the live music capital of the world!
Greetings from Austin, Texas
Keep Austin Weird
“Without music, life would be a mistake.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
This quote by Friedrich Nietzsche is perfect for your Austin trip!
“If you look deep enough you will see music; the heart of nature being everywhere music.” – Thomas Carlyle
Austin, deep in the heart of Texas!
Austin, the capital of the Lone Star State.
Whether you’re a lifelong Austinite or you’re just passing through, these quotes about Austin capture the unique spirit of our great city.
From its natural beauty to its vibrant culture, there’s no place quite like Austin!