When I moved to Austin, Texas, I wasn’t just changing cities — I was starting a new chapter.
After spending many years in Chicago, the decision to relocate felt both exciting and uncertain. Cities shape you in quiet ways. They influence your pace, your perspective, and even how you define success. For me, Austin represented opportunity, but also renewal.
Today, John Kim lives and works in Austin, building a life rooted in community, professional growth, and thoughtful work. The move wasn’t about chasing headlines or trends. It was about choosing a place that aligned with where I wanted to grow next.
Austin moves differently.
The energy of the city is creative and civic-minded at the same time. From neighborhood coffee shops to large-scale public initiatives, there’s a strong sense that the City of Austin is constantly evolving. Being here has made me more attentive to how infrastructure, culture, and community intersect.
Living in Austin has also meant slowing down enough to notice small things — the way neighborhoods connect, the way public spaces bring people together, and the way civic decisions ripple outward into daily life.
Professionally, being based in Austin has allowed me to focus on consulting work connected to civic systems and public-interest projects. The City of Austin operates within a complex environment — growing population, expanding infrastructure, and increasing expectations for thoughtful planning.
As a consultant in Austin, I’ve become more aware of how collaboration shapes outcomes. Progress in the City of Austin isn’t about one person or one office — it’s about alignment and shared direction. That lesson has influenced not just my work, but how I think about leadership and contribution more broadly.
John Kim’s work in Austin reflects a belief that cities thrive when people stay engaged — when they ask questions, offer ideas, and remain invested in long-term improvement.
Beyond work, Austin has been personal.
Moving here marked a period of transition — professionally and relationally. My partner and I are preparing for our wedding in September 2026, and Austin is where we’re building that future together.
Starting over in a new city forces clarity. You choose your routines again. You build friendships intentionally. You rediscover what matters.
For me, Austin has been a place to recalibrate — to focus on steady growth rather than constant motion.
John Kim in Austin is not defined by a single title or role. Instead, it’s defined by ongoing commitment — to work that serves a purpose, to writing that reflects lived experience, and to a life that feels grounded.
The City of Austin continues to grow, and I’m grateful to be part of that story in my own small way. Choosing Austin was less about geography and more about direction. It was a decision to move toward something — community, stability, and thoughtful progress.
And that feels like the right place to be.
I wrote a post on Medium explaining how our experience with the recent ice storm validated our move to Austin. Read my post here.