Couple more things about Austin.

One of the really nice things is that almost everybody here is college educated.  I think the typical people I run into on an average day are much more interesting and interested than say the people I run into in Houston.  It is absolutely the norm to have a waiter or salesperson with a bachelor's or even a master's degree. 

Austin has claimed to be the "live music capital of the world", well in all honesty Im not absolutely positive about that, I can tell you that live music is very easy to find here.  Of course we have SXSW, but a newcomer to the scene is the Austin City Limits Music festival, they had over 200 artists last year, from gospel, to country, to rap and everything in between.  I think thats kind of what Austin is a, a down home melting pot. 

Also, I must rave about the Hill Country for a moment.  The hill country surrounding Austin is arguablly one of the most beautiful scenery's in the US.  That Colorado river has made dramatic cuts in the land while providing sufficient water for beautiful plant life to grow. 

Lastly, pretty much everything Austin lacks is right down the road, Houston, San Antonio and Dallas are all less than 3 hours driving away.