[anguslong]

Just celebrated my 1-year anniversary here in Austin, Texas. Took 8 years to convince wife to make the move. Been fantastic so far. Article is right-on in many regards:

Business/startup/tech climate is strong. (btw: norm is mucho less of the douche than SXSW crowd)

Housing: we moved from Seattle. Home prices roughly half (in 'burbs, near exceptional schools). Taxes are roughly double -- a big reason for low home prices, besides all the cheap land.

Lifestyle: Austin's very similar in people-climate to Seattle. Active, outdoor-loving, low-key, friendly folks.

Climate: summer unbelievably hot, rest of the year, pretty fantastic (for a Seattle boy).

While I've seen a bit of the Red-State stereotype, personal freedom and a live and let live attitude (personally, in government, and business) is much more the norm -- and perhaps much of the reason for riding the recession a bit smoother.

[pjhyett]

The first time I flew into Austin, I hopped into a cab at the airport. On the way to the hotel, the cabbie asked if I had ever been to Austin before, to which I responded that I had never been to Texas.

He turned around, looked directly at me, and said "Austin ain't Texas son."

[procrastitron]

I've lived in Texas for most of my life, imoving between Dallas and Austin, and I can attest to the spirit of what the cab driver told you; Austin is radically different from the rest of the state. Austin is a staunchly liberal college town while the rest of the state is extremely right-wing.

[r0s]

I love it, the heat keeps it real. Less clothes is the solution.