[bonobo_34]

Austin is fantastic as far as the job market goes but I wouldn't consider it anywhere near cheap unless you want a very long commute into the city or find a job in Round Rock, Buda, or Cedar Park.

Unless you want to live in the ghetto, you won't be able to rent near Midtown for less than $900 for a small one bedroom.

[antjanus]

I mean, houston is the same way. I used to live 30-45 mins away and I got a $1200 3br nice house in a nice neighborhood.

I live in Midtown now and a 1br is $1400+. But off at the medical center you can find places that are around $900 for 1br, and sometimes less. And that's 15 minutes (or less) from downtown.