Quoted from mikeflan:

As someone who has lived in Texas my whole life and who has gone to Austin regularly for the last 30 years, I find your description laughable. Austin is having growing pains from essentially doubling their population over the last 20 years or so, but it's a thriving vibrant city in every way imaginable. Good food, bars, nightlife, and pinball if you are so inclined. It's also increasingly unaffordable compared to much of Texas. That said, I'd move there in a heartbeat if I were so inclined and could swing the costs.