While I agree with most of these as great reasons for moving to Austin, as a resident I'd caution those interested in moving here to not take them at face value

While I agree with most of these as great reasons for moving to Austin, as a resident I'd caution those interested in moving here to not take them at face value. Come visit and consider what they're not telling you when making a decision: - It was cheap, but it's not staying cheap. The idea that 'Austin is cheap' has inspired a lot of people to start moving here recently, and the reality hasn't quite started to impede the hype. Reality? My rent has gone up 10%/yr each of the 4 years I've been here, and home values / rent prices across the area are still rising rapidly. A 640 sq ft. studio apartment that was $530/mo when I moved here now rents for $1050/mo, and I'm not even close to downtown. - Texas has no income tax, and house prices may seem to be good at first glance, but property taxes are VERY high. 2.7%-3.5%, and some areas are taxed by multiple entities. - If you can't find anything affordable close to work, prepare for a nightmare daily drive. Most people I work with have a 45- to 60-minute one-way commute. Austin rapidly outgrew its 2 highways, so "rush hour" is 7:45 AM - 10 AM, 3:45 PM - 7 PM every day, except Friday afternoon where it starts at 2:30 PM. - Even as someone with a good software job and no debt, I can't come close to affording a house within a 30 minute one-way commute of work that was built after 1960 given the recent price increases. - Austin is hot, so be ready for that. We set a record of 90 consecutive days of 100+ degree weather in 2011! - Despite all of the above, I do love living in Austin for its food, weather (I hate gray skies and winter), and culture. I worry about how long I'm going to be able to afford to stay... but for now it's a great place to be.