I spent a week in Austin to check it out because I had heard good things. I liked it to visit, but not to live. The music/culture/cuisine/nightlife aspects were top notch. Maybe I just missed some things, but Austin failed pretty hard on the outdoor things to do/local points of interest front though. It was flat, hot, and boring outside of drinking/eating/music venues. I went to Lake Travis, but the damn thing has damn near disappeared. Other than that, there isn't a mountain or beach in 3+ hours or less drive.