I lived in Austin From '73 to early '78, and I loved it then. Awesome music scene, the University of Texas(lots of fun in a college town). The Edwards plateau and hill country, with all the lakes and streams and caves just to the east. Lots of good bass fishing in the Colorado River (different from the Grand Canyon one) Heck, San Antonio, the Gulf of Mexico, Padre Island just to the south, and drive a few more hours south and Mexico! Over to the east a days drive, Louisiana and New Orleans, another great town for music.
'Course I don't miss the water moccasins, chiggers, hailstones that'll knock you out, and dent the crap out of your car, or Tornadoes.