Reviews on Austin and Surrounding Areas??

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7/5/2010
We currently live in Northern New Jersey about 15 minutes outside of New York City. We both work in NYC and are looking to up and leave and move to somewhere different but similar.
We have heard mixed reviews on Austin. I would like to hear some feedback about the city and what towns in the surrounding areas (suburbs) would be best to live in.
We live outside the city but our area being located so close is infused with NYC life, attitudes and drawbacks. : very liberal, diverse, fast paced and traffic dense. We are looking for more land, less people, bigger bang for the buck with more peace and quiet and friendlier people and atmosphere.
I would like a review on this city in comparison to NYC if at all possible. The things we are reading are nothing different from our day to day life as far as the "negatives." Please let me know about all the pros and cons possible of Austin compared to NYC if possible.
Also, if anyone can recommend a town outside of Austin that is great to live it would be much of appreciated!
Jessica | Woodland Park, NJ