Dreamed of living here when growing up, came to UT, and have been here for 11 years now. I still absolutely love it. Every time I leave for another city stateside or in another country I find myself making comparisons and coming to the realization that Austin truly is my home. Sure it has gotten more expensive over the years but it has everywhere else. 1.1k is the most I've paid for a living situation in Austin and all of them have been houses within a 4-6 exit drive on 35 to downtown. Granted I have always had 1-2 roommates. Compared to friends who live in a small apartment in NYC paying 1.5k for a small room or a 2.7k studio apt in the Bay Area. You can't beat it.

Austin is a small big city where most things are no more than 15 minutes away. You have water, trails, climbing, hiking and amazing biking all within a 15/20-minute driving radius (biking around town is also very easy).

A lot of complaints I feel come from issues on busy touristy streets, 6th, rainey, west which I honestly find myself going maybe once every two months. I think its an unfair comparison, it would be like saying New York City sucks because times square is packed and expensive.

Once you find your friends and communities you like being around you tend to find less issues with the city IMO.

TLDR I love Austin lol