Austin is an amazing place to visit, especially if you have a friend from there to act as your guide (I highly recommend that part). The food is amazing, there's always some type of event going on, there's lots of cool hikes, the live music is second to none, and the vibe is very un-Texas.
The beer and booze scene is really jumping nowadays too.
And it's still the best place in America to live.
https://www.today.com/money/these-ar...s-live-t151754