Keith and I grew up in Houston within miles of each other.

1965-1971 In Friendswood (Dad worked for NASA)

1971-1972 in Scotia NY, a short ways from Albany (Dad worked on nuke-subs for GE)

1973-1982 in the Memorial area of W. Houston (Nukes for TX)

Then I left for college  in '82 and have never lived there again.

I understand why people live there, but I also confess I only visit when I have to. Work and family, both take me there from time to time. I'm just very much not into crowds, and  Austin can want to be weird all they want, but it is like any other metropolis today, boring&stinky with long lines and high costs everywhere.