re: Baton Rouge vs Austin

I moved from BR to Austin in the early 90s. Man, Austin was the shite back then. It's still head and shoulders better than BR. It's an actual thriving city. Yes, there are liberals and they screw up anything they get their hands on. But Austin is also lost in a sea of red for the rest of the state.The liberal screw ups (defund the popo, ok for homeless to camp on the sidewalks, sheesh) get overturned pretty quickly. The state capital has to threaten to take over occasionally.

On the other side of the liberals are lots of companies hiring almost all of the time. There are lakes and hills. I expected tumbleweeds before moving. Lots of hot chicks, the dudechicks aren't hard to spot. Traffic sucks but that's everywhere. Amazing food scene in all price ranges.

As to the middle class being able to enjoy/appreciate Austin...absolutely. Parks, spring fed city pools, lots of reasonably priced places to eat. Housing is steep but that's one of the growing pains of being a fastest growing city for years. In 30 years I've never been harassed by homeless or experienced crime. It happens but it's not rampant just like going to the French Quarter, NYC or wherever isn't dangerous for the vast majority of people. Just don't be a dumbass.