For the last couple of years Austin, TX is a place that I've heard a lot about. Friends have often mentioned this city among the hottest, and most trendy communities to live in the U.S. There are many reasons that Austin somehow ends up in just about any conversation about great places to live. The arts thrive in Austin, TX. A place where there is actually a festival called "Keep Austin Weird", this capital city also boasts several major annual film festivals, as well as the Austin City Limits Music Festival, and South by Southwest Music Festival. Aside from the many co-op groceries, state monuments, and super parks, Austin is the home of the supersized public university. Most visitors find themselves seeking out the nighlife of famed 6th st which sits in the middle of the scenic downtown. The poppulation seems very health conscious, and can easily get its fare share of excercise in the moderately warm climate of South Texas. The accessibility of running trails and river walks makes Austin a great place to enjoy the outdoors. Local businesses survive and even thrive in a place that still holds onto much of it's old Texas roots. I get the feeling that I'm back in the South here in Austin, and I must admit I kind of like that about the place. The community itself is like a built up "Carrboro" for those of you who are familiar with the progressive suburb of Chapel Hill. Another aspect of Austin often overlooked is that the economy here is blessed with several very large corporate entities, the best known of which is Dell Computers. Most people have grown fond over the years of eating and shopping at Whole Foods Markets. It's a trend that has taken flight in the era of target marketing, and this Austin founded company has created quite a buzz. Just ask yourself when the last time you sat down with your overpriced, organic compilation of meats and vegetables was? Austin's Whole Foods Market was the first in the U.S. opening in 1980 with just 19 employees. Now there are thousands all over the world, and if you want to get an idea of what kind of people flood the streets of Austin you need look no further than your local Whole Foods Market employee's. They would almost all fit in well here. Other featured delicasies of the city include it's enormous public pool which is more like a public lake, and of course there is a great river that run's through the outskirts of downtown where people jog, kayak, canoe, and enjoy the great views from a natural setting. If you needed any further confirmation that Austin is in fact one of the coolest places on earth right now, I will add one more variable to the equation. "The Tree of Life", a movie being filmed in Austin, TX has brought Brad and Angelina to the city as permanent residents for the next year, and their have been citings all over the city, not to mention Brad Pitt, who is taking the role in Heath Ledger's absence is co-starring with Sean Penn in this film, and yes... Sean Penn has also planned to be in Austin for another 9 months. The city has got a whole lot working for it, and sometimes when you are walking through the streets you almost forget that you are still in Texas.