Help with Moving to Austin Area for the First Time (Small Town Info) (New Braunfels: credit)

[countryway]

I am currently considering moving to the Austin area of Texas. I am aware of how big the area is and am not sure where to live based on my criteria and don't have the money to explore the area first. My criteria is pretty simple:

(1) I am a musician by trade (Mostly Traditional Country Music and Blues) and want to live in an area that is highly musical with a plethora of band opportunities and Honky-Tonks, clubs etc.

(2) I am also a country, conservative and an old fashioned guy and I really need a laid-back, down-home, old-fashioned, and traditional Texas type of environment.

The towns I am currently looking at are Jarrell, Elgin, and Burnet. I am aware that Burnet is pretty far from Austin and maybe a bit isolated which leads me to not be as interested in that one, but it seems like a pretty area. I need to be in a little more populous area outside of Austin but not actually in Austin.

The towns I mentioned are my lead prospects and will probably move to one of them, but might not be there permanently. (They are "get me to Texas" towns) I would like to live somewhere nice but look around for a more permanent home-town for my family around the size of 50,000 to 250,000 in population, give or take.

I would like to know from those familiar with the towns I mentioned which would best suit my needs in your opinion. Also, your own opinions and observations about the aforementioned towns with credits and discredits to them. Thank you so much for your time, and please ask any questions.

[centralaustinite]

I'd add Bastrop and Elgin to your list. Do you want to live on acreage or actually in a small town? Smithville might suit, Georgetown might as well.

50,000 is a pretty big town!

good luck

[hound 109]

There's no there there in Jarrel or Elgin. (good bbq in Elgin though)

Burnet's nice....but why Burnet?

Given your interests, I'd look at San Marcos or New Braunfels.

New Braunfels, tx

[Tim_Barton]

I think you will like Liberty Hill, Marble Falls, Kingsland or even Burnet.

[JoninATX]

Kyle, San Marcos, Bastrop, and Hutto are also good options, every town around Austin is growing at a good rate and it has that "small town feel".

[hoffdano]

Wimberley and even Fredericksburg might be good to consider too. Wimberley may be too expensive, but it has an artsy population.

Burnet is a bit out there, but I like it. It isn't so far from Marble Falls - which might give the OP some small gigs to work.

[Tim_Barton]

if you want a lake and hill country, also check out Lago Vista.