Don't know  much about Austin even i live close to Austin it's good place so is San Antonio in comparison i like San Antonio much better from every angle :) I lived in Dallas for a year which was worst experience of my life through every angle . Transport : You will need your own car there is bus service but very limited i am pretty sure cost of living is high there too . As mentioned above ye it kind of feels like nepal specially when you travel around park,lakes ,Rivers .