I left California for Austin and have no regrets. Moving to Texas is one of the best things I've done.

• Rick Havacko moved from Orange County to Austin for the affordability and a lifestyle change.
• He chose Dripping Springs for its rural charm, lower costs, and vibrant Austin culture.
• Although he enjoys the nature and community in Texas, he misses his California friends and sports teams.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Rick Havacko, a 58-year-old corporate communications lead in Austin. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Working remotely during the pandemic was the springboard for my move from California to Texas. I was born and raised in Orange County. I realized that although I love Laguna Niguel, I didn't want to live the rest of my life there.

It's beautiful, but once you get outside the city, it's congested, and prices are high.

I've worked for Toshiba Business for 13 years, and I've always been fully remote. After my employer approved my move, the choice was between Austin (where I had visited before and enjoyed) and Nashville, which I had heard great things about.

After traveling to both places in the summer of 2021, I decided to make Austin my home.

My decision almost came down to a coin flip

Both areas featured all the benefits of city life with a rural feel. Nashville is an amazing city and very similar to Austin. It has great music, culture, and a very creative vibe with tons of energy.

What drew me to Austin is that it has my gym, LA Fitness, so I felt like I could really hit the ground running.

I've been here for about four and a half years, and it's been one of the best things I've ever done.

I spent most of my life in California

Growing up in Orange County, the furthest I ever went was to San Diego for college, which is so close I could come home anytime I wanted. Austin was my first permanent move, so I had a little trepidation.

I remember driving all night past Camp Pendleton, finally arriving in Tucson, Arizona, to spend the night. I got there about 1 a.m., and I felt a lot of uncertainty, like, Am I really going to like this place?

When I hit the Hill Country, just before Fredericksburg, and headed into Austin, I passed the beautiful sawgrass and oak trees, and a sense of calm enveloped me, giving me the feeling that I was in a good place.

I chose an Austin suburb

I moved to Dripping Springs, which is 20 miles west of downtown Austin. It's more affordable than Southern California and less congested, but ultimately, it came down to the energy of the city and its people.

I look outside my window, and often see deer, foxes, wild turkey, and even a Longhorn steer walking by my fence. I would never experience that in Laguna Niguel. I love nature.

The biggest challenge is that I miss my friends

I no longer have immediate family in California, but I miss my friends back home. Making new friends has been the biggest challenge I've faced, but I keep trying. I've joined a volleyball league and play soccer and softball, where I meet people.

I miss the world-class beaches in California; here we're pretty landlocked. I'm also a huge Angels fan. I grew up following the team, and Toshiba has a suite at Angel Stadium, so I used to attend many games. I also enjoyed attending LA Galaxy games. For now, I've adopted the University of Texas Longhorns for football and baseball, and I go to those games.

One con is that property taxes are quite high

While Texans are not required to file a state income tax return (only a federal one), property taxes appear to be significantly higher here. Properties themselves, however, are relatively inexpensive here. My property here is about twice the size of my home in California, and it was less expensive.

Overall, it's still cheaper to live here, although Austin is one of the priciest cities in Texas. Gas is more affordable in Austin, but other living costs are comparable. I kept my same salary when I moved.

I love the authenticity and friendliness of the people here

Here in Dripping Springs, you see people with big belt buckles and cowboy boots. It's cool and culturally different from Orange County.

Downtown Austin is one of the most vibrant and exciting places on the planet. It bustles with positive energy, with live music at pretty much every turn, and the University of Texas at Austin adds to that vibe.

I'm very happy here and plan to stay permanently.