Heavens yes. Austin is ‘liberal city’ but I attribute it to being a college town and the ‘hippy culture’ of 6th Street and downtown area.
I went to U of T in a ‘nicer’ time, lol.
Around 1994, two of our friends packed up and headed to Austin because Austin was doing well economically and had jobs. A lot of growth there.
Once they arrived they said the homes they purchased were twice the size and amenities compared to what they could afford in California.