MFP, Sierra, I meant real , or best if that's less provocative. it is my opinion only not meant to insult any one ..... just leave the city and travel around Upstate New York , completely different in every way. I could explain in more detail but it gets political and CW likes to use the scissors ... away from the cities America is a different place. its a more balanced view people have out there. I've been to New York and it is in my opinion as I expressed it. we all love our home towns , I get that , but NYC is not Buda Texas in any way or Lytton Springs Texas my home town . if you travel through America its mostly small towns , the mom and pop places to eat and shop things are cheaper and life is more relaxed .... I was in downtown Buda yesterday most of the people you meet are from Austin enjoying a stroll through the antique shops and eating at the restaurants . people are just friendly here. go to Austin you worry about your car getting burgled. among other things. it is a different place I would not live there . but Buda is growing and will probably change , to bad as it is a nice place to live.