We've been to Austin a few times. Went to Pride there last year (surprised it was a small Pride) but liked the downtown area. Saw the bats! That was a sight. Won't be moving there because we love to the ocean too much to leave here but will be visiting Austin again in the near future. My gf eyeballed that Mall you were talking about. So far I've managed to stay on the Freeway and keep driving past it.