If you want no pressure, laid back, Austin is a really nice place to be. It is an emerging tech hub, not as conservative as Houston/Dallas, a university town and over-all fun with the Keep AUstin Weird vibe all around. But Texas is not very known for its public transporation system! Another place I have heard is a good tech hub is Charlotte/Cary in North Carolina. I have friends living there and have heard it is very affordable, and plenty of desis. I don't know about public transport though!
Austin Weird? How weird? I would love a university system. Alas, I may have to drive (I can do it, I'm not perfect though!) North Carolina sounds lovely.
The research triangle area is a tech hub in North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill). Atlanta is another great place to live. If you are in California, try moving to Sacramento/ El Dorado... affordable and sunny and right next door to Lake Tahoe/ Yosemite, and El Dorado National forest area.