SOYOUWANNA KNOW THE TEN MOST POPULAR CITIES TO MOVE TO?

3. CITIES 4 - 2

4. AUSTIN, TX
Percent increase, 1990 - 1998: 17.0%

A haven for high-end techies and the setting for the e-workplace film satire Office Space, Austin used to reek of burnt silicon and take-out Chinese. But a generous market and massive influx of disposable income have triggered something of a cultural resurgence in this once-flat capital city. Austin has been sponsoring a host of cultural programs, including a Shakespeare Festival and a campaign to set up art displays in public places. The Austin school system also easily rivals those of its Texan neighbors, a strong draw for yuppie programmers to stay in the area and start a family.

When Intel opens the doors of its new 500,000-square-foot office space in 2002, expect other hi-tech giants to follow suit. Land is cheap in Austin, which means that, for better or for worse, growth is inevitable.

3. EL PASO, TX
Percent increase, 1990 - 1998: 19.3%

Straddling Texas, New Mexico and the U.S.-Mexican border, El Paso is a true border town. The people are young, ethnically diverse, and - not surprisingly - bilingual. And while the average citizen's income hovers just below $40,000, the cost of living has been declining steadily since 1993, despite a booming population.

Not unlike its citizens, the architectural El Paso has the look of a prototypical melting pot, blending 19th century pastoral with 21st century chic. At the crux of the city's revitalization efforts is the Union Plaza district, a rundown commercial center en route to a shopping-mall-esque makeover, complete with a 414-space parking garage. Is it any wonder that someone named a brand of microwave-able burritos after this place?

2. CHARLOTTE, NC
Percent increase, 1990 - 1998: 20.3%

The hardest adjustment to make when moving to Charlotte is realizing that, despite hosting some of NASCAR's biggest races, life moves slowly there. Very slowly. Polite chit-chat in doing business is a must, and a 45-minute commute to the office is about average.

But let there be no mistakes: Regardless of the pace, Charlotte is bursting with big business. Take a look at the numbers (courtesy of The Charlotte Observer): #3 in cell phone permanence, #5 in business trips, and #2 in big banking.

Conscious of its strong Southern identity, Charlotte is a conservative city that is sweet on traditions. Northerners are still "Yanks," grits are still the breakfast food of choice, and Jesse Helms is still elected to public office.