Hi, I'm from the Bay Area too!! Marin...I know what you mean, I'm not much of a city person either. I can't stand San Francisco. I have been to Texas and I LOVED it! The people are so nice. It's not as "city-like" as San Fran is. There are "quieter" areas like there are here. I would love to live in Texas.
You could go and stay for 6mos and see how you like it
Also, you could buy a huge house for what you'd pay for a condo here.
Let me know what you think of it when you visit.