Ask Slashdot: Any good tech towns that aren't huge clusterf*cks?

An anonymous reader writes: I've been working in tech as a software developer for about 15 years. As I've gotten older I'm starting to see the appeal of living in a city that's not crazily blown out and expensive like most established tech markets (think San Francisco, Austin, Seattle, Los Angeles, etc.). Are there are any good tech job markets that are normal, affordable, livable, American cities, or am I forever doomed to be subjected to the rat race found in these overheated and overcrowded markets?

Twin Cities

[Gazzonyx]

Come on out to Minneapolis or St. Paul, MN. We've got negative developer unemployment and a reasonable (some might even say European-ish) style of living in a top 15 metro area without the unreasonable price tag you'll find on the coasts.

I'm from PA and after a year out here, I've fallen in love with the Twin Cities. For $1K/month I've got a 2 bedroom apartment in the 'burbs of St. Paul - that's $1/sq. foot/month. I'm hoping to move closer to the office in Minneapolis where a reasonable home starts ar

Try Phoenix

[JustNiz]

Take a look around Phoenix AZ, (including Scottsdale, Chandler, Mesa). I like it here.

Chatanooga

[elrous0]

Excellent super high-speed cheap broadband for individuals and businesses, good place to raise a family, great nightlife, and rent that won't require you to offer your firstborn as a security deposit.

American cities.

[Z00L00K]

In which case you can also look at Canada as well as Mexico and South America.

But if you mean United States only you risk being stuck to limited options. Also realize that there are tech jobs in many places bordering areas that are livable. Like Massachusetts that have a lot of tech jobs in areas bordering New Hampshire.

Or look into jobs in Ireland, the UK or Scandinavia where you also can use English without problems.