Best cities for young ex-Bostonians to relocate for COL, quality of life, etc.

[Charlesaf3]

No doubt, network effect is real.

Richmond has industries which are like that - much to my surprise it's one of the advertising capitals of the US. And fortune 500 type jobs are pretty plentiful. Finance is less so, and IT much less so - if you are doing IT at capital one, and leave, it seems like the Federal Reserve is the main option.

Thing is, in order to have vast choice of jobs, you really only have a few cities to choose from, and they have to be pretty huge. Much easier to be entrepreneurial than Boston though, which makes it as tough as possible.

[brother_rebus]

Originally Posted by goyguy

Beaches aren't necessarily alongside oceans. In another forum such as the 2 mentioned above, throw out the possibilities of Buffalo and Cincinnati (choices made based on core-city population.) Both are national laughingstocks along with Detroit. Plus, I was born/raised in the area of the latter & vow to never return if I can help it. However, financial-service jobs are plentiful and the distance from Boston smaller. As for beaches, those would be found along the Great Lakes ("right at" Buffalo and a 4-5 hour drive from Cincinnati.)

Both are colder cities than boston

[brother_rebus]

incase it hasnt been said- Austin, TX.
Hot managabe heat.
Managable crime.
Very growing city.

[snatale1]

I'm in Central VA right outside of Richmond, No shortage of New Englanders here! Cheap COL, good schools, awesome area with everything you could ever need only minutes away. Much better weather but still have 4 seasons. Lot of huge companies here as well as lots of Gov't so the economy states in good health. Other plus is since VA isn't the "real" South their no real culture shock. TX is good too, but that place isn't "warmer" it's a friggen steam bath, even been there in summer? Not enjoyable at all. The other plus here is the COL is low while the pay is still good. Much easier to stay ahead of the game here than a place down south where the COL is low, but so is the pay.

[timberline742]

Yeah, I'd take VA over TX. Even spring in TX was too hot for me.