I moved from Chicago for LA.....I'm like really?

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by BCam1

...I'm trying to make a well informed decision, not start a turf war....

Well thanks for coming back at least. With the various trolls,instigators and spammers that have been around for many months, it is easy to be skeptical.

[cubssoxfan]

I liked Austin because for me, it's big enough to have vitality, small enough to be less of a hassle than a larger Metro area. I also liked the bias towards outdoor sports like bicycling and running. Cost of living in TX is less than Chicago. Houston appealed to me more than Dallas because it has trees. Except for a few suburbs and the city proper, most of Dallas left me remembering Clara Barker as I muttered "Where's the tree!" Houston's downfall is that it is more hodge-podge than Chicago area because of a lack of and disdain towards zoning. As far as hurricanes in Houston, I believe its an average of every 20 years that they get a major one. The bigger threat is flooding from the heavy rains they get from time to time. You have to be careful where you live to make sure it's not prone to flooding. Houston is pretty nice Oct-May, June-Sep is VERY hot and humid. It is a semi-subtropical? zone. Which is best for an African American? HArd for me to be very credible since I'm a pasty-boy, but I say Atlanta.
My criteria would be: where are best schools for my child, where can I find a decent paying job.

[meatpuff]

Originally Posted by BCam1

@Avenger-I'm trying to make a well informed decision, not start a turf war...

Yeah, don't let what A/F said bother you. The way it is on here, when somebody with < 10 posts starts a thread like this one, I just assume they won't ever be back to read the responses. Because that's what happens more than half the time. It gets frustrating. But you're back, so I hope we can help you.

As far as your actual question, I haven't lived a lot of places around the country so others will have more specifics than me. The good news is that all the places you named have a lower cost of living by a lot compared to LAX. I think TX is still known especially for having affordable houses in spite of the strong economy/jobs situation it's had for the last 20 years or so. Parts of Chicagoland would be great for you, but the other cities are pretty big-time also. Strong, diverse economies in all with a wide range of employment and school opportunities that you're looking for (only hesitate a little on Phoenix which has been hit hard recently economically). As far as you being black specifically, Chicago and Atlanta, despite vast black ghettoes, are definitely also known for large black middle/upper class enclaves. I can't speak for Dallas, Phoenix, Houston on this.

Maybe tell us more what you want in a city. Sounds like all of your choices can give you what you need, if you're resourceful and can seek it out.