I moved from Chicago for LA.....I'm like really? (Decatur: fit in, real estate)

[BCam1]

Okay, for two years now I've been using you guys' opinions to form some of my thoughts about certain places. I love the fact that we can network and talk about our various areas from people who actually live or lived there, so I need your HELP!!! Please!!!



I'm from Chicago, moved to Los Angeles. I thought this is where I wanted my life to be, now I'm questioning that.

I have a 6 year old son, and I don't think I'll like the influence LA would have on him. Also his mother is more of a "simple life" kinda person and I think LA may be too fast paced for her. I haven't moved them out here as of yet because I wanted to get settled first before bringing them.

As I'm getting settled, I'm not liking some things and now feel like this isn't the place I want to raise my son. The rent being so very expensive makes me feel like a move to another place would offer me better choices for my money. In LA you either get a rat hole in a decent area or a palace in a crap hole of a neighborhood. And "Good" neighborhoods are just way out of my price range.

I'm trying to compare 5 places (I know right?). Here's my choices, tell me what you think.......

1.Go back to Chicago. Love my city! Are some crap holes but I know where to be and where not to be. Cons-Not so cheap, cold.

2. Atlanta-I'm a young African American but I don't care about the hype at all. Can I get southern hospitality mixed with a lil' urban here? Safe places to raise my son with decent schools? Natural disaster issues?

3. Houston- Is it cheap? Is there a big threat of a hurricane coming and wiping out what I'm working to build?

4. Dallas-I have no reasons for Dallas at all, but I heard it's better than Houston. So I included to somewhat consider.

5. Arizona- Not sure where in AZ, but I heard bad things about Scottsdale. I've heard Phnx is ok.

So those are my choices....can you help?


P.S. My profile-I'm 25, black, 1 son, some college (not much though. plan to return ASAP), management experience with Wal-mart, Starbucks, Rosetta Stone (though I'm not really interested in staying in the customer service field much. If I have to, I will for the money. But I want to try my hand at banking, real estate, and really any decent paying desk job until I finish school.

ALSO A GOOD BLACK CHURCH PRESENCE WOULD BE GREAT!

Thanks guys for your help! I'm counting on you!

[Avengerfire]

You think so much of Chicago that you asked 4 other forums the exact same thing?

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by avengerfire

you think so much of chicago that you asked 4 other forums the exact same thing?

bahaha

[tb4000]

Chicago is just your ***** on the side. Frankly, it wished you would have at least answered its calls.

[Drover]

Well I think it's obvious why he asked in multiple forums, namely to get feedback from the people in all the places he's looking. I don't see any reason to jump on his case for that. Unfortunately they will probably all be consolidated and moved to the City v. City forum where he'll have to endure endless "my city shts on your city nanny-nanny-boo-boo" crap while trying to filter out the handful of actually useful answers.

Anyway, tough call, but if you love Chicago and you're already familiar with it, it seems like an obvious choice. Even more so if this is where your wife(?) and kid are located; you were kind of ambiguous about that part though.

[Cuito]

Originally Posted by BCam1

2. Atlanta-I'm a young African American but I don't care about the hype at all. Can I get southern hospitality mixed with a lil' urban here? Safe places to raise my son with decent schools? Natural disaster issues?

Believe the hype. ATL is the bomb.

Safety, decent schools, good churches? There are many areas around Atlanta that fit these criteria. I would suggest looking at Decatur and Stone Mountain.

There's plenty of reasonably priced good housing, also.

[cubssoxfan]

6 year old son? Which offers the best public schools with an open enrollment policy?
Oh, and from personal visits to explore relocating to Texas, I thought Houston was better than Dallas. Actually I preferred Austin over both.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Drover

Well I think it's obvious why he asked in multiple forums, namely to get feedback from the people in all the places he's looking. I don't see any reason to jump on his case for that...

Let's see if this guy actually returns and follows up in any of his threads. This far he has not even one time.

There is something very fishy about his threads.

[gobearsgo]

You can live very affordably in Houston, which has a much better economy than LA or Chicago. Houston is also more diverse than Dallas. I lived in Houston as a child and have great memories of growing up there. I can't speak to Atlanta, but I think it would be similar to Houston in many ways.

[BCam1]

@Avenger-I'm trying to make a well informed decision, not start a turf war. Thanks but yes I want opinions from around the country not just us biased Chicago folks, now you know how we are! Loosen up and gimmie some advice d@mnit! (All smiles)

@Drover-thanks. I mean duh right? I don't know how this thing works, I'm just trying to be well informed....crime?

We're separated but still friends and want to raise him together. Hey it's not his fault we didn't work out.

@Cuito- Thanks so much! I will consider. How about natural disasters? What do they face down there and how often?

@Cubs/sox- (I love the combination name, you get it for that don't you!?!?!) Austin? Is it more Texas-like or international city-like? I don't think my Chi-town arrogance would fit in certain parts of Tex. But why did u like it, if I may ask?

@Avenger-WTH r u? Like City data police? It's only been one day! GEEEZZZZ!!! Get off my back and help a brotha out or STHU! Geez dude!

@Gobears-(Love the name!) Okay thank you so much! I like Houston a lot so far but I'm concerned about major hurricanes. Your thoughts?