Vegas vs Austin vs Portland vs Sacramento ???? (crime, places, life)

[ScoopLV]

There are people who barely scrape by in New York City. Most of America calls these people "millionaires."

[Merrily Gather]

Just from reading your post I can tell you really want LA as it is the most ideal for you, but the only thing excluding it is the high cost of living. So the question you should really be asking is how to make LA work because it the most ideal place you want to be. Are there areas around it that are affordable that give you access to the lifestyle you want? Would doing the room mate situation with a college student work for you until you land on your feet and get some work and familiarity with the area?

Otherwise I'd suggest Austin or Portland. I'm from Austin myself and the COL is less than Portland. I've also lived in Oregon and Portland is pretty awesome but there are areas within an hour or two from it that are extremely affordable that still give you access to it such as Corvallis and Eugene. I suspect you want that big city experience though so you need to be right in it and in today's reality living in the big city to start out is going to either cost you or be a compromise on something you want.

As for Sacramento I wouldn't even consider that on the list, but if you're considering it for proximity to other places then I would suggest lower cost of living areas with proximity to larger cities such as I suggested with Portland, Oregon. Corvallis and Eugene are college towns and pretty cool. For Austin that's a little harder because you really want to be in the city and not on the out skirts of it in a smaller more rural town. There are some crazy backwards redneck things that goes on in those areas and you'll really want to be in the city instead if you're an outsider from the State. That's coming from a born and bred Texan and Pacific Northwest gal.

[Merrily Gather]

As for Vegas I crossed it off your list as soon as you mentioned you were worried about the heat in Austin. It didn't sound like Vegas had much of what you're looking for in your ideal town anyways.

[ddrhazy]

Originally Posted by Merry Lee Gather

Just from reading your post I can tell you really want LA as it is the most ideal for you, but the only thing excluding it is the high cost of living. So the question you should really be asking is how to make LA work because it the most ideal place you want to be. Are there areas around it that are affordable that give you access to the lifestyle you want? Would doing the room mate situation with a college student work for you until you land on your feet and get some work and familiarity with the area?

Otherwise I'd suggest Austin or Portland. I'm from Austin myself and the COL is less than Portland. I've also lived in Oregon and Portland is pretty awesome but there are areas within an hour or two from it that are extremely affordable that still give you access to it such as Corvallis and Eugene. I suspect you want that big city experience though so you need to be right in it and in today's reality living in the big city to start out is going to either cost you or be a compromise on something you want.

As for Sacramento I wouldn't even consider that on the list, but if you're considering it for proximity to other places then I would suggest lower cost of living areas with proximity to larger cities such as I suggested with Portland, Oregon. Corvallis and Eugene are college towns and pretty cool. For Austin that's a little harder because you really want to be in the city and not on the out skirts of it in a smaller more rural town. There are some crazy backwards redneck things that goes on in those areas and you'll really want to be in the city instead if you're an outsider from the State. That's coming from a born and bred Texan and Pacific Northwest gal.

OP could move to Vallejo and commute into SF area for the night life, that's two bridges to cross though.

[Poncho_NM]

Thread moved from Las Vegas forum...

[Pink90]

Originally Posted by Scott456

Same thing can be said about any city.
All attractions get old after a while.

Very true. But it takes on a whole other meaning in touristy cities because we have this impression that "because I had a great weekend there on vacation a year ago it must be great to live there".

[Pink90]

Originally Posted by Cold Warrior

Sacramento? Really? Take a look at Davis. It is a uni town with all of the attractions that come with that.

Sacramento is great for the outdoors; close to Napa, Lake Tahoe/Yosemite, and San Francisco while not being too expensive.

However it is not going to have the nightlife and entertainment options like Vegas or even Austin.

[TXsurburbanmom]

Originally Posted by Merry Lee Gather

As for Vegas I crossed it off your list as soon as you mentioned you were worried about the heat in Austin. It didn't sound like Vegas had much of what you're looking for in your ideal town anyways.

Yep, my friend's husband just got back from Vegas. It was 115. He didn't even want to walk around the strip and he's a fireman from San Antonio.

I will say COL in Austin has skyrocketed so compare before making a decision. It's crazy expensive downtown where everyone wants to be.

[floridanightskies]

Originally Posted by Merry Lee Gather

Just from reading your post I can tell you really want LA as it is the most ideal for you, but the only thing excluding it is the high cost of living.

I think you might be right but I am more confused than ever now, haha. Is LA walkable, can you live there without a car- I've read mixed things? Are there neighborhoods where it is safe to walk late at night? Is there pretty hiking or is it mostly brownish bush scrub?

And thanks again for everyone's feedback, I'm amazed there are so many helpful strangers out there.... thank you!

[Mini-apple-less]

Portland jobs also tend to be scarce and low paying, often coupled with poor working conditions and absurd expectations. Considering the high COL there, it's probably just as bad if not worse than Florida.

Edit: then again, this WHOLE COUNTRY has more or less given workers the middle finger.