Australian moving to the USA (rental, neighborhoods, pros and cons) - General U.S. - City-Data Forum

bmccor08 · 01-20-2011, 10:32 PM

Hey there

I am an Aussie girl in mid 20s about to make the big move to the States.

I work in Advertising - and I am able to get a move with my company that is in several cities - the problem is, I just don't know which one to choose!

I can go NYC, Chicago or Boston ....

Obviously all of these are fairly expensive cities and there are pros and cons of each. I would like to live somewhere that I am going to be constantly meeting new people & staying active with the outdoors - yet still have enough money to survive on at the end of each month! Since I will not know anyone - socializing is important

Any advice I would love to hear!!

kyle19125 · 01-21-2011, 05:58 AM

Chicago would edge out the other two in terms of cost of living and friendliness in my opinion. Meeting people/making friends will be important and I think Chicago has more the tendency to be open-armed toward newcomers. Good luck!

Hollytree · 01-21-2011, 06:02 AM

I think the weather will be a huge change for you. Prepare for winter in all these cities! That being said, Chicago is worse than Boston weather wise. Of the 3 cities, I'd pick Boston. NYC is highly overrated IMHO.

Kevin J · 01-21-2011, 01:35 PM

You should find out first of all whether your company would pay you a higher salary if you work in their New York office than if you work in Boston or Chicago. The cost of living in New York is so much higher than other big cities in the US that it is not uncommon for there to be a cost of living differential in salaries from city to city within the same company.

Even if you would be paid more in New York, you need to do your research to find out if you can afford to live there on your salary and still be able to afford the other things you want to do. As a newcomer, you probably will want the convenience and the experience of living in Manhattan (where you will no doubt be working too), but that will cost you.

If you are outgoing and active, you won't have trouble meeting people in any of these cities. All three are crawling with single people in their 20s who are looking for the same experience you are.

j_cat · 01-21-2011, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Chicago would edge out the other two in terms of cost of living and friendliness in my opinion. Meeting people/making friends will be important and I think Chicago has more the tendency to be open-armed toward newcomers. Good luck!

I moved to Chicago specifically because it's not that friendly and you can just do your own thing. I haven't made any friends here yet, and I'm satisfied with that.

If you're really looking to meet people I'd suggest NYC; I think there's a lot more interaction there.

j_cat · 01-21-2011, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaijj1c

why would anyone move to chi cago?

ok then, so anyway...

elarbee · 01-22-2011, 06:14 AM

I prefer Melbourne to Sydney so that may explain why I preferred Chicago to NYC. But its winters will kick your ass and it's not as easy to make friends as in NYC. Give Boston a miss. Check craigslist.com to an idea of rental costs in different neighborhoods. To live is to fly all high and low.