Wanting to move but not sure where too.. help ! please ! (crime rates, hotels) - City-Data Forum

bochalek · 12-15-2011, 10:37 PM

I am in my early 20s and looking to move away from home. I went to college for one year in Chicago and absolutely loved it! But the college was not right for me so I packed up and moved back to Wisconsin (where I am from ) and attended school for two more years. I then took a break and moved back home to a small town an hour north of Milwaukee.

I recently have been applying to go back to school and my top choice was a school in Detroit (college for creative studies).. but I cannot afford it. So my back up plan is to move and give myself a new start.

My original thought was Seattle or Portland, but after doing much reading around I am not too sure that's were I want to end up. I am not sure I would be alright with not having much sunshine, ever. I then started thinking about Austin tx.

I don't have a lot of money and would need to be able to find a job easily when I get there, even if its just restaurant work or something. Housing has to be inexpensive too.. like around $500/mo or less.

I loved being in Chicago, I found it extremely inspiring and I am hoping once I move and establish myself I can start looking at colleges again (since being an instate resident is much cheaper for tuition) I am a pretty creative person and loving being around other people and being in a city with a night life would be great.

Any suggestions would be fantastic ! Thanks!

kyle19125 · 12-16-2011, 01:34 PM

Austin, Seattle and Portland are full of folks like yourself and finding a job in any of them is not easy. I would recommend looking outside the box of the usual suspects and check out places like Minneapolis/St Paul or Pittsburgh which have very low unemployment rates (5.4% and 6.4% respectively) as well as a low cost of living with housing costs within your budget. Both are large cities that will offer creative opportunity as well.

ckhthankgod · 12-17-2011, 02:33 PM

A sleeper could be Buffalo due to having a pretty good arts scene, low cost of living, good state colleges, good nightlife and below average unemployment rate. Artvoice: Buffalo's #1 Newsweekly

INTELLICHICK · 12-19-2011, 12:58 PM

I'm in the same boat but I live in NYC and I'm a mom. I keep hearing of Pittsburgh i think I will take a look

bochalek · 12-20-2011, 11:07 PM

Yeah, the more research and looking around I do the more I hear about Pittsburgh and Philadelphia being good places to look into. Also Raleigh NC comes up a lot too.

Boston has come up several times, but that city is on the more expensive end of my budget I think.

I realize that no city will be perfect, but I have this notion in my head and am having a hard time getting around it. But I can't live beyond my means so I have to give up the idea of being in a "glamorous" city.

But the more I think about what I want Pittsburgh or Philly would probably fit me well, and I really love football and baseball and I am not sure I would want to move some where like Raleigh where they don't have a national football or baseball team.

kyle19125 · 12-21-2011, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bochalek

Yeah, the more research and looking around I do the more I hear about Pittsburgh and Philadelphia being good places to look into. Also Raleigh NC comes up a lot too.

Boston has come up several times, but that city is on the more expensive end of my budget I think.

I realize that no city will be perfect, but I have this notion in my head and am having a hard time getting around it. But I can't live beyond my means so I have to give up the idea of being in a "glamorous" city.

But the more I think about what I want Pittsburgh or Philly would probably fit me well, and I really love football and baseball and I am not sure I would want to move some where like Raleigh where they don't have a national football or baseball team.

You're not going to find inexpensive living conditions/$500 housing in Philadelphia unless you plan on living near a crack den. Pittsburgh could be a good choice for you though you really have just one option for somewhat inexpensive colleges (Pitt) which isn't cheap (even by in-state standards). I get the interest in football/baseball so you might consider cities like St. Louis, Cincinnati or Kansas City. All three offer both sports, a low cost of living and public universities with reasonable tuition.

missmc66 · 12-24-2011, 01:02 PM

I would not recommend moving to either Cincinnati or St louis both have high crime rates. Cincinnati has 2-3 shootings a day there. Louisville Ky is a good college town and they love their sports there. Highlands area is happening with lots of bars and restaraunts. Cost of living is fairly cheap.

bgrn198 · 12-24-2011, 09:36 PM

You might also check out Houston or Dallas

Dallas Hotels, Restaurants, Events and Things to Do | Dallas CVB

Houston, TX - Hotels, Events, Things to Do - Official Vacation Info

icecreamsandwich · 12-25-2011, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missmc66

I would not recommend moving to either Cincinnati or St louis both have high crime rates. Cincinnati has 2-3 shootings a day there. Louisville Ky is a good college town and they love their sports there. Highlands area is happening with lots of bars and restaraunts. Cost of living is fairly cheap.

If you ask the people in the St. Louis forum they'll tell you the crime isn't nearly as big an issue as statistics / reports make it seem. It seems to be very over reported...

OP I suggest reading on states/cities and seeing which you like, drawing against a personal list of pros and cons. I suggest a cheap, outside the box type of place like Alabama, Nebraska, or Montana...