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I agree that climate, economic and physical attributes such as you mention are fair factors on which to factor in whether or not a place is suitable for someone who has never been there which is something I have done myself. These are indisputable.
However, in my comments, I was referring to the social and stereotypical reputation people tend to pin on places in their judgments going often repeated by others who repeat only what they have heard and not seen.
I understand what you're trying to ask but I think you're just personally offended that some people don't like Portland. It has a reputation for being a liberal hippy haven. Fair or not. I know that just across the river in Vancouver, WA is quite the opposite. Fairly conservative. That's one reason I ruled Vancouver out. That and in my real estate query, I found mostly newer subdivisions of cookie cutter houses with zero personality.
No city represents it's sterotype 100% and it's foolish to think there is no way to avoid the hippy culture in Portland but that doesn't mean it's still not a good fit. Sometimes it's better for people to admit to themselves that they don't think they'd like an area before diving in head first without giving it a second thought. Don't take it personal.
There arent very many places I would not live if some one threw a huge pile of cash at me. However, places that would be the hardest sell would be:
Las Vegas
Phoenix
Orlando
Anywhere north of I-40 and east of the Rockies (because of the cold winters). I would make an exception for Chicago because I love the city so much
The Pacific Northwest
Basically, anywhere that isnt Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto, LA, the Bay Area, South Florida, and NOVA would be a tough sell with out a lot of extra money. Its not that I hate other places, its just that you have to seperate what you want in a city to live vs. what you find exciting as a visitor. I really think my long term future is in the first four cities on that list. Those are my favorite from a living perspective.
I base these decisions on several factors. Climate, politics, quality of education, cost of living, access to ammenities.
I don't have to go to Phoenix to know it's hot and dry. I like it colder and wet. Therefore, I have no desire to live in Phoenix.
We have this wonderful tool at our fingertips to research anything we want. Of course it's not the same as being there physically but it also can't be discounted as nothing.
Like I stated before, I was just looking into Bartow, WV. When I heard WV, I was intriqued. I thought it might be a place we could live. I don't have to physically go to Bartow and see it with my own eyes when statistics I found online tell me the median household income is less than $19,000 and the meadian home value is $24,000. Unemployment was near 50% and 100% of families live in poverty. It's over 200 miles to the nearest city with a population of over 200,000. Sites like citydata forums tell me the area is extremely remote and not to expect internet or even cell service let alone find a rental.
Climate alone will eliminate a lot of areas for me. So I don't care how funky Austin, TX is, I simply don't like heat.
Same here. I can barely stand 28 degree heat.
A city with 16-22 degree summers would be great. Just warm enough for T-shirts or tank tops, yet not hot enough for you to go on a heat-fueled murder spree for a bottle of water.
As the Simpsons put it, "it's like Las Vegas if it was run by Ned Flanders". How many times could I pass by marquees for Yakov Smirnoff and Ray Stevens before I had an urge to jump off a bridge?
Someplace like Sitka, Alaska. Beautiful though it may be it's just too remote and if I'm honest I'm too old for that kind of adventure. I'm sure I could hack it if forced but Alaskans would probably appreciate the self-awareness!
I will never live in Los Angeles or New York. I also hope to never ever live in the DC area again. I also would not want to live anywhere in New Jersey. Would also prefer not to live anywhere with cold winters like Chicago, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, or Boston.
The thing with New Orleans and Las Vegas is you just have to live in the suburbs if you want to be away from the tourists and nightlife. The things that make LA and NY unlivable....the crime, overcrowding, traffic, noise, high cost of living is pervasive throughout their metro regions.
Davy Crockett once said, "Y'all can go to Hell and I'll go to Texas".
lol
For myself, anyplace north of the Red River, east of the Sabine, and west of the Pecos has no appeal at all.
I've lived in California, Missouri, Kansas, Louisiana - have traveled to the NE & SE. No thanks.
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