state/city with good weather, low cost of living, good job market, safe, and culture! (crime rate)

[nankjay]

Hi there!

I am currently living in AZ. While I love it, I am very far from family, most of of whom are on the east coast. I have a twin sister in Sunrise, Fl but the cost of living is too high there and the salaries are too low... also.. my husband is asthmatic so we are worried about the humid weather, originally living in NY most of our lives. I have a medical problem which limits me to places that do not get very cold, that is why we came up with AZ. However, the holiday being today is a reminder of how difficult it is to be so far from family.

I would consider Florida if the cost of living was lower and salaries higher (it doesn't get cold and we've dealt with the humidity before). We also considered Austin, TX but it is still pretty far, we heard the healthcare system is horrendous for people with disabilabilities and the variability of weather there is a huge deterrent and would wreak havoc on my body.

So, here are the things most important to us. We know a city will NOT have all of these things but if you know of a place that comes close, I'd love to hear about it. We also considered Atlanta, but heard they get winters.

- Nice people
-Mild or no winter (not many days below 50)
-Culture and nightlife
-SAFE!!!
-lowER cost of living
-reasonable salaries (we know they won't be like NY)
-public transportation
-good healthcare system
-preferably near some water or mountains- nice scenery
- easy to get to east coast (direct flights, unlike austin, tx)

I know that is a long list, but if you can share any thoughts, I'd greatly appreciate it!!

Thanks sooooooo much and happy thanksgiving to you!!!!!

[coldwine]

North Carolina sounds like your bet. South Carolina is even cheaper, but it's very, ah, "southern".

[compelled to reply]

Doesn't exist. Nothing even close exists. Closest bet is Jacksonville, FL, although you aren't going to find any areas in the continental US where nights below 50 are infrequent other than South Florida. Not even North or Central Florida.

Overall, with your request, you should try Jacksonville, FL. Pretty good healthcare, but it gets nippy sometimes in the winter (40s and 30s are quite common at night), the job market is just as weak as other FL cities but the cost of living is much lower. Crime rate shows high statistically, but it's easy to avoid the bad areas. I would be recommending North Carolina if it weren't for the climate and pollution, which has great jobs and healthcare.

[gameguy56]

Houston is your closest bet. Check out areas inside the 610 loop around the universities (Rice, UH, etc. ) for nice areas. Lots of culture and very cosmopolitan, it is the 4th biggest city in the states. Housing isn't expensive and it never gets cold.

As for scenery, you'll be near the Gulf Coast. Public transit will be better once the finish the light rail system in 2012, but from what I hear you can get around now if you need to.

[ArizonaBear]

To the OP:

I hate to say this; but, unless you can deal with humidity, your best bet is right where you are-------Arizona.

[lammius]

I agree. It sounds like you're already in the place that meets most of your criteria. Start racking up those frequent flyer miles to visit the fam.

[Vagus]

state/city with good weather, low cost of living, good job market, safe, and culture!

If you build it, they will come . . .