Help choosing where to put down roots.

[Vagus]

Originally Posted by Terrapin2212

I live in the DC area. Half the area is very elitist and snobby and pretentious, a la Long Island, Westchester, and Connecticut. A lot of transplants here are from the NY area bringing their rudeness, snottiness, unfriendliness, etc. The other half of people here are ghetto people and illegal aliens.

Is it just me, or does anyone else see the irony here . . . ?

Minneapolis always ranks high as a livable city....but do they take the weather into account? My friend is from Minnesota and she says schools don't cancel recess unless its below -15 degrees F!

Substiture Charlotte, Phoenix, Las Vegas, or Dallas for "Minneapolis" and 120 for "-15" and you can pretty much see why not everyone likes the SweatBelt, either!

[rnc76]

I would vote Boston or Chicago with a slight edge to Boston. They are both great cities with lots of culture and good food IMO. The reason I like Boston better is because there are more recreational activities within a short drive. Cape Cod, the White Mountains, Maine coast, skiing in Vermont, the Berkshires, Newport... are all less than 2 hours away. New York City is a little over 3 hours. Where do you go once you get outside of Chicago? I'm sure there are some pretty areas along the lakes, but nowhere near the diversity in landscape. I'm a nature lover, I need outdoor recreational opportunities, so that is just my preference. I do love the downtown area of Chicago though. $650k should give you quite a few options in either place, probably a relatively modest but nice house in the trendy, "inner-ring suburbs" and a very nice house 20 miles or so out.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by rnc76

Where do you go once you get outside of Chicago? I'm sure there are some pretty areas along the lakes, but nowhere near the diversity in landscape

I beg to differ. Visit the area sometime before you make assumptions. All this can be found within a few hours of Chicago:




http://www.igougo.com/photogallery/thumbnail.aspx?journalphotoID=117969 (broken link)



http://www.science.siu.edu/zoology/anderson/Larue1.jpg (broken link)





Yes, the skiing isnt as great, but there is definitely downhill skiing in many ares of MN, WI, IL, MI, etc

[rnc76]

I'm not going to get into a picture battle. I didn't say there weren't any pretty areas outside of Chicago. Those pictures are nice, but I hold to my opinion that the landscape within 2 hours of Boston is much more attractive than that within 2 hours of Chicago. The coast (both sandy beach and rocky cliffs), the woodlands, the mountains... How about the countless picturesque little villages dotting New England? You could spend a lifetime exploring all the neat little towns and studying their history. I've been to both areas, albeit I am MUCH more familiar with New England.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by rnc76

I'm not going to get into a picture battle. I didn't say there weren't any pretty areas outside of Chicago. Those pictures are nice, but I hold to my opinion that the landscape within 2 hours of Boston is much more attractive than that within 2 hours of Chicago. The coast (both sandy beach and rocky cliffs), the woodlands, the mountains... How about the countless picturesque little villages dotting New England? You could spend a lifetime exploring all the neat little towns and studying their history. I've been to both areas, albeit I am MUCH more familiar with New England.

Gotcha. I was just trying to illustrate the fact that the landscape around here is just as varied as it is in the east. You can get everything from flat terrain, to hilly terrain, smaller ski resorts, tons of rivers and lakes, palisades, canyons, national forests, beaches, prairies, sand prairies, sand dunes, bogs and marshes, etc, etc. Chicagoland area is home to MANY forest preserves which offer every kind of outdoor activity that you can think of, contrary to popular belief.

[Futcha]

I love it how he says ONLY a $650,000 place and a DECENT paying job. Dude, you're too modest.

With that much, you could easily find a great place in Manhattan.

In the NYC suburbs, expect anything from 1,500-2,000 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, cape in White Plains (20 minutes north of the city).

Chicago is also a great choice. Highly recommended!

[brenty]

Hi,

I was in Chicago a few days ago to look at houses and I decided to purchase a wonderful renovated home on Asbury in Evanston for $498,000. I couldn't be more happy with my choice. We are closing on Friday. Chicago is a wonderful city! I am going to be working in Schaumburg for at least six months as part of my contract. I will probably switch to a job in the loop.