Need some help finding the perfect place (hotel, house)
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Hi all,
I could use some help finding an ideal place for my boyfriend and I to re-locate.
Where I'm looking: I'd like to stay east, near the mid-atlantic, maybe within a 5 hour drive of baltimore (where my family is) I'm currently considering Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, but I'm open to suggestions
Here's my criteria..
Sustainability: emphasis on green living, local food, and generally healthy atmosphere
Schools: I work in education, and I would like some great schools around so I have options
Natural resources: I love the outdoors and hiking, so I would like some nature to be easily accessible
Here's the tough part... My boyfriend is in the culinary industry, so we are looking for a place with a high density of upscale restaurants. Not just fancy, but highly rated, and that have a significant star or diamond rating.
We do not want to live in a major city, but would consider living right outside one if there was good public transportation and the place fits the rest of the criteria. Most preferable would be a town or small city.
Also.. We are in our twenties, and would like there to be a "downtown", no matter how small, where there is some culture and night-life.
I've been considering Ithaca, NY, because it sounds like a good spot, but it turns out the fine-dining scene didn't have the quantity and variety he is looking for.
Please let me know if you have any suggestions, Thanks
As someone who cooks for a living, I understand where your boyfriend is coming from. It's hard to find the diversity and career options you want in smaller markets.
I would consider the Southeast for your goals. Nicer weather, a little cheaper COL, and a good amount of interesting options as far as food.
Raleigh-Durham, NC is one. Lots of colleges if that's what you're looking for (and decent public schools if not). It's a small pond restaurant scene but there are a number of interesting options and it's growing - speaking from experience. A few examples are the Fearrington House, Heron's @ the Umstead, An, Mandolin, Poole's Diner, Mateo Tapas, Nana's, Watts Grocery, Piedmont. A bunch of nice bakeries and pastry shops if y'all are interested in that.
Colin Bedford @ the Fearrington House is a certified 'Grand Chef' by Relais Chateaux - only one in the Southeast IIRC. Steven Greene @ AN is also a stud and has worked around at some very nice places. Scott Crawford who was the Exec. Chef at Heron's/the Umstead, just left and is going to open two restaurants in Raleigh within a year. The Umstead is a Forbes 5 Star & AAA 5 Diamond Hotel. Plenty of other restaurants in the area have been nominated and won James Beard awards (including Ashley Christensen @ Poole's this year).
It won't be as nice as cooking in SF, N.O., Chicago, DC, NYC and other larger markets... but there are definitely worse areas to be working at. Most places are always keeping an eye open for dependable, good cooks -- it's a small pond.
Nashville is another option. I will let others who have more experience speak on that, but their restaurant scene has exploded recently -- probably better than Raleigh-Durham -- and it seems to be a very 'hip' place to relocate.
Richmond VA is a third I'd consider. I'm a big fan of Richmond. I don't know much about their restaurant scene though.
Austin tx although it's growing out of its small city stage. Its got the university of Texas, self proclaimed live music capital of the world, plenty of upscale eateries and growing and the col (maybe not downtown anymore because demand is insane) is relatively affordable in comparasion with other cities.
Considering the Raleigh-Durham idea. Austin looks amazing, but maybe a little too far away and hot.
Looking into the casino
thanks!
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