Best affordable cities for an artist / software designer? (2014, rent)
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Been stressing myself to death for the past couple of weeks trying to figure out where to live
I am open to anywhere in the US. My income is nonlocal (work remotely) so this really is just all about what would be the most pleasant
Looked high and low, east, south, midwest, west
Some interesting choices have been Spokane WA, Modesto CA, Wichita KS, Tulsa OK, Memphis TN
But I really don't know - I might not have even thought of what could be the best choice by far
Basically want the cheapest rent possible, but I still also want to enjoy where I live
Last edited by andrewk33; 06-15-2014 at 08:49 PM..
Buffalo is the most affordable metro in the country. The highest ranked "major city" is Detroit at #11. If you don't like that cause it's Detroit, then next major city imo is #13 St Louis.
What I'm getting from this is "where is the cheapest place with a decent enough QOL?"
Looking at this list [url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/erincarlyle/2014/03/11/americas-most-affordable-cities/]America's Most Affordable Cities - Forbes[/url]
Buffalo is the most affordable metro in the country. The highest ranked "major city" is Detroit at #11. If you don't like that cause it's Detroit, then next major city imo is #13 St Louis.
Thank you, yeah that is pretty much what I meant with the qualifier of a bit of what kind of person I am (~art-sy/tech-ie-ish, heh)
Spokane is pretty pleasant, but you might not want to live in its cheaper areas. I rented a 2/2 house there back in 2009 for $775/mo. Quiet area in the trees overlooking the river.
Modesto is too expensive for what you get IMO. If Central Valley is what you want, you could probably do a bit better in Fresno, Bakersfield, or even Sacramento if you could tack on a few bucks.
Tucson, AZ--tolerant, open-minded people with a live-and-let-live attitude; no one cares what religion you are. Lots of people there eat healthily, shop organically, work out, do yoga, hike, appreciate nature. Mild winters, lots of sunshine, no tornadoes/hurricanes/humidity, no mosquitoes. Beautiful Sonoran desert scenery abounds--the mountain views are otherworldly. More hiking trails than you can count. Very affordable COL, including reasonable home and insurance prices; gas and produce in particular are dirt cheap. Cute little airport; recently revitalized, up-and-coming downtown. You can travel to Phoenix on occasion for things you really need such as pro-sports, int'l travel, etc. or Mt. Lemmon if want cooler temps in summer and some snow in the winter. LV, LA, and SD all within driving distance.
Spokane is pretty pleasant, but you might not want to live in its cheaper areas. I rented a 2/2 house there back in 2009 for $775/mo. Quiet area in the trees overlooking the river.
Modesto is too expensive for what you get IMO. If Central Valley is what you want, you could probably do a bit better in Fresno, Bakersfield, or even Sacramento if you could tack on a few bucks.
Kansas City IMO is a pretty good deal price-wise.
thanks a ton for the specifics
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