So I am currently a student at the University of Iowa, and I'm not really sure where I want to go after I graduate. Both my husband and I will be seeking jobs in the healthcare field. I have some criteria that I would be looking for in a place to settle down, listed in no particular order:
1) We are looking to live inside a metro area with more than 100k residents, and preferrably closer to 200k
2) Both of our families live in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area, and we would like to be within 4 or 5 hours of them (preferrably closer to 3 hours, but that is very limiting for the area)
3) We like a diverse, preferrably liberal environment
4) We are seeking a thriving and growing community to call home, with lots of things to do in terms of nightlife, unique business, as well as family activities for later on in life
5) We would like to live in a nice downtown to start, and likely move out to the suburbs to start a family, so a city close to a nice urban area as well as suburbs is a must
6) I am particularly interested in the following cities, but am certainly open to other suggestions that fit most of the criteria:
Madison, WI
Milwaukee, WI
Rockford, IL
Aurora, IL
Naperville, IL (or other western suburbs of Chicago)
Peoria, IL
Rochester, MN
Minneapolis, MN (or southern suburbs)
Omaha, NE
St. Louis, MO Area
Des Moines, IA
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA (but probably not, looking for something a little bigger, or at least closer to a bigger city)
Any input would be appreciated
Thanks!!
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