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I think that you would probably really hate the weather in Des Moines. Hot humid sticky summers and cold snowy winters, not the gentle continual rain and greenery you're used to.
How small a city can you deal with? Would a population of under 100,000 work for you?
I think that you would probably really hate the weather in Des Moines. Hot humid sticky summers and cold snowy winters, not the gentle continual rain and greenery you're used to.
How small a city can you deal with? Would a population of under 100,000 work for you?
I'd be willing to give up some of the weather benefits, for a cheaper cost of living, and a place with a *lot* less traffic problems as we currently have. As it is right now, I am literally being priced out of living here, and as good of a job as I do have, my wages are not anywhere near the escalating cost of living that Portland is going through the last 2-3 yrs; specifically the last 6 months.
Before deciding I want to get out of here, I had been looking the last few yrs before hand for a cheaper place in Portland to move to than where I'm at now, but one place I looked at 15 months ago, I inquired to them about a month ago and the same apt now there rents for $250/mo *more* and that is with nothing added to it ( amenities, etc ) It is absolutely ridiculous, and a lot of apt complexes now--both small and large, are having the tenants pay for water, sewer and gas ( when that was always included with rent before ) and if you own a pet, pft. Forget it, everywhere charges a "pet fee" of between $300-500 and an additional $20-30 more/mo for that pet.
Well, a move ( whether it be to Des Moines, the east coast, or elsewhere ) is going to be dependent on if that location has an office for the company I work for. We do have an office in Urbandale ( near Des Moines ) and as for the east coast, there are quite a few of them, and my employer HR is still trying to get that info for me.
I think if it came to the east coast though, I'd be more comfortable living in a smaller city ( under 500k population ) than NYC, Philly, etc. Usually the larger cities like that are not cheap ( so it'd be like living here ) and the crime is always going to be worse than the smaller cities, but I found out ( from a co-worker ) that my employer does have an office in a place in upstate NY called Kingston, which appears to be a town IMO, and yes, I'd consider that even.
Pittsburgh and Salt Lake City maybe Denver but its getting expensive.
I actually grew up about 3 hrs east of Salt Lake City ( for 24 yrs ) and have been there easily over 100 different times, so I had considered that awhile ago, but yes, ever since the Olympics came to town 15 yrs ago, their COL there has really escalated as well.
Otherwise, SLC is nice--they get a lot of snow and its very hot ( usually over 95-100 everyday in the summer time ) but virtually NO traffic to worry about, and the people for the most part ( even though I'm not Mormon myself ) are rather friendly.
Most people don't know, but SLC is actually a very liberal city ( almost as much as Portland. ) However, once you get outside the city ( into the suburbs and especially near Provo to the south, it's as red as you will find. )
Colorado would be nice, but not sure if there is a place there that is anything like some of the things I'd be looking for ( outside of Denver itself ) ?
Thanks ckhthankgod. So, why would you call it a northeast city ( as opposed to a midwest city ) and is the traffic there generally bad in your opinion ( for its size ) ?
I'd be willing to give up some of the weather benefits, for a cheaper cost of living, and a place with a *lot* less traffic problems as we currently have. As it is right now, I am literally being priced out of living here, and as good of a job as I do have, my wages are not anywhere near the escalating cost of living that Portland is going through the last 2-3 yrs; specifically the last 6 months.
Before deciding I want to get out of here, I had been looking the last few yrs before hand for a cheaper place in Portland to move to than where I'm at now, but one place I looked at 15 months ago, I inquired to them about a month ago and the same apt now there rents for $250/mo *more* and that is with nothing added to it ( amenities, etc ) It is absolutely ridiculous, and a lot of apt complexes now--both small and large, are having the tenants pay for water, sewer and gas ( when that was always included with rent before ) and if you own a pet, pft. Forget it, everywhere charges a "pet fee" of between $300-500 and an additional $20-30 more/mo for that pet.
Well, a move ( whether it be to Des Moines, the east coast, or elsewhere ) is going to be dependent on if that location has an office for the company I work for. We do have an office in Urbandale ( near Des Moines ) and as for the east coast, there are quite a few of them, and my employer HR is still trying to get that info for me.
I think if it came to the east coast though, I'd be more comfortable living in a smaller city ( under 500k population ) than NYC, Philly, etc. Usually the larger cities like that are not cheap ( so it'd be like living here ) and the crime is always going to be worse than the smaller cities, but I found out ( from a co-worker ) that my employer does have an office in a place in upstate NY called Kingston, which appears to be a town IMO, and yes, I'd consider that even.
If you are considering Kingston, for that quirky, liberal vibe, look into New Paltz. It is in the same county as Kingston(Ulster County) and has a state college.
As for Pittsburgh, I'm just thinking in terms of its location and that the Bos-Wash corridor isn't synonymous with the Northeast.
If you are considering Kingston, for that quirky, liberal vibe, look into New Paltz. It is in the same county as Kingston(Ulster County) and has a state college.
As for Pittsburgh, I'm just thinking in terms of its location and that the Bos-Wash corridor isn't synonymous with the Northeast.
Hm, it makes me think, which town/city would you say typifies the charm that can be found throughout the Northeast / New England areas ( of any state in those regions? )
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