Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Born and raised in New York suburbs (Long Island for the most part, but have lived in NJ/Brooklyn) Graduating college in a few years and im looking to move down south when i graduate, because of the warmer weather (I despise the cold), friendlier people, job opportunities, and more affordable living. I guess south would include any states south of VA.
Base your opinion on
quality of life
shopping
jobs
weather
things to do in surrounding area
Take Houston, Atlanta, Dallas, and Miami as the general best cities to live in the South.
Shopping: All have great shopping with Houston and Dallas getting more flagship stores, but Miami and Atlanta not far behind
Quality of life: that's kind of a broad spectrum so I won't really go into that
Jobs: Probably all except Miami
Weather: I'd honestly put Atlanta as the winner here. Houston and Miami get hurricanes. Atlanta is the least humid and warm, but still warm enough.
Things to do in surrounding area: If you mean away from the city, Id have to say all except Atlanta. Miami is the winner and has the keys nearby as well as the closest to Orlando and all their theme parks. Houston nearby has San Antonio's theme parks (not Orlando but a lower caliber version), casino gambling in Lake Charles area, Austin fairly nearby as well.
Houston is by far the most culturally diverse city, so that gives it the international feel and food, etc. Dallas and Atlanta are known for being clean and organized, etc. Miami has beautiful beaches and is the Latin America and Caribbean hub.
If lifestyle matters to you, look into the second-tier Southern cities. Charleston, Raleigh, Asheville, Greenville, Chattanooga, Birmingham, Savannah, Austin, and a host of others.
Dallas, Houston, Charlotte and Atlanta probably the best cities for jobs, but I agree with poster (#4) above you may want to consider one of the 2nd tier cities.
Take Houston, Atlanta, Dallas, and Miami as the general best cities to live in the South.
Shopping: All have great shopping with Houston and Dallas getting more flagship stores, but Miami and Atlanta not far behind
Quality of life: that's kind of a broad spectrum so I won't really go into that
Jobs: Probably all except Miami
Weather: I'd honestly put Atlanta as the winner here. Houston and Miami get hurricanes. Atlanta is the least humid and warm, but still warm enough.
Things to do in surrounding area: If you mean away from the city, Id have to say all except Atlanta. Miami is the winner and has the keys nearby as well as the closest to Orlando and all their theme parks. Houston nearby has San Antonio's theme parks (not Orlando but a lower caliber version), casino gambling in Lake Charles area, Austin fairly nearby as well.
Houston is by far the most culturally diverse city, so that gives it the international feel and food, etc. Dallas and Atlanta are known for being clean and organized, etc. Miami has beautiful beaches and is the Latin America and Caribbean hub.
South Florida definitely beats the other three in shopping and with more flagship stores.
i think Greenville SC is the best across the board.
affordable, nice scenery, nice downtown, near mountains and lakes, only 3.5 hours to beach, winters aren't too cold, traffic isn't too bad, good employers, good shopping and restaurant selection, etc.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.