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I used to live in the DC area. I moved away because I wanted to afford a house without signing my soul over to the devil. While I do plan to head back up that way eventually, I will be nowhere near downtown.
Chicago's COL isn't out of line with Dallas, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Houston, etc. Denver, Seattle, Boston, Miami, and every city listed in the OP is more expensive.
Crime is easily avoidable in all four locations.
These four cities have some of the best public schools in the country not only in their suburbs, but also their respective municipal boundaries.
The availability of land is questionable and really dependent on how far you're willing to drive. You don't really find sprawling estates in CA, but you can definitely find them in Chicago and New York, for much less than you'd probably expect.
Noise and pollution isn't really a problem in any of these places. LA has had some issues, but Chicago, SF, and NYC don't have what I'd call bad air quality. It's obviously a bit louder in NYC, but most of Chicago, SF, and LA are fairly laid back outside of entertainment/business districts.
In all of those cities there are dangerous areas and then the majority of areas that don't have crime issues any more than the safer areas of the other cities listed. You can almost always avoid crime in a city or metro if you don't live in the select bad areas. That's easily true for all the cities you listed.
I don't believe noise or pollution is a bigger problem in one than the other for the most part.
Family reasons might be valid depending on your situation.
Chicago's COL isn't out of line with Dallas, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Houston, etc. Denver, Seattle, Boston, Miami, and every city listed in the OP is more expensive.
Crime is easily avoidable in all four locations.
These four cities have some of the best public schools in the country not only in their suburbs, but also their respective municipal boundaries.
The availability of land is questionable and really dependent on how far you're willing to drive. You don't really find sprawling estates in CA, but you can definitely find them in Chicago and New York, for much less than you'd probably expect.
Noise and pollution isn't really a problem in any of these places. LA has had some issues, but Chicago, SF, and NYC don't have what I'd call bad air quality. It's obviously a bit louder in NYC, but most of Chicago, SF, and LA are fairly laid back outside of entertainment/business districts.
No issues with family reasons.
Well the people have spoken and they disagree. COL is the main reason they left the big cities.
Well the people have spoken and they disagree. COL is the main reason they left the big cities.
LOL, that makes you feel great doesn't it?
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