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If weather wasn't a deciding factor, but cost was... What would be some metropolitan areas and cities within them that would offer significant resources in terms of jobs, dating, medical, entertainment, and so forth. The kind of place where someone could be both young and old, reach milestones in life, and not miss out on too much going on in the world. Somewhere that has relatively affordable housing, is safe and has an upward trajectory.
Assume that major west coast cities qualify as unaffordable, and simultaneously posses weather that is desirable to many, but doesn't matter for this conversation.
In essence, a place that is a good fit for a balanced middle class life and the pursuit of the American dream.
Thanks!
Detroit. While there are obvious issues with the city itself (though it did just post a 2nd straight year of budget surplus!), the region is really quite nice and the bad image of the city keeps even the nicest parts of Metro Detroit relatively affordable. I would say the same applies to Cleveland and Buffalo, and probably a number of Great Lakes metros.
The most affordable big cities that I would consider are Chicago and Philadelphia, and I think both of these are fantastic for what they offer at their price.
Smaller cities that might fit would include the Ohio 3 C's, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Louisville, Baltimore, Indianapolis, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Tulsa (although some of these cities I would consider pretty vanilla).
Note that not all of these are necessarily "safe" cities by U.S. standards, but there are many portions of these cities that are perfectly safe, and most of the suburbs are just fine.
Personally, whether or not I have a job would likely be the most important factor rather than simply how inexpensive a location is.
Columbus has been awesome for work and life balance. Cleveland and Cincinnati can also offer this as well. Ohio has the leftovers of legacy institutions and power with the low cost of not being that popular.
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