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Hi,
I'm looking to find a large liberal city with a low cost of living (property taxes, utilities, etc.), diverse, and semi-low crime rate. I currently live in Raleigh, NC and am not happy here. Cost of living is ideal, but the city is so spread out. It seems like there is nothing to do here. I have lived in Honolulu and absolutely loved it there, but schools and cost of living was terrible. My children want to see some snow in the winters and I prefer the East coast, but am open to your suggestions. Boston, NY, NJ, CN, CA, etc. are too expensive. I hope to buy a 3-4 bdrm. home for under $150,000 within the next 2 or 3 years. Thanks in advance for your help.
You might look at little west of the Coast, say, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, etc.
I can speak for Pittsburgh as affordable, childrrn and very family friendly. Perhaps not as "liberal" as NYC, or even Boston, but moving up the ladder as a progressive up and comer. Jobs a little tight, but they are possible in the right fields.
East Coast cities aren't cheap. And actually, the Twin Cities are getting pretty expensive too in recent years (especially when factoring in utilities) - you probably couldn't find decent housing in that price range.
Pittsburgh, although an affordable city, may be too conservative for your tastes (although the county votes Democratic, the solid majority are considered socially conservative).
Louisville could be a good option, though. It's very liberal for a southern city, and I've heard that the neighborhoods are beautiful. Parts of upstate New York also tend to be cheap. You may have luck in Buffalo or Rochester (Buffalo especially has great local charm).
I think I would choose between Louisville and Austin here, with Louisville being much cheaper. Look out for a photo thread I am doing of possibly the most liberal area in much of the SE and lower Midwest south of Chicago:
I find Austin to be more vibrant than Louisville but also a bit more "yuppy" Louisville is awfully eclectic in parts, and the urban neighborhoods are wonderful.
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