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Hi ! So I'm a 24yo black woman and I've lived in GA for the past 23 years. I actually have no problems with GA but I really want to live somewhere different. I'll be making a career change from insurance to sign language interpreter in the next few years. I think that's giving me the motivation to move. I plan to move late next year.
I'm honestly not that picky. I live in GA so I'm somewhat use to the heat and humidity. My parents are from Chicago so I've felt the cold. Not sure if I could live months in that cold weather but it doesn't scare me off. I mainly want a place where there are other young professionals. I don't go out much but it would be nice to live near a big city that provides a nightlife for people my age. Atlanta is a big city so there's plenty of things to do and plenty of opportunities to meet people.
As far as work, I'll find a position in some insurance company, claims or underwriting assistant job. My max rent would be $1300. I'm sure living in Cali and Ny is fun for someone my age but I want to live somewhat comfortable. It's way to expensive there.
Lastly, I want to live live somewhere with a lot of diversity - races, culture. I think this is where I'm having a hard time. My original choice was Denver Colorado. I've been a couple times and the mountains are so nice but that's about all I remember. I was with my family so I dont know much about the nightlife but I do know compared to ATL there's a low percentage of blacks and that concerns me. I'm also not outdoorsy... I feel like that eliminates many states in the west and Midwest for me :/
I've also looked at Charlotte, NC. - I'll be taking a trip there next month.
Also, Richmond, Va
I'm still doing research on states in the north east like Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. I'm may also consider Illinois- I do have family there.
So any suggestions would be so helpful! Thank you!
Definitely not Charlotte. It's not terrible but everything you're looking for is better in Atlanta.
I'm a black male, 26, moving to Denver in January. And I have locs. My first job will be finding a loctitian lol.
Anyway, the big, expensive cities are probably best for you. So if not LA and NYC, look at Chicago and Philly.
Chicago would certainly be a good fit in terms of diversity, entertainment options, a young educated populace, and your rental budget. And your cost of living would fall if you don't have a car because you can make do there with very strong public transit, taxi/Uber/Lyft, and the occasional rental car for when you really want or need one. A car in Chicago is nice to have, but depending on where you live and work, not always necessary for day-to-day living. It does get cold and gloomy in the winter, but there is so much to do there year-round.
The other consideration might be Philadelphia, which has relatively low housing costs for a diverse, urbane city with a decent cohort of young educated people. Advantage is that of course you're also halfway between DC and New York. And again, depending on exactly where you live and work, you could be able to get by without a car.
The wild card in either place for you would be the job market for sign language interpreters. I know nothing about that. But I'd advise you to make sure you have a job before moving, so go to those cities and visit and scope that out, for sure.
Are a few that come to mind. They're decently affordable for large city areas (especially Louisville) and all have some things on your list. Louisville is definitely on the rise, and could be a great fit, while still being an easy drive (6ish hours) or very short flight to ATL and Alison Chicago.
What I took away from that was diversity > Denver and COL < NY/LA. I feel like a lot of cities could fit the bill. Philly and Chicago will give you the most vibrancy for a lower cost. DC as well though its COL is much closer to NY than ATL.
Baltimore is worth a look (it's got some really great neighborhoods) and Pittsburgh. Just some perhaps under-the-radar options but really plenty of possibilities to look into.
Perhaps given your background, a company like Paychex may be worth a look: Jobs at Paychex
Contrary to what was said, its cost of living is around, if not below the national average. It is a diverse city and there are select suburban areas that have a visible amount of diversity as well. It is about 42% Black in the city, which also has a Black woman as its current mayor and is the city's second Black mayor(and first woman as such). It is also about 17% Hispanic in the city.
I'd say that in terms of neighborhoods in the city, the outer portions of the 19th Ward and the NE neighborhoods may work due to having diverse and middle class areas with substantial to predominantly Black populations. There are parts of the popular SE Quadrant like SouthWedge, Monroe Village and maybe Swillburg that may work as well.
In terms of suburbs, parts of Chili, Henrietta, Brighton, Greece, Irondequoit and Gates are some that are more likely to fit what you are looking for.
If you like water activities, there are plenty in the area and Letchworth State Park south of the city is called "the Grand Canyon of the East. You also have the Erie Canal in the area, lakeside beaches and wineries in the nearby Finger Lakes.
Perhaps given your background, a company like Paychex may be worth a look: Jobs at Paychex
Contrary to what was said, its cost of living is around, if not below the national average. It is a diverse city and there are select suburban areas that have a visible amount of diversity as well. It is about 42% Black in the city, which also has a Black woman as its current mayor and is the city's second Black mayor(and first woman as such). It is also about 17% Hispanic in the city.
I'd say that in terms of neighborhoods in the city, the outer portions of the 19th Ward and the NE neighborhoods may work due to having diverse and middle class areas with substantial to predominantly Black populations. There are parts of the popular SE Quadrant like SouthWedge, Monroe Village and maybe Swillburg that may work as well.
In terms of suburbs, parts of Chili, Henrietta, Brighton, Greece, Irondequoit and Gates are some that are more likely to fit what you are looking for.
If you like water activities, there are plenty in the area and Letchworth State Park south of the city is called "the Grand Canyon of the East. You also have the Erie Canal in the area, lakeside beaches and wineries in the nearby Finger Lakes.
I've had a lot interpreters come from RIT and it is a great program.... Every single one of them found it easy to interact with the Deaf community. [My hometown of Seattle, I knew many who mentioned the community was harder to break into-- they needed to find an IN that would make it easier.]
Gallaudet has a very good advanced certification program.
Cities like LA area, CHI, SF, NYC, DC do have big Deaf population. Also look into Texas as well, many of my Deaf friends moved there (for the free public college education), particularly Austin.
Try Philly if you want your big city fix. Try Wilmington, DE if you want to be close to everything. RVA ain't bad either.
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! So I'm a 24yo black woman and I've lived in GA for the past 23 years. I actually have no problems with GA but I really want to live somewhere different. I'll be making a career change from insurance to sign language interpreter in the next few years. I think that's giving me the motivation to move. I plan to move late next year. 
