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I am 30 years old and have lived in LA/OC all of my life. I have nothing keeping me here anymore, and am convinced that there are other American cities which have a greater shot at the American Dream.
I am not looking for the most popular relocation city or the cheapest. I am looking for the most wise one to choose, based on intangibles and tangibles. Perhaps the most popular one is the best one, but perhaps it is not. Surely there is another city with a better commute, less expensive of housing, and still has some of California's charms/resources.
I hope to move and to look back in 50 years and to have made an intelligent decision. Your words will have an impact...thank you
The more details you provide, the easier it is for us to help you. Budget? Weather? Scenery? Walkability? Closeness to urban center? Politics? Taxes? Culture? Humidity? etc. What is "Californian charm"? Does that mean you want to stay in the southwest? What is "the American Dream" to you, and are you alright living in the suburbs to live that dream?
Based upon my interpretation of criteria I would offer up Charleston SC which is booming economically and offers significantly less expensive housing/cost of living.
The more details you provide, the easier it is for us to help you. Budget? Weather? Scenery? Walkability? Closeness to urban center? Politics? Taxes? Culture? Humidity? etc. What is "Californian charm"? Does that mean you want to stay in the southwest? What is "the American Dream" to you, and are you alright living in the suburbs to live that dream?
Weather: NO SNOW OR ICE in winter, otherwise don't care
Scenery: open vistas would be what I like most about California and would like to find
Walkability: nice if it has it, fine if it doesn't
Politics: doesn't matter, but preferably not extreme either way
Taxes: don't care... some places have some high state income taxes, some have high property, etc... lack of sales tax like in Portland is cool!
Humidity: fine with some, but Florida is too much
American Dream = upward mobility, nuclear family, somewhat antiquated of values, general optimism/friendliness of an area
Suburbs are fine....but I don't want to live too too far out. 30 minutes max in traffic from "the place to be"/ urban center. I would like a sprawly/suburban feel that is close the hustle/bustle/resources
Weather: NO SNOW OR ICE in winter, otherwise don't care
Scenery: open vistas would be what I like most about California and would like to find
Walkability: nice if it has it, fine if it doesn't
Politics: doesn't matter, but preferably not extreme either way
Taxes: don't care... some places have some high state income taxes, some have high property, etc... lack of sales tax like in Portland is cool!
Humidity: fine with some, but Florida is too much
American Dream = upward mobility, nuclear family, somewhat antiquated of values, general optimism/friendliness of an area
Suburbs are fine....but I don't want to live too too far out. 30 minutes max in traffic from "the place to be"/ urban center. I would like a sprawly/suburban feel that is close the hustle/bustle/resources
the OP does not want in Cali so Sacramento would not be an option.
"I was imagining somewhere outside of California" =/= Absolutely not in California
Regardless, Sacramento remains a good option to consider until the OP specifically forbids considering anywhere California
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