Suggestions for me for a new city (apartment, city hall)

[susykat]

Hi all- new to these forums and am enjoying reading them. I'd appreciate it if anyone wants to throw in their suggestions for a place to live for me. I have just begun thinking about it, so am open to any ideas.
I've lived in NYC, Boston, LA (for 8 months) and am now in San Francisco. Of these places, LA was the worst, for all the usual reasons, especially the sprawl. I do not have a car and appreciate the fact that in the other cities where I've lived, it's been possible to get around without one, either on public transit (Muni sucks, but at least it's there), or on foot. I realize decent public transport is hard to find in this country, but I need to be somewhere that is not one big mini-mall and has some sort of central shopping area. It doesn't have to be large, but it has to exist. I hate chain stores and sprawl. I would like somewhere with some cultural venues--a symphony hall, maybe a few plays, a museum. Weather is not important except that I HATE winter. I don't mind a couple of months of cold, but New England is too much for me. I'm not planning on buying a house, so a big house and land around it isn't important to me either.
I've only just starting thinking about this. I love San Francisco, but quite honestly, the homeless are getting to me. I can't walk down the street without at least 3 people asking me for money. I've seen bums urinating in the street, in the middle of the day in the Financial Center. It's really too bad--this city is lovely, but it's been ruined for me.
Any suggestions? I've thought of Austin (being in Texas kind of scares me, even though I know Austin is different) and Seattle, although I've heard people are cold in Seattle and not very welcoming.

[buzzkirk]

Eugene, Ore., has a great bus system that can take you from the coast to the mountains and everywhere in between. Bike/walking paths abound and it's very green and laid-back here. Winters are mild but rainy (but plenty of snow in the nearby mountains which you can also ride a bus to), summers moderate heat, sunny and very dry. Housing is expensive but there are plenty of rentals. Culturally it's far down the ladder from the Bay Area, but since much of California is moving here it won't be that way for long.

[Nea1]

Originally Posted by susykat

Hi all- new to these forums and am enjoying reading them. I'd appreciate it if anyone wants to throw in their suggestions for a place to live for me. I have just begun thinking about it, so am open to any ideas.
I've lived in NYC, Boston, LA (for 8 months) and am now in San Francisco. Of these places, LA was the worst, for all the usual reasons, especially the sprawl. I do not have a car and appreciate the fact that in the other cities where I've lived, it's been possible to get around without one, either on public transit (Muni sucks, but at least it's there), or on foot. I realize decent public transport is hard to find in this country, but I need to be somewhere that is not one big mini-mall and has some sort of central shopping area. It doesn't have to be large, but it has to exist. I hate chain stores and sprawl. I would like somewhere with some cultural venues--a symphony hall, maybe a few plays, a museum. Weather is not important except that I HATE winter. I don't mind a couple of months of cold, but New England is too much for me. I'm not planning on buying a house, so a big house and land around it isn't important to me either.
I've only just starting thinking about this. I love San Francisco, but quite honestly, the homeless are getting to me. I can't walk down the street without at least 3 people asking me for money. I've seen bums urinating in the street, in the middle of the day in the Financial Center. It's really too bad--this city is lovely, but it's been ruined for me.
Any suggestions? I've thought of Austin (being in Texas kind of scares me, even though I know Austin is different) and Seattle, although I've heard people are cold in Seattle and not very welcoming.

Thats not true about Seattle, I lived there, people are very friendly. It is a amazing city and very beautiful.

[dullnboring]

Your wants sounds a lot like mine. It's a shame that much of the cities nowadays in the nation's high-growth regions are being built catered towards the car and sprawl and that many of the more high-density, pedestrian-friendly communities are confined to the urban Northeast where the weather isn't exactly the greatest.

Have you ever considered DC? Climate-wise, I'm not sure if it meets your qualifications. The winters aren't AS brutal as they get in New York or Boston but there's still snow and occasional two foot blizzards (although this winter has been surprisingly mild), but we generally have maybe one month less of heavy coat weather here than they do up there. Summers can be quite hot and humid but if you're willing to tolerate Austin and have dealt with New York, then I think you can stomach it. The economy is good, the public transportation is good with Metro ridership second only to NYC, and quite a few distinct, unique and funky neighborhoods with plenty of shopping and dining options. The suburbs are dull and sprawly, but the city itself is very pedestrian-friendly in most neighborhoods.

Portland is another possibility. Their smart growth and urban planning has created one of the most pedestrian and public transit friendly downtowns on the West Coast, although you may face the same problems as you have with Seattle. Then there are also some coastal, albeit very expensive, California communities like Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz that are very walkable with nice downtowns.

On another note, I have always loved San Francisco and have thought about moving there in the past (the cost of living is intimidating though) and when I finally went for my first (and to this day, only) visit two years ago, while I loved the city, I was absolutely floored by just how many homeless people there were. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. Not in the worst parts of New York, DC, Chicago, Boston, LA, or anyplace, and unlike in those cities, it wasn't really confined to any area. They were everywhere and pretty aggressive. I remember emerging from the BART station at City Hall into that park and seeing hundreds (literally) of them in the park, sleeping in tents, peeing in public and injecting drugs and drinking, all in broad daylight. It wasn't a good first impression of the city.

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by tcv41

Eugene, Ore., has a great bus system that can take you from the coast to the mountains and everywhere in between. Bike/walking paths abound and it's very green and laid-back here. Winters are mild but rainy (but plenty of snow in the nearby mountains which you can also ride a bus to), summers moderate heat, sunny and very dry. Housing is expensive but there are plenty of rentals. Culturally it's far down the ladder from the Bay Area, but since much of California is moving here it won't be that way for long.

I second that motion! I lived in Eugene for about 3 years, and really loved the town. It's like a "mini big city" (which to me is just perfect), and the people are generally VERY friendly, almost to a scary point... first day I lived there, a supermarket checker invited me over for dinner, which was really weird to a former Californian. Housing is still fairly cheap, and there's lots of land to spare. Not to mention, the scenery is absolutely gorgeous... when I was bored on a nice day, I'd just drive east toward McKenzie River & gawp at the beautiful sights. And if it gets too hot in the summer, you can drive 45 minutes to the coast, or take a dip in the Willamette.

If you want more action and culture, Portland is a great city too. It's so beautiful when the sky is clear (not often from Sept-April!), people are just as friendly, and it's one of the cleanest cities I've ever seen. I've lived in the SF area for most of my life, so I know exactly what you mean about the homeless situation... you actually get used to the pee smell & sticky ground, which is really sad. One of the most important tips for visiting San Francisco - don't sit on the ground!! Anyway, hope this helps & good luck...

[susykat]

Thanks for the suggestions...Eugene sounds like it might be too small, but I'll definitely give it a look. Maybe the California coast, too.
As for the suggestion of DC, at one time I was thinking of moving down there--as you mentioned, I loved the metro, the museums, some of the areas like Georgetown and Alexandria (although I know Alexandria isn't in DC, but close enough). I work in patent law, so it actually would probably be a good place for me to find a job as well. Can I ask you, what are the people like?
As for San Francisco, I get embarrassed when the tourists see all the homeless (and yes, they can be very aggressive). As was mentioned, it's worse than in NY, hard as that might be to believe. Guess they like the warmer climate and the $300 a month checks they get just for existing, but I'm not going to get started. I truly hope I don't get used to the smell! Really such a pity as the city itself is one of the most beautiful in the world. Don't sit on the ground--heehee--I'm afraid to touch anything! When I get off of Muni I feel like a need a shot!

[Cosmic]

You are going to have bums everywhere. Sure had a lot in Boston and they did love to water the sidewalk. If it is Paradise the bums will be there.

I might look at Fort Lauderdale in Florida. Can be hot in Summer. Does have its share of homeless but they are on the tame side. Probably cheaper than San Fran, does have a good living sections in the downtown areas.

I have always enjoyed visiting FTL. Seems to have the right mix of many things. Don't know if I could live there year round but I have a bunch of relatives that do. Like most places, if you have the freedom to leave for some time frames it is so much better. FTL doesn't seem to really get socked by the hurricanes the way so many other places in Florida do.

But if I wanted to live in any one big city, it would probably be San Francisco, maybe even with its present warts. Would love to work out a way to get a couple weeks there very few years or so.

[susykat]

Cosmic, I think living in SF is an experience that is totally worth it, if you want to live in and experience a big city. I always dreamed about it, I went out, and did it! Everything fell into place very well for me, too. I got a job within a week of moving (didn't come out with one) and found a decent apartment right in Nob Hill (yes, it's a studio, but it's just me, I've enough space for myself, for now) and I walk to work, Union Square, North Beach, the Embarcadero. It's been great, but 2 years is enough.
I don't remember all these bums in Boston that you mention. Certainly there were fewer than in NYC. I realize it comes with big US cities, it just really is out of control here. Like I said, I've had the experience of being out here and now it's time to move on. I hope one day you can experience it too, if you really want to.
BTW, I love Florida too, at least to vacation. I used to go quite often when I lived on the East Coast, but it's not really worth the trip from out here. I'm taking advantage of all the easy destinations out here while I'm here--San Diego, Vegas, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Big Sur...

[Dedalus]

I lived in San Fran for a few years. I doubt you'll find better public transit in any major American city of comparable size. Santa Cruz is fun - I used to spend a lot of time there.

[dreamofmonterey]

Originally Posted by susykat

Thanks for the suggestions...Eugene sounds like it might be too small, but I'll definitely give it a look. Maybe the California coast, too.
As for the suggestion of DC, at one time I was thinking of moving down there--as you mentioned, I loved the metro, the museums, some of the areas like Georgetown and Alexandria (although I know Alexandria isn't in DC, but close enough). I work in patent law, so it actually would probably be a good place for me to find a job as well. Can I ask you, what are the people like?
As for San Francisco, I get embarrassed when the tourists see all the homeless (and yes, they can be very aggressive). As was mentioned, it's worse than in NY, hard as that might be to believe. Guess they like the warmer climate and the $300 a month checks they get just for existing, but I'm not going to get started. I truly hope I don't get used to the smell! Really such a pity as the city itself is one of the most beautiful in the world. Don't sit on the ground--heehee--I'm afraid to touch anything! When I get off of Muni I feel like a need a shot!

You already mentioned Boston- I loved that city. Walkable and Symphony Hall right near Copley Ctr. A few people mentioned Seattle- I have heard good things about it too; I too am looking to get closer to the type of city you describe. Yes, a person only needs so many Starbuck's and Chili's in their life-lol.

Re: D.C.- you might consider Annapolis or Baltimore (certain sections) my brother works at Johns Hopkins, and there are nice parts of the city there. A lot of culture and arts, and if you are in patent law should have no issues w/jobs. I would stay away from Ft Lauderdale. Culture and jobs are limited.

sunny.