Warm city for young couple (neighborhoods, live in, shops)

[indiestyle]

Hello, young couple here thinking about relocating to somewhere warm. We are from Oregon.

We lived in Portland for 5 years and love the culture there. We currently live in Bend, and miss the mass transportation, food, and urban life in general. However, we also would like to get out of the cold winters.

What places in the "Sun Belt" of the US would be somewhat like Portland, or at least have a district or neighborhood like Portland?

We like an artsy culture with lots of independent shops, coffee, and good world cuisine. Affordability is also a plus, of course.

For people familiar with Portland: Belmont/Hawthorne/ type atmosphere would be ideal, but we could live with a pearl/23rd street/seattle type feel as well.

Mass transportation besides busses (light rail, subway, etc.) would also be ideal.

It needs to be warmer than Seattle/Portland in the winter. And a PLUS would be next to a beach (wife is from Hawaii). We don't like Los Angeles. I can't handle Hawaii.

DOES A PLACE LIKE WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR EXIST? FILL US WITH IDEAS!

[JerseyPhanatic]

The Belmont Shore section of Long Beach, CA may be a good fit.

~Explore Belmont Shore~

[machiavelli1]

Originally Posted by indiestyle

Hello, young couple here thinking about relocating to somewhere warm. We are from Oregon.

We lived in Portland for 5 years and love the culture there. We currently live in Bend, and miss the mass transportation, food, and urban life in general. However, we also would like to get out of the cold winters.

What places in the "Sun Belt" of the US would be somewhat like Portland, or at least have a district or neighborhood like Portland?

We like an artsy culture with lots of independent shops, coffee, and good world cuisine. Affordability is also a plus, of course.

For people familiar with Portland: Belmont/Hawthorne/ type atmosphere would be ideal, but we could live with a pearl/23rd street/seattle type feel as well.

Mass transportation besides busses (light rail, subway, etc.) would also be ideal.

It needs to be warmer than Seattle/Portland in the winter. And a PLUS would be next to a beach (wife is from Hawaii). We don't like Los Angeles. I can't handle Hawaii.

DOES A PLACE LIKE WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR EXIST? FILL US WITH IDEAS!

Houston, specifically Montrose or Rice Village neighborhoods

[adambos]

Vibrant, young cities with a warm climate are hard to come by. Santa Monica comes to mind, but you mentioned you don't like Los Angeles. I am not a fan of Miami, although I'm sure you'll get a few suggesting it. SF? Not too warm tho. Doesnt get any higher than 72 usually, although it doesnt get very cold there either. Certainly not a sun tan location. Id still say SoCal is your best bet. You can live in west hollywood or downtown LA...?

[Bluesmama]

I think "affordability" would be your obstacle, but consider Santa Barbara. Great weather, very artsy, if subdued., with a beautiful beach. By wine country, if that pleases you.

Also, Sedona, Arizona. It is SO beautiful there, and the summers are less hot than Phoenix but winters are mild, although they do get some snowfall that doesn't amount to much. However, this is like a gem that's about 2 hrs away from Phoenix, so mass-transit is probably restricted to busses. And, needless to say, far from an ocean.