Phoenix, Denver, Austin, or somewhere else? (investment, business, move)

[daaaaave]

I am starting to think about where I want to move next January. It will actually be a temporary move as I am eventually going to live in Southern California. But, for now I am hoping to save money. I'm 26 and will be starting (actually am starting now) an internet business. I'd like to be able to live in a pretty entrepreneurial area, if possible. I think the weather in any of these locales will be fine except possibly the humidity will get to me in Austin (although I really doubt it compares to DC in the summer so I think I can handle it).

I would like to live somewhere young and liberal. Does anyone have any recommendations on these cities or maybe suggest some other cities? Thanks.

[synapse]

Originally Posted by daaaaave

I am starting to think about where I want to move next January. It will actually be a temporary move as I am eventually going to live in Southern California. But, for now I am hoping to save money. I'm 26 and will be starting (actually am starting now) an internet business. I'd like to be able to live in a pretty entrepreneurial area, if possible. I think the weather in any of these locales will be fine except possibly the humidity will get to me in Austin (although I really doubt it compares to DC in the summer so I think I can handle it).

I would like to live somewhere young and liberal. Does anyone have any recommendations on these cities or maybe suggest some other cities? Thanks.

I'd recommend Austin, actually, or failing that, Seattle. Denver and Phoenix are a bit similar in character - sprawling cities that aren't necessarily known for entrepreneurial spirit. Denver's a bit more liberal than Phoenix, but both cities lean conservative (neither one is as die-hard Republican as it used to be - Denver is influenced by nearby Boulder, Phoenix by an influx of liberal Chicagoans). Austin is the only city you mention out of the three that has a young, liberal, entreprenurial feel to it.

[houstoniancityfanatic]

Originally Posted by daaaaave

I am starting to think about where I want to move next January. It will actually be a temporary move as I am eventually going to live in Southern California. But, for now I am hoping to save moneyI'm 26 and will be starting (actually am starting now) an internet business. I'd like to be able to live in a pretty entrepreneurial area, if possible. I think the weather in any of these locales will be fine except possibly the humidity will get to me in Austin (although I really doubt it compares to DC in the summer so I think I can handle it).

I would like to live somewhere young and liberal. Does anyone have any recommendations on these cities or maybe suggest some other cities? Thanks.

I will have to agree with a lot of what I have read here. Austin will definitely fit the entrpreneurial atmosphere you are looking for. As for the weather, Austin is humid. It is a common misconception that Texas is dry and consequently less humid than the East Coast. East Texas gets downright miserable, and even moreso as you get closer gulf coast. West Texas is where you don't have to deal with the humidity. Corpus Christi is the "hottest feeling city" in the U.S. If you take your hottest days in DC, that will give you the typical summer of Austin. The difference is summers in East and South Texas are much, much longer. Although Austin isn't as humid as Houston, where I live, you can bet on a humid summer that lasts from late April to mid October, compared to the average DC summer which is June to September. If you can handle your hotter days in DC, you will be able to handle Austin weather, but it will just be way more days of it.

Denver probably comes in a distant second. Denver is really more of an early baby boomer or 40 something town; I think it has the most baby boomers per capita. You will find most people are fun but are trying to rap up there 401ks and investments rather than trying to start a business. As for weather, it will be the city that will give you the 4 seasons. Just be ready for unpredictablility it can be 60 degrees on a January day and then the next day it can be a blizzard with temperatures struggling to break 20 degrees. Also be ready for freak snowstoms that occur as late as May and as early as September. As for the summer, it is the nicest time of year, and a few days it may even hit 100 degrees, but it is so dry, it is nothing compared to your oppressive DC summer heat. The summers are very nice.

Phoenix will probably be your closest thing to So. California in terms of cultures, attitudes, and entrepeneurial things.

[j760]

Since your going to move to Southern California anyway I would say Phoenix is your best bet. It might not fit everything you want 100% for this temporary move, but it would be close enough, and your move to SoCal would be much easier.