I'd like to move to Washington State in a few years, where should i move too. Looking for diversity and affordability. (Seattle: rent, employment)

[leasmom]

I've moved all over the country and I consider myself a gypsy. I just moved to Louisville, KY from Fort Wayne, IN, making it my 9th state to live in. Some states I've moved back too numerous times. As soon as my daughter graduates in one to two plus years, I'd like to move to Washington state. I am looking for some city that is diverse without being dangerous and that's affordable meaning, rent isn't $2,000 for a one-two bedroom.

I need to find a place that meets my health needs. The cold is too hard on my joints and back. The Louisville weather causes me to have chronic bronchitis and asthma especially in the summer. This area is known for high allergies/breathing problems. I do swell from rain occasionally but I'm willing to deal with it. Also, my daughter if I can convince her to move with me would need a good college for grad school. She is still conflicted as to what she will be so sorry, nothing I can say about that.

What would work for us? I have a cousin who I don't really know that lives in Tacoma. I've never been out to Washington state before. I just always wanted to live out there and I know it'll take some time before I can move out there. Thanks.

[mkarch]

How do you define diversity? % non white, a wide range of ethnicities, countries of origin, languages spoken - or hippies living next to CEO's?

[leasmom]

I am multiracial. My daughter too is half Irish but looks white only. I'd like a place where there's a mix of all races and cultures. That's where I feel the most comfortable. For me being comfortable means not having to explain who/what you are everywhere you go or recieve prejudices for being who/what you are.

Also being an artist, a thriving art community would be wonderful.

[Seacove]

Seattle has a pretty corporate vibe. Have you considered Portland?

[leasmom]

I thought Portland was more expensive than Seattle was, right?

[Seacove]

Originally Posted by leasmom

I thought Portland was more expensive than Seattle was, right?

No, Portland is less expensive than Seattle. It is also near a very charming town on the water called Astoria.

[leasmom]

LOL. We'll I've never been to either one. So I don't know much. I'll check it out. Thanks.

[Count David]

Tacoma.

[leasmom]

I thought about Tacoma. I think the rent is about the same as here in Louisville, KY right from what I've seen. I don't know much else about it except that it's close to Seattle.

I've lived in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Montana and I did like all but Colorado, sorry, but I didn't like it. My sister still lives there now and I do have a cousin who is very young who lives in Albuquerque. I went to school in Santa Fe years and years ago. I have a cousin that also lives in Montana. I like the Northwest area because it has milder weather. It's not as extreme as Kentucky and further down south in places I've lived and visited nor Colorado which can get up to 120 plus degrees in the summer or Phoenix, AZ which is like 90 degrees at 3 am in the morning. I just need to find the right fit and hopefully drag my daughter will me.

If not, moving back to New Mexico could be nice but a little limiting as an artist because the artistic styles are nearly set in stone. But, I could adapt. I did love it there. But, if Tacoma, or Portland, OR or some other place would work better, I'd prefer that as my first choice.

[StealthRabbit]

Vancouver / Camas WA.

10 - 30 min to 20+ colleges (including Portland offerings)
Art centric area
Variety of employment and housing
reasonably decent public transit for small metro (great in Portland / express buses to Portland hubs).

Do some research on your specific breathing issues. Pollen / molds in PNW can be significant barrier.

NM might be better choice for your health. +/-