Make finding the right city easier

[CandyApple]

I get so overwhelmed by all the choices here, that after sorting through a bunch of cities they all start to blend together. I like that they're separated by state/size, but maybe more options would be helpful?

Like, an advanced search with checkboxes and pulldown menus and things? Example search:

Search all states
Population between 30,000-150,000
Minimum average temp above 0
Yearly snowfall over 12 inches
Windspeed under 5mph winter, over 7mph summer
Median renting price under $700
Average time since moving in above average
etc. etc.
Order results by 1. number of pictures, 2. renting price

Users could just click on the criteria that mattered to them and adjust it accordingly, leaving the rest blank. It would be neat to be able to search multiple states/regions, or just one. Maybe include distance from the mountains, beach, national parks, and other stuff too?
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Here's another idea: in the city data, the graphs are good, but could you also include yearly rainfall/snowfall in inches next to it? And number of days at or above certain temperatures and days at or below certain tempuratures? Like 80, 90, 100, 110 and 32, 0, -20, -40 farenheit? When I look at the data for Texas cities, I think, "low nineties isn't bad", but wonder how often it gets above 100/110! And looking at the Fairbanks temps, you wouldn't guess that it gets to -40 there, because it says the average is something like -15.

[Administrator]

Good ideas, thanks CandyApple.

[deeptrance]

In theory those are fantastic ideas and would be AMAZING features for this forum. I'm no techno-geek so I don't know how difficult it is to incorporate such features. But out of respect and compassion for the people who run this site, my guess is that they're doing the best they can with the resources and time they have available.

Great suggestions, though. Probably just a question of how to tap into "databases and interfaces" (good title for a music album) that would permit the integration of such features into this site.

[austin texas]

Note to Administrator:
These upgrades would be wonderful. Please incorporate if/when you can. What are the possibilities? and when?

[Administrator]

This feature is definitely possible to do; it's just a question of finding time to do it. Right now we're working on three big additions to the website that should be quite useful (the "beta" version of the first one is about ready to launch ).

[Administrator]

The first big addition to the website was launched today - local news are now listed on city info pages.