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I found this forum when trying to find info about these cities. This seems to be an incredible resource! Basically my question is this...
I live overseas right now and the company I work for is basically giving me a choice to live in one of the above cities (and a few others that I have already eliminated.) I am from Vermont and have never really spent much time in the American south. I am single so I don't need to worry about schools or anything. Basically I'm wondering which city would be good for a little bit of nightlife/music, great food, nice architecture and maybe a good bookstore or two. Any information from people familiar with these areas would be greatly appreciated!
As I said, I am from the northeast but am very ready to experience a new culture if I need to....
If you want to experience a "new culture" and good nightlife and beautiful architecture then it will be hard not to recommend New Orleans. Alexandria would be my first choice before New Orleans because I'm a big city person but being from Vermont the DC area might be too overwhelming for you with the traffic and people and everything that comes with the big city atmosphere. Alexandria is very dense and expensive so I hope your company pays well. And DC obviously has everything you need such as nightlife, obviously good architecture, great shopping, and bookstores(sure I guess a Barnes&Noble is a Barnes&Noble is a Barnes&Noble). Never been to Richmond or Charleston but both are smaller cities (but more affordable).
Well Alexandria itself is part of the DC metro area. It's so much larger than the other cities so that gives it an advantage in many of those categories.
As far as the cities themselves go, New Orleans definitely comes out on top. Charleston would rank next being that it meets all of the critera, but is smaller. Richmond is an older Southern city with nice historic architecture and I'm sure there are good bookstores there, but I don't think it matches the rest in terms of food and nightlife.
Thank you all so much for your help! I think I am leaning toward New Orleans but I am a bit concerned about crime... Which makes me think Charleston or Richmond instead. Your replies are appreciated.
Went to Richmond recently and loved it. Carytown and Shockoe areas have a lot of different restaurants and bars. All depends on what you want out of a city. I'd pick Alexandria because it's pretty awesome it's self, without even being close to DC, which is one of my favorite places. Charleston is what it is. Cool small city with a lot of history, restaurants, and architecture. Richmond was a nice surprise and close to DC. Unfortunately, I've never been to New Orleans. On my bucket list to see within the next couple of years.
Thank you all so much for your help! I think I am leaning toward New Orleans but I am a bit concerned about crime... Which makes me think Charleston or Richmond instead. Your replies are appreciated.
Emily
Crime in NOLA is really centered around drugs and certain neighborhoods. Much of the city is very safe and wouldn't cause a problem for you.
There are positives to all of these cities. I love Uptown and the Garden District in New Orleans, the Fan District in Richmond, Historic Alexandria and Historic Charleston. One word of warning, though; your $$$$$ won't go nearly as far in DC as in the other three cities.
If you're a Beach fan, Charleston would put you closest to the sea.
Alexandria/DC area will be the least cultural shock for you probably since it the area is really just an extension of the Northeast. The real dirty south doesn't start until you get south of Stafford/Fredericksburg, VA.
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