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Alright, I' ve been going crazy trying to figure out the best city for me to move to. It seems like every single city I've been interested in has something that throws me off. I think I've narrowed it down to 3 cities (though i'm open to more suggestions.) Here is what i'm looking for:
- My gf and I are artists so we need: A great FILM/MUSIC/THEATRE SCENE, and a great MODERN DANCE SCENE.
- Preferably some place that is AFFORDABLE WITH A GOOD JOB MARKET. (Remember, we are artists, so we won't be making a ton of cash.)
- DECENT WEATHER (I like sun and I don't mind rain but I'm a little nervous about too much of both.)
- FOOD
- BEAUTY
- Pretty much, we want a city that can work for us. We are pretty adaptable but we want to be happy. We want a city where stuff is going on.
So here are the 3 cities:
1. SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
2. SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
3. PORTLAND, OREGON
There's always something about each city. Either the expensiveness of SF, the rain of Seattle or the lack of a large modern dance scene in Portland. But could we survive with some of things. Which is the worst to live with? PLEASE HELP!
Well it will have to come to what you're willing to compromise on as none of the cities will check all of your boxes. What is your budget will that fit in SF or Seattle? Have you considered Oakland or Tacoma? For weather all cities are relatively mild but SF get more sun and is warmer for most of the year. I'm not sure what Portlands modern dance scene is like but it is definitely more affordable and you wouldn't be compromising beauty or culture. The food is great in all 3 cities. Also what type of art are you into? Tacoma is known for glass art and actually art in general. It plays a large roll in the average Tacoman's life. It is much more affordable than SF and Seattle but it has a rising COL. Something to look into if you're interested.
You can cross off San Francisco as it's one of the most expensive cities in North America.
Seattle has more than Portland but it gets more rain and clouds and it's very expensive as well.
So Portland is my suggestion, but I would urge you to check out Denver and Minneapolis in addition to these three. Denver is a peer to Portland that is more affordable and gets less rain. Minneapolis is a peer to Seattle that is more affordable, gets less rain, and also boasts a monstrous theater/dance scene (second only to New York per capita).
Alright, I' ve been going crazy trying to figure out the best city for me to move to. It seems like every single city I've been interested in has something that throws me off. I think I've narrowed it down to 3 cities (though i'm open to more suggestions.) Here is what i'm looking for:
- My gf and I are artists so we need: A great FILM/MUSIC/THEATRE SCENE, and a great MODERN DANCE SCENE.
- Preferably some place that is AFFORDABLE WITH A GOOD JOB MARKET. (Remember, we are artists, so we won't be making a ton of cash.)
- DECENT WEATHER (I like sun and I don't mind rain but I'm a little nervous about too much of both.)
- FOOD
- BEAUTY
- Pretty much, we want a city that can work for us. We are pretty adaptable but we want to be happy. We want a city where stuff is going on.
So here are the 3 cities:
1. SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
2. SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
3. PORTLAND, OREGON
There's always something about each city. Either the expensiveness of SF, the rain of Seattle or the lack of a large modern dance scene in Portland. But could we survive with some of things. Which is the worst to live with? PLEASE HELP!
It sounds like you are both in modern dance, and I expect that all three options are a significant step down professionally from your current location. They are probably ordered in your post according to the professional options you will find in modern dance.
These cities are also ordered in terms of most expensive to least, strongest local economy to weakest, and, arguably, best weather to worst. SF has the most moderate climate, dry most of the year with highs ranging from high 50s in the winter to high 70s in the early fall. Portland and Seattle have very similar climates, with warm, dry summers, and cool and rainy the rest of the year. Seattle probably gets a little less cold in the winter due to its coastal location.
All three are quite beautiful, with lots of outdoor activities available. You will have to deal with more challenging weather in the Pacific Northwest, but many people do so.
Food is a challenging question. In my experience, SF is easily the best of the three, with the strongest and most varied offerings in terms of restaurants, supermarkets, and (likely) farmer's markets. Portland has bright spots, but is, in my view, weaker on the high and low end, and also significantly less diverse. I probably place Seattle lowest on the food scale, though I have less first-hand experience with it than the other two.
As for film/theater/music/arts scene, my comments on modern dance probably apply throughout. It is hard to say, exactly, without knowing what kind of scene you are looking for (the rock music scene would have a different answer than the electronic music scene, and still different again than the modern orchestral music scene).
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheManWhoKilledJesseJames
I should also mention that I am living in NYC now. So I know SF is expensive, but compared to NYC, it might be a little cheaper actually.
Not really the case these days. NYC likely has more affordable options than SF proper. That's not to say that you can't find affordable housing, but don't expect to get a room under $1k per month. Studios are in the $2k vicinity, 1BR in the $2.5k, and 2BR in the $3k+. Your best bet would probably be shared housing, with the two of you trying to find a room in an apartment in the 1-1.5k realm.
Probably a rougher neighborhood in LA would work out. You probably won't get the beauty in those neighborhood, but you can get the rest of it.
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