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Originally Posted by shynot02
-I'm a practicing Muslim and would prefer to be in a place where Islamophobia will be less of a concern and where there might be a Muslim presence
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Greater Detroit would be the strongest option for you. It has the largest Arab population in the United States and one of the largest Muslim population in the United States. You're South Asian so the Persian and Arab factors wont matter to you as South Asian Muslims are culturally different than those of the Persian and Arab worlds but still the factors in place for an easier cultural transition are there. Greater Detroit, particularly in the outlying suburbs has a large South Asian population and community. You'd probably get all of your usual amenities there and stuff.
Detroit is also an actual stop for most South Asian entertainment groups too, the region has a bit of a pull with South Asians, which is a continuously growing segment of the regions population.
The sheer number of mosques offered in the Greater Detroit area would dwarf the other two, regardless of what sect of Islam you follow.
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Originally Posted by shynot02
-I'm South Asian; some sort of South Asian presence would be welcomed
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Being South Asian in Southeast Florida is fine, you fit into the Asian group that actually has significant presence in this area and growing.
Greater Detroit would be the better option though.
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Originally Posted by shynot02
-Diversity of any kind is a huge plus
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This would be Southeast Florida's area of expertise over the other two but given your background, I can see where you're going with "diversity." Look there isn't anyway around it, Detroit is a more Asian city in general than the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area by a little bit. If that is what you're looking for in "diversity" then just go with that, though the Miami areas offerings and Asian population is growing substantially itself, particularly South Asians.
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Originally Posted by shynot02
-Preferably would NOT like to live hand-to-mouth and would like to save some of my paycheck at the end of the day
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I think you can do that in Detroit. The area in general would have the lowest cost of living, you could probably save an exponential amount of your salary and then buy yourself a nice house without the need of engaging in mortgages or loans there easily in a few years.
The Miami area isn't excruciatingly expensive like a San Francisco Bay Area, Vancouver, Honolulu, or San Diego but it is on the pricier side of things compared to these other two cities being compared here in Detroit and Charlotte.
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Originally Posted by shynot02
-Originally from a big city in the Midwest and likes the amenities of a city
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Yeah this is why you should be leaning more towards Detroit and Miami among these three, if anything.
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Originally Posted by shynot02
-I'm a female in her early 20s who may or may not be living by herself - safety is an issue
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Go to the local forums for each of these three cities and request a list of neighborhoods that are safe, prosperous, and fairly decent prices. Get the list, do your own research on them, Google, Bing, whatever these neighborhoods. Get a feel of what their reputations are, if they accommodate your transportation needs and location needs (near your job, so on), and then go from there when deciding.
You can DM me and I can give you a thorough list of neighborhoods in Miami and Detroit that are safe, possibly what you are looking for in a living environment.
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Originally Posted by shynot02
-I'm okay with a car being a necessity, even if its not preferred
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Good, because you're going to need a car in all three of these cities. Sure, you want need a car for everything you do in Miami, depending on where you live but to enjoy what the area offers and to live conveniently, it is advised to have a motor vehicle.
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Originally Posted by shynot02
-I don't own a car - public transit (that is safe) would be great
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Look up the bus maps and transit rail maps for all three cities (I don't think Detroit has constructed it's M-Line yet) and gauge where you want to live with ease of transport.
Other than that, I advise either looking into buying a car or renting one because you're going to need it unless you want to live a marginalized life.
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Originally Posted by shynot02
-Food culture would be nice
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You'll be fine in any of the three on this. Detroit and Miami more so, given their diversity, size, and niche offerings. You'll have more variety and more options.
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Originally Posted by shynot02
-Not into clubbing/drinking/partying
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Yeah, that's fine.
Contrary to popular belief, two of the cities you are looking at are seriously big cities. You can carve out a niche, or a lifestyle to your liking, and stick with it. You don't "have to" go clubbing, partying, or be out drinking just because you live in a city that is popularly associated with such activities.
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Originally Posted by shynot02
-Looking for a community of young professionals
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Young professionals dwell and live in the core regions of every major city in America. From as far back in the pecking order as Fresno to as far ahead in the pecking order as New York.
Something to keep in mind, as you'll get this in every city, since every city has its "young professional" pockets, these three cities aren't excepted from that.
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Originally Posted by shynot02
-Salary would be the same (just under 40k)
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Good, so with the pay being the same and all, you can pick from the three on what things you want, need, or value most.
Now the decision is something you have to make for yourself and it would be advisable that you make your own decision and not allow others to interject in it, since its your life and all. However I will say this though, given who you are, what your background is, what you are asking for, what your priorities are, and what sort of environment you would be comfortable in, I would say look more closely into Greater Detroit. There are lots of unsafe and questionable areas within the actual city itself (although not the city core though), so I would advise looking into some of the suburban areas, which are generally much more diverse, safe, and pleasant than a lot of inner city neighborhoods (that is if you are unwilling to live in the core: Downtown, Midtown, New Center, whatever).
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