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I'm politically center-left, don't like small cities (<500k metro), want a good mix of outdoor and indoor, and it's important that I live in an accepting/friendly community. A decent house in a nice location where I'm at is at least $600k, so a place with more affordable housing would be great.
I'm a cis male person of color and frustrated with the political extremism we get on the west side of the country and how divided many of the communities here are. I'm a software engineer, so it's also important that there's a decent software scene I can make a good living with. I'm also an experimental rock musician, so a city with an eclectic music scene would be fantastic.
I've visited Portland a few times, and I find the people there very accepting and "chill". However, it's been devastated by the pandemic with a massively noticeable increase in crime, drug addiction, and homelessness, and it doesn't seem like the city has much of a plan to do much about it (the weak mayoral system probably doesn't help).
Thinking about moving further east. I grew up in the upper midwest and am kind of over it; cities like Minneapolis are nice but a bit boring and overly cosmopolitan for my tastes, and the winters are pretty harsh.
I've never visited Denver, CO or Richmond, VA, but they seem like good potential candidates for places to live.
Thoughts on the following?
Food/Drink Scene
People/Friendliness/Community
Music Scene
Outdoor Recreation
Cost of Living
Political Leaning
Crime
Weather
Traffic and Public Transportation
Other suggestions for cities I should consider relocating to?
Denver sounds like the opposite of what you want. Its like California with more snow. At least to me. Maybe Philly but I don't know about the software development scene there.
You can find anything you want in any of these cities, I would visit the ones you haven’t been to and study up. For reasons that may not be the same for you my order of preference would be…
Denver sounds like the opposite of what you want. Its like California with more snow. At least to me. Maybe Philly but I don't know about the software development scene there.
Can you elaborate on Denver a bit? How is it like California?
Can you elaborate on Denver a bit? How is it like California?
The whole Front Range has been a relocation hotspot for Californians (and Texans and Illinoisans) for many years. I wouldn't say it feels like California per se, but there are other issues with your wants - like housing costs. Housing isn't much cheaper than $600k here nowadays, especially if you want to live closer to the mountains (west of I-25).
Denver proper is pretty liberal, and the suburbs tend to be purple to blue. Douglas County (south side of the metro area) is pretty Trumpian these days.
I'm politically center-left, don't like small cities (<500k metro), want a good mix of outdoor and indoor, and it's important that I live in an accepting/friendly community. A decent house in a nice location where I'm at is at least $600k, so a place with more affordable housing would be great.
I'm a cis male person of color and frustrated with the political extremism we get on the west side of the country and how divided many of the communities here are. I'm a software engineer, so it's also important that there's a decent software scene I can make a good living with. I'm also an experimental rock musician, so a city with an eclectic music scene would be fantastic.
I've visited Portland a few times, and I find the people there very accepting and "chill". However, it's been devastated by the pandemic with a massively noticeable increase in crime, drug addiction, and homelessness, and it doesn't seem like the city has much of a plan to do much about it (the weak mayoral system probably doesn't help).
Thinking about moving further east. I grew up in the upper midwest and am kind of over it; cities like Minneapolis are nice but a bit boring and overly cosmopolitan for my tastes, and the winters are pretty harsh.
I've never visited Denver, CO or Richmond, VA, but they seem like good potential candidates for places to live.
Thoughts on the following?
Food/Drink Scene
People/Friendliness/Community
Music Scene
Outdoor Recreation
Cost of Living
Political Leaning
Crime
Weather
Traffic and Public Transportation
Other suggestions for cities I should consider relocating to?
I currently live in Portland.
The useless city leadership is the biggest flaw of this city, otherwise, it's awesome.
Food/Drink Scene - Portland's food/drink scene is exceptional for its size. With the endless food carts, more breweries than any other city, and wide array of diverse cuisines, there's always something you can find to eat. The Willamette Valley's climate makes it great for growing quality ingredients, so there is a large focus on eating local.
People/Friendliness/Community - People are friendly and laid back as you said.
Music Scene - I can't speak to what the local music scene is like, but the live music scene is amazing. There's so many cool niche venues to catch a show, whether it be in a small neighborhood bar, an intimate basement, or a large farm on Sauvie Island. My favorites are McMenamin's Edgefield (for larger acts), Hawthorne Theater, Polaris Hall, Mississippi Studios, and Doug Fir Lounge. Bands that tour in the US almost always come through Portland.
Outdoor Recreation - Portland is tops for this. You have access to some of the beautiful scenery in the continental US and pretty much every possible outdoor activity in under a 2 hour drive.
Cost of Living - Pricey, but cheaper than other West Coast cities. I think it's just slightly cheaper than Denver.
Political Leaning - Very left leaning
Crime - Crime spike this year is concerning, but still low overall
Weather - Winters are cool and rainy, it doesn't really go below freezing. Summer days are typically in the low 80s and dry, with occasional heat waves. It can be very gloomy and cloudy for about 6 months. Some hate it and some aren't really phased by it, so it really depends on the person.
Traffic and Public Transportation - Traffic can get pretty backed up at major choke points, though nowhere near as bad as say, Seattle. During non peak times, it's very easy to get around the city. Public transportation is decent by America standards. We have 5 light rail lines, though they aren't very fast. They are generally better for leisure activities. Bus system is pretty solid but could be better.
The useless city leadership is the biggest flaw of this city, otherwise, it's awesome.
Food/Drink Scene - Portland's food/drink scene is exceptional for its size. With the endless food carts, more breweries than any other city, and wide array of diverse cuisines, there's always something you can find to eat. The Willamette Valley's climate makes it great for growing quality ingredients, so there is a large focus on eating local.
People/Friendliness/Community - People are friendly and laid back as you said.
Music Scene - I can't speak to what the local music scene is like, but the live music scene is amazing. There's so many cool niche venues to catch a show, whether it be in a small neighborhood bar, an intimate basement, or a large farm on Sauvie Island. My favorites are McMenamin's Edgefield (for larger acts), Hawthorne Theater, Polaris Hall, Mississippi Studios, and Doug Fir Lounge. Bands that tour in the US almost always come through Portland.
Outdoor Recreation - Portland is tops for this. You have access to some of the beautiful scenery in the continental US and pretty much every possible outdoor activity in under a 2 hour drive.
Cost of Living - Pricey, but cheaper than other West Coast cities. I think it's just slightly cheaper than Denver.
Political Leaning - Very left leaning
Crime - Crime spike this year is concerning, but still low overall
Weather - Winters are cool and rainy, it doesn't really go below freezing. Summer days are typically in the low 80s and dry, with occasional heat waves. It can be very gloomy and cloudy for about 6 months. Some hate it and some aren't really phased by it, so it really depends on the person.
Traffic and Public Transportation - Traffic can get pretty backed up at major choke points, though nowhere near as bad as say, Seattle. During non peak times, it's very easy to get around the city. Public transportation is decent by America standards. We have 5 light rail lines, though they aren't very fast. They are generally better for leisure activities. Bus system is pretty solid but could be better.
Yeah, I honestly kind of love Portland, but it breaks my heart to see that the number of tents along the waterfront has blown up since the pandemic, along with the number of junkies around the city. The city and state have left these people behind (and apparently Eugene, OR now has the biggest opioid problem in the country? Sad).
The number of car break-ins and thefts I hear is also concerning. I know of two separate bands there that had tons of musical equipment stolen from their cars, and I've heard Multnomah Falls is averaging something like 25 break-ins a month.
Otherwise, I think it's a great city that has a lot going for it, but it was hard to see a future there last time I visited.
Can you elaborate on Denver a bit? How is it like California?
The homelessness is high, COL is high, the weather and landscape remind me of California in some ways, lots of outdoorsy granola people, very liberal and "green."
The homelessness is high, COL is high, the weather and landscape remind me of California in some ways, lots of outdoorsy granola people, very liberal and "green."
Thanks!
I'd also like to throw Raleigh, NC in the mix for a potential moving destination.
I'd also like to throw Raleigh, NC in the mix for a potential moving destination.
I am also a black male, but from the south. I do think California in general is too left for me, I prefer Colorados politics, especially compared to anywhere in the south.
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