Where in the USA!? (another moving thread) (relocating, job, climate)

[britann23]

Hello,

I am a female in my twenties who is from the south side of Chicago and I do not have a vehicle (so PT is important and I don't mind what kind of PT it is). I am looking to move relatively soon but I can't figure out the best city to move too.
If I could have life my way, I would not be moving until I got into a college. That would make the most sense. But the house I have been living in sold 3 months earlier than expected and I have to move now or won't have money too later. I keep on the bright side, this gives me an opportunity to acclimate and find work. BTW- please do not give tips on "job hunting" or "job relocating" the topic of this thread is strictly to find a place that suites my needs, however, lol, it feels as though the place I want to live doesn't exist.

-I will be going to college in the spring for my bachelors, need to have plenty of school options.
-Can only afford $600 or less for rent, which obviously puts me in studios but I can't imagine living somewhere without an oven since I love to cook.
-I love the ocean. Being without it makes my heart sick! After living in California for a few years, I do not want to ever be without it again. Half my life is on the water.
-I love hiking and I am a "foodie".
-I do not need a big city but I sure do love the feeling of a bustling vibrant downtown!
- My asthma hates humidity but more than humidity I can't stand snow. Alright, maybe a little snow, but I can't do Northeast winters unless it's a last resort.

There are some cities that I just fell in love with like Boise, Minneapolis, San Antonio, Dallas, Omaha, Denver... but none of those are by the water and (Snow!) lol. However, places like Portland, Seattle, (any big cities west coast) I can't afford, at least not that I have been able to find or know of.

I guess out of this post I am hoping to find somewhere in the USA that fits the person that I am and where I am at in my life. Please feel free to comment and share wisdom and experience!

Thank you!

[kyle19125]

You're going to have to lose something off of your wishlist as it's impossible to find affordable, non-humid large cities on the coast where it doesn't snow. Since asthma trumps "can't stand" or "heart sick" in most instances I would factor in places where there isn't a beach. If you're going to school anyway and this isn't a long term permanent move, you should be able to sacrifice until you're finished and can move onto someplace now seen as "unaffordable". Lifestyle choices change with age as well so don't count on the criteria remaining the same. I'd focus on cities like Denver and Minneapolis/St Paul which you already like and fulfill most of your current criteria. Good luck!

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by britann23

...the house I have been living in sold 3 months earlier than expected and I have to move now or won't have money to later.

So move. Move about two blocks or two miles away.
Finish school and get your job where you already know everyone and everything.

hth

[jksn75]

So what college were you accepted at? Are you just wanting to move temporarily until it is time for school? If not, I can't imagine it will be easy to just pick a city and then try to get accepted before the spring session starts. Kyle is right. If you insist, what about Phoenix or Tucson, AZ? You can drive 5 hrs to San Diego if you need a beach fix. There are colleges in both cities.