Leaving Austin but don't know where to go... (low crime, chapel)

[kissonwetglass]

I've been in Austin for 14 years and have recently felt like it is time to move on. However, I don't know where to go! Any help you could give me about cities that would be a good match would be greatly appreciated.

I would really like to live somewhere that is naturally beautiful, with lots of parks and places to hike and camp nearby. The winters will need to be mild, since I'm from Texas and winter is sort-of mysterious (and a little terrifying) to me. I would prefer somewhere that is liberal. Other things that are important are art museums, a good dance scene, low crime, and nice/diverse restaurants. I'm starting a career as a social worker/therapist, so I will need to be somewhere that can support that. Probably most places are better than Austin in that respect, since the market here is super-saturated with social workers, counselors and psychologists.

Thanks!

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by kissonwetglass

I've been in Austin for 14 years and have recently felt like it is time to move on. However, I don't know where to go! Any help you could give me about cities that would be a good match would be greatly appreciated.

I would really like to live somewhere that is naturally beautiful, with lots of parks and places to hike and camp nearby. The winters will need to be mild, since I'm from Texas and winter is sort-of mysterious (and a little terrifying) to me. I would prefer somewhere that is liberal. Other things that are important are art museums, a good dance scene, low crime, and nice/diverse restaurants. I'm starting a career as a social worker/therapist, so I will need to be somewhere that can support that. Probably most places are better than Austin in that respect, since the market here is super-saturated with social workers, counselors and psychologists.

Thanks!

I'm guessing that you're already familiar with cities in Texas...

You might enjoy the Research Triangle of North Carolina, namely Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, with Duke, UNC and NCS universities nearby ( although this might represent more competition)...

[HtownLove]

Why don't you throw out some bait for jobs and see which cities bite. This is the most important thing right now

[AnnaRex]

Originally Posted by HtownLove

Why don't you throw out some bait for jobs and see which cities bite. This is the most important thing right now

I absolutely agree with this statement. However, I think it's also important to first narrow down the field by personal preference.

I currently live in ATX and I'm planning on moving very soon. Based on weather, personality, beauty and general likeness to Austin, I narrowed my search to liberal cities in the SE. I am currently applying to jobs in the following cities:

Nashville, TN
Knoxville, TN
Chattanooga, TN
Louisville, KY
Raleigh, NC
Carrboro, NC
Chapel Hill, NC
Durham, NC
Asheville, NC
Wilmington, NC
Charleston, SC
Savannah, GA
Athens, GA

Note: I spent some time pondering New Orleans and Portland (the usual suspects for Austin relocatees) and decided against both for personal reasons. However, they both remain in my heart.

Any way, I hope that you find the list helpful. I really can't say too much about any of them b/c I don't have an insiders perspective, but I'm sure that some other city-data folk do...

You may find it helpful to look at my posts. I got some great responses from our peers.

Good luck!

[JakeDog]

Depends on your budget. SF, San Diego, etc. meet your criterea, but I don't know how much you intend to make.

[northstar22]

Nashville, TN
Knoxville, TN
Chattanooga, TN
Louisville, KY
Raleigh, NC
Carrboro, NC
Chapel Hill, NC
Durham, NC
Asheville, NC
Wilmington, NC
Charleston, SC
Savannah, GA
Athens, GA

Those cities are hardly "liberal." Maybe they are by southern standards, but up north those cities would be considered moderate to conservative. Some of them (Chattanooga, Wilmington) are very conservative.

You're not going to find what you want in the south. I suggest Hawaii. Honolulu seems to have what you're looking for.

[AnnaRex]

Originally Posted by flyingwriter

Those cities are hardly "liberal." Maybe they are by southern standards, but up north those cities would be considered moderate to conservative. Some of them (Chattanooga, Wilmington) are very conservative.

You're not going to find what you want in the south. I suggest Hawaii. Honolulu seems to have what you're looking for.

I would like to hear more about your suggestion because it's one that I don't see very often.

I just spent some time looking up lists of the most liberal cities in the US. No, I did not find any of the cities that I listed. However, I did not find a list that included Austin either (or Portland or NOLA for that matter). This surprised me because I live in Austin and I consider it to be very liberal. Perhaps I use the word "liberal" in a less political sense. I personally prefer cities with pockets of eccentricity and free-thinking. I look at the people rather than the legislation because they don't always line up. Often, some of best places to find pockets of people with progressive attitudes are right amidst conservative areas. Austin is often referred to as an "oasis" because it is a sanctuary for liberal-minded folk. That doesn't mean it's safe from Texas politics or law. I have heard that Savannah and Carrboro (number 1 and 2 on my personal list) represent those types of pockets.

"Liberal" aside, Chattanooga and Asheville are like meccas for outdoor recreation, and Savannah, Charleston, and Wilmington are breathtakingly beautiful in their own way.

Before I ramble on for too long and take focus off of the original post, I just want to say that my list was based more on the personality/flavor of an area as opposed to the politics/legislation. I cannot, however, speak for the original poster. Perhaps he/she can clarify...

[desert sun]

Chattanooga,TN
Raleigh,NC
Ashville,NC
Tucson,AZ

[BPerone201]

Sacramento, CA perhaps.
It has nice parks, it has wonderful location, and it has mild winters.

It's also more affordable than most CA cities. You'd also be in between SF and Lake Tahoe if that's considered a plus to you. Lake Tahoe is absolutely beautiful, so natural beauty is no shortage in the whole Sacramento area in general.

Sac town actually reminds me of Austin a bit.
I've never been to Austin, but they have a lot of similarities from the few things I do know about Austin.

[diablo234]

Portland or Seattle seem like a good fit.

Denver's winters are actually pretty mild and most of the time snow melts away pretty quick so that might be another option, plus the city itself is pretty liberal in that regard.