Where should I move after I graduate? NC, TX, CO, or the NE Coast? (renting, crime)

[Marina1686]

Hello everyone,

I deeply think everyday where should I move after I gradute with a B.A. in Mass Communications (Account Mgr Advertisement) from FIU, and probably I'll be attending law school after that. I live in Miami right now, where I truly dislike (extreme hot and humid weather, rude people, high cost of living, nasty drivers and ridiculous wages). I love four season weather, I truly like to enjoy them all year round. I'm not into party (all you can do in Miami), I really enjoy nice restaurants, walkable places, beautiful skylines, parks, friendly atomosphere and I staying home watching a movies or just doing errands. I plan to buy property instead of renting after I find a stable job with a decent salary. My boyfriend has a auto dealership business and I would love to know, where this business can give him profits. We're both hispanics, 24 and 26 our ages, and we talk, read and write English and Spanish fluently. This is what I would like about a city:

- Affordability (low to mid housing and utility costs)
- Decent wages (that commessurate with cost of living or more)
- Decent (or close to) and diverse economy
- Nice neighborhoods
- Four seasons (PLEASE!)
- Decent public transportation
- Nice and educated people
- Diversity (PLEASE!)
- Hispanic friendly
- Walkable
- Good school system

These cities/states are my top list:

- Houston, TX
- Dallas,TX
- Charlotte, NC
- Denver, CO
- New Jersey (close to NYC)
- Maryland (close to DC)
- Atlanta, GA
- Raleigh, NC
- Minneapolis, St. Paul, MN (could be, but the extreme and brutal winters kinda stop me to choose the twin cities)
-Other suggestions?

Please, if you live or have lived in one or more of these cities, please spread the word and tell me the good, the bad and the ugly.

Thanks

[Verseau]

Actually, my first thought was Chicago... any reason you excluded it?

[Drover]

These days you move wherever you can land a job.

[ckhthankgod]

Maybe parts of the Philadelphia area or perhaps somewhere in Connecticut. Outside of Boston might work too.

[golgi1]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

Maybe parts of the Philadelphia area or perhaps somewhere in Connecticut. Outside of Boston might work too.

When the OPS overall message is "quality of life with diversity,", I'm not sure that Philly would really be a fit. Diversity abounds, but this has never been a quality of life city unless you can afford to shelter yourself from what the city actually is. Also, low skill wages suck here compared to the cost of living, and good jobs are not plentiful. But that all depends on the OP's profession.

To the OP: You say that you want "diversity", but largely have some very white-bread places on your list. I'd say that Houston would likely be your best bet, all criteria considered. Of course, a perfect match is impossible. With Houston, for instance, you have less seasonal variation. You'll have to make a similar concession anywhere you choose. Remember that wages and jobs will drive your ability to procure most else of what is important. Therefore, that consideration should be the priority.

[Marina1686]

Originally Posted by Drover

These days you move wherever you can land a job.

That's why I mentioned decent and diverse economy

[Marina1686]

Originally Posted by Verseau

Actually, my first thought was Chicago... any reason you excluded it?

I heard all the time Chicago has a lot of crime and gangs. Don't get me wrong I saw pictures and and I think it's a beautiful city, just not sure if it will fit me.

[Marina1686]

Originally Posted by golgi1

When the OPS overall message is "quality of life with diversity,", I'm not sure that Philly would really be a fit. Diversity abounds, but this has never been a quality of life city unless you can afford to shelter yourself from what the city actually is. Also, low skill wages suck here compared to the cost of living, and good jobs are not plentiful. But that all depends on the OP's profession. Account manager, and probably will attend to law school after a couple of years of hard work to settle down.

To the OP: You say that you want "diversity", but largely have some very white-bread places on your list. .

which ones?

[nedergras]

Austin TX, affordable, decent wages, great schools, diverse economy, diverse population, semi walkable, friendly atmosphere, nice neighborhoods and very family orientated, it's Texas so of course it's Hispanic friendly, four seasons... sometimes, and very educated.

Only thing it's lacking is public transit.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Marina1686

I heard all the time Chicago has a lot of crime and gangs. Don't get me wrong I saw pictures and and I think it's a beautiful city, just not sure if it will fit me.

And yet you're considering Houston, Dallas, and of all places Atlanta??