What's the best alternative for someone seeking refuge from Southern California? (big house, job market)

[citiesandsunshine]

For better or worse, I've lived in LA/OC suburbs all my life.
I can't handle the traffic and superficiality anymore.

I don't care about culture, museums, or sports. But I do need to live somewhere that has GOOOD resources, like top notch medical, academic institutions, and career opportunities. So, bland and sprawl is fine, but it's got to have everything one could need to survive close by.

A place to hit milestones in life, like marriage, family, career, etc...not just retire.

I also can't handle snow/ice in the winter. A million degree summer is fine with me. So where is best? Phoenix, Dallas, Austin, Seattle, Raleigh, Tampa, or WHERE? I know everywhere has its pros and cons, but any input is helpful and appreciated.

[projectmaximus]

You got it. All the major cities in the south should easily have you covered...even where the traffic is "bad" it's not LA bad.

Your list is good and can easily add Houston, Atlanta, and on a slightly lower tier Orlando and Charlotte.

[bluescreen73]

Dallas is practically screaming your name. Flat, bland, sprawly as f&^k, zero scenery, mild winters, and banal amenities galore. It's the perfect place for someone who just wants to work, buy a big house, eat out all the time, and shop.

Edit - There are pretentious, superficial pockets in DFW. The corridor between Central Expressway and the Dallas North Tollway from Woodall Rodgers to US-380 has a relatively high concentration of snobbery.

[MrJones17]

I've lived in Atlanta, Raleigh, and Austin. Any of them will fit what you're looking for. Austin weather may be a bit more comfortable for you during the hotter months as it's not as humid as east coast cities.

Atlanta and Austin feel more "dense" and cultured than Raleigh does, if that makes any difference to you. They also feel like they have a younger, more hip vibe to them, especially Austin.

[Gaylord_Focker]

Originally Posted by MrJones17

I've lived in Atlanta, Raleigh, and Austin. Any of them will fit what you're looking for. Austin weather may be a bit more comfortable for you during the hotter months as it's not as humid as east coast cities.

Atlanta and Austin feel more "dense" and cultured than Raleigh does, if that makes any difference to you. They also feel like they have a younger, more hip vibe to them, especially Austin.

If he wants to avoid traffic and superficiality, I'd head to Raleigh.

[kyle19125]

Definitely Raleigh-Durham in my opinion if looking to avoid superficiality and for the top notch academic/medical institutions as well as a great job market. Traffic is moderate by urban standards and the climate is ideal in my opinion, four distinct seasons with mild winters and summers on par with most of the US, not to mention about equal distribution of seasons in terms of time span.