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I'm looking to move, possibly as early as this summer. I'm currently living with my parents in Florida and I can go anywhere.
There is nothing here for me, I'm 22 and just need to move on with my life. So I'm one of those people who will pick a destination and move without a job. Right now I have almost 10 grand saved, and would have at least that or a little more, depending on when I go.
I've researched forever on cities across the country, but now am looking to dig a little deeper. I'm working as a produce clerk here, so I'm going to need availability of those type of lower-end jobs. Anything I could get to start out, really.
I also don't know how to drive, so assume I'm only looking for places to live where this is possible without a car. I will be learning, but that may not come until after I move.
The type of city I would want is wide open. I would enjoy living in a big city as much as I would in a smaller, compact city or a college town. Weather is also really important, I don't think I could handle continuing to live where it is hot and humid all the time. I would prefer a really cold climate or something like California or Pacific Northwest weather.
Some smaller cities that have really interested me are Albany, NY and Eugene, OR. Eugene sounds really great. I've looked into some other smaller cities/college towns, but those are the main two I've seem to have had in my head. Feel free to chime in with others.
As for big cities, there are plenty. Minneapolis seems to be ideal. But then there is Cleveland, Seattle, Portland, etc. And some other places I haven't mentioned.
Hoping some responses here will steer me in the right direction. The cities I'm looking at are all very different from each other, so it's just a matter of deciding what I want. Thanks!
So, I'm not trying to be a jerk here, but if you don't know how to drive, how have you been doing normal day-to-day things in Tampa, FL? How do you buy groceries? How do you get to work? How do you go out for a beer? How do you go see friends? If you're walking or biking, more power to you. If someone else is driving you, it's going to be a VERY difficult transition to wherever you move.
Unless you're living in the center of a very large city, doing the normal day to day things will be fairly unusual to someone who's only lived in Tampa. I applaud you for wanting to move out and on with your life, but remember that living without a car means walking in uncomfortable weather, relying on public transportation, or making quick friends with someone who owns a car.
Based on your criteria, any of the large east coast cities will do. You can live without a car, and you can easily find a job in what you call a 'low-end' area. It will, however, be a fairly big change from your south florida location. It will be more run down, more dense, less laid back, and more diverse. Be prepared for a dose of culture shock. But take it from me, culture shock can be just as enjoyable as it is shocking.
So, I'm not trying to be a jerk here, but if you don't know how to drive, how have you been doing normal day-to-day things in Tampa, FL? How do you buy groceries? How do you get to work? How do you go out for a beer? How do you go see friends? If you're walking or biking, more power to you. If someone else is driving you, it's going to be a VERY difficult transition to wherever you move.
Unless you're living in the center of a very large city, doing the normal day to day things will be fairly unusual to someone who's only lived in Tampa. I applaud you for wanting to move out and on with your life, but remember that living without a car means walking in uncomfortable weather, relying on public transportation, or making quick friends with someone who owns a car.
Based on your criteria, any of the large east coast cities will do. You can live without a car, and you can easily find a job in what you call a 'low-end' area. It will, however, be a fairly big change from your south florida location. It will be more run down, more dense, less laid back, and more diverse. Be prepared for a dose of culture shock. But take it from me, culture shock can be just as enjoyable as it is shocking.
Gee, I'm well-informed on all those things! I live in an area of Tampa that allows me to walk everywhere. To work, the bar, movies, etc. Getting a car here is not a good investment, which is why I haven't bothered.
I may have only lived in Tampa, but I'm not un-exposed to all those things you mentioned. Believe me, I'm more than adapted for all of that! It would not be a culture shock in the slightest.
I may have only lived in Tampa, but I'm not un-exposed to all those things you mentioned. Believe me, I'm more than adapted for all of that! It would not be a culture shock in the slightest.
I forgot perhaps the biggest shock of all: climate. If you move somewhere cold, with seasons, snow, and ice, it could be a big ordeal to adapt. Don't get me wrong. Adapting to a wintery climate can be exciting. But walking down to the grocery store when it's 10F isn't the best feeling in the world. Especially when the heat in your apartment costs $120 a month and doesn't even work all that well.
I forgot perhaps the biggest shock of all: climate. If you move somewhere cold, with seasons, snow, and ice, it could be a big ordeal to adapt. Don't get me wrong. Adapting to a wintery climate can be exciting. But walking down to the grocery store when it's 10F isn't the best feeling in the world. Especially when the heat in your apartment costs $120 a month and doesn't even work all that well.
Who pays $120/month for heat? Is that common in Philadelphia? In Chicago, in most of the older, smaller apartments heat is included in the rent.
Who pays $120/month for heat? Is that common in Philadelphia? In Chicago, in most of the older, smaller apartments heat is included in the rent.
A row house in Philadelphia can easily run that much. I'll admit that's on the high side, but it was written more for hyperbole than as an actual example.
A row house in Philadelphia can easily run that much. I'll admit that's on the high side, but it was written more for hyperbole than as an actual example.
Well sure, I've paid $350/month for heat on occasion, but I've got a not very small SFH. More relevantly, a small studio apt even if you have to cover your own heating bill, will be $50/ month or so during peak winter months. It's comparable or even cheaper than electric for A/C in Florida.
Well sure, I've paid $350/month for heat on occasion, but I've got a not very small SFH. More relevantly, a small studio apt even if you have to cover your own heating bill, will be $50/ month or so during peak winter months. It's comparable or even cheaper than electric for A/C in Florida.
True. In much of the northeast, you pay for both heat in the winter and AC in the summer, since they can get pretty sticky.
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