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I am hoping I can get a good amount of feedback here, to help make a decision. We want to move to a new state. I'll start by a list of what we do/don't like about where we currently live, and then, a list of do/don't wants in our new city. Perhaps through this we can get a general idea of where to look.
Currently we live in Portland, Oregon.
Do like-
-A lot of smaller businesness and restraunts that are not chains
-A more accepting public of rights for all humans (gays, non-religious, etc.)
-Freeways aren't TOO crowded, with a lot of alternative routes
Don't like-
-We hate the weather (rain, rain, rain, and ice- with a good "summer" every 3-5 years-- in which good = about 3 months of decent sun and temperatures)
-The amount of hipsters and overly tolerant people - meaning the tolerance of stupidity and "i just want to be free and live man..." (I have personally known adults in their 20-30's who CHOOSE not to work so they can "experience the streets). This, is a NO GO for us.
-Prices to live in the area we love (South Waterfront) are quite high. Example- to rent a small studio, 400 sq feet, it is around $900.
I think that about sums it up. Now for the wish lists (yes and no)
Ideal-
-WARM WEATHER (I used to live in Pheonix and LOVED the weather- if this helps give you an idea)
-Lots of independant restraunts
-Equal Rights
-As little Religious Zealots as possible
-We will be going to school for two subjects:
Architecture and 3d Animation- Community College first, then university
-Nice walkways and biking trails
-We won't have kids so Schools under the College/University level don't matter
-The ability to live downtown, or close to it and spend less than $1,000 a month for a 1 bedroom. (or $1500 for a 2 bedroom).
-The ability to walk to restraunts, shops, food, etc. (and campus eventually)
What we DON'T want-
-We aren't really into diversity- ---- I'm not sure how to put this politically correct, so I'll just say, we don't want to live in a China Town, Little Mexico, or Little Italy--- we want to be able to speak English without being at a disadvantage
-As little gloomy, rainy and icy days as possible
-Hipsters
-Chain Restraunts that dominate the area
-Religious Fanatacism or Bigots
I may think of more--- but this is about it for now.
We've been considering Austin, Texas as a friend lives there part time and calls it "Warm Portland" which is our biggest complaint about Portland.... but we don't have enough information quite yet.
If you don't mind a cold winter, have you thought of Pittsburgh? I lived in Portland for several years and then visited Pittsburgh from where I am now living (D.C. area) and my first impression was how much the topography was similar to Portland, at least upon first glance. In fact, the Washington Post did a article last year, "is Pittsburgh the new Portland?" It is a mid-sized city like Portland and also has a lot of independent businesses and walkable neighborhoods. Housing prices are lower than Portland. People who live there say it is cloudy a lot but I don't think it is as cloudy as Portland and the summers are warmer and longer.
Oops--I just saw the part of your post that says you loved Phoenix weather, never mind, lol!
Last edited by expdxer; 10-03-2012 at 01:57 PM..
Reason: didn't read the part in caps
You might take a look at Nashville. The in-town neighborhoods offer pretty much everything you're looking for without the screaming hot ridiculousness of Austin weather. Check out up and coming East Nashville and 12South, the more established Green Hills/Hillsboro Village/Elliston Place area (home to Vanderbilt University and Nashville's gay neighborhoods) or historic Germantown.
I always marvel at the people who want to live in the perfect neighborhood, but then think the price to live there is too high. If it's perfect for them, it's probably perfect for many. And that drives the price up. That's not a city-by-city thing, it's just reality.
It's kind of hard to offer you any suggestions since U have a picky list of what you don't want. I would suggest Las Vegas. Warm like Phoenix minus the over abundance of chain restaurants and Religious fanatics. However education is seriously lacking in Vegas. Their colleges(community&university)are not that well regarded from what I can see. Southwest cities have large Hispanic populations but there are definitely places you can live if you don't want any diversity or where speaking English is the exception rather than the rule. Vegas has a lot of Asians as well but unless you're looking for a "Chinatown" it should be pretty easy to avoid. If you want a warm southern city I recommend Atlanta or Dallas. Atlanta and Dallas are both diverse with a good population of blacks, whites, Latinos, and a handful of Asians. Stay out of the hood and other areas where minorities are the majority and you shouldn't have any issues avoiding diversity. Good luck 2 U!
I always marvel at the people who want to live in the perfect neighborhood, but then think the price to live there is too high. If it's perfect for them, it's probably perfect for many. And that drives the price up. That's not a city-by-city thing, it's just reality.
I do understand that the price is dictated by demand. That isn't my quam as much as the sq foot for the price. I've researched other downtowns in Austin for example, and you may pay a premium price, but you at least get the space.
As far as picky, yes, i know i am. I guess that is the reason for the post. A reality check to narrow down what we can and cannot budge on.
The major wants would be:
A moderate climate more on the warm side
Walkability
Atheist friendly (basically we just want to be left alone about it)
Community events (comedy, theater, TED talks, etc)
Reasonable rental prices
Prescott, Arizona. Live and let live attitude, no one cares what religion you are or anything else, green, trees, etc. They get some snow, but not that much. Nice little downtown. Can drive to Phoenix for things you really need occasionally. Close to Flagg if you want more snow, mountains once in a while and a train station.
This is a total stab in the dark... but what about Albuquerque, NM? I know it's growing like crazy, and New Mexico has much more on the equal rights front than any surrounding states.
While you can't do anything about the weather or the COL of most areas you can free yourself of your intolerant attitude towards people who don't think like you. Really, wherever you go there will be people you don't like so just hang out with people you do like. There are very few places where you won't find "insert lable here of whoever you don't like". THEY are everywhere.
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