3 years of LA is enough, where to go next??? (transplants, rent)

[lrmsd]

How about Austin, TX? Hot, humid weathers...but seems to fit the criteria otherwise...

You could also try San Diego; it's growing but still has a bit of a mellower so cal vibe than LA metro. I think it's a pretty friendly place, at least superficially (the curse of so cal!) The areas of: Encinitas, Solana Beach, Mission Hills, Carlsbad are all nice areas to scope out as a starting point. SD is smaller than LA metro and the lack of hollywood/entertainment industry influence makes it a bit more down to earth.

I don't know about Phoenix...it seems a bit like vegas or LA in that people are trying to move along the fast lane, more players...etc. [I know I am completely stereotyping; I've got several different friends I visit in LA regularly who do not fit this stereotype at all-but the OP is talking of a particular attitude/lifestyle vibe in LA that he/she has had enough of...].

I personally love Albuquerque, NM, too...it's very down to earth, easy to meet people (pretty friendly/live and let live attitude) and not pretentious, with some great amenities in the city. The winters are not severe; the summers are high enough altitude to not be crazy hot most days, and it's quite dry [which could be a plus or minus for the OP]. Cost of living is lower; not sure about jobs-pay is lower and I think opportunities ebb and flow.

Also, some people quite like Sacramento/midtown area. I've also heard it referred to as the midwest of CA.

Hope these suggestions are useful. Good luck w/the scouting/move!

[lrmsd]

Originally Posted by RaymondChandlerLives

This belongs in the General US Board.

Why? The OP currently lives in LA; many people in LA are familiar with other cities...and as the OP said, many in LA also do not care for the same aspects, or also grow tired of it. Seems reasonable to post here, IMO. But then again, I'm no expert on forum thread categorizing...

[zitsky]

OP, consider Portland, but only if you can deal with the winter weather, some what cloudy and rainy. Summers are beautiful.

[lrmsd]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

You have to be more specific. You have to do a little of your own homework for people to be able to help you. What specific midwestern town did you grow up in? Did you leave for a bit larger midwestern town for school??

Where in LA have you lived, worked, and played in? Do you have existing family anywhere else?

Why are these factors relevant/necessary? I thought OP gave plenty of specific info about what he/she was looking for and what they were tired of about LA. I think if being near family were important, it would be mentioned. Also, if they had moved to a larger place for college, the OP would not have said 'now i only know my small town and LA'. We do not in any way need the name of the town where OP is from, to provide info for this particular question. Perhaps more cost of living info would be useful...but otherwise, the original post is adequate, in my experience answering questions on these threads.

[lrmsd]

Originally Posted by zitsky

OP, consider Portland, but only if you can deal with the winter weather, some what cloudy and rainy. Summers are beautiful.

I was also going to suggest pdx, for sure, with the grey skies/rain caveat. and also maybe the data job caveat-not sure about the current pdx job market, always rumored to be saturated and low paying....Anyway, good call!

Also, Denver is practically the mid west, culture wise. [I lived in boulder area for a few years-it has a lot of midwestern influence; half the state is plains and it borders kansas. Many folks living in denver and boulder/front range, came from these parts of the state and identify with the midwest. Fort Collins [college town an hour from denver, 30 min. from Boulder] feels like a midwest college town, but with the twist of great biking and microbrew culture, plus access to mountains and skiing. Winters along the front range are fairly mild, actually. IN the mountains is a different story. CO, in my view, is a nice combo of down to earth, pragmatic (midwest) with western innovation/open to the new mindset (west).

[st3350]

andrecle-Have you considered someplace like Texas, Atlanta, or Phoenix? It sounds like you like having big-city amenities, but want more of a slower pace. I think those places will still offer many of the things you're looking for, but won't be as much of a culture shock for you.

this pretty much sums what im looking for.
I've considered Texas or even Nashville

[st3350]

also, I don't mind most weather conditions, i just don't want to go back to hibernating for 6-9 months because of harsh winter weather. I guess I'm trying to avoid extreme winters.

[st3350]

also, it may be important to mention that I'm 30 and looking to plant some roots and even purchase a home, hence the cost of living criteria--LA home prices are not for me

[sprint100]

Originally Posted by st3350

I want to give you a quick background on myself before asking for advice...

I moved out to LA about 3 years ago from a small Midwestern town. While it is true that LA has grown my career by leaps and bounds and is full of culture that I love-- it is also true that the big city is very isolating and meeting genuine, honest, loyal people (that stick around LA and live nearby) has not been my experience here.

Now I know nothing other than LA and the small town that I grew up in.

Here's my question...
where can I move next that will be large enough to have diversity and culture of it's own, provide a job in the data industry, include people that are easy to get along with (midwest values and openness), cost of living is affordable, and has mild weather?

Does this exist? help!

Depends on what you think of as mild weather!!!

[RaymondChandlerLives]

Originally Posted by lrmsd

Why? The OP currently lives in LA; many people in LA are familiar with other cities...and as the OP said, many in LA also do not care for the same aspects, or also grow tired of it. Seems reasonable to post here, IMO. But then again, I'm no expert on forum thread categorizing...

Posters who live in other cities (as opposed to merely having passing knowledge of them) are far better equipped to give advice on where to move. Why ask people who live in the city you're trying to get away fromthis question? I needed to explain this? Really?