Need to get out of Cali - thinking of Austin or Knoxville areas (neighborhoods)

[heatherk2015]

Hi All,
Thank you for checking out my post. I'm a native california gal, mid 30's, single, and looking for a better quality of life. I'm considering the Austin area or perhaps Knoxville as the cost of living calculations tell me housing is 60% lower than San Diego, where I currently live. Jobs seems plentiful in both areas (I work in human resources and attend my university online). I have a horse that will need boarding and I also would like to find housing in an area that is quiet (definitely not in the cities - I'm over that!) and has significant room around me. Can anyone give me some names of neighborhoods or neighboring towns in either of these areas so assist in my research? Also, any additional thoughts on these areas in general would be helpful.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

I have a friend in Austin and it's become expensive there, and the traffic is horrible.

I am a CA native and moved to TN for 5 years. The humidity is terrible and the winters are icy. And the culture is difficult to get used to.

I will say that I love Texans, though. If I had to move anywhere farther east and south, I'd move to TX. I don't know if traffic would be better around Houston?

What about moving to a different area of CA? Look at the Redding area. It's affordable and there is a large horse culture there.

At any rate, I think culture-wise and weather-wise, you'd be happier staying in the west. Even if you look at Denver, for instance. Human resources will be needed anywhere there are jobs, so you should have a lot of options.

[UAE50]

I moved from SoCal to Dallas.

In terms of living standards, most people in Dallas have higher living standards than SoCal. Austin is a nicer city though.

[Rock Climber]

Split the difference and look at Northwest Arkansas.

[Mini-apple-less]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

I have a friend in Austin and it's become expensive there, and the traffic is horrible.

I am a CA native and moved to TN for 5 years. The humidity is terrible and the winters are icy. And the culture is difficult to get used to.

I will say that I love Texans, though. If I had to move anywhere farther east and south, I'd move to TX. I don't know if traffic would be better around Houston?

What about moving to a different area of CA? Look at the Redding area. It's affordable and there is a large horse culture there.

At any rate, I think culture-wise and weather-wise, you'd be happier staying in the west. Even if you look at Denver, for instance. Human resources will be needed anywhere there are jobs, so you should have a lot of options.

I'm not very impressed with Redding. Seems kind of hick and it's extremely hot, I mean you might as well be in Tennessee if you move there lol. It looks really boring there too. Aside from escapades to the Redwood Country and Sierras I can't see any plus of living in Redding.

[DubbleT]

Climate in TN generally goes cooler the further east and higher in altitude you go.
During the summer there can sometimes be a 'feels like' difference of 20 degrees between someplace like Memphis and northeast TN (one of the reasons I moved away from Memphis!). Also in my experience winter precipitation here tends less towards ice, that is more common in middle and west TN. We seem to get more snow, though it's not a lot by any means.
Research the weather thoroughly in the cities you want to compare if that is a major factor for you..

[creeksitter]

You will feel that you have more "elbow room" in Knoxville. Rural areas can be found 15 - 20 minutes from downtown.

You might check out Lexington and Louisville KY as well. They have the horsey culture.

[FourFiftyFour]

I second Kentucky to look into.

Austin is pretty crowded. There is more of a country feel outside of Austin in Manor though. It is extremely hot and most of Texas is pretty humid.

Have you considered North Carolina as well? There may be some areas of interest over there too!