Need help creating initial list of cities to research (chapel, houses)

[texanaggie]

My family wants to relocate in 3 years but I don't really know where to look. We've been in the Seattle area for the last 16 years and the weather makes me very depressed. My husband and I grew up in Houston (lived in Dallas a little bit) and we still have family in Texas. Houston is too humid and we don't like the vibe/scenery of just seeing houses, concrete, restaurants, etc. Just because it can be built on doesn't mean it should be. While Seattle is pretty, I need sun and warm weather. 2 months a year doesn't cut it and the depression is setting in.

1. We're looking for a city that has sun and warm weather, not insane hot 100 degree weather for a long period of time. I'm fine with snow but don't want multiple feet of it to deal with. I'm ok with humidity but don't want Houston humidity.

2. We would prefer something scenic and not just flat land with buildings. My husband likes greenery over brown, so I'm guessing places like Arizona are out.

3. Ideally we would avoid the horrible Seattle, LA, San Francisco type traffic / commute.

4. I wouldn't want a higher cost of living than we are already paying.

5. We need to be in a city that has good technology companies / opportunities. I'm dying to see where HQ2 lands up.

6. Looking for good schools, safe environment, family neighborhoods and would probably live in a suburb outside of the city.


Thanks for your help! We haven't really traveled much across the US besides some of the major tourist cities, so appreciate your feedback.

[kyle19125]

Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill comes to mind and think it hits all of your criteria. Check out the twin towns of Chapel Hill-Carrboro which have some great neighborhoods and excellent public schools (Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools) in a safe area with good proximity/fairly easy commute to the tech hub at Research Triangle Park in Durham.

[BurnInTheMil]

I’ll have to agree with Kyle19125, The general Raleigh area would fit pretty well. Decent weather with pretty mild winters, good job markets, affordable (especially compared to Seattle), etc...

Places like Charlotte, Nashville, Greenville, Etc...could all fit the bill as well. There are plenty of options for what you seek

[texanaggie]

Thank you! I haven't been to the east coast much so don't know much about it, but I will definitely research that area.

And the posts about all of the copperhead snakes and black widow spiders totally freaked me out! Any other cities?