Best city to move for aspiring hair stylist (salons, lease)
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So I graduated last year with my BA and then covid took a big ol dooky on my post grad plans, so I moved back to my home town but I really dont like it here and its not where I want to build my career. I decided to go get a cosmetology degree (something I wanted long before my BA) but I dont want to get it in my home town because I want to get it wherever I end up settling down, that way I can learn my community and build a cliental. I just have no idea where I want to go.....I have IDEAs of where I want to go but Im hoping this forum will have some experienced suggestions. I have to move in about 6 months from my current lease so I am trying to take some trips to visit places/get my ducks in a row.
Heres all I need
1. Seasons. I dont mind winter but I also need lovely summers, I couldn't last somewhere like Florida or Alaska. I also dont like dessert areas
2. Im bi so a progressive city is essential.
3. Lots of night life is preferred, not just for fun but also because while I settle down and also build clients, there will be a large period of time where I still work as a waitress (I have lots of exp. in fine dining and I never struggle to find work, but there needs to be options..I may or may not also *exotic dance* on occasion)
4. Nature! Trails and parks galore- I also love kayaking and water
5. Dog friendly, I have a dog and she's a pit mix. She's not super pit looking, much more lab and her paperwork doesn't say pit. However, some cities are extremely strict that even if they look slightly pit its an issue and I can't move somewhere hardcore against pits (like how Denver used to be)
6. It doesn't need to be hardcore like LA, but there does need to be a desire for beauty wherever I go. I love hair color/blondes thats what I want to specialize in, people drop big money in areas where they care about what they look like on this.
7. I dont want somewhere with a San fransico level cost of living, I know anywhere worth its salt wont be cheap but I also dont want to sell a kidney to pay rent. I prefer mid sized living anyways
8. Im not against keeping my car but if there's anywhere that fits this bill where its not 100% needed that would be ideal
9. And last but not least, a reputable cosmetology school.
On my list of ideas is all the major cities in NC,
Chicago,
Any of the mid sized places in Oregon
Detroit (I live in MI now but not Detroit, I really like Detroit too but Ive only ever done quick visits)
Live in suburban NY around Long Island Sound, work in the city where the big money is. My friend is a hair designer in San Marcos, Ca. and when I tell her about the high prices they get in the NY salons , she says she made a big mistake not staying in NY.
- Mild, pleasant summers
- Progressive oriented
- Tons of service jobs
- For your side hustle, there is a huge number of strip clubs here
- Very dog friendly
- Surrounding nature and scenery is some of the top in the country
- Lots of walkable neighborhoods well served by transit (no need for car)
What is your budget in terms of housing? The only issue is that it's getting pretty expensive. It's still nowhere near San Francisco or other expensive cities, but it's not the most affordable.
Atlanta has been brought up, which I agree is a good option for you. Keep in mind that Atlanta's summers are oppressively hot/humid, which could be a deal breaker, but it otherwise fits most of your criteria.
- Mild, pleasant summers
- Progressive oriented
- Tons of service jobs
- For your side hustle, there is a huge number of strip clubs here
- Very dog friendly
- Surrounding nature and scenery is some of the top in the country
- Lots of walkable neighborhoods well served by transit (no need for car)
What is your budget in terms of housing? The only issue is that it's getting pretty expensive. It's still nowhere near San Francisco or other expensive cities, but it's not the most affordable.
Atlanta has been brought up, which I agree is a good option for you. Keep in mind that Atlanta's summers are oppressively hot/humid, which could be a deal breaker, but it otherwise fits most of your criteria.
Atlanta's humidity is overblown, it's situated at a high elevation and the base of the piedmont. This past summer there were maybe 10 days total when the temperature was above 90 degrees. It wasn't hot or humid at all. When I went to Miami that was a different story. Houston has a bit of that. Also, Las Vegas and Phoenix with the dry heat... those cities I felt really uncomfortable at times in the dead of summer and avoided going outside.
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