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As a native Oregonian that joined the Air Force I will say from my perspective the SE US does have a bit of continuing troubling racial vibe. My experience is with living in Virginia and Oklahoma, and spending several months in Alabama and Mississippi. Plus vacation trips in the area states. Just an observation from my perspective alone. Plus, I learned I'm not a fan of high heat and high humidity that dominates the areas.
So, if you want to get away from that vibe... you may have to compromise on some other desires. Cost of living might be one of those. You are looking for cheap places to live, like may other people on this site. There is usually a reason many places are cheap to live... no one wants to live there, and mostly is filled with people that can't afford to move somewhere better, or through apathy and family connections won't risk a move to somewhere new. At least you are making an effort to strike out at something new. Cheap likely isn't the answer to long-term living stability. Chances are after a couple years in that "cheap" area you'll see it for what it is and be looking to sink a lot of money into moving again.
Some out-of-the-box places to look might be Albuquerque or Las Cruises New Mexico. Pocatello, Idaho Falls, or Twin Falls Idaho... they aren't that cold really. The Boise metro, especially to the west to Ontario, OR is even milder. All will get cold several days per month each winter, but rarely extreme. Medford or Klamath Falls Oregon. Less rain than Eugene (where it certainly doesn't rain everyday!!). I've seen other people recommend Chico and/or Sacramento California areas as surprisingly affordable with nice weather. I've never spent any times there myself, but might be worth a look. The Reno or Carson City, NV area too.
Likely you won't find many if any apartments for <$500 per month in those areas, but you will likely find areas people are happy they are there, with better job opportunities and higher salaries. Hopefully you are not looking to move without a job lined up. Most of these towns are growing and thriving. Do your research and see if you can find work in these areas that will make living affordable vs. a cheap place with limited long-term job opportunities.
Cheap studios in warm weather places that are sophisticated enough to welcome outsiders, but are still mostly white people.
Does not exist.
But you might get close by looking at smaller college towns in TN, NC, SC, GA, or even TX.
Larger college towns will either be too diverse for you, or too expensive.
Non-college towns in the south are going to be more insular and suspicious of outsiders. And if they are more friendly, that likely means a more prosperous town that will be too expensive.
Another option, perhaps, is small town outside of Nashville, beyond the suburbs. You'd be in shooting distance of Nashville, which is booming with new people moving there from all over.
Last edited by Kmanshouse; 05-27-2022 at 12:34 PM..
As a native Oregonian that joined the Air Force I will say from my perspective the SE US does have a bit of continuing troubling racial vibe. My experience is with living in Virginia and Oklahoma, and spending several months in Alabama and Mississippi. Plus vacation trips in the area states. Just an observation from my perspective alone. Plus, I learned I'm not a fan of high heat and high humidity that dominates the areas.
So, if you want to get away from that vibe... you may have to compromise on some other desires. Cost of living might be one of those. You are looking for cheap places to live, like may other people on this site. There is usually a reason many places are cheap to live... no one wants to live there, and mostly is filled with people that can't afford to move somewhere better, or through apathy and family connections won't risk a move to somewhere new. At least you are making an effort to strike out at something new. Cheap likely isn't the answer to long-term living stability. Chances are after a couple years in that "cheap" area you'll see it for what it is and be looking to sink a lot of money into moving again.
Some out-of-the-box places to look might be Albuquerque or Las Cruises New Mexico. Pocatello, Idaho Falls, or Twin Falls Idaho... they aren't that cold really. The Boise metro, especially to the west to Ontario, OR is even milder. All will get cold several days per month each winter, but rarely extreme. Medford or Klamath Falls Oregon. Less rain than Eugene (where it certainly doesn't rain everyday!!). I've seen other people recommend Chico and/or Sacramento California areas as surprisingly affordable with nice weather. I've never spent any times there myself, but might be worth a look. The Reno or Carson City, NV area too.
Likely you won't find many if any apartments for <$500 per month in those areas, but you will likely find areas people are happy they are there, with better job opportunities and higher salaries. Hopefully you are not looking to move without a job lined up. Most of these towns are growing and thriving. Do your research and see if you can find work in these areas that will make living affordable vs. a cheap place with limited long-term job opportunities.
for the constructive reply. You're right that maybe cheap is not the primary consideration. Point taken.
Cheap studios in warm weather places that are sophisticated enough to welcome outsiders, but are still mostly white people.
Does not exist.
But you might get close by looking at smaller college towns in TN, NC, SC, GA, or even TX.
Larger college towns will either be too diverse for you, or too expensive.
Non-college towns in the south are going to be more insular and suspicious of outsiders. And if they are more friendly, that likely means a more prosperous town that will be too expensive.
Another option, perhaps, is small town outside of Nashville, beyond the suburbs. You'd be in shooting distance of Nashville, which is booming with new people moving there from all over.
check that out based on your suggestions.
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thanks...
