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It sounds like your experiences with some of these cities are limited to specific neighborhoods. There are different vibes elsewhere in cities like New York and Denver. I honestly think New York would be the best fit for your criteria, and as a recently-single 40 year-old myself, NYC offers more than most places, IMO. Denver does feel younger in many areas downtown, but IMO the Capitol Hill neighborhood and places a bit east of there like around Cheesman Park felt a little older and quieter.
I think Norwalk is probably the worst place you could land, and I'm not particularly a fan of Raleigh. I'd advise checking into New York, some other parts of Denver than where you're familiar, or coach yourself up for a move to a new city with no ties. Philly and Chicago would be on my short list.
What? Norwalk is just fine (clean, diverse, nice beach/marine culture yet still in the tri-state area) and there ~30 trains a day into NYC via Metro-North as well.
Take a look at Stamford CT, a bit more bustling than Norwalk, feels a tad more urbane IMO, easy to get to beach or NYC for getaways, and feels mature but not old—a lot of corporate offices in and around it. But it’s still a smallish urban area, walkable in areas, and enough nightlife to be pleasant. Simone also mentioned White Plains NY, which has a similar vibe.
Location: Chapel Hill, NC, formerly NoVA and Phila
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Originally Posted by Hudlander
I don't like NOVA. I don't hate it, but I would never voluntarily choose to live in metro DC. I don't like the city (too sterile), the sprawl, the heat but no beach, the cold but no snow.
If DC is too sterile, too sprawly, and has too much heat with no beach, then you will not like Raleigh.
If DC is too sterile, too sprawly, and has too much heat with no beach, then you will not like Raleigh.
But Raleigh is cheaper and not to bad from the beach.
I cant stand paying a premium price to be in DC without getting the NY vibe or the beautiful scenery.
Location: Chapel Hill, NC, formerly NoVA and Phila
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Originally Posted by Hudlander
But Raleigh is cheaper and not to bad from the beach.
I cant stand paying a premium price to be in DC without getting the NY vibe or the beautiful scenery.
It is cheaper, but rents and home prices have gone up quite a bit. The closest beach is 2 hours away. Traffic is a lot better than the DC Metro, but there is no mass transit other than buses, so you are driving everywhere. The Triangle is similar to NoVA without a big city next to it. DC is bigger, more vibrant, and more unique than Raleigh. The Triangle overall is a friendly, pleasant, easy place to live but is still very suburbanish. It would not be my first pick for a single 40-year old.
--My 2 cents as someone who lived in DC for 20+ years and the Triangle for 10+ years.
It is cheaper, but rents and home prices have gone up quite a bit. The closest beach is 2 hours away. Traffic is a lot better than the DC Metro, but there is no mass transit other than buses, so you are driving everywhere. The Triangle is similar to NoVA without a big city next to it. DC is bigger, more vibrant, and more unique than Raleigh. The Triangle overall is a friendly, pleasant, easy place to live but is still very suburbanish. It would not be my first pick for a single 40-year old.
--My 2 cents as someone who lived in DC for 20+ years and the Triangle for 10+ years.
What would be your pick?
Keep in mind I am not in NOVA person or DC.
I find Arlington too trendy, young, and faux.
Do not like DC, again too sterile, faux, and pricey.
If I want a big city or big rent price, I want NY metro, not some wannabe NY.
What would be your pick?
Keep in mind I am not in NOVA person or DC.
I find Arlington too trendy, young, and faux.
Do not like DC, again too sterile, faux, and pricey.
If I want a big city or big rent price, I want NY metro, not some wannabe NY.
Location: Chapel Hill, NC, formerly NoVA and Phila
9,781 posts, read 15,814,412 times
Reputation: 10894
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hudlander
What would be your pick?
Keep in mind I am not in NOVA person or DC.
I find Arlington too trendy, young, and faux.
Do not like DC, again too sterile, faux, and pricey.
If I want a big city or big rent price, I want NY metro, not some wannabe NY.
I am not familiar with Denver or Norwalk to comment on those. For cities not on your list, I like the suggestions of Philly or Richmond. Charlotte might also work as it is larger and more urban than Raleigh. Of course if professional hockey is high on your list then Richmond or Charlotte wouldn't work.
I will note that one thing that Raleigh does have over NoVA is that the people are more down to earth and are pretty friendly. There is less "putting on airs" than in DC/NoVA. I think if you come down and rent an Air B&B for a week or perhaps stay with your friend, you can get a better feel for the city. Its downtown core is pretty small and it gets suburban quickly, but maybe you will find the sweet spot. You should probably check out Durham, too if you visit. Good luck!
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