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i have been reading these forums for months now and everyone is wonderfully helpful, but with SO much information and varying opinions, it is making my decision extremely difficult. so, if you guys want to throw out your opinions to my specific situation, have at it... i insist...
i am currently in cincinnati and it is definitely not the city for me. i just graduated from college. i'm in pharmacy so jobs are everywhere so that is not a concern. i am looking for a rather large city (~500,000 +/- is ideal but NOT nyc, la, or chicago). i am thinking a high or mid rise in the city, or a brownstone/rowhouse. i want a vibrant hip city (i suppose the word is bohemian). socially and politically on the liberal side. festivals, music, concerts, sporting events. friendly and socialable young professionals, not necessarily the "go-getter workaholic types" though (i.e. washington dc, no offense). any type of weather would be fine, but i prefer to stay away from extremes, like hurricanes, heat with humidity, or freezing blizzards. a safe and clean down town with safe and clean public transit. the more cities and places i can get to by car would be a plus. i would like to be able to stock some money away so the higher cost of living cities are not my best option right now (thus why san fran is not on the list). basically, i want san fran, without the high COL. i know there is NO city that has all of this, but the more the merrier
here are the options... you can say whatever you want about them. and if you have any questions, let me know... THANKS!!!
houston
phoenix
philadelphia
dallas
austin
baltimore
charleston
boston
seattle
portland
tucson
albuquerque
atlanta
raleigh/durham
tampa
i have been reading these forums for months now and everyone is wonderfully helpful, but with SO much information and varying opinions, it is making my decision extremely difficult. so, if you guys want to throw out your opinions to my specific situation, have at it... i insist...
i am currently in cincinnati and it is definitely not the city for me. i just graduated from college. i'm in pharmacy so jobs are everywhere so that is not a concern. i am looking for a rather large city (~500,000 +/- is ideal but NOT nyc, la, or chicago). i am thinking a high or mid rise in the city, or a brownstone/rowhouse. i want a vibrant hip city (i suppose the word is bohemian). socially and politically on the liberal side. festivals, music, concerts, sporting events. friendly and socialable young professionals, not necessarily the "go-getter workaholic types" though (i.e. washington dc, no offense). any type of weather would be fine, but i prefer to stay away from extremes, like hurricanes, heat with humidity, or freezing blizzards. a safe and clean down town with safe and clean public transit. the more cities and places i can get to by car would be a plus. i would like to be able to stock some money away so the higher cost of living cities are not my best option right now (thus why san fran is not on the list). basically, i want san fran, without the high COL. i know there is NO city that has all of this, but the more the merrier
here are the options... you can say whatever you want about them. and if you have any questions, let me know... THANKS!!!
houston
phoenix
philadelphia
dallas
austin
baltimore
charleston
boston
seattle
portland
tucson
albuquerque
atlanta
raleigh/durham
tampa
I would go with Austin, Portland, Seattle, Boston, or Tempe (wasn't on list, but Phoenix area).
thanks for the response. these are definitely some of my top choices. from my research boston is the most expensive of these... so we will see... thanks again!
houston-Eh. It's a good city, but you said you don't want hot and humid.
phoenix-i really like Phoenix, but mainly because i love hot weather and it's better than vegas. if you like everything new, you'll love it, but public transpo. is horrible and there is no urban living
philadelphia-i love philly. definitely keep it on your list. one of the most affordable large cities.
dallas-much better than houston in my eyes and a bargain
austin-job market not as strong as houston or dallas
baltimore-another of my favorite cities. lots of row houses and quite urban. keep it on the list
charleston-dont know much about it, but it is hot and humid, but has a wonderful historic downtown
boston-you said you dont want blizzards. dont move here. very expensive as well.
seattle-amazing city. downtown is very nice and it is a bargain with all the amentities. keep
portland-before i even saw your list, i was thinking "Portland". affordable, young, hip, beautiful downtown, good public transportation, etc. very high on your list
tucson-NNNOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
albuquerque-eh. too small townish
atlanta-hate the city, but others like it. very hot and humid, public transportaions is not good, but the several urban areas would be great for a young professional
raleigh/durham-dont know anything
tampa-never been there, but my mom lived there. she really liked it, just not the weather. at least there are beaches for those really hot and sticky days. i believe ybor city is quite hip.
So, in order, this is how I would rank these cities for you.
Portland
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Seattle
Tampa
Dallas
Boston
Charleston
Atlanta
Austin
Houston
Phoenix
Albuquerque
Raleigh
Tucson
I'm confident with my top 10 list, but after that, it's just kinda...eh...not really sure where to put these. LOL. Definitely don't move to Tucson though. My dad almost got transferred there and we looked at houses, but at least 2/3 of the population is senior citizens. Albuquerque only fits a certain type of person, and Phoenix only appeals to certain types of people. However, Phoenix is a great place to start off a life with the cheap COL, but you also lose many of the great amenities of living in a more structured city with an actual downtown and more historic neighborhoods.
Portland and Philly are definitely one and two, IMHO, and then Baltimore comes in at like 5. That's how good I think those two cities are for you. More-so Portland though. I think your best be is Portland. Fasho.
houston-Eh. It's a good city, but you said you don't want hot and humid.
phoenix-i really like Phoenix, but mainly because i love hot weather and it's better than vegas. if you like everything new, you'll love it, but public transpo. is horrible and there is no urban living
philadelphia-i love philly. definitely keep it on your list. one of the most affordable large cities.
dallas-much better than houston in my eyes and a bargain
austin-job market not as strong as houston or dallas
baltimore-another of my favorite cities. lots of row houses and quite urban. keep it on the list
charleston-dont know much about it, but it is hot and humid, but has a wonderful historic downtown
boston-you said you dont want blizzards. dont move here. very expensive as well.
seattle-amazing city. downtown is very nice and it is a bargain with all the amentities. keep
portland-before i even saw your list, i was thinking "Portland". affordable, young, hip, beautiful downtown, good public transportation, etc. very high on your list
tucson-NNNOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
albuquerque-eh. too small townish
atlanta-hate the city, but others like it. very hot and humid, public transportaions is not good, but the several urban areas would be great for a young professional
raleigh/durham-dont know anything
tampa-never been there, but my mom lived there. she really liked it, just not the weather. at least there are beaches for those really hot and sticky days. i believe ybor city is quite hip.
So, in order, this is how I would rank these cities for you.
Portland
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Seattle
Tampa
Dallas
Boston
Charleston
Atlanta
Austin
Houston
Phoenix
Albuquerque
Raleigh
Tucson
I'm confident with my top 10 list, but after that, it's just kinda...eh...not really sure where to put these. LOL. Definitely don't move to Tucson though. My dad almost got transferred there and we looked at houses, but at least 2/3 of the population is senior citizens. Albuquerque only fits a certain type of person, and Phoenix only appeals to certain types of people. However, Phoenix is a great place to start off a life with the cheap COL, but you also lose many of the great amenities of living in a more structured city with an actual downtown and more historic neighborhoods.
Portland and Philly are definitely one and two, IMHO, and then Baltimore comes in at like 5. That's how good I think those two cities are for you. More-so Portland though. I think your best be is Portland. Fasho.
jesse, you are AWESOME! this is exactly the type of response i was looking for. thanks for taking everything i said into consideration... very helpful. the only thing i didn't completely understand is what you said about no urban living in phoenix? what do they have in their downtown?
and i like the idea of baltimore, but the first thing everyone mentions is the crime, which i know from living in cinci can be blown out of proportion, but even official statistics put it at top 5 worst. i need to look more into this...
i am looking for a rather large city (~500,000 +/- is ideal but NOT nyc, la, or chicago).----Baltimore! i am thinking a high or mid rise in the city, or a brownstone/rowhouse.-----Baltimore! i want a vibrant hip city (i suppose the word is bohemian).-----Baltimore! socially and politically on the liberal side.------Baltimore! festivals, music, concerts, sporting events.------Baltimore! friendly and socialable young professionals, not necessarily the "go-getter workaholic types" though (i.e. washington dc, no offense).-----Baltimore! any type of weather would be fine, but i prefer to stay away from extremes, like hurricanes------Baltimore! heat with humidity-----NOT Baltimore! or freezing blizzards.------Baltimore! a safe and clean down town with safe and clean public transit.-----Baltimore! the more cities and places i can get to by car would be a plus.-----Baltimore! i would like to be able to stock some money away so the higher cost of living cities are not my best option right now------Baltimore! (thus why san fran is not on the list). basically, i want san fran, without the high COL. i know there is NO city that has all of this, but the more the merrier
From much of what you said, Baltimore fits the bill along with Philadelphia. I love Boston but remember, it is very expensive. The other places you mentioned are cool but don't have the variety of rows like Baltimore or Philly.
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