medium size affordable cities to move too? (Boston, Brockton: rent, buying a house)

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by wildsunflower

I'm transgender and trying to move somewhere more liberal and safe for myself. Also I want to live somewhere with 4 seasons. I have been researching numerous cities over the past year.

I understand now. May sound unconventional but look at Cleveland, particularly the eastern suburbs. Quite liberal, feels more like a Northeastern than a Midwestern city.

[matrix5k]

Texas is cheap as hell compared to MA. How about Providence RI?

[Remy11]

Burlington, VT might be worth looking at. Very cool little city on Lake Champlain. It’s not as expensive as Boston but I’m pretty sure it’s not as cheap as TX.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by htfdcolt

Affordable? I'd scratch the Northeast completely. Why not look at Midwestern or Mid-South cities?

Unlike Boston, NYC has more affordable rentals where you can get by fine without a car. It just won’t be Manhattan. There are non-frightening rentals on the other side of the Hudson with PATH access.

[yesmaybe]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

Unlike Boston, NYC has more affordable rentals where you can get by fine without a car. It just won’t be Manhattan. There are non-frightening rentals on the other side of the Hudson with PATH access.

You can get by without a car in Boston. But only Boston proper (or Cambridge/Somerville). Wouldn't be very cheap though.

[Saguarogirl507]

I read an article recently that Boston is the second most expensive city in the country now.

I left there in 2018 and now I cannot afford to return, much to my dismay. My whole family is there and I cannot live near them. The closest I could afford to buy was western MA in Amherst. There is a lot to do there for us in the way of culture etc but I am retired and so do not need a job. I don't know what it is like there for a young person looking for work. I would not move to Mass without a job and a place to live if I were you.

[kyle19125]

OP, check out Albany NY. It shares much of the same social comforts of NYC, with very affordable rent relative to average salaries. https://www.apartments.com/apartment...ms-under-1100/

[yesmaybe]

Originally Posted by Saguarogirl507

I don't know what it is like there for a young person looking for work. .

They have roommates. With enough roommates and no car/kids, you can make Boston work.

[timberline742]

Providence is the best bet in New England. Portland ME and Burlington VT have even higher rental costs to wage differentials. Providence has the strongest qu**r community around as well for second tier (or below) cities.

Probably cheaper than Austin too, which is a very pricey city, esp for the region.

[brightdoglover]

If OP at very least wants to get out of Texas, they should be able to do so. I get why that would be desirable. And yes, the Northeast (or Cleveland/Pittsburgh) would be a good place to land. I'd go to Pittsburgh if I were OP. There's a lot happening there and you can live well without a car (great public transportation). It's a long way from Texas in every sense!