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I guess my feeling of wanting a new place to live just won't go away! I currently live in San Diego and I do like it but it doesn't feel like home or a place I want to be in forever. Of course, home prices are a reason to move out of California altogether but I do have my whole family here and practically all of my close friends. My main "scares" of moving away are missing my family, having to make all new friends, and feeling regretful or dumb for leaving a good situation.
What I am looking for is a place with trees, hills/mountains (I've been to flat areas and feel claustrophobic), rivers, and dog-friendly. I would LOVE to live somewhere with seasons and thunderstorms since I am so used to the regular weather here. (I know, I'm spoiled!)
I also need a city/downtown atmosphere with restaurants, bars and things to do!
One of my biggest concerns is that I am single and I keep going back and forth between thinking it is best to wait till I meet someone to move (so I have a partner/family) but then again what if he doesn't want to move... Or do I move to a place that excites me more to meet someone? I worry too much! lol
Raleigh, NC looks nice!
Nashville?
Somewhere with country music!
Any SoCal girls that have found what I am looking forward already??
I think Nashville would suit you better. It's much hillier and closer to mountains, has a much more vibrant downtown than Raleigh complete with famous bars and country music venues and restaurants, etc. The Cumberland River runs through downtown Nashville, but it's not some glamorous feature that they've worked into the downtown vibe.
Raleigh is nice, but the downtown bar and restaurant scene is pretty tame and lame. It's more focused on family friendly events and places. No river, but Falls Lake and Jordan Lake have some really great spots. There are some hills but they are much more gently rolling hills compared to Nashville. Both cities are very green with trees everywhere.
Here's a video of a regular night on Broadway in Nashville. https://youtu.be/Ddnw01wz96g
You will NEVER see downtown Raleigh this busy unless there is some event, and certainly never so vibrant with things to do.
At your age I would skip The Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) unless you plan to attend one of the Universities...otherwise, not a great place for singles. If you love country music, you want to be in Nashville. Otherwise, Charlotte, Atlanta, Austin would meet your needs.
I think Nashville would suit you better. It's much hillier and closer to mountains, has a much more vibrant downtown than Raleigh complete with famous bars and country music venues and restaurants, etc. The Cumberland River runs through downtown Nashville, but it's not some glamorous feature that they've worked into the downtown vibe.
Raleigh is nice, but the downtown bar and restaurant scene is pretty tame and lame. It's more focused on family friendly events and places. No river, but Falls Lake and Jordan Lake have some really great spots. There are some hills but they are much more gently rolling hills compared to Nashville. Both cities are very green with trees everywhere.
Here's a video of a regular night on Broadway in Nashville. https://youtu.be/Ddnw01wz96g
You will NEVER see downtown Raleigh this busy unless there is some event, and certainly never so vibrant with things to do.
I wouldn't say the restaurant scene is tame and lame, definitely some good ass food here, but Nashville is more touristy than Raleigh, and the music scene is bigger there for much longer time(granted I don't think country music is all that big(not say it's not popular) here more so a good mix of all types of music here)
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Give what the OP stated I would go with Nashville too tho, granted I do think the OP needs to visit, both and also broaden their horizons since the truth is, when people complain about XYZ place it's not necessarily because that place sucks it's because they are lonely and it sucks doing everything solo, and plus once you get to your late 20s and early 30s it becomes harder to make real friends. So leaving that behind and not being ANY WHERE near them and the ability to build bonds here is the real issue.
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Not edging the OP away from her choices just saying consider middle grounds and visit a couple times before you up jump and uproot your whole life.
I moved here at 26 from SF but wasn't really into the going out and party scene. Raleigh works for me- for you, there are trees galore, rivers and lakes check. But the hills/mountains are going to be about 3 hours away in Boone/Asheville and the ocean will be about 2 hours away in Wilmington (both are beautiful places).
The downtown bars and restuarants are great here in Raleigh, but it is smaller than SD or SF or Nashville/Austin. It is growing though and new places all the time. There is also Durham 20 miles away which has its own young, hip downtown scene.
I'd slice it this way- if you want to move somewhere long term, thinking of family and suburban life coming up soon, I would move to Raleigh. If you want a urban hip scene and still want the best trendy downtown living for 5 years and then want to think family, go to Nashville, Austin, or Atlanta now and think family metros like Raleigh or Sacramento then.
Atlanta sounds like more your vibe. Very young, mountains a short distance away....If you are really into the outdoor life, maybe Asheville, NC. It's in the heart of the blue ridge mountains. Great restaurant and bar scene. If you are the artsy free spirit type then Asheville would be a good spot for you!
Durham might be ok, definitely a lot going on, though not a big city.
I hear very very good things about Chattanooga, too.
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