I'm thinking about moving somewhere new. Where should I go?

[Lisa0825]

I was in a 2 year relationship with a guy who lives in Mexico, and we had tentative plans for me to move there, when we both got our finances in order. That didn't work out. I'd still like to go to Mexico for a year or so by myself, but that may or may not happen.

I have no kids, no family ties here (just a brother who forgot I exist), and I am not devoted to my company. So, I don't have anything really keeping me here. Plus, conservative Texas is really getting on my nerves.

I am serious about moving, but it is a long-range goal... maybe a year or two down the road.

So, do you like where you live? Make me a pitch. Sell me on your state/city. Where's a good place for a single thirty-something woman to start over? I don't mind snow or heat, but not to the most extreme point. I work for a non-profit agency, and have a degree, but with my field, cost of liviing will be an issue. I like live music (check out www.jibeonline.com to see my friends' band) and like to be near a metropolitan area, but not necessarily smack in it. Pretty open about that, just not way out in the sticks.

[GOPisEvil]

1. Move to Austin!

Music!
Good weather!
Bunch of liberals!

OK, so it's still in TX, but at least it isn't Houston or Dallas! :D

Oh, you wouldn't have to re-register your car or get a new driver's license. Just do the ol' change of address. :-)

[Lisa0825]

2. I thought about Austin....

But some folks I know are having even worse luck with the job market there than here in the Houston area. How is it going there in that respect? Is it in the average range, or worse? It IS a great place, though! :-)

[GOPisEvil]

3. Ehhh...it is getting better, or so I hear.

I'm in State government, so I'm (relatively) insulated. But then, there's a huge consolidation effort going on, so eventually some of us might have to go.

One of the problems with the retirement incentives offered to state workers is that a lot of them are young enough to be working full-time elsewhere.

But state agencies DO have jobs open. I keep my eyes open. :-)

[Lisa0825]

5. I work for a contractor that runs state workforce office, so I know

all about the consolidation! TWC people are not happy campers these days, as they get phased out. And since we work side by side, it makes for an "us against them" atmosphere at times, because our contractors are taking "their" jobs. But we aren't to blame... it's the state!

[GOPisEvil]

6. TWC is the prime example of how NOT to consolidate.

What a clusterf*ck that turned out to be. :scared:

Thanks again, El Shrub-o! Oh, wait until eligibility determination for food stamps, tanf and medicaid gets privatized. Oh joy!

[Lisa0825]

8. And RIO.... (Re-Integration of Offenders)

Rio is being phased out. Why Integrate when you can execute?

[GOPisEvil]

11. It is?!?

Aw, man...I used to love interviewing the Project RIO guys when I was in eligibility. We had to ask about drug convictions, so when I asked this one fella what he was incarcerated for, he told me: Homicide. Uh, you're approved! :D

[Lisa0825]

13. It is being turned over to the contractors, so general counselors

will be handling them, instead of having "RIO Reps," and from what I heard, that is the first step to phasing it out altogether.

[GOPisEvil]

14. OK - I'm with you! I hate this state!

Take me with you! :bounce:

[muchacho]

16. yes...Austin.....er.....

Yes, move to Austin. Wait rising house prices...traffic..I'm inconvenienced......DON'T MOVE TO AUSTIN!

[CivilRightsNow]

35. I really dont think Dallas is bad

After growing up down near houston, I moved to California as soon as I got out of college (Lived in BCS and Austin). I was there for a few years and although I love the beauty and mountains and general scenery.. I sure havent minded being back in Texas.

People are nicer here.. Things are so much cheaper.. and I am absolutely amazed at the amount of activities and theaters, etc here. I never remembered Texas being this full of things to do. I also had some concerns about living in the heart of the Bible belt.. but truly, it hasnt been an issue.

Dallas seems to get a very underserved bad wrap.. and from eyes that have now been in CA, VA, NY and FL... it doesnt look bad to me at all.

:)

[Lisa0825]

36. I love the Deep Ellum scene, but the rest of it seems too yuppie-ish to me

Dallas, home of the $50,000 a year millionaire... it just seems like so many people WANT to look rich there. I was there about 4 months ago, and with a friend who didn't "do" Deep Ellum. she wanted to go to all these "upscale" places, that were overpriced and full of supermodel types. If I moved to Dallas, and I have thought about it, because I used to live there, I would have to be in the right part of town and STAY THERE!LOL

[RebelOne]

4. Well, if I were to relocate, I'd move to Colorado.

Right now, I live in the Atlanta, GA area (25 miles north of Atlanta) and I consider it a great area. Just don't even think of So. Florida. I lived there most of my life and it's the "Hellhole of the South."

[Lisa0825]

7. I've been to Colorado once, to the Air Force Academy...

Believe it or not, back in high school, I thought I was going to go to the AF Academy. I went to Colorado Springs for a summer scientific seminar, and had a GREAT time! Took a trip to Garden of the Gods. It was BEAUTIFUL! I've never been skiing.... this suggestion has potential! hehe :-)

I have friend from Atlanta, and he says great things about it too. Houstons public transportation stinks, but I hear it is great in Atlanta. That's a good selling point.

[muchacho]

17. "Hellhole of the South."

Until you get to Key West, then you're in paradise.

[TNDemo]

9. Well, Nashville could be a possibility.

We suffer from the hick reputation but it is really not like that. I know several people in the non-profit business here and they are doing fine. The top three employers in Nashville are insurance, health care and education (entertainment is 4th, everyone always wants to know). Employment seems to be holding steady (as much as is possible in the Bush reign). There are plenty of liberals here but plenty of conservatives too. Cost of living is pretty average. There is live music of all kinds but really not nearly enough to have the name Music City. We get a little snow, a few times a year. Summers are pretty dang hot, but you are probably used to that. Anyway, it has worked for us for the past 20 years and people seem to move here in droves.

[Lisa0825]

12. I used to know (online) a guy from Nashville.

He said there is lots of rock n roll there, though everyone thinks it's all country. I drove THROUGH Tennessee once... damned long state! LOL! Countryside was very pretty. Thanks for the input!

[wysimdnwyg]

18. Another vote for Nashville!

Plusses:
- Democratic mayor and governor
- LOTS of live music - and no, it's not all country. Our rock scene is really starting to take off
- Low unemployment - compared to the rest of the country, anyway.
- At least one single, 30-something guy :hi:

Minuses:
- We do get snow here, unlike a lot of places in Texas
- Still lots of republicans, but Nashville itself is dem

[Rabbit of Caerbannog]

10. Steamboat Springs

in the summer and Ashville, Austin for the winter

[Lisa0825]

15. Never been to Steamboat Springs or Ashville.

I'll have to check 'em out online! Thanks :-)

[ET Awful]

19. Personally, I LOVE BOSTON

Plus, it'd put you here for the Democratic National Convention :).

Lots to do, lots to see, and all kinds of suburbs around to hide in to get away from the city.

You have to like cold weather and snow in the winter, and beautiful sunny greenness in the summer. The autumn in New England is like none other.

Highly recommended :).

[midnight armadillo]

34. I love Boston too...but...

The cost of living here SUCKS!!! My family has no prayer of affording a home anywhere within rt 495, unless one is willed to us. At some point, in 2 years or so, we're considering a move to central MA (worcester area) or NH in order to become homeowners. And I don't want to live in friggin' NH.

[XNASA]

20. I know of an affordable, recession proof city...........

With world class restaurants, museums and public transportation.

Of course, you'd have to suffer through living in a state that almost entirely run by Democrats. And then there's the architecture issue.

[GOPisEvil]

21. Adopt me!

Please! :D I've already been adopted once; I have experience. I'm house trained (mostly).

[XNASA]

23. Consider it done!

Anyone else?

[GOPisEvil]

24. *runs home to pack*

Woohoo!

*runs out to buy heavier winter clothing*

Brrrrr! Woohoo! Brrrrr!

[Melsky]

25. Where is this?

Is it Boston?

Where ever it is, it looks very pretty.

[GOPisEvil]

26. Chicago (n/t)

[ProfessorGAC]

29. The Windy City. Home of the World's Tallest Building

Yeah, yeah i know, the Petronas towers. But they can't actually use the upper 30% of that building. So, despite the agreement of an international body of architects, i refuse to aknowledge that building as being the tallest.

So, Chicago still has the tallest building, cuz i said so.
The Professor

[ProfessorGAC]

28. Intellectual Dishonety Alert!

DuPage County is awfully close and that's Republican heaven, and you know it!

Also, you forgot to mention the hawk.
The Professor

[XNASA]

33. Now hold on there just a minute, Babaloo!!

Chicago is not in DuPage County.

And though I myself would never consider living in DuPage, it is swinging left gradually. It's still right of center, but as those yuppies in Naperville keep losing their jobs and their portfolios dwindle, they vote their pocketbooks. Well, at least their wives do.

[KG]

30. St Petersburg, FL

inexpensive, great weather, progressive community, me.

[Lisa0825]

31. WOW! Sounds like we have a front-runner!LOL!

I have been there once, for Taste of Chicago. Had a great time! BTW, I am parentless.... I could be adopted too! :-)

[bearfan454]

22. Austin, Tx kicks ass !

For sure !

[grasswire]

27. Portland

Liberal, Inclusive, Diverse, big music scene, vibrant downtown and cultural life, beautiful & scenic, temperate climate, great public transportation, an hour from the Pacific Ocean in one direction and an hour from an 11,000 foot mountain in the other direction.

[Lisa0825]

32. Sounds great! I'll keep it on my list!

Plus I know some folks in Seattle, which isn't too far, right? Unfortunately, they are major Republicans, but since I told them NOT to talk politics to me, we have been getting along fine!LOL