Where is the best place to live in the US?

[DanGarion]

Ok, I'm going to preface this with the fact that I actually love it here in Southern California, except for the high cost of living, no seasons, lots of people that live here are rude.

But my wife and I have been talking about where we would move if we decided to get up and go. Help us out and let us know why you like whatever place it is that you think is the best.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I don't have an answer. I've only lived in two places, and one is impossible to recommend these days, and I don't know enough about the other place to recommend it at all. I wonder how many people here are going to take this question and flip it so they can talk about which places they really, really hate.

[GrantDawg]

I've lived several places, but only in the South. It just depends on what you like. Raliegh is very nice, if you like small town/big town feel. Huntsville as well. Nashville is pretty nice. If I were to move from Atlanta, Nashville and Huntsville tops the list of where I'd go.

And for Pumpy's theory, Memphis is one place I'd never, ever, ever live again. I don't even want to go back and visit.

[Pumpy Tudors]

And for Pumpy's theory, Memphis is one place I'd never, ever, ever live again. I don't even want to go back and visit.
If I could have chosen one person to do this, I'd have chosen you. You're cool. :)

My wife is from Memphis and would probably agree with you on your point, too.

[Pyser]

if i were to move, id highly consider austin.

[cartman]

if i were to move, id highly consider austin.

+1 from my completely unbiased perspective. :D

[st.cronin]

If you're interested in seasons, reasonable cost of living, and nice people, Madison, WI is pretty nice.

[DanGarion]

If you're interested in seasons, reasonable cost of living, and nice people, Madison, WI is pretty nice.

Honestly, I'd rather the weather be mild and not have to deal with snow... ;)

[JediKooter]

You think they are rude in Southern California, come on up to Silicon Valley. It will blow you away with how rude people are here.

Anyway, I've lived in lots of places in the contiguous portion of America: Maine, California, Florida, Wyoming, Illinois, New Mexico and Texas. Mostly grew up in San Diego though. If I had to pick a place other than San Diego, it would probably be Florida. Most of my family is there and the cost of living hasn't gone through the roof there yet.

[molson]

All about preferences, of course.

New York City was my favorite. They have more going on in a city block that most cities have in their entire downtown. History, energy, life was just more interesting there. Expensive, but not really that bad as long as you're willing to live without a yard (and not having a car saves a lot of cash).

Juneau, Alaska would be #2 for me for similar reasons - just a spectacular energy about it. When you see 4 cruise ships lined up on your way to work, it does something to your mood - you're living a place people want to spend their vacations.

The "nice" doesn't appeal to me. Boise's a "nice" place to live - lots of jobs, very scenic, very low cost of living. But its just there. I miss being blown away by NYC and Juneau.

[Passacaglia]

All about preferences, of course.

New York City was my favorite. They have more going on in a city block that most cities have in their entire downtown. History, energy, life was just more interesting there. Expensive, but not really that bad as long as you're willing to live without a yard (and not having a car saves a lot of cash).

Juneau, Alaska would be #2 for me for similar reasons - just a spectacular energy about it. When you see 4 cruise ships lined up on your way to work, it does something to your mood - you're living a place people want to spend their vacations.

The "nice" doesn't appeal to me. Boise's a "nice" place to live - lots of jobs, very scenic, very low cost of living. But its just there. I miss being blown away by NYC and Juneau.

That's something I like about Chicago, too. Today while driving by Wrigley Field I saw this couple taking a picture of it. And in my old apartment, my jogging route would take me pretty close to the John Hancock/Water Tower area, which was packed with tourists. Totally meaningless in terms of actually living there, but pretty cool.

[Mustang]

I currently live in Wisconsin. If I had to move, I'd move to Northern California somewhere like Grass Valley.

[fantom1979]

I was a big fan of Raleigh, NC

[Izulde]

If you're interested in seasons, reasonable cost of living, and nice people, Madison, WI is pretty nice.

As much as I don't plan on ever living in my home state again if I can help it, Madison's a pretty decent place. It seems like there's always something going on at any rate.

[MJ4H]

I'll say this: there's a reason I live where I live.

[Tasan]

T

E

X

A

S



Alternatively, anywhere not named Alabama or Mississippi.

[Crapshoot]

NoCal or Boston/New York - its nice to be in civilization. :D I've always thought I'd like to give Seattle a shot someday.

[RendeR]

I've lived in The northeast, new England, the south east, Florida (yes those are different), southern california, northern california, and spent time in the mid west as well (Oklahoma, kansas, Colorado)

Far and away I have found the Western NY region (the area ceterd around buffalo/Rochester) to be the most comfortable, affordable and climate friendly of all of them.

Anything south of maryland gets too hot.

Anything West of the Rockies gets too expensive and too assinine and too PC.

New England, while beautiful is full of egotistical asshats who think their shit don't stink. (Not everyone mind you, but its definitely full of them.)

The mid west can be great, if you don;t mind seeing for 15 miles in every direction and a distinct lack of trees in most areas.. Realize I only really saw the deep plains, I never got to live in Moissouri where I know it tends to be quite lush and green.

Southern California has too many issues. pollution, expensive, no seasons, and full of pompous asses.

Beyond all that is weather. Every one of those reagions has some sort of natural disaster waiting to happen. The south gets hurricanes and severe thunderstorms, the west coast has eartchwuakes and mudslide, the mid west tornados. Its like a firing range some years.

Western NY gets...a little snow? This region is so stable when it comes to weather. Temperate in the summer, moderate in the winter, cold in February, then mild again in march....

This is the best place to live in the USA.

[thesloppy]

Depends a lot on your lifestyle. If you're a hipster douchebag, Portland, Oregon apparently has a lot to offer.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Depends upon what makes you happy with the place you live.

[Flasch186]

Jacksonville, FL and I can get you a sweet deal on a house.

[RendeR]

Depends a lot on your lifestyle. If you're a hipster douchebag, Portland, Oregon apparently has a lot to offer.


QFT

[JeeberD]

Here

[Pyser]

ok, why does everyone think socals lack of seasons is a bad thing? sure, if it was 20 degrees year round, thatd be one thing. but no one here goes "i hate that its 72 and sunny AGAIN"

[Greyroofoo]

Alternatively, anywhere not named Alabama or Mississippi.

So true :(

[Eaglesfan27]

ok, why does everyone think socals lack of seasons is a bad thing? sure, if it was 20 degrees year round, thatd be one thing. but no one here goes "i hate that its 72 and sunny AGAIN"


I did during my 4 years in LA. I hated the weather's lack of variety. Of course, I'd gladly take that now instead of the weather here in Louisiana, but I'm here for my wife's happiness. If I could go anywhere, it would be where I grew up in Southern Jersey. Moderate temperatures during the winter, but still the occasional bout of snow. Summers aren't too long and I was close enough to drive to Philly and NYC anytime I wanted for fun things to do.

[Passacaglia]

ok, why does everyone think socals lack of seasons is a bad thing? sure, if it was 20 degrees year round, thatd be one thing. but no one here goes "i hate that its 72 and sunny AGAIN"

i would...but even living in a place with "seasons" i still feel that fall isn't long enough.

[Passacaglia]

it's probably just that if the weather is always the same, you just give up on whining about it

[Pyser]

i dont know. no humidity, no mosquitos, barely any rain. i get why people say it, but i dont find many people i know "missing" it. rain is a nice idea in theory, but after 5 minutes in it, the novelty wears off and im ready for it to go away again. to each their own.

[Schmidty]

Schoolcraft, MI.


Definitely not Bellingdrugspanhandlingham, WA.

[VPI97]

Blacksburg, VA

My wife and I have already agreed that we'll be heading back up there once it's time to retire.

[kingnebwsu]

When thinking about places to live, I think about the things that would make it a terrible place to live. Too many hurricanes in the southeast. Earthquake potential in the west. Many of the northern states are too cold too much for me.

I've always lived in various parts of Ohio, mostly in Dayton (50 miles north of Cincinnati). I think Ohio would be a solid place to live (especially Columbus). I also think the Chicago area would be a pretty cool area to live. If you want to drift south, then Nashville is a pretty nice city. I honestly wouldn't mind living in Texas. As long as it was away from the hurricane-shenanigans.

Very little chance I'd ever move outside the state, but those are some places that come to mind ;)

[Chief Rum]

ok, why does everyone think socals lack of seasons is a bad thing? sure, if it was 20 degrees year round, thatd be one thing. but no one here goes "i hate that its 72 and sunny AGAIN"

I'm with you, but I am lifelong SoCal. This is what I know.

I love our twilights/early evenings right now. Just perfectly clear and undisturbed, feels great.

[judicial clerk]

My buddies that grew up in the OC swear by it, but I always feel like i am inside a mall when I am in SoCal

TheSloppy made me laugh. Portland is cool because its close to the beach and the mountains and its green all the time. The hipster-douchbaggery is quite intense and is about as consistent as the rain that falls every day from november to Juy.

I'm gonna say somewhere near the northern sierra nevada's or colorado.

My wost places would be Bismark north dakota followed by fresno ca.

[cartman]

If not having to work is an option, then Lake Tahoe is pretty high on my list. As is Angel Fire/Eagles Nest, New Mexico.

[Schmidty]

TheSloppy made me laugh. Portland is cool because its close to the beach and the mountains and its green all the time. The hipster-douchbaggery is quite intense and is about as consistent as the rain that falls every day from november to Juy.

Come to Bellingham, WA. Or anywhere in the western WA (other than Skagit Valley). Portland will seem like South Dakota.

[digamma]

Charlottesville, VA



Fixed that for you.

[BishopMVP]

Far and away I have found the Western NY region (the area ceterd around buffalo/Rochester) to be the most comfortable, affordable and climate friendly of all of them.You lost me here.ok, why does everyone think socals lack of seasons is a bad thing? sure, if it was 20 degrees year round, thatd be one thing. but no one here goes "i hate that its 72 and sunny AGAIN""I love seasons. That's why I live in a place that skips the shitty ones."


In all honesty, the towns I've always heard mentioned favorably tend to be college towns in nice areas - Austin (probably #1 from what I've heard), Raleigh, Charlottesville, Nashville, Boulder/Denver - even Amherst/the Pioneer Valley falls in this category. Other ones I've really liked from personal experience are Annapolis (if you're loaded and like sailing), Portland, ME (winter can be questionable) and San Antonio (people keep saying 100+ summer temps are brutal, but coming from MA with the snow and humidity I'd take the tradeoff.) Of course, as everyone else says, it depends on who you are - my sister has worked at Glacier NP the past couple years and loves it, but I couldn't last 3 days in a place that solitary.

[GrantDawg]

Jacksonville, FL and I can get you a sweet deal on a house.

I actually really like Jacksonville. I just like having a winter of some sort. But, I would live there.

[Joe]

Eden Prairie, MN

[sterlingice]

Depends upon what makes you happy with the place you live.

Amen. It's such an open ended question. I do like the "I've lived in 50 different places so he's the merits and disadvantages of a few of my favorites". However, we get a lot of answers that come from the "Hey, I lived here and I'm infallible so this must be the best place to live!"

SI

[sterlingice]

Far and away I have found the Western NY region (the area ceterd around buffalo/Rochester) to be the most comfortable, affordable and climate friendly of all of them.

...

Western NY gets...a little snow? This region is so stable when it comes to weather. Temperate in the summer, moderate in the winter, cold in February, then mild again in march....

From Wikipedia:
"The 30-year annual average snowfall is 95.0 inches (241 cm), making Rochester the snowiest large city in the U.S."

Yeah, just "a little" snow ;)

SI

[lordscarlet]

There is a link somewhere on the board to a site that asks you a bunch of questions and tells you where you should live. I will try to find it later if no one else does.

[cartman]

There is a link somewhere on the board to a site that asks you a bunch of questions and tells you where you should live. I will try to find it later if no one else does.

It was findmyspot dot com, but the site is no longer active.

[Mustang]

It was findmyspot dot com, but the site is no longer active.

Actually, it is findyourspot and it is active.

[flere-imsaho]

ok, why does everyone think socals lack of seasons is a bad thing? sure, if it was 20 degrees year round, thatd be one thing. but no one here goes "i hate that its 72 and sunny AGAIN"

I loved this for the 9 months I was commuting from Chicago to the SF Bay Area for work. Nothing like leaving home in the morning when it was 20 below and the driveway was covered with ice, or when it was 90 with 90% humidity, and always landing to 72 and sunny.

My CA-based co-workers would get real sheepish when they decided to complain about the weather in my presence. :D

OTOH, for September we've had mostly that kind of weather (sunny and 70s, except for the one weekend of two feet of rain), and I think you appreciate it more when it's not year-round.

[Lorena]

I get where you're coming from with the rude people in So.Cal Dangarion. I can only really comment on Phoenix and Austin since these are the only 2 places we've lived in.

Phoenix - we didn't like it. 118 degree, dry, stinging hot summers. Touch the car door, your hand gets burnt and red. Open the car door, can't touch the steering wheel or stick cuz it's like an oven in there and you basically drive with 2 fingers (no joke, that's what I did). Although the summers were bad, the rest of the year is actually very nice. As far as entertainment, there's not much to do.

Austin - good cost of living, affordable housing, great school system (not sure about Austin ISD, but the Round Rock one is just awesome), the entertainment here is just great, low crime, and just beautiful. Mild winter and the rest of the year is great... although the upper 90 degree humid summer might be a bit harsh for some, but coming from the nasty Phoenix summer, we adapted nicely. Oh, and no rude people here. I wasn't used to being called "maam", or "Mrs. Marks" so it was a bit of getting used to. No crazy drivers here either, and the traffic doesn't compare to the "Parking Lot" that's the 5.

[Lorena]

There is a link somewhere on the board to a site that asks you a bunch of questions and tells you where you should live. I will try to find it later if no one else does.

this one maybe http://www.bestplaces.net/fybp/quiz.aspx

[molson]

Amen. It's such an open ended question. I do like the "I've lived in 50 different places so he's the merits and disadvantages of a few of my favorites". However, we get a lot of answers that come from the "Hey, I lived here and I'm infallible so this must be the best place to live!"

SI

Ya, the correct answer to this question appears to be "the place I currently live".

I was just reading about that kind of bias in this context and politcs - it's amazing how our brains can see only good in decisions we've already made. It's a healthy psychological trick.

[CleBrownsfan]

Not Cleveland

[Dr. Sak]

ok, why does everyone think socals lack of seasons is a bad thing? sure, if it was 20 degrees year round, thatd be one thing. but no one here goes "i hate that its 72 and sunny AGAIN"

I enjoy the change of seasons. I like snow from Nov-Jan...I hate it in Feb in March though :)

Fall is my favorite time of the year and it is really nice in Pennsylvania.

If I didn't live here, I'd love to live in Seattle.

[sterlingice]

Ya, the correct answer to this question appears to be "the place I currently live".

I was just reading about that kind of bias in this context and politcs - it's amazing how our brains can see only good in decisions we've already made. It's a healthy psychological trick.

It's interesting. Obviously, you can't really comment about where you have lived before. However, I thought we'd have more positives and negatives and not as much "where I live is great".

Again, I can't think of the term but I was mentioning this in one of the political threads a couple of days ago. There's a term for this I can't remember where the idea is that you pick a side and only absorb facts that fit your view of things.

SI

[Lorena]

this one maybe http://www.bestplaces.net/fybp/quiz.aspx

I just took the test, my top 10:

<table id="ctl00_mainContent_dl_results" style="border-collapse: collapse;" border="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr> <td> http://bestplaces.net/uploaded_images/T-78E57782-BB37-4EE8-886C-0C3C53989BCD.jpg 1 . San Francisco , CA (see San Francisco, CA (http://www.bestplaces.net/city/Profile.aspx?city=San_Francisco_CA))
Econ.–C, Housing–C, Educ.–A-, Health–A
Crime–C+ Rec.–A+, Culture–A+, Trans.–A+

</td> </tr><tr> <td> http://bestplaces.net/uploaded_images/T-B3C39A89-5B04-4208-B908-16E812A3019B.jpg 2 . Boston , MA-NH-ME (see Boston, MA (http://www.bestplaces.net/city/Profile.aspx?city=Boston_MA))
Econ.–C+, Housing–C, Educ.–A, Health–A
Crime–B Rec.–A+, Culture–A+, Trans.–A+

</td> </tr><tr> <td> http://bestplaces.net/uploaded_images/T-CF3C39B7-004A-47AA-893E-2073CF651EF6.jpg 3 . Washington , DC-MD-VA-WV (see Washington, DC (http://www.bestplaces.net/city/Profile.aspx?city=Washington_DC))
Econ.–C, Housing–C+, Educ.–A, Health–A
Crime–C+ Rec.–A+, Culture–A+, Trans.–A+

</td> </tr><tr> <td> http://bestplaces.net/uploaded_images/T-D0BD1170-B25A-4C6A-B50F-ADFE2AA87BAC.jpg 4 . New York , NY (see New York, NY (http://www.bestplaces.net/city/Profile.aspx?city=New_York_NY))
Econ.–C-, Housing–C, Educ.–B+, Health–B+
Crime–C+ Rec.–A+, Culture–A+, Trans.–A+

</td> </tr><tr> <td> http://bestplaces.net/uploaded_images/T-FA08FBC3-BBD3-4830-B29A-BEC359B24912.jpg 5 . Los Angeles-Long Beach , CA (see Los Angeles, CA (http://www.bestplaces.net/city/Profile.aspx?city=Los_Angeles_CA))
Econ.–C, Housing–C+, Educ.–B, Health–B
Crime–C+ Rec.–A+, Culture–A+, Trans.–A+

</td> </tr><tr> <td> 6 . Long Island , NY (see Long Island, NY (http://www.bestplaces.net/city/Profile.aspx?city=Long_Island_NY))
Econ.–C, Housing–C, Educ.–A, Health–A-
Crime–A+ Rec.–A+, Culture–A+, Trans.–B+

</td> </tr><tr> <td> 7 . Minneapolis-St. Paul , MN-WI (see Minneapolis, MN (http://www.bestplaces.net/city/Profile.aspx?city=Minneapolis_MN))
Econ.–B, Housing–C+, Educ.–A-, Health–A-
Crime–C+ Rec.–A+, Culture–A+, Trans.–A

</td> </tr><tr> <td> 8 . Seattle-Bellevue-Everett , WA (see Seattle, WA (http://www.bestplaces.net/city/Profile.aspx?city=Seattle_WA))
Econ.–B, Housing–C+, Educ.–B-, Health–B+
Crime–C Rec.–A+, Culture–A+, Trans.–A+

</td> </tr><tr> <td> 9 . Chicago , IL (see Chicago, IL (http://www.bestplaces.net/city/Profile.aspx?city=Chicago_IL))
Econ.–C+, Housing–C+, Educ.–B+, Health–B+
Crime–C- Rec.–A+, Culture–A+, Trans.–A+

</td> </tr><tr> <td> 10 . Newark , NJ (see Newark, NJ (http://www.bestplaces.net/city/Profile.aspx?city=Newark_NJ))
Econ.–C+, Housing–C, Educ.–B+, Health–B+
Crime–C+ Rec.–A+, Culture–A+, Trans.–A+
</td></tr></tbody></table>

[sterlingice]

I wish there were more realistic questions rather than "How important is a low crime rate to you"? Everyone is going to say "very important".

There should be tradeoffs like "Would you prefer a $200K house and a 1.75 per 1000 violent crime rate or a $300K home and a 1.25 per 1000 violent crime rate". Or "how much is a night at the opera and fine dining worth to you? $0? $50? $100? $250?" to gauge actual interest

SI

[PackerFanatic]

I absolutely love Wisconsin.

[MikeVic]

I don't like Winnipeg too much, but it's OK. I'd like the same standard of living and to keep my job and friends and stuff, but maybe a bit warmer.

[GoldenEagle]

I think you have to be from Memphis to like Memphis. It is really not that bad, if you know the town well. There are nice parts of it. The same can be said for Mississippi, where I have spent the majority of my life. There are good parts and bad parts.

I like where I live now, in Conway, AR. It has three colleges so it can be considered a college town. It has good restaurants, good schools, etc. The neighborhood I live in now is kind of out in the country (we still have a septic tank as a sewer) but it is a great place to live. No crime or traffic, just real quiet. But they are building a huge HP plant a mile down the road, so that might change.

I would love to live in NYC but giving up our dogs would just not be worth it. I don't mind not having a yard, but i do mind not having my dogs. It is a pipe dream though and I sometimes find myself looking at job postings on dice.com for NYC area.

[DanGarion]

Actually, it is findyourspot and it is active.

The domain might be active, but the site is not. It's a advertising site now...

[Galaril]

Definitely would recommend Colorado particularly Castle Rock. We are at a higher elevation 6800 feet and the terrain is what I would call "rugged" not mountainous nor rolling hills but between them. The people are great and the town has a small town culture and demeanor. We have all the convenience of a bigger city with the big box store i.e Walmart, Target, Depot etc . Plus, we are only 25 minute drive to Denver. Can't beat seeing Pikes Peak from your deck while your kids chase fireflys at dusk:)

[lordscarlet]

I love DC, but it is definitely not for everyone. I think any large city would be fine with me, as long as it has 3-4 seasons a year.

[GrantDawg]

I love DC, but it is definitely not for everyone. I think any large city would be fine with me, as long as it has 3-4 seasons a year.


Nice place to visit.... but if ever have to live there shoot me in the head.

[DanGarion]

Nice place to visit.... but if ever have to live there shoot me in the head.
Pretty good chance of that happening if you live there... ;)

[lordscarlet]

Nice place to visit.... but if ever have to live there shoot me in the head.

Why's that?

[Lorena]

I wish there were more realistic questions rather than "How important is a low crime rate to you"? Everyone is going to say "very important".

There should be tradeoffs like "Would you prefer a $200K house and a 1.75 per 1000 violent crime rate or a $300K home and a 1.25 per 1000 violent crime rate". Or "how much is a night at the opera and fine dining worth to you? $0? $50? $100? $250?" to gauge actual interest

SI

Yeah I was thinking the same when I was answering those questions... there's give and take, it's pretty much impossible to have it all in 1 city.

[SackAttack]

If you're interested in seasons, reasonable cost of living, and nice people, Madison, WI is pretty nice.

I settled on Green Bay, but yeah, Wisconsin ended up being my destination of choice once I decided to leave California. Just gotta finish packing and actually drive out there. :)

There you go, Dan. Move to Madison, and we could catch the odd Brewers/Dodgers game!

[Karlifornia]

I don't care where I live, as long as my exposure to crazy ass bigots of any kind is limited. That narrows my options to most big cities, and probably also narrows me down to a city on a coast. I'm not into putting on three layers before going out for a bite to eat or the newspaper, so I'll stay towards the southern coasts.

And, did anyone else see the results to Lorena's city test? St. Paul and Newark both earned A+ for culture? WTF?