Ideas About Great Places To Live

[TMagic]

So, I'm graduating in this coming Spring and the girlfriend and I have recently discussing where is a good spot to live.

Here are some things that we are always discussing when it comes to an area:

- Racial diversity
- A fun area, with lots to do or fun things nearby
- Low crime rates
- Affordable (we're young)


We live in Jacksonville Florida now, and definitely do not plan on living here. Kind of funny now that I look at that little list I made as Jacksonville does not have any of those things...LOL

As of right now, Dallas is probably the highest on our list. But, I'd like to know of some other areas because we have people from all over the country on this site. And I'm sure many of you have experienced living in many different areas first hand.

Not only that, but I'm sure you can give some good information as to why some areas would be better than others, as I know many of you have probably done research in the past looking for a place to live. I'm also sure that some will be able to provide some links to some good websites that would help us on our search.

O, and you can even bring up some places outside of the states if you think there are some nice places to live in another country.

Thanks in advance fellas.

[55]

Re: Ideas About Great Places To Live

Other than the crime rate thing (which isn't really THAT bad) Cleveland is a pretty cool place to live... even if their sports teams suck!

I've been here 12 years now (moved here from Orlando right after high school for work) and I am extremely happy with my life.

[cubsfan203]

Re: Ideas About Great Places To Live

The Dallas/Fort Worth area (by that I mean the suburbs) fits into 3 of those criteria pretty well. The only problem with this area might be the fun factor, but it is really cheap to live here, and the crime is really low (again, at least in the area I'm in).

I guess the only other place I'm qualified to speak for is Memphis, and I wouldn't recommend that area to anybody.

[p_rushing]

Re: Ideas About Great Places To Live

So, I'm graduating in this coming Spring and the girlfriend and I have recently discussing where is a good spot to live.

Here are some things that we are always discussing when it comes to an area:

- Racial diversity
- A fun area, with lots to do or fun things nearby
- Low crime rates
- Affordable (we're young)


We live in Jacksonville Florida now, and definitely do not plan on living here. Kind of funny now that I look at that little list I made as Jacksonville does not have any of those things...LOL

If you don't think Jacksonville has any of those, then I don't think you will find a place to live in the US. Jacksonville is very affordable, low crime rates (unless you are living in the hood which is going to have high crime rates no matter where you live), plenty of sports teams, theme parks, etc within a short drive, plenty of stuff around town to do.

You are going to have to go to a large city, which is going to get rid of the affordable criteria, and to meet the affordable criteria, you might have to sacrifice your low crime rates. Also, I would go where ever you get a job until the economy turns around.

[auburntigersfan]

Re: Ideas About Great Places To Live

Tulsa is kinda like a smaller Dallas. It's actually a really nice place to live, really affordable compared to some of the other places you are looking at, and a pretty lively town.

There's stuff to do, but it kind of depends what your into. Not super racially diverse, but more than anywhere else in Oklahoma, I don't feel like people are really singled out by their race here, and crime is no problem.

[Eton Rifles]

Re: Ideas About Great Places To Live

never been but would Toronto or Vancouver fit into those categories?

[deaduck]

Re: Ideas About Great Places To Live

The tidewater region of VA fits your bill.

The VA beach to Williamsburg area has a diverse grouping of employment to housing choices as well.

[TMagic]

Re: Ideas About Great Places To Live

If you don't think Jacksonville has any of those, then I don't think you will find a place to live in the US. Jacksonville is very affordable, low crime rates (unless you are living in the hood which is going to have high crime rates no matter where you live), plenty of sports teams, theme parks, etc within a short drive, plenty of stuff around town to do.

You are going to have to go to a large city, which is going to get rid of the affordable criteria, and to meet the affordable criteria, you might have to sacrifice your low crime rates. Also, I would go where ever you get a job until the economy turns around.

- Diversity - Nope. Black and White. That's it. Not to mention that I've experienced some racism here. And that in school the separation between the races here is very obvious.

- Fun- Hell no. Boring as hell. The beaches look nasty and there are only so many clubs that aren't all that great. They only have a professional team as far as I'm aware of.

- Crime- Jacksonville was murder capital of Florida at one point. There are a lot of "bad areas" spread throughout every part of the city. It's like you have this decent area, and right around the corner is a bad area. I just would like being able to walk around and feel safe at night. Can't even go to the club without hearing about someone being shot or stabbed.

- Affordability - hit or miss.

[TMagic]

Re: Ideas About Great Places To Live

The tidewater region of VA fits your bill.

The VA beach to Williamsburg area has a diverse grouping of employment to housing choices as well.

Thanks man.

Might have to look into that.

[3rdAnswer]

Re: Ideas About Great Places To Live

The Raleigh area is a good place for young couples to live.

[Cebby]

Re: Ideas About Great Places To Live

Atlanta

Then again, if Jacksonville doesn't meet your criteria, I don't know what to tell you.

[RockinDaMike]

Re: Ideas About Great Places To Live

I'll put my arguement for phoenix or maricopa county which consist of Mesa, Glendale, Chandler Scottsdale and Tempe. It's pretty much a big city that's not a really a big city. It's so spread out it doesn't feel congested

If you looking for fun, the clubs are pretty good here in Scotsdale and you have college town in Mill ave in Tempe. We just got a Wet n Wild and there is just stuff all over the place you can explore, I haven't even had a chance to do a lot here yet. Ton of food spots plus you have every major sport here. There's always something to do if you look for it.

Plus Vegas is 4 hours away, Cali same distance and also you can also reach mexico in 4-5 hour drive. In the winter if you want to escape the desert you can reach Flagstaff AZ where you have snow and skiing. It's not colorado or anything but its a nice escape thats only 1.5 hours away. I take my all wheel drive car up every winter and just go rally in the snow. Lots of fun.

As for diversity, there's people all over the country that live here. Mostly white and mexican but there's pretty much everything here. Its like a melting pot of Americans. You'll actually be surprised that most people you meet here are actually not from here. Its great for diversity but explains why Phoenix sports fans aren't that great, because barely anybody grew up with the teams.

Crime rate is low in my opinion, unless your in the ghetto of course like any other city. I would say the biggest thing is your car getting broken into.

I also like to add that Phoenix in general is a clean city, you'll be hardpressed to find trash or junk anywhere, its very well kept.

It's real affordable to live here. I was living by myself making under 40k with no issues and had everything from car, going out all the time and spending on hobbies like video games.

The summer's are brutal but you are used to that living in Humidville Florida. Good luck on finding a new home.

[Pink Mist]

Re: Ideas About Great Places To Live

never been but would Toronto or Vancouver fit into those categories?

Well Toronto has a fairly high crime rate (Lower then lots of American Cities though), but very diverse. Lots of sports team and entertainment.

I would recommend a suburb outside of the The Big Smoke though.

[HealyMonster]

Re: Ideas About Great Places To Live

what about Nashville? The surrounding areas seem cool. Ive looked at housing there before and compared to Jersey its like they are giving houses away LOL. Not sure about crime but I would assume its prob average cause I havent heard about it being crazy. Ive heard some things about Memphis being high crime rate but nothing in stone.

[jyoung]

Re: Ideas About Great Places To Live

Whatever you do, don't live in Memphis.

I know a lot of people who either lived there or are living there now, and the crime rate is pretty absurd.

Not just at night, either. Crimes happen all the time in broad daylight.

Nashville is all right so long as you are living in the right areas. Some parts of town are really bad, but others have some of the lowest crime rates in the country.

Find a suburb outside of the city and you'll be fine.