Looking for a new (warm) place to call home.
March 31, 2011 10:12 AM Subscribe
I'm looking to move, and I need some help figuring out where.
I'm looking to relocate from NYC to a place that better suits me and what I want from life.
Things I like about NYC:
- Convenience (good public transit system, bodegas open all hours)
- Job market fits my "degreed" skills (undergrad business degree, specializing in finance and IT)
- Family nearby (within 3 hour's bus ride)
Things I dislike about NYC:
- Winters are hard on me mentally and physically - I really, really crave warm->hot year-round temperatures and am happiest in the sun (cue Ben Harper song)
- Super expensive
- Not enough outdoorsy stuff to be had in close proximity
Other potentially relevant details:
- I'm in my mid-twenties, F
- Have been "stuck" in a relationship for 5+ years that I can't seem to walk away from; feel a change of scenery would help me commit to getting out (and I really, really feel it's the best thing for both of us, though S.O. disagrees)
- I'm quite dependent on my parents emotionally, and think it's time to put some additional physical distance between myself and them
- I'd like to change companies (or perhaps even careers) - I work in the financial software industry but am open to other options, even unrelated or nontraditional careers (I'm a very naturally curious person with a diverse skill set and a willingness to take risks)
- I might also like to go back to school (though I'm more interested in online courses/non-lecture-based formats of learning and certification)
- I would like to keep to options in the U.S., but open to abroad suggestions as well (have lived just fine in Europe and Asia for 6-12 month periods)
- I'm making a fresh start mentally and physically, and would like to change my location as well (I realize that location alone will not instantly change everything)
- I am geeky/nerdy/thoughtful/romantic and like geeky/nerdy/thoughtful/romantic people
- I can afford to do this financially, being fortunate enough to have savings to last a year plus, but I'm no spendthrift
- I would love to have access to water/beach as I love beaching, swimming, and water sports
Hit me with your best! Thanks for reading and for your advice.
I'm looking to relocate from NYC to a place that better suits me and what I want from life.
Things I like about NYC:
- Convenience (good public transit system, bodegas open all hours)
- Job market fits my "degreed" skills (undergrad business degree, specializing in finance and IT)
- Family nearby (within 3 hour's bus ride)
Things I dislike about NYC:
- Winters are hard on me mentally and physically - I really, really crave warm->hot year-round temperatures and am happiest in the sun (cue Ben Harper song)
- Super expensive
- Not enough outdoorsy stuff to be had in close proximity
Other potentially relevant details:
- I'm in my mid-twenties, F
- Have been "stuck" in a relationship for 5+ years that I can't seem to walk away from; feel a change of scenery would help me commit to getting out (and I really, really feel it's the best thing for both of us, though S.O. disagrees)
- I'm quite dependent on my parents emotionally, and think it's time to put some additional physical distance between myself and them
- I'd like to change companies (or perhaps even careers) - I work in the financial software industry but am open to other options, even unrelated or nontraditional careers (I'm a very naturally curious person with a diverse skill set and a willingness to take risks)
- I might also like to go back to school (though I'm more interested in online courses/non-lecture-based formats of learning and certification)
- I would like to keep to options in the U.S., but open to abroad suggestions as well (have lived just fine in Europe and Asia for 6-12 month periods)
- I'm making a fresh start mentally and physically, and would like to change my location as well (I realize that location alone will not instantly change everything)
- I am geeky/nerdy/thoughtful/romantic and like geeky/nerdy/thoughtful/romantic people
- I can afford to do this financially, being fortunate enough to have savings to last a year plus, but I'm no spendthrift
- I would love to have access to water/beach as I love beaching, swimming, and water sports
Hit me with your best! Thanks for reading and for your advice.
2nding Austin.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:31 AM on March 31, 2011
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:31 AM on March 31, 2011
Research Triangle in NC (Raleigh, Durham, Cary) - Lots of excellent companies, as well as three solid universities (UNC, Duke, NC State). I co-opped there, was a pretty decent social and cultural scene for not being New York (not that I know NYC well, but its less diverse culturally than Boston, but palatable)
Also, find a job before you go. Don't plan on moving and then finding work... that's a good way to find yourself broke, headed home, and more dependent on your parents you intend to be less dependent on.
posted by Nanukthedog at 10:32 AM on March 31, 2011 [3 favorites]
Also, find a job before you go. Don't plan on moving and then finding work... that's a good way to find yourself broke, headed home, and more dependent on your parents you intend to be less dependent on.
posted by Nanukthedog at 10:32 AM on March 31, 2011 [3 favorites]
I moved to Savannah a year ago and I like it here. I'm originally from New York city, if that says anything. The city has a lot of people your age, grad students at the local art school and colleges. The beach is 30-40 minutes from downtown, depending on traffic. There are also many closer waterways for kayaking and fishing. I don't know how easy it would be for you to find work. Contact me if you want to know more.
posted by mareli at 10:52 AM on March 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by mareli at 10:52 AM on March 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
San Francisco? The only piece of this that's missing is the year round heat, but when Northern California is nice there's not much better. Might even consider Palo Alto if the heat thing is really important, they have a lot more warm weather then we do and the job market for young professional is generally pretty rad throughout the whole Bay Area.
Geographically speaking Northern California is a skip and hop away from nature. Dense forest where the trees meet the ocean are a 6-7 mile bike ride from San Francisco, and we also have the Presidio (that you can live in) and Golden Gate Park.
posted by straight_razor at 11:12 AM on March 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
Geographically speaking Northern California is a skip and hop away from nature. Dense forest where the trees meet the ocean are a 6-7 mile bike ride from San Francisco, and we also have the Presidio (that you can live in) and Golden Gate Park.
posted by straight_razor at 11:12 AM on March 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
Ft. Lauderdale.
posted by WeekendJen at 12:24 PM on March 31, 2011
posted by WeekendJen at 12:24 PM on March 31, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks, all, for your feedback.
Tomorrowful: Thanks for bringing Austin into my sights. I'm definitely going to make a visit there to get a feel for the ambiance, as it's not somewhere I've been...but your expressions generally make me feel that could be a big winner for me.
Nanukthedog: Definitely not going anywhere sans job. I'm feeling impulsive, but not so impulsive as to set myself up for failure. Good point. Research Triangle looks pretty dang amazing in terms of my interests. But, weather-wise, I will have to see. You, too, have given me serious food for thought.
straight_razor: I've spent some (months) time living in SF, and I would consider the East Bay or perhaps points south of SF itself. It really did get too cold for me in the city proper (perhaps I was just unlucky in my timing). But, apart from weather, the area does definitely meet my criteria very well.
WeekendJen: I have to admit, I know nothing about Ft. Lauderdale. At first glance, the weather piece looks spot on. Will check that out.
Other suggestions welcome! Thanks again, all.
posted by xiaolongbao at 9:18 AM on April 1, 2011
Tomorrowful: Thanks for bringing Austin into my sights. I'm definitely going to make a visit there to get a feel for the ambiance, as it's not somewhere I've been...but your expressions generally make me feel that could be a big winner for me.
Nanukthedog: Definitely not going anywhere sans job. I'm feeling impulsive, but not so impulsive as to set myself up for failure. Good point. Research Triangle looks pretty dang amazing in terms of my interests. But, weather-wise, I will have to see. You, too, have given me serious food for thought.
straight_razor: I've spent some (months) time living in SF, and I would consider the East Bay or perhaps points south of SF itself. It really did get too cold for me in the city proper (perhaps I was just unlucky in my timing). But, apart from weather, the area does definitely meet my criteria very well.
WeekendJen: I have to admit, I know nothing about Ft. Lauderdale. At first glance, the weather piece looks spot on. Will check that out.
Other suggestions welcome! Thanks again, all.
posted by xiaolongbao at 9:18 AM on April 1, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Tomorrowful at 10:17 AM on March 31, 2011