Seattle

Get a job first and then move to where the job is.

Charleston,SC.

Given how the job market is these days, am thinking that mlgb gives good advice.

Choosing a city that fits all your requirements and isn't in California can't really be found. If the beach is a must, you don't like cold winters, and you don't like humidity, that eliminates everyplace along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Given the amount of rain the Pacific Northwest gets, am thinking this will also be more humidity that you want. In the US, that pretty much leaves anyplace on the California coast from San Francisco south to San Diego, as well as parts of Hawaii. But if a high cost of living is a deal breaker, you're entirely out of luck, as that's true of the California coast and Hawaii.

Am thinking you'll have to compromise on at least one, if not a couple of issues here.

Am thinking that the humidity anyplace in the South (Charleston included) will be a deal-breaker here, as well as in Seattle.

I think you need to investigate you immigration and possible employment status before making inquiries about where to live.

The OP said her hometown was a small town in NY, so it doesn't sound like immigration would be an issue.

I agree that the most important thing is going where you can get a job. Unless you have an enormous trust fund (and it sounds like you don't if you think San Diego may be out because of cost of living), I would not advise anyone to move anywhere right now without a job offer first.

San Diego!
Sydney is the equivalent of Sydney and a little bit of San Francisco rolled into one.
Home prices are as cheap as I have ever seen them and the weather is very much like Sydney..I used to live in Rose Bay!
Such happy people and you are central to everything.
If you are in the Biotech field, this is one of the best places for a very high paying job.

I suggest you check out Ventura, California: http://www.cityofventura.net

It's a nice town of about 107,000. It is on the ocean 32 miles south of Santa Barbara.

The temperature in Ventura is very similar to Sydney, but it rains much less in Ventura. According to weather.com, on the average, Sydney is warmer than Ventura by 4 F. and it is wetter than Ventura by 35.6 inches.

A few years ago I spent a week in Ventura to size up if I might want to move there. I liked the place, but family circumstances kept me where I am--Seattle.

HTTY

Charlotte. 2 hours to the mountains. 3 hours to the seashore. Very very nice young community. Climate well, beautiful. Humidity? Well, sometimes it is awful, but not always. Quality of life=priceless.

I disagree with 'bachslunch'. I live here & Seattle does not typically have humid weather. That would be pretty rare.

Cities you'd probably enjoy could include Seattle, Portland OR, and San Diego. Portland is probably the cheapest, San Diego would have the best weather.

But unless you can support yourself for 9 months or a year or even longer w/o having a job --- I'd reconsider relocating right now. The employment picture is awfully dreary.

Thanks so much everyone, I really appreciate all your advice. I will not move without a job but I wanted to narrow down my search to a few cities first. I am a US citizen so that's not a problem either.

No humidity is on the wish list but definitely not a deal breaker. I mostly just want to avoid the cold long winters.

I was in San Diego on vacation briefly but it seemed pretty spread out. Do you feel there is a community, culture feel there? What about the OC vs San Diego? I don't want to be a victim of the media but is it really that superficial? Easy to meet people there? I've been hearing a lot of mixed views.

I also heard great things about Boulder, Denver, Portland and Seattle. Anyone think one area is better for single people in their late twenties?

If you don't want cold winters - I don't think Denver fits at all. November through March, the average low temps range between 19F and 28F w/ highs in the 30's and 40's.

And -- PLEASE don't call it The OC. Cringe making

Jersey Shore: close to metro area,beach, seasons. Just like Australia without the wine.

About Orange County (and just about anywhere else), the sense of community is a very local thing, confined to a neighborhood or even part of a neighborhood. You can't generalize about a whole county or a whole city. One of my sons and his wife and kids live in an older section of an Orange County city where all the neighbors know each other and sometimes get together. Another of my sons and his wife and kids live in a different Orange County city and in their (more upscale) neighborhood no one knows anyone and they all go their separate ways.

BTW, there are something like 272 communities in Orange County. See:
http://california.hometownlocator.com/ca/orange/

If you'd consider Denver (despite no beaches) you should consider Albuquerque and Tucson.

Several of my former students (all now in their late twenties/early thirties) have settled in Austin, Texas, and all just absolutely love it.

There is a great social scene for young people in Baltimore, primarily because of the great colleges/universities: John Hopkins, Peabody, MICA, etc. Cost of living is reasonably low, and you would be a decent drive between beaches and mountains. Lots of people go to the beaches in summer and skiing in PA, just an hour and a half away, in winter.
Winters are usually not bad (this year was a crazy exception though with several feet of snow), but summers can be pretty humid, though not like SC or Florida. Baltimore is filled with wonderful neighborhoods and there is a real sense of community.

Native San Diego and the community is so real and awesome here.
Living in both Sydney and SD, it is very similar.

OC..most of my family is from Lido Island, Newport, Laguna, and Corona del Mar and back in the day, it was all old money without ever any flash, whatsoever!

OC is a lot of new money and people with no class or taste..just my two cents but its changed a lot.there are great neighborhoods everywhere but I've never seen so much vain people in one concentrated area.

Most of that new money is foreclosed and they have moved on to the greater Riverside area!
I do agree that you need about a years savings anywhere you go because of the economic situation that has plagued everywhere.

You don;t say what type of professional you are - but I would definitely look at licensure laws (and reciprocal interstate agreements) as well as the overall job market.

Some places may seem very expensive - but have much higher salaries - some places may seem more economical but a job with any kind of salary is very difficult to find.

The Bay Area, from Santa Cruz to the Wine Country, is a lovely place to live.

Denver-cold, but over 300 days of sunshine. Snow rarely hangs around to get grimy (like the northeaset). Just a thought.
Hiring in Charlotte now.

Sounds a bit like a post someone might have made in the late nineties when jobs were plentiful and people had choices.

Cross Santa Barbara off your list....or waste some time reading about the housing crisis there, the homeless problems, the first-responder crisis and the flooding, fire and earthquakes that loom constantly.

Except that it has hot, humid high summers, I would suggest Wilmington, North Carolina. Wilmington is no longer a backwater and it even has a movie industry due to low costs and non-union labor. Wilmington is relatively inexpensive but has some chic areas, especially near the Cape Fear River. Pleasant breezes usually help during the humid times and very nice weather can be had for much of the year. Wilmington is not the conservative city it was 25 years ago and even has elected North Carolina's only openly homosexual state senator, a lesbian who is retiring this year.

I love Seattle dearly, but Portland OR is considerably cheaper and a GREAT city too. I've had two friends relocate their recently because they feel they get more for their money. Finding apartments in Portland in the ~$500/mo range that would be $850-1000 here in Seattle.

The weather either place is similar... mild, when you consider the entire year. It gets gloomy, dark, raining in the winter but rarely snow or dramatic temperatures. Also it doesn't last long. It's been spring for quite awhile now, for example, everything green, lush, blooming right now. Summer and fall can be spectacular. Seattle's very beautiful, over looking the Puget Sound with snowcapped mountain range on either side (Cascades, Olympics).

Basically the cost of living IS high in California period (you said it "seems" high, I'm saying it is -lol!). But that's because it's a REALLY nice place to live. Gorgeous weather and scenery.

I like the state very much (as a Los Angeles native). If you can find a job, sure I'd consider San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, all in a heartbeat!!

I don't like Orange County myself. Can't really say why it's just all suburban and not very interesting imo.

Portland is great, but our job market is one of the worst in the country and no real signs of a comeback anytime soon. I know quite a few people that have been out of work for a long time, and these are highly educated people with lots of experience. No way would I move here now unless I had something already lined up and also had a large amount in savings.

I would suggest http://nabewise.com/sf/polk-gulch. Polk Gulch, SF is close to everything and has a little bit of everything, and the rent is not ridiculous.

Except for the lousy job market in San Francisco (and California in general), I think San Francisco might fit the bill - urban, urbane, cultured, quirky, beautiful, on the water, tons of outdoor stuff, tons of indoor stuff, etc. Polk Gulch is the new "hotspot" for people your age (when I first moved here, that area was San Francisco's gay mecca, before the Castro District, then it became a little seedy -- tons of teenage cruisers etc. -- now it's back and trendy. I wouldn't say rent is "affordable", but it's less than NYC!

Let me suggest Austin. While it does get hot here, it rarely is hot and humid at the same time. The winters are usually mild, with freezing weather rare (except this past winter). While the Gulf is 4 hours away, there are so many lakes around here that are beautiful places to enjoy water sports, sunbathe, etc... There are plenty of outdoor activities to do here, and the cost of living is relatively low.

Right now, people from all over are moving here. When I first moved here, all you saw were Californians moving here to cash in on their high home values out West, purchasing mansions here. Now, however, we see a lot of people from MI, MA, IL, NY, etc... It's making it quite diverse. Job market is picking up as well... I'd almost venture to say that Northeastern transplants may be approaching levels of Californian transplants, and it is solely because of the economy.

Also, everyone that moves here loves it instantly.

I should have suggested Austin as well - I lived there for several years and enjoyed it. I do have several friends there, however, who worked in the tech industry and have been out of work for quite some time (well over a year in a few cases).

I am not as familiar with San Antonio, but you might consider it as well (I have friends there, too, and they love it).

I have a friend who retired to Austin...she complains bitterly about the summer weather! More hot and humid than she expected. But housing prices are a fraction of those in California.

If humidity is not a deal breaker, but you still want to be near a beach, consider Charleston, Savannah, and Norfolk/Virginia Beach. They aren't as hip and happening as San Diego, but they are a lot cheaper. And still warm, without the harsh winters.

I like Austin a lot too, and it's got a lot going on. My nephew lives there and tells me it's getting more expensive all the time, though.

Basically the thing you have to realize is that nicer (more popular) places cost more to live. No surprise about that.

mlgb, there's really only 3 months of hot weather, but like I said, it's rarely hot and humid at the same time. Also, because there are so many water activities, most people look forward to being able to cool off in the many springs, go tubing, boating, skiing, etc... Summer here is fun, just like the rest of the year.

Also, the weather really is good here. For instance, although it is almost May, I have yet to use my A/C at all this year. I haven't used the heat since mid March and only because we got a freak cold front. Temp in my house is a comfortable 71 degrees. I've been opening the windows at night and enjoying the fresh air.

For most of the year, the weather here is comparable to California, but it is much cheaper here. Austin really is a great place.

I'd go to Durango, CO - if I didn't need a job. A friend in the area is shoveling snow today.

In the south, I'd choose Asheville, NC - virtually no humidity. The rest of the South (and I live here) can be miserably hot and humid in the summers. I still love it and tell myself it's just great for my complexion.

I love visiting the Pacific NW but know I'd be miserable there full time - at least on the coast. I've worked with several people that are much happier (literally) since they moved away. I know that it doesn't really RAIN every day - "it's just a mist" - but I know my mood would match the weather too much.

A good friend moved to Southern California and loves the weather. I think I'd be bored by the same gorgeous weather all the time. I do like seasons.

San Fran would be a blast if I could afford it.

The job market may be a lot better in Austin and it IS a great place to live. I lived in Dallas for a while and wouldn't live anywhere in Texas but Austin and the Hill Country.

From your list, I'd pick Denver and would add Asheville and Austin.

agree, find a job first.Weve lived in 10 diffrenet cities during my career, and are native NYC folks.Putting aside costs, our fav was Palo Alto area--much warmer than SF, but the area is incredible--but housing costs are very high.My 2nd fav is where we are now--Atlanta--weather is great, cools off every nite in summer ( we are at 1000 ft above sea level,2nd highest major city in US), no hurricanes, 4 seasons, good airport conections, lots of outdoor stuff to do in Ga mountains, big lakes, and cost of ousing is very reasonable--we luv it--have a house on the river so go trout fishing alot

It may help to know what you actually do for a living. Although CLT is a huge banking center, there are no worthwhile jobs to be had here, & haven't been in nearly 3 years in that particular sector. I am sure other places have similar issues.

IF you look at actual statistics, not rumors or "reputation", Seattle in fact does not stastically have a high annual rainfall. Nor is it always gray or a mist. My mood DOES match the weather here in Seattle, often glorious, never extreme. Starrs, have you ever lived in the PNW to know how you'd like it?

This is great guys, thanks. I do HR and Accounting, I've done both full-time in the past but in my current position I do both.

I'm hoping to move sometime within the next year. I understand the economy is poor and I want to have time to find something in area I'm interested in staying for a while. Of course money is a factor but being in a city with a lot to do and easy to meet people is big priority. I know all the most desired places cost the most unfortunately!

Thanks for the info on Austin, I've been hearing a lot about it being a great city for young professionals.

If money wasn't a factor, Suze would you say Portland or Seattle?

Well *I* live in Seattle, so that's obviously my own personal recommendation

I moved here from back East many moons ago to "try it out" and never left. I love living here.

Seattle is a much larger city than Portland. I'd guess I might consider Portland if I wanted to live somewhere a little more laid back or mellow. But for me I prefer the pace and general 'vibe' of Seattle. I could live anywhere (have no family ties, etc.) and this is the city of my choice... until I retire when I'll be looking to live at least part-time in either Hawaii or Mexico.

Found some interesting info online re Seattle and its weather. If this website is indeed accurate:

http://www.see-seattle.com/weather.htm

the city ranks 44th in total annual rainfall at 36.2 inches. This is less than such cities as Hilo (129 in.), Mobile (65), New Orleans (60), Miami (58), Atlanta (49), Houston (45), Boston (44), New York (40.3), and Washington (39).

However, according to the above website as well as this one below:

http://www.fi.edu/school/math/showers.html

the city also gets 158 days of measurable rain (am guessing snowfall counts as well in these numbers). Of the 100 places in the US (most all of them cities) listed on the latter website, that's the sixth most. Only Juneau, AK (220 days), Mt. Washington, NH (209), Buffalo, NY (169), Olympia, WA (164), and Caribou, ME (160) apparently have more such days. Hilo wasn't on the list at the latter site.

I guess it depends on what one is measuring here.

I think "days of rain" matters a lot more than "total rainfall."

In Hawaii, and Mobile, it can absolutely pour down buckets, raining a lot in a couple of hours. But then it's done, and it's sunny again very quickly. A lot of rain, but not a lot of rainy days. I don't think most people care how hard it rains when it rains (total inches), they just want it to be sunny fairly often.

I'd be a lot gloomier if it were just gray and drizzly a lot of the time -- not saying Seattle is that way, just that it would be a drag to have that weather. I think of London that way, just sort of gray a lot of the time and not sunny.

Sure it would be a drag ("just gray and drizzly a lot of the time"). Fortunately that is not Seattle's weather.

If you haven't already asked on Thorntree Lonely Planet, you might post there. The demographic here on Fodors seems to run quite a bit older and you may be getting advice on good places to live if you're married or retired, rather than single and 20-something!

A friend who lived in LA, Seattle and NYC preferred the latter for social life, despite the weather. I think being near a University is a good idea. Also if you're strongly liberal or conservative, you might think twice about moving to somewhere completely opposite!

One thing that is different out West from back East, is that the West coast has a rainy season. The rainy season ranges from almost non-existent in San Diego, to about November to March in San Francisco, to October to May/June in Seattle. So, if you happen to be in Seattle in the summer, it is technically their dry season, and is picture perfect. Unfortunately, that means the other months have strong probability of rain. This is what is different than rain in say New Orleans, where it could have a downpour in the spring, summer, fall, or winter.

Personally, I like rain spread out a bit during the year rather than concentrated in one season.

Well I'm not married or retired. I am single. And while I'm older now, when I first moved to Seattle I was in my late 20's. Seatle has been extremely good to me.

for Travelgirl~ You really need to visit some of the cities you are seriously considering. I made two trips back and forth (once stayed for 6 weeks) before I moved permanently. There's a "feeling" about places that (like falling in love) is hard to describe. Some places just feel right. And obviously not the same for everyone!

Travelgirl--I agree, you need to come visit. We are in Portland now, but used to be near Seattle. I love both places, and we will be moving back to Seattle in 2 years. As for the weather, the Seattle area has pockets that are drier and pockets that are wetter. If you don't want as much rain, just stay out of the convergence zone. Personally, I love the rain (born and raised here, what can I say, lol) and it doesn't stop my from doing anything.

I meant to add, come visit during January and see what you think

Gotta agree with suze (for once). Seattle is the best place for Singles. No serious weather that keeps people indoors for long intervals, nice out lying areas, lots of out doors stuff (skiing, boating, hiking, etc), and good area, lots of home choices, and good food (fish, most importantly). Hope you come.

If I was 20 something...I would pick San Diego area. Although it is spread out...so I will suggest some "specific" areas to consider. Look into Pacific Beach or Ocean Beach areas, much younger crowd and night life is more plentiful. However, these are real beach areas, with a strong "hippie" vibe. Downtown would be fun, just because there is lots to do. BUT..if I were your age I would go and live in Paris or another european city. You are only young once and I would go for it! Keep in mind, I live in San Diego and am a 42 y/o woman with wonderlust and teenagers. Have fun deciding.
Tina

San Francisco can get a lot of cold weather and lots of fog which some of us love and some not so much.

If I was young and could find employement Seattle would be my number one choice. It is close to Vancouver, BC which I love also! I am not one to be that enthralled with S CA so although I like San Diego I would not chose to live there.

To live in Europe one would need to obtain employement with a company that would transfere you to Europe which isn't that easy to obtain I believe.

A much younger family member lived in Austin for a couple of years and absolutely loved Austin but he got transferred back to N CA where he is happy but it seems to me he was happier in Austin.

Anyway, Travelgirl, best wishes to you in finding employment in an area that would pretty much meet your desires.

I was born in Santa Barbara and lived in Orange County for 20 years. I now live in South Carolina and hate the humidity here (so you would NOT like Charlotte NC as the summer temps are in the 90's and the humidity is horrible, and though Charleston SC is a fabulous city, it is humid in summer as well.)
The humidity of the Pacific Northwest is not the same as "humidity" as I think of it. PNW is damp but cool. In summer it is dry and temperatures are my kind of perfect (upper 70's). The joke is that people visit in July and think that is the rest of the year there...it's not. If you don't mind a lot of clouds, you wouldn't mind Seattle. If overcast skies make you depressed, you wouldn't like it.
San Francisco is as expensive as anywhere in the US. Santa Barbara is about as bad. There are more job opportunities in SF than SB. But, haven't you read that California is broke? It may not be such a great place to move to.
What about Vancouver, British Columbia? It is a really nice city and I think the kind of people you liked in Sydney would be what you would find in Vancouver.

Hands down: New York City. Housing is through the roof but so are the salaries. You'd be a short ride to Long Island beaches and Jersey Shore beaches. Until this winter, snow in NYC was a seasonal/general rarity. If you decide not to rent a shoebox for $2500.00 a month you can still buy a two bedroom condo in New Jersey with easy access to the UWS (with views of the UWS) of NYC for well under $500,000.

New York City is a young professional's Nirvana and the center of the universe for others.

But who's hiring in the cities? I had dinner with a friend who has received a recent MBA from Berkeley and she can't find a decent job...

Raleigh or Durham, NC.

There are lots of job opportunities, wonderful social scene for young people (It's not as college-town as nearby Chapel Hill, which frankly, is too expensive for young people!) Great restaurants, lots of music, and the climate is mild but you still have four seasons. (It might snow twice in the winter but rarely stays around more than a day or two)

It is one of the best places for young singles in the US.

Thank you for all the insight. I'm trying to put together a shortlist of places I want to visit and this really helps.

lgnutah - I know CA is struggling right now. If I could find a job in SD or SF I think I would enjoy those places. Recently went to visit them. However, given their economic state I wonder if another location would be better financially.

Wow, I never even though of Vancouver. I guess I always assumed that it had New England type winters and I just read on their tourism website that they actually have very mild winters.

Uhoh_busted - what would you say the major differences between Charlotte and Raleigh are? Would you recommend one over the other?

Assuming you are a U.S. citizen Vancouver, Canada doesn't really work for finding legal employment. It would put a HUGE extra step in your move getting working papers. It's basically the same as if you were trying to move and work in Europe. Vancouver's weather is similar to Seattle (nothing like New England winters!).

I still say it's a personality thing (not only about economy, weather, etc.). For me, I like prefer the coasts... up north back East (I've lived in and enjoyed the states of Massachusetts, VT, and NH) and all of the west coast (CA, OR, WA). No way would I move "down south back east". Just not a viable option for me. Your mileage may vary.

I agree that Raleigh gets the slight edge for young singles vs Charlotte. Lots of the younger professionals in Charlotte have lost their jobs in the financial sector recently, and even before that, they tended to work way too many hours. Economy in Raleigh area is also a bit better (and less concentrated) than Charlotte right now.

I'm not saying there's a big difference, but the edge goes to Raleigh.

I say good luck first, and rethink relocation second. Even waiting til next year might not make a job search that much more fruitful than now.
If you are set to move, I would highly consider Albuquerque. I think you'd be pleasantly surprised if you did some research on it.
I live in the mountains 3 hrs S of ABQ, but if I were your age (when I lived in San Francisco for 8 yrs), I would now choose ABQ b/c of the vibrancy of the arts/cultural communities, fantastic opportunities for outdoor activities, and a more reasonable cost of living than any of the coastal areas.
Also, unless you got a GREAT job, forget New York. Surviving in NY is not as pleasant as LIVING a good life somewhere else.
Again, good luck!

Spent two years in Grad School in Chapel Hill. Couldn't wait to get the heck out of there. One of my classmates (another Californian) hated it so much he left after a month into school! Just a whole different way of life.

Given your description, I'd choose something other than Raleigh or Charlotte. I don't think either offer what you are looking for.

New York City is great for young professionals! Anyway, one can work there but not live right in the City.

I agree with those who are saying stay out of Raleigh, Charlotte (yikes) and Chapel Hill...

Well IF you can afford New York City, then you can afford San Francisco. And I'd by far pick the later. NYC is simply too intense for my taste. I have friends there. And you have to want to live there REAL bad, because it's a LOT of work to do so (finding an apartment let's just start with).

I don't know Raleigh, so can't comment.
I have always HATED Charlotte-too flat, too hot and humid, too boring (just my opinion--I have a thirty something friend who thinks the bar scene/lifestyle is incredible). The airport there is OK, easy to navigate, so that is a plus.

Suze raised the issue of citizenship re:Vancouver-so that is an issue. My brother lives there now and loves it (at the university). My dad lived in many parts of the world and it was one of his favorite cities (he was born in Berkeley, but lived most of his young life in OR). I would certainly give the west coast of the US a serious look as it sounds like what you are looking for.

I have friends who are moving to New York in a few weeks (she will be going to grad school in the city and he has a new job in educational administration) and they are having an awful time finding a place that is both decent and affordable.

As I said: There's affordable housing just over the bridge from the UWS into New Jersey...it might be enough to work in the City and live within close proximity.

It depends upon how active you are and what activities you like to do.
If you like outdoors, San Diego is a great choice for meeting people and keeping busy. There are homes for every budget, home prices have been dropping and you'll have plenty of areas to choose from.

Yea I'm not considering NYC, I've lived closeby most of my life. It would be the easier choice since my job has an office there and I have friends and family nearby but I know it's not for me. For that cost of living, I would personally rather have a car and live where I can spend more time outdoors. I can't deny the social aspect is ideal. A good night life is important but I'm also looking for a community feel with coffee shops, parks, etc.

Thank you for the info on Charlotte and Raleigh. I'm used to larger cities and I definitely don't want to feel bored. I also have to remember that the south is very different from what I'm used to.

Although Vancouver sounds very ideal, I don't want to have to deal with citizenship on top of finding a job so that's out.

Right now it's looking like San Diego, San Fran, Seattle, Austin, Denver/Boulder. It's a start!

Thanks again for all your advice

If you can afford it and can get a job, I vote for San Diego!

Have you considered Atlanta? It's in the south but not really a 'Southern' city. It's kind of like NYC in that those who live there weren't actually born there.

Another great west coast city (san diego is so 1980's, isn't it??) is Portland Oregon.

Baltimore, Maryland isn't a bad place to be either.

Of all the cities listed, San Francisco is my new favorite. I'm sorry to say that I can't get the earthquake threat out of my mind. This is the only thing preventing me and my husband from relocating there from the east coast. I know there are plenty of random threats on the east coast that compromise my safety daily. It isn't a rational fear but it's a real one for me.

Good luck choosing the right place; remember the world is your oyster, so to speak.

My aunt just finished visiting Austin from the Northeast and she absolutely loved it. There's so much to see and do here, you'll love it!

I love Seattle and I have lived her for years now (moved here in my late 20's). IF I could afford it San Francisco is the other city I'd love to live in, but it is *noticeably* higher priced that Seattle and the pay scale is similar. I could never afford my own Seattle condo, in SF, or at least not anywhere actually IN the city, I'd have to look out in Oakland or beyond.

I grew up in Los Angeles and San Diego doesn't do a thing for me. If I was moving back to southern California, I'd be looking at LA (Venice, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, etc.)

San Francisco is a great city and if one liked the area, then there are plenty of other places around the Bay Area that are desirable. Since the OP wants to keep a car, not a good idea in SF.
Hoping that the OP will note that whenever anyone has referred to the city, it's either SF or San Francisco.

LSky--In the 1960's we called it "Frisco" (that is the "we" who lived in southern Calif. called it that, maybe the people who lived there didn't)
Travelgirl0909-you are mentining Austin. I have heard lots of people (in their 20-30's) rave about Austin. But, it is humid.

I was under the impression that humidity was a deal-breaker for the OP, and if that's the case, I can't think of anywhere in the South or much of the Midwest (depending on where you draw your regional boundaries) to recommend, as they all have hot and humid summers.

Anywhere east of the Rockies has humidity (to some degree)

I mean humidity isn't ideal (who really likes it )but I know no place is perfect. Having no humidity is a nice to have but not a deal breaker.

Suze - I'm curious why say San Diego doesn't do anything for you? Could you explain?

Do the cities around San Fran still offer a lot to do and good communities? Are they that much more affordable then the city?

Ignutah,

Take it from someone who lives in Austin...

We really don't get bad humidity here. We do get heat, upper 90's mainly, but the humidity is usually quite low when that happens. Humid weather usually means rain and cooler temperatures. This is not like Florida nor like any part of the Southeast.

Lately the weather has been fantastic, blue skies, cool mornings (50's) and warm afternoons (80's) with very low humidity. Chamber of Commerce weather really.

I honestly believe that Austin is the best fit for Travelgirl0909.

My daughter lived in SD area and although she thinks its a great city, the traffic made her nuts- now she is in San Jose area and likes it much better

She likes the northern Ca atmosphere - and has managed to live close enough to work that there is very little commute.

I also LOVE Portland!!

Humidity is a strange thing. It has to be hot, humid, and still (no wind) for it to feel uncomfortable. The west coast fog belt is very humid (I'm talking to you, San Francisco.) But only my hair notices the humidity, my skin doesn't feel the humidity, only the cold and wind!)

The 'San Diego area' is quite a bit like Orange County in respect that both have vast areas of sprawling family suburbs. If you live in one part of San Diego and have to commute to the center it can be awful because the geography is such that transit corridors are constricted (kind of like SF Bay Area but without the public transit). San Diego/OC are much more conservative politically than San Francisco. But the weather is a lot better!

The public transit of San Francisco makes all the difference, though, doesn't it? Changes everything (in a good way).

Boston. I know you haven't considered it, and no one has mentioned it since it's in New England and everyone thinks snow and cold. Well there will be some of that, but if you are from upstate NY it will be much less than you are used to. I've lived in both upstate NY and Boston (and NYC) and the snow, with the exception of the occasional nor'Easter is much less. Spring and fall are each a month longer than in upstate NY.

It has beaches, it's a city that you can have a car. Cost of living is less than NYC or San Francisco (but more than the southern cities). My 25 year old daughter lived there for two years (after NYC) and loved it. She will probably move back there (she's in Paris for a year now). Lot's of young social life. There are tons of colleges/grad schools there so lots of cultural and educational offerings and the people who want those things. Think also about the social/political views of the population. I have a 20 something friend who moved from New England to Charleston. She loves the city and lack of snow but feels the political views of many of the people are quite opposite of her and she feels a bit uncomfortable because of that. My sister in law is from S. Carolina (and still lives there, but western part) and she says the same thing. It's not something most people consider when looking for a place to live, but maybe it should be at least one factor.

Just a thought.

I actually lived in Boston for 6 years (college and right after) and it was still too cold for me. It is a great city just ready to try something new

Is Austin very conservative bkluvsnola? Do you feel it will feel similar to living in the south? I've only been to Dallas in Tx.

Austin is the most liberal place in Texas. It's not like Dallas at all.

Austin is wonderful. I'd move there in a heartbeat. It's got a great vibe. Folks I've know have moved there for corporate reasons and have dug in their heels and refuse to move back "home" - or anywhere else.

I can't explain it, San Diego just strikes me as booooring. Besides the good weather it just doesn't float my boat. That said, I do love Los Angeles and would consider living there.

For San Francisco area, no, I don't think the surrounding communities offer as much as downtown. That's why I didn't move there (I looked very seriously at relocation from Seattle about 10 years ago) it was not economically feasible for me.

There are a few cute parts of downtown San Diego, it's the overall atmosphere of southern California "surburban sprawl" (even worse in Orange County) that I don't find all that appealing.

Agree with suze. The few parts of San Diego that have more of a young/village feel tend to be a bit lowlife surf-bum or very upscale and expensive. Also there isn't much of the great mixing of cultures and ethnicities that you might expect in cities. It's Mexican and white and never the twain shall meet.

I like LA (obviously cuz I live in the area), there are lots of different communities (I think Long Beach is good for young people, Belmont Shore and parts of East Long Beach especially have that vibe). The downside is the sucky job market, and if you pick the wrong spot (I'm talking to Santa Monica now) either bad commuting or high housing prices. It can be harder to meet people (although not impossible) unless you work in a large office or go to school. Other than smog and a few humid days in mid summer the weather is as good as San Diego. Actually the weather here is just about as good as it gets.

Austin may be the most liberal spot in Texas, but it's still Texas!

THANK YOU (I've been trying since the suggestion first came up, to think of how to politely say something about the great state of Texas).

It's funny you say that about SD Suze because when I went to visit a few months ago and I was really surprised. I had been hearing so many great things about it that I was kinda shocked to see how small the downtown area was and how spread out it was. We stayed in the Gaslamp and on Sunday night it was absolutely dead. I'm moving by myself so it just made me a little worried as it is very spread out and may be difficult to meet people if I'm not in college. I mean it's still a beautiful place I was just surprised.

I said it because it's true some of these places I just would never think of suggesting for a single person wanting a lively social life and ease in finding work and meeting people, to move to (the 'burbs of so. cal. being one of them). I believe San Diego would be a fine place to raise kids, etc.

You asked about differences between Raleigh and Charlotte? I think Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill (called the "Research Triangle" because of all the hi-tech) is more diverse than Charlotte - it is also more progressive, politically. I'm not sure when or what the previous poster who had been a grad student meant about the "way of life" here, but I'll assume it had more to do with the tightness of a college town.

There is fantastic music - and lots of it free - in various outdoor locations. You are a short drive to the wonderful beaches of Wilmington NC (a tad over 2 hours drive) and it's also not hard to get to the mountains near Asheville.

There are also wonderful arts and crafts venues. And, of course, there is also a lot that residents can take advantage of that takes place in the universities. NC State is in Raleigh, Duke is in Durham and UNC is Chapel Hill. We go to Durham Bulls baseball games (easy to get to the beautiful stadium from anywhere in the Triangle) all the time. Plus right next to the stadium is a fabulous complex of restaurants surrounding a cool outdoor music pavillion.

I agree with other posters, however. You should pick 2 or 3 of your top choices and visit for at least a long weekend. You should also checkout real estate pages/websites to get an idea of what it costs to buy a place. It's one of the reasons my daughter moved down here from NYC, because it's hard to imagine buying $300K studio in NYC anytime soon, but even as a single person she knew she could buy a condo or house in a great neighborhood down here for under $150K.

Boston: Freezing, cold, wet, rainy, gray, icy, colorless winters and hot, steamy, humid, stagnant summers. Spring lasts about 77 minutes or so. I love Boston, it's the ultimate college town, but the weather is really awful. Bostonians escape to Cape Cod in the summer to catch some ocean breezes and fresh air.

Boston's winters can be as Bowsprit describes, or not. Sometimes it's snowy rather than rainy. And there can be warmer stretches, too. Expect snow as at least a possibility from late November to the end of March. Precipitation regardless is usually solidly expressed and not of the misty and drizzly sort. And there's always a good chance of windy weather in any season.

However, summers are not uniformly as this poster describes -- that's in my experience more true of cities like St. Louis or Cincinnati. Boston typically has anywhere from one to three weeks, not always consecutively, like this in summer -- but the rest of the summer is usually more pleasant.

Spring as experienced around much of the rest of the country can indeed be short in Boston. But fall (especially late August, September, and much of October) is usually very nice, with pleasant daytimes and cool nights.

As with any other city, there are good and bad weather circumstances possible in the Boston area. Depends on what you like, I guess.

I live in Charlotte. While I do like it, I don't think it has what you are looking for. Their are young professionals here, but the city isn't really "happening" too much meaning there isn't much of the late-night scene that it seems you are after. The weather here is, imo, great but that's because I came from the midwest where it is even hotter, more humid and colder in the winters than it is here. But with that being said, it does get hot and humid here in the summer and can get cold in the winter.

As far as positives are concerned, we are close to the mountains (I like to hike), not too far from the beach, and the cost of living is incredibly low especially compared to the cities you mentioned on the west coast. The people are really friendly and, since so many people relocate here, it's very welcoming. The city has a very new and polished feel to it.

But, I can't agree more with the above...find a job first! My husband is in HR as well (HR IT) and he found the job first and the company relocated us. Charlotte is growing, but the job market seems rather stagnant right now, like most places in the US, due to the economy.

Tracy

Did I miss an answer to question about the cities around San Francisco?
We live in Oakland. It is a very cool city. And it's a very young city. There's a funny thread on Chowhound someone posted about moving from San Francisco to Oakland you might want to look for, as it speaks to some of what's here.
We have a great art scene, a huge park (Tilden) directly behind us and better food (I know that's subjective!) than San Francisco.
We also have the views.. of the City! And the prices are lower.
If you're interested I can direct you to neighborhoods.

The weather in some of the East and South Bay communities is definitely better than in San Francisco. I worked for a summer in San Francisco, commuting from Marin County. It was foggy in the morning, maybe a peek of sun at noon (if you squinted) and foggy in the evening. After a sunless summer I decided that LA wasn't so bad after all. But I've had friends/relatives over the years who live in some of the surrounding communities and although cooler and wetter than Southern California it's still better than the east coast. Really the job market and housing costs are the big constraint. There are ups and downs but seems that it can be easier to find employment down here (Although at the present I'm not really sure. I think it's bad everywhere in California!)

North Carolina was just a bit too good old boy for me. And I was in Chapel Hill. But I did meet a lot of friendly people (and even ran in to some of them here in LA after grad school...they escaped!)

Travelgirl0909,

You asked about how liberal Austin is. Well, it is the most liberal city in the state of Texas, which is not saying much, but I believe the core downtown areas, from Midtown down to South Austin, are almost as liberal as parts of San Francisco. There are some really weird and wonderful people there. The only difference is that as you leave the downtown area, the political views of the residents get exponentially more conservative, even within the city, whereas in a city like San Francisco, some of the hinterlands (Marin Co.) are almost as liberal as SF itself. This is something that must be taken into account.

While the downtown and South Austin areas are extremely liberal, Midtown is a little more conservative, and Northwest Austin is even moreso, but not to the degree of Dallas. The northern suburbs like Round Rock and Georgetown are as conservative as Dallas.

When they say Austin is the "liberal oasis of Texas" they mean it, but just as an oasis is just a sliver of green in a vast desert, so too is Austin within Texas.

Hope this clarifies things.

California is awesome for traffic and high taxes (which you might be used to).

The South is nice because of very low cost of living, nice but conservative people. However, it can be brutally hot.

The northwest is awesome for cloudy days. Just search for the sunny day ratio in a given city.

Austin is really a great place to be. It is the only place in America with positive job growth right now. However, everybody else thinks it is awesome too. So traffic is becoming a problem. If you could work downtown and live there it would be perfect.

I might suggest Nashville, TN as well. Tennessee has no state income tax. I believe Texas does not as well.

Do not live in Atlanta unless you are a fan of horrible sprawl and terrible heat and humidity.

I would consider Denver. I don't think of it as cold (and that is after 50 + years in Phoenix, So Cal, and Florida). When it is sunny, even temps in the 20's are pleasant.

Boston has 'weather'. It sounds like the op would like to live in a place with a little less metereological personality.

People keep bringing up Boston. But the OP said she has already lived in Boston for a period of time, it's not in the running for this move.

Sounds like the decision is among SF, Seattle, Austin, and Denver. I don't really agree with the "mild" assessment of Denver. It can get single digits or below and with massive amounts of snow. I know, I've been there during those times.

SF is prohibitively expensive so that doesn't meet your requirements as stated.

So, it sounds like the choice is between Seattle and Austin. In my opinion, if you're from upstate NY, Austin would probably be more different for you than Seattle and it seems you are seeking to experience something totally different than what you are used to. Also, Austin is significantly cheaper than Seattle which is important.

I think I'd have to give the nod to Austin, which is the logical choice given your preferences. But either would be fine for you I think.

I'm not going to duke it out with a Texan (and I mean that in the nicest way bkluvsNola!) but moving to Austin or moving to Seattle couldn't be two more *different* experiences!

I wouldn't rule out San Francisco, because it IS fantastic. And I do have friends who happily live there, you'd just need to rent out in Oakland or other outlying areas and use the BART to get around, not plan to rent a fabulous apartment right in the city (because that ain't going to happen in our price range).

Or better yet find housing & employment in the same general area if possible (actually that is good advice for moving anywhere, try to avoid a long "commute" been there done that & it's a drag).

Travelgirl
I think you have dropped Atlanta from your list, but I was just reading where you mentioned the importance of a good "social scene" for a someone in her late twenties so I thought I mention that you are exactly my daughter's age. She lives in Atlanta and if her experience is any indication, the social scene is incredible.
Oh, the summer temperatures in Atlanta range from 88-94 degrees most of the time.

suze, I agree, Seattle and Austin are like polar opposites in some ways (weather), but very alike in others. For weather, the pros of one city's season is the con of the other. For attitude towards environment stewardship and funkiness, I think both cities are very similar. Basically Austin = Seattle minus rain plus hot sun.

The question is "Is Austin more different than upstate New York than Seattle?" I think the answer is a resounding "YES!" The reason why is upstate New York is very green, lots of precipitation, mild summers, very similar to Seattle except much colder in the winter. Austin is more of the Desert Southwest feel, with some South mixed in.

That's why I feel the OP would probably "grow" more in Austin, IMHO. But we *know* I'm biased!

Have you lived in Seattle before?

While I think Boston is a beautiful and amazing city I just really do not want to deal with those winters again so it's not really an option right now. It would be perfect if it wasn't freezing!

I looked into Denver a little more and they do get a lot of snow, more then I want at least, haha. Maybe if I liked snow sports it would be a great choice but I prefer the water.

Lgnutah I'll do some more research on Atlanta thanks for bringing it up.

I'm going to still consider the San Fran area but in one of the surrounding areas as San Fran itself is not really an option financially. It would be like me trying to find an apartment in NYC. I love the culture, laid back vibe, outdoor activities and of course the nearby wineries. One thing is that the summers never get that warm. Suze - It does seem like Seattle and Portland have warmer weather then SF but do you have 80 degree weather in the summers? Does the weather differ much from Seattle to Portland?

I think Austin is a place that I probably have to check out in person. I hear so many great things about it and the cost of living is definitely appealing. To be completely honest my main concern would be culture shock.

Althouh it's not really an issue now I would like to find something with good neighborhoods nearby if I have a family later on in life. Although, I love the beach, the lack of yards and greenery is one thing that bothers me about Southern Cal. No place is perfect right? And right now I'm going to be in an aparment or condo anyway. I just want a liveable city and I don't even mind living slightly outside of the city if I can have a car, dog, etc.

I'm going to have to make sacrifices so it's helpful to look at all options and hear from people that have experience living in these places. Thanks guys

Yes we have 80 degree weather in the summers in both Seattle and Portland (the two cities have very similar weather patterns). More typically probably mid-70's. Occasionally we will have a real heat wave when it hits 90 for a couple days and everyone complains like mad (we are "weather whimps" here in Seattle, we don't like it too hot or too cold).

I'm not sure why you say the summers never get warm in San Francisco. It does have unusual weather patterns but it does most certainly get hot some places some times!!

You should absolutely come visit both Portland and Seattle, you can live either place eassily with a car and a dog. Both would be great for raising a family if that happens for you later on.

I lived in the Bay Area and it's quite unique in its "micro climates". It can be cold and foggy in San Francisco and hot and sunny somewhere else (usually East or South Bay).

Since you stated you couldn't afford SF, then you would most likely be living in the East or South Bay, which are considerably warmer than SF.

I've actually been in SF when it was 97 degrees and we went swimming in the Pacific. I've also been very thankful for a light jacket or sweater many a summer evening in SF as well.

Winters are very mild there, it never got below 40 the 3 years I lived there. It does rain quite a bit in the winter though.

You also mentioned settling down eventually and having that option available. Again, I think it points towards Austin. Part of the reason I left the Bay Area was I wanted to start a family and homes were prohibitely expensive.

Austin is a great place for singles, but it's also a great place for families. I've experienced both of these while I've been here.

Also, one last thing, we have green yards and greenery here, but it's a little different than what you have in upstate NY, and it's not always green. But it's a little more lush than the Southwest or LA for instance.

My advice would be to come visit for an extended weekend and figure out if the city appeals to you.

If you are interested in the Bay Area - but not necessarily SFO, I would suggest Los Gatos- very upscale community, not far to SFO or San Jose- and close to Santa Cruz too. Many company headquarters close by for employment opportunities - my daughter lives in the area and I love opportunities to visit.

For quality of life, you can't beat Charleston, SC or Asheville, NC. Both are small cities in lovely settings and are great for singles. Charlotte, NC may have a better job market (it depends on your profession) - it's between the other two.

San Diego, hands down.

San Francisco! There's a reason it's expensive; everyone wants to live there

San Fran is also good, but the OP wants nice weather which SF rarely has (this past Saturday being an exception!)

I absolutely adore living near Charleston, but get a job first. It's been pretty tight around here. But you can't beat the beaches, the food and the entertainment value of SC politics

sunbum, a person on a limited budget isn't going to find themselves in Los Gatos! Maybe Campbell, or San Jose, or Santa Clara or Sunnyvale but not Los Gatos. To Travelgirl, the weather in the South Bay (this year excepted) is pretty good, never too cold, doesn't USUALLY rain from Spril to October, and gets in the mid 80's all summer long with a couple of weeks usually around 100. Yards and houses and trees abound.

I'm not a big fan of cold winters, do not like humidity and I love being active outdoors especially the beach. I'm laid back and although I want a city I would like to still have a car. Dog friendly too! I would prefer a larger city as I will be moving alone and want to have a better networking of meeting people.

Places I've been considering are...San Diego, Denver, Santa Barbara, Orange County, San Fran, Charlotte.
------------------------------------------------------------
cold winters-scrap San Francisco and Denver.
humidity-Charlotte is out?
dog friendly- OC and Santa Barbara are out.
Coonclusion- San Diego. Very dog friendly, lots of hip young professionals, laid back and great weather all year long.

Long Beach, Ca is a lot cheaper than San Diego and gives you potential for job search in LA. I didn't read all the answers so don't know if we ever found out your profession, but that's the place to start...with a job.

This thread appears to violate Fodor's new guidelines on Forums since it is not travel related.

That only means it should be posted in The Lounge forum, rather than the U.S.

I live in the Bay Area...I love it...and I make a good salary as does my wife and we could buy a freaking palace in most parts of the country for what amounts to a cottage here. With that said, I love it. It rarely gets hot in SF - when the weather is above 70 degrees and sunny, people pat themselves on the backs about the amazing weather. today it was freezing and windy in the financial district while 25 miles south in the Peninsula it's hot. it's a microclimate thing as others have mentioned.

You need to trade off a few things and figure out your top 3 most important criteria - near the top of that list is access to good jobs and careers, by the way.

I have friends living in Seattle - they looooovvvvee it. It's expensive but more affordable than the Bay Area and has some cool neighborhoods. With that said, I have heard that it is also a bit provincial...there's a whole crowd that grew up there and doesn't necessarily love outsiders. Austin is fantastic...funky, great bars and music and there are very good schools in the burbs when you're ready to start a family. No beach...no skiing...crazy hot in the summer. Like I said, trade-offs. If money was no object, I would live in the Bay Area followed by some of the westside communities in LA.

<I have heard that it is also a bit provincial...there's a whole crowd that grew up there and doesn't necessarily love outsiders.>

Well that's nothing I've ever experienced, and I live here (Seattle). There was a bit of a movement against all the Californians moving up here in the 80's. But that's nothing I've even heard mentioned in years.

I do agree with the post above and my love for the West Coast. Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. I absolutely adore them all.

I also agree there's a reason expensive places are more expensive!!! Because they are nicer (or at least a lot of other people think so too) to live in.

Also...scratch "beach" off the list if you are thinking of San Francisco. No matter what others might say, this is really not a beach town. Maybe SF is an "ocean" town...you walk along the ocean, you hike near the ocean, you drive near the ocean, you breath magic breaths of beauty near the ocean...you don't go for a leisurely dip in this ocean...unless you're wearing a fat wet suit. For the "beach", that's more LA and San Diego.

I went through this situation 10 years ago. I too lived just outside of nyc and moved to San Diego. I couldn't find a teaching job even with being certified in California and ended up as a waitress for a while and blowing through much of my savings. I had been there before but hated living there, everything was so spread out and PB and OB seemed so scetchy. As others have stated it lacked culture. Encinitas and Solana Beach just north seemed pretty cool but a far commute from work in the city.

I also looked into Portland but the job situation was terrible and they were laying off a bunch of teachers and closing schools and this was 10 years ago. Most people I know have left or are in pretty grim financial states out there. It is so pretty out there though.

I love San Francisco and Seattle and would move to either in a heartbeat if I was back in my 20's and not so attached to my job. They are both very manageable cities with tons of culture/food/nightlife and culture. In these times you probably want a job secured before you move all that way. I am back in NY and every winter I hate it and it lasts forever. Get out while you can!

Meant to say PB and OB seemed sketchy.

Forget the humitity and check out Savannah, Georgia!
Great people, a mix of city, history, culture, music, it has it all!
If I wasn't here....I'd be there

I just came across your post as I randomly asked Google 'Where should I move?' lol! I'm curious as to where you ended up settling?