Ally Knowles.

Help. I'm a 30-year old single female interested in an area that has an upscale, cosmopolitan (yet suburban feel). I want to be around lots of intelligent and progressive people with many things to do. I enjoy beautiful surroundings and a mild climate. I'm trying to decide between these three areas. Any suggestions?

Dave

Forget Houston basically trees and flat (can you say ugly commerical strips?)

Judy

Are we to assume that you have definite job offers from each of these three locations? Given that all three places are southern locations, shouldn't your first priority be which job opportunity provides the best potential?

Ally Knowles

Well, actually I don't have job offers in those locations. I'm just looking for a major change! I live in Alabama (No jokes please It's really not that bad here, as bad as everyone probably thinks, but it is a little bit backwards. I need an environment that is a little more stimulating!!! I feel confident that because of my field I can find a job in any of the three locations. Thanks for your help!

Lindsey

If climate is a factor, Charlotte will probably be a better choice. It gets pretty hot and muggy in Houston during the summer. If economy and nightlife are of interest, I think Houston would be a better choice. No opinion on Charleston, other than my impression is that it is substantially smaller than the other two. It is supposed to be very pretty, but it may be closed to outsiders, kind of like Savannah and New Orleans.

You Want Fries With That?

Hey Judy, what's the problem? Aly will simply get the applications from Micky D's & BK once she gets there.

travellyn

I have not visited in Charlotte, but between Houston and Charleston, I'd pick Charleston. I lived in Houston for many years and visited a friend in Charleston for a week. I liked the atmosphere of history in Charleston, as well as the friendliness of the people. The heat and humidity in late June were just as bad as Houston's, but I think the really hot time is probably shorter overall. I don't think of Houston s having a mild climate.

Houston is a good place for cultural activities, meeting people, and cheap airline flights out of town. (I left town as much as possible because I hated the weather there!) The cost of living is favorable, and some of the suburbs really are beautiful, very lush and green. I used to live in the Clear Lake area because of my husband's work, but I would have liked to live around West University.

Ted

I suggest running a search with the word "Charlotte." Just recently there was a long thread about moving there -- not very favorable.

Just curious, but why those three cities? Given your stated desires, I think they all miss the mark.

Ally Knowles

Thanks to all of you who have responded so far. Basically, I want to remain in the South. I'm a Southern girl, at heart. The only reason I've picked the three is because I've done some research on the cost of living and have seen a lot of positive feedback on the three cities.

Southern Guy

Can relate Southern Girl! I have travelled all over and lived in different areas. I will stay in the South for many reasons, but mainly for the people and weather. Warm and laid back. I currently live in Charlotte and love would suggest it unless you want something more historic like Charleston. Good job opportunities here and the people are friendly. Traffic is bad, but it's a trade-off ya know. Houston is HOT. Now, I'm used to heat and humidity, but if you've ever been in Houston in the summer after a brief rain shower, it's MUG-GY! And the city is not as "nice/clean" as Charleston or Charlotte. But the Texans I've met have been nothing but great. There is actually plenty to do in Charlotte, you just can't wait for something to drop into your lap. Lots of transplants here, but it still retains is "Southern-ness". Hope this helps.

Dean

Ally -- have you thought about the Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC) area? I haven't spent any significant time in Houston, but I think the Triangle is *way* more what you're looking for than Charlotte or Charleston. Still Southern, too.

number one troll

Houston, heaven on earth. High Crime, high unemployment, lots of racism and prejudice. Sounds like fun!! Want more? Extremely bad air pollution from all of those nice factories, petroleum & chemical plants, millions of automobiles, massive roadways (Note: Fellow smokers, Houston is a wonderful place for y'all. Y'all don't even have to buy cigarettes here. Just go outside and inhale the air. Ahh, theres nothing like a fresh batch of pollution to start to the morning). Theres more!!! Tons of road rage (I just have to get to that bar, my beer is waiting for me), oppressive heat and humidity year-round, tropical storms and hurricanes, poor public transportaion, few sidewalks, lots of sprawling contrete, dirty streets, bored teenagers because they have to wait on mom and dad for a ride everywhere, miles and miles of strip cubs and malls. So come on down and enjoy your visit.

Mike

1. Charleston
2. Charlotte
3. Houston
4. I live in Charlotte

Charleston is a small town feel w/ a cosmo aspiration. Some of the downsides to Charleston are: hurricanes, tourists, travel in and out of via plane. I personally love Charleston and cannot visit there enough.

However, based on your three options I believe Charlotte may be best for you. Houston...wow, why would anyone do that.

Danna

I would rather live in Charleston a hundred times over than Charlotte. There's a beach there, for God's sake! If you can afford to live close enough to the ocean to get some breeze, then heat and humidity is not a big deal like it would be farther inland.

I agree that the Chapel Hill - Durham area is something to consider as well.

lisa

I used to live in Charlotte and have spent quite a bit of time in Charleston, and have visited Houston. I would choose Charleston first, Charlotte second, and Houston last.

I would choose Austin TX before any of those though. Asheville NC is also nice.

cant breathe

Houston is the most polluted city in the US.

www.ghasp.org

Ally Knowles

Thanks guys for the great advice!

XXXXX

I have not spent any time in Houston but I can tell you that I'd pick Charleston in a heatbeat over Charlotte. The summers are about equal but Charleston is on the water and you are about 20 minutes from some serious world class beaches. Also, Charleston has a bit warmer winter climate than Charlotte (especially in the winter, Charlotte occaisionally gets snow and ice and Charleston does not). Charlotte is a great town and I have friends that live there but I certainly would not want to.

LM

As a Charlottean and Charleston vacation homeowner, I would only suggest Charleston if you have employment opportunities. I have friends that swear they would live there forever if the job market wasn't so tough there. Charlotte is great...a lot of young professionals. I'm a southern girl but not from Charlotte and I'll be here forever (and visiting Charleston as much as possible too). Although Texans are great,Houston is not a good choice in my opinion (my husband grew up there). Good luck!

Only one choice

I have lived in the D.C. metro area, Chapel Hill, Birmingham, and Charlotte. I have settled permanently in Houston, and have lived here for over 10 years. And yes, I had a choice to settle wherever I wanted to. For me, The Triangle got boring. A good place to go to school, boring as an adult. D.C. was too transient and I did it all there too. I liked Birmingham and easily could have stayed there, but too many singles went to Atlanta for the weekend. Charlotte, well, was just too boring. Again, mediocrity. I don't understand why there are so many naysayers re: Houston. I find everything about Houston convenient, cosmopolitan, reasonably priced, and it is a hub. It is a very multicultural city without the racial tension I experienced in D.C. For somebody young and single, I would only consider Houston and Charlotte of the choices you have listed.