Travelgirl0909

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?

suze

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.

bachslunch

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.

cheryllj

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.

suze

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

mlgb

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!

bkluvsNola

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.

suze

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!

Fodorite018

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.

Fodorite018

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

clarasong

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.

tinabina

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

LoveItaly

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.

lgnutah

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.

Bowsprit

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...

uhoh_busted

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.

Travelgirl0909

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?

suze

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.

Brian_in_Charlotte

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.

lakebluffer

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!