Tired of the rat race, looking for relocation advice
Dec 21st, 2001, 06:16 AM
#42
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Another vote for Portland, OR. It fits all your requirements; the job market is a bit tough right now though, especially for high tech workers, but you're an accountant and should be able to find work ok.
IF you decide to investigate Portland, OR, then I suggest you take a look at Vancouver, WA, just over the Columbia River. Particularly the Cascade Park section, which has many attractive houses in the mid price range, parks, good services, streets with bike and pedestrian lanes, lots of trees, etc. Also, people who work and live in WA state pay no state income tax. Shop in Oregon just over the river and pay no sales tax.
If you choose to live in Portland, there are many neighborhoods with their own character, from the sedate, leafy SW area, the upscale NW 23rd area, the hot and trendy Pearl District, the counter-culture Hawthorne District, the more diverse NE and so on.
In either Portland or Vancouver, you're just over an hour to the mountains or the coast. A balanced lifestyle is VERY important to people in the NW.
The weather is not as awful as people say--yes, it's rainy in the winter, but rain is much easier to deal with than ice and snow and the summers are nearly perfect (80% of the rain in the Portland area falls between mid October and April).
IF you decide to investigate Portland, OR, then I suggest you take a look at Vancouver, WA, just over the Columbia River. Particularly the Cascade Park section, which has many attractive houses in the mid price range, parks, good services, streets with bike and pedestrian lanes, lots of trees, etc. Also, people who work and live in WA state pay no state income tax. Shop in Oregon just over the river and pay no sales tax.
If you choose to live in Portland, there are many neighborhoods with their own character, from the sedate, leafy SW area, the upscale NW 23rd area, the hot and trendy Pearl District, the counter-culture Hawthorne District, the more diverse NE and so on.
In either Portland or Vancouver, you're just over an hour to the mountains or the coast. A balanced lifestyle is VERY important to people in the NW.
The weather is not as awful as people say--yes, it's rainy in the winter, but rain is much easier to deal with than ice and snow and the summers are nearly perfect (80% of the rain in the Portland area falls between mid October and April).
Dec 21st, 2001, 08:16 AM
#44
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I have been trying to relocate to the Portland or Seattle area for a few years now. Yes, I've got a few interviews, but when push comes to shove, they always choose a local resident. There's just too much fear that outsiders won't be able to deal with the rain factor and move away. And with the unemployment rate up, it's even tougher to find jobs up there. I'm in the finance and accounting field and am coming up short with possible positions. Yes, it's nice up there, but don't mive without a job.
Dec 21st, 2001, 09:15 AM
#45
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John, I moved from a Houston suburb to Durango, Colorado. Durango has about 30,000 people if you include its surrounding area, so it doesn't meet Cathy's size criterion. It's a fantastic place if you like the outdoors; otherwise it doesn't have a lot to offer. My 12 year old daughter plans to leave here for a big city as soon as she can. Meanwhile, my husband and I think we're in heaven.
Dec 21st, 2001, 09:34 AM
#46
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why not try Providence, RI- less than an hour from Boston, 3 from NYC- beautiful RI beaches in the summer, plenty of culture, and well- I do recall quite a few accountant jobs in the paper- wherever you go- with a little perseverance, you'll find your nich sooner or later, don't believe the hype of the big cities, and definitly stay away from Boston if you don't want the rat race. Good luck.
Dec 25th, 2001, 01:29 PM
#48
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Providence, RI--A really nice place, with N.E. sophistication, history, neighborhoods, compact, and it's near the great urban centers of America. Weather may be a drawback.
Austin, TX--overrated at best. It has become crowded, lacks culture, inconvenient air connections to the rest of the world--if you're going to go to Texas I'd recommend Dallas and Houston.
Other places to consider:
Sydney and Melbourne, Australia--does it get more laid back than Australia?
Edinburgh, Scotland
Austin, TX--overrated at best. It has become crowded, lacks culture, inconvenient air connections to the rest of the world--if you're going to go to Texas I'd recommend Dallas and Houston.
Other places to consider:
Sydney and Melbourne, Australia--does it get more laid back than Australia?
Edinburgh, Scotland
Dec 26th, 2001, 04:15 AM
#49
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"People who know best - travelers".
BS. They really know school systems and anything other than a hotel and restaurant food.
All the response are always the same - "I live in Xyz - and it's the best!".
Give me a break. You all fell for a Troll.
1-800-THIS-IS-NOT-A-FREAKING-RELO-FORUM
BS. They really know school systems and anything other than a hotel and restaurant food.
All the response are always the same - "I live in Xyz - and it's the best!".
Give me a break. You all fell for a Troll.
1-800-THIS-IS-NOT-A-FREAKING-RELO-FORUM
Dec 26th, 2001, 04:53 AM
#50
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I also live in DC and I agree with your observations. I have two words for you: West Coast. I'm counting the days until I can move back. There are many wonderful cities: Portland, OR (beautiful scenery, wonderful people, no crazy work culture), Seattle, San Francsico (don't go into high tech), and even Los Angeles (not entertainment industry).
I think that because these cities all have access to wonderful outdoor activities, people just don't kill themselves at work. They'd rather have a full personal life. And I don't even want to mention better weather.....
Good luck!
PW
I think that because these cities all have access to wonderful outdoor activities, people just don't kill themselves at work. They'd rather have a full personal life. And I don't even want to mention better weather.....
Good luck!
PW
Dec 26th, 2001, 08:02 AM
#51
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As a Canadian following this thread I feel somewhat envious on all of the options that Americans have in choosing their place to live. What an incredibly diverse country you have and the cities and towns being described here prove that.
You have the whole gamut of temperate zones, from the seasonal, yet wintery midwest and northeast to the damp yet reasonably warm Pacific northwest, the desert areas and then the tropics.
My only options are Vancouver (outrageously expensive and wet for five months of the year)), Toronto (too cold in winter and I just don't like the place), Montreal (a great place but a political minefield and way too cold and too much snow in winter), and, perhaps, Halifax (too damp and cold in winter). I live in Alberta and want a big change but I'm also tired of winter (the cold but mostly the lack of sunlight). Sigh.
Just had to comment on my observations. How I wish I had your options and good luck to finding a new home!
Happy New Year Americans!
You have the whole gamut of temperate zones, from the seasonal, yet wintery midwest and northeast to the damp yet reasonably warm Pacific northwest, the desert areas and then the tropics.
My only options are Vancouver (outrageously expensive and wet for five months of the year)), Toronto (too cold in winter and I just don't like the place), Montreal (a great place but a political minefield and way too cold and too much snow in winter), and, perhaps, Halifax (too damp and cold in winter). I live in Alberta and want a big change but I'm also tired of winter (the cold but mostly the lack of sunlight). Sigh.
Just had to comment on my observations. How I wish I had your options and good luck to finding a new home!
Happy New Year Americans!
Dec 27th, 2001, 09:34 AM
#58
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Eddie, Yes America has different climates, but Canadian cities are incredibly diverse and unbelievably clean. In many American cities, most of us only consider living in small enclaves due to deterioration. Therefore the rents are sky high. The parts od Chicago, New York and Boston people rave about are out of reach for most of us. Yes Toronto and Vancouver are expensive, but even the substandard areas are fairly safe. Not so here. Why do you think people live in New Jersey?
None of us have everything, and I'm jealous of the cleanliness and safety of your Canadian cities.
None of us have everything, and I'm jealous of the cleanliness and safety of your Canadian cities.
Dec 27th, 2001, 09:58 AM
#59
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But "Eddie #2" you missed "Eddie #1's" whole point.
The diversity of options in the USA is markedly greater than that available in Canada.
You've limited your assessment to a very small # of large cities.
But consider options such as Boise, Scottsdale, Kansas City, and the numerous great small university towns in the US.
Anything you want in terms of climate, housing options (older/historic vs. newer, expensive vs. cheap, urban vs. suburban vs. rural), cultural options, etc etc etc.
The options are more varied than in ANY country in the world!
But if you limit the discussion to NYC/Boston/Chicago, then the US isn't much different than Canada, now is it?
The diversity of options in the USA is markedly greater than that available in Canada.
You've limited your assessment to a very small # of large cities.
But consider options such as Boise, Scottsdale, Kansas City, and the numerous great small university towns in the US.
Anything you want in terms of climate, housing options (older/historic vs. newer, expensive vs. cheap, urban vs. suburban vs. rural), cultural options, etc etc etc.
The options are more varied than in ANY country in the world!
But if you limit the discussion to NYC/Boston/Chicago, then the US isn't much different than Canada, now is it?
Dec 27th, 2001, 10:14 AM
#60
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I also hate it when people think the only places worth living in are the big cities. There are many great things about them, but there are many bad things as well (living in expensive sardine cans, horrible traffic, no open spaces, etc.)
I was in Vancouver in September and it's a really cool city. I was suprised how heavily Asian everything was, I had no idea. Toronto is cool, but when I was there 2 years ago, there was a murder right in the downtown tourist area. So I think we kind of idealize other places. Paris is my all time favorite city, but some things would be hard to live with, like how the Paris police can search your car with no probably cause, or like in Rome where women are harrassed on the street.
America is still the best country. When you measure greatness not by cool high-rises and museums, but by the freedoms we have fought for over the years. I love NYC, but I could never live there. Being on top of people everywhere would wear out real quick, but it's a great place to visit. The only place I absolutely could not stand would be the south. There is just too much ignorance floating around down there. God, football and narrowminded attitudes abound. NO THANKS!!!
I was in Vancouver in September and it's a really cool city. I was suprised how heavily Asian everything was, I had no idea. Toronto is cool, but when I was there 2 years ago, there was a murder right in the downtown tourist area. So I think we kind of idealize other places. Paris is my all time favorite city, but some things would be hard to live with, like how the Paris police can search your car with no probably cause, or like in Rome where women are harrassed on the street.
America is still the best country. When you measure greatness not by cool high-rises and museums, but by the freedoms we have fought for over the years. I love NYC, but I could never live there. Being on top of people everywhere would wear out real quick, but it's a great place to visit. The only place I absolutely could not stand would be the south. There is just too much ignorance floating around down there. God, football and narrowminded attitudes abound. NO THANKS!!!
