Hello, I never saw this thread of yours before GoTravel. I would think because the threads here end up on Google that people looking to relocate for whatever reason probably go onto Google and then see threads from Fodor's, read them and consequently post their questions here on Fodor's. Just a thought.

I don't mind the relocation questions.
The potential problem is when someone who doesn't even live in City X feels compelled to share why they personally loathe City X ad nauseum.

All cities are not created equal but none of them are 100 percent unlivable. Different people thrive in different cities.

I have to agree w/the above poster. Perception is everything and many Fodor people are NYC natives or from other major cities on the east coast and anything outside that geography is inferior to them because they are so close minded because they can't imagine any other city or town beats their overcrowded snobby one.

Really? Where are all these *recent* posts that are down on everything that isn't NYC or urban East Coast? We have a (former) East Coast poster who recently moved to Portland, OR, and raves about it. We have other posters from the Pacific NW, from Florida, from Texas, from Chicago, from various other places in the midwest and nonurban mid-Atlantic, the West Coast, etc. etc. For example in a few of the recent threads on relocating to OR/WA, there were plenty of VERY positive posts from former urban East Coast residents.

Stephanie, nobody on this board is as closed minded as YOU.

Why?? Because it seems to be a sensible place to come. If I were relocating, I would come here. I just don't know of any other place that might have information. The Chamber of Commerce of that particular city would give only the pretty side of the area.

I think it's just that more and more people are getting used to using the computer as a source. And since Fodors may be one of the best known resources for all areas, it's only natural that someone like me would think of it first.

If more that "are getting used to using the computer" as a relocation source,then why don't they research in true sites that provide appropriate relocation materials and information than Fodors.

Examples would be homefair.com and relocationcentral. These provide the tools that relocation experts (i.e. human resources departments of companies, headhunters and search firms) suggest.

What these Fodors relocation threads tell me is that the OPs do not really know how to do their relocation research appropriately.

Travel and tourism are almost always not the same as the subject of relocation, unless one is relocating for the pure sense of being in a tourism-oriented location or because they are looking to find a tourism-oriented opportunity in another location.

"What these Fodors relocation threads tell me is that the OPs do not really know how to do their relocation research appropriately."

But you see, that's the problem. Many do not know how. They do what they can. I am one of those google-handicapped people that can seldom find what I want by searching.

Would you prefer that those people, who may have a great deal of information on traveling in their old area, just not bother to come to Fodor's?

I would doubt that this is the SOLE or even the first place people go when looking for relocation info. Just like TRAVEL info, it's best to use as many reliable sources as you can find.

We recently moved to NC and since I've always had good luck with Fodorite recs on places to see/stay/eat at while traveling, I felt that I'd at least find some who could keep me from making any major mistakes when first looking at neighborhoods.

Indeed, I got some excellent suggestions from folks here (and hope to meet them in person at our GTG in Raleigh next month).

GoTravel, I do agree with some of the other posters regarding the possibility that "new posters" may have found us via Google searches.

When I first started reading this thread, I was also wondering why anyone would turn to Fodors for relocation questions. But as I've read some more, I've changed my thinking (yes, that can happen!).

Although there are specific relocation sites available on the web, as bill boy points out, they appear to be completely fact-based as opposed to opinion oriented. So they are good for what they are providing, but only go so far. They don't really give the whole picture.

If I were considering relocating, I could use those sites to tell me the size of the population, the climate, the medium house price, the number of schools, etc. But how would I get the "feel" or "flavor" of the area? How would I know which neighborhoods were considered trendier, or friendlier, or blander, or up-and-coming, or on-the-way-down, or faster to downtown, or more accessible to culture, restaurants, or more family oriented or more adult oriented, etc. These are the intangibles that you won't find on a relocation website. You won't even find total agreement on these issues on Fodors, which is what makes it so great. Yet it provides a framework for someone to get an idea of what an area is actually like to live in, and then add that information to the myriad of facts provided by other sources.

I guess it's like the difference between using a travel guide to plan a vacation, and then coming to Fodors to get opinions based on what you've learned.

I think the best resource our country has is it's people. Why not ask for advice when having to move. In today's economy - as in years gone by -- you go where there are jobs. My son had many interviews but no offers -- so the first offer he received - he accepted, only visiting the city for an one day interview. We were grateful for the advice fodorites gave -- and if anyone was bothered by it -- remember you may find yourself in the same position one day.

I wish relocation is as simplistic as your son's case.

But, when one needs to factor in, for example:
The difference in the cost of living between my current city and the city that I intend to relocate to - i.e. is there a salary calculator here that will determine my required income in order to live my current lifestyle?
How about the tax situation? Will I be better off, in terms of personal and income taxes?
Just to complicate it a little bit more - how about schools? Is there anything here that provides school comparison among cities/towns in the area that I intend to relocate?
How about housing? Are data on availability and costs of housing reliable here?

I do agree that it's nice to have personal accounts from people. However, I believe that relocation is a complicated matter that requires more details and accuracy than would be available here, especially if there are no data to support such suggestions.

I just wanted to clarify something concerning my earlier post. I'd say about 95 percent of the time, the folks posting here are pretty good about being balanced in giving their comments on what City X is like.

It's that remaining five percent who, on occasion and not in every relocation post, choose to bash a city they don't even live in.

In sum, I think most of the folks here are incredibly helpful with their input. If I was considering a move, I would not hesitate to asking the folks here about City X.

I would assume that those that are planning to move to another area check out the area via all sort of sources and consequently that Fodor's is one of the sources, not the only source.

some people in more expensive areas of the US are cashing in their chips and moving someplace cheaper - I have friends who were able to sell their home, pay cash outright for a new one in a different (and very nice - but a little slower paced) area, and still have a ton of money left over for traveling, living, etc. not altogether a bad idea!

Let's turn this back-to-front a little. Maybe we're drawing the line a little sharply between where we live and where we travel -- I mean, the point of making a distinction between being a "tourist" and being a "traveller" is that travellers try to get as good a taste/feel of a place, and what it would be like to live there, as possible during a visit. So why not ask a bunch of travellers all collected in the same virtual place -- as well as natives of a certain area -- about what it's like to live there?

And of course someone seriously facing relocation uses a number of resources -- consulting Fodorite friends would be only one. Problem with other resources is that they are either fact-based (as already mentioned) or sponsored by people with something to sell (realtors, chambers of commerce, etc.). Much much harder to get personal impressions or real experience.

And where else on the web can you ask people with a degree of sophistication and travel experience about how their home town compares to other places? If nothing else, you're going to get some blunt honesty here.

I posted a "relocation" plea a few minutes ago. A google search zoned in on a relocation posting. That is how I came to find this forum. For me, I'm only moving a few hours away but with three dogs, apartment living isn't really fesible. I'm hoping to connect with a couple people living in Raleigh or surrounding areas to offer opinions on the areas. The standard relocation packages offered by the Chamber and real estate firms offer stats and a map. Not very helpful in the quality of life category.

I have actually recommended this site to friends looking to relocate. Thought they might get insider's opinions and help, which they DID.

Suspicious minds....:-<

Belle