Relocating

[UCGal]

I grew up in San Diego, lived 3 years in Bellingham WA, and close to 12 in suburban Philly.

All have good points and less ideal points.

I loved Bellingham – it’s close to Vancouver BC and Seattle. It’s a university town. It’s GORGEOUS. It snows 1-2 times a year, but not bad. It drizzles the rest of the year, except for the 2 glorious months in the summer. The culture is similar to CA in that it’s ethnically diverse, tolerant of different ethnicities, and a lot of “crunchy” eco aware types.

Suburban PA – great colleges – too many to name. Affordable housing. Great public schools for your kids. (Not so much within Philly on that last one.) I agree with a previous post that the Jersey shore is over-rated compared to San Diego beaches… but it has more “carnival” type stuff on the boardwalk. Culturally it’s very different than CA – people are less overtly friendly and stick in their clans. There is more overt racism with people not really reacting if someone says something offensive…

San Diego. Expensive, but the best weather and beaches. I moved out of here because there is a lot of superficialness here: (you’re no one till you have the 3 B’s: Beach home, Beemer, Blonde trophy wife/date). But the superficialness is countered with great beaches, a year round outdoor lifestyle, and a friendly attitude among most of those you meet.

I was happy in all 3 places. I moved back to San Diego for family reasons, but would have been happy staying in metro Philly or Bellingham, WA.

[Anonymous]

I agree w/Waterboy. I have lived in the Midwest my entire life. Traveled to California many times, brother in L.A. friends in S.D. Raised in Oklahoma which has no great economy, but Texas is much better. More jobs, more income, more to do overall. Great schools, athletics (if your kids are into it), many lakes, trails, etc. The weather is warmer, cost of living is 25% cheaper than CA. If you consider Texas, make a trip to Austin, Southlake (excellent), Frisco, or Plano (current residence). Downtown Dallas is not a place to raise a family. Minimal housing bubble, if any at all in the state. DFW airport is close to all.

Also love Phoenix, Chandler, or Scottsdale, Arizona. Still have the CA palm trees, great weather but no beaches. Lake Havasu, professional sports teams, mountain biking, mountains to snow ski are only a couple hours away. Amenities are great. Definately a housing bubble and weaker economy than Texas right now. Arizona St. is a good college and fun atmosphere.

My 2 cents.

[Anonymous]

I agree w/Waterboy. I have lived in the Midwest my entire life. Traveled to California many times, brother in L.A. friends in S.D. Raised in Oklahoma which has no great economy, but Texas is much better. More jobs, more income, more to do overall. Great schools, athletics (if your kids are into it), many lakes, trails, etc. The weather is warmer, cost of living is 25% cheaper than CA. If you consider Texas, make a trip to Austin, Southlake (excellent), Frisco, or Plano (current residence). Downtown Dallas is not a place to raise a family. Minimal housing bubble, if any at all in the state. DFW airport is close to all.

Also love Phoenix, Chandler, or Scottsdale, Arizona. Still have the CA palm trees, great weather but no beaches. Lake Havasu, professional sports teams, mountain biking, mountains to snow ski are only a couple hours away. Amenities are great. Definately a housing bubble and weaker economy than Texas right now. Arizona St. is a good college and fun atmosphere.

My 2 cents.

[Anonymous]

I agree w/Waterboy. I have lived in the Midwest my entire life. Traveled to California many times, brother in L.A. friends in S.D. Raised in Oklahoma which has no great economy, but Texas is much better. More jobs, more income, more to do overall. Great schools, athletics (if your kids are into it), many lakes, trails, etc. The weather is warmer, cost of living is 25% cheaper than CA. If you consider Texas, make a trip to Austin, Southlake (excellent), Frisco, or Plano (current residence). Downtown Dallas is not a place to raise a family. Minimal housing bubble, if any at all in the state. DFW airport is close to all.

Also love Phoenix, Chandler, or Scottsdale, Arizona. Still have the CA palm trees, great weather but no beaches. Lake Havasu, professional sports teams, mountain biking, mountains to snow ski are only a couple hours away. Amenities are great. Definately a housing bubble and weaker economy than Texas right now. Arizona St. is a good college and fun atmosphere.

My 2 cents.

[Anonymous]

I agree w/Waterboy. I have lived in the Midwest my entire life. Traveled to California many times, brother in L.A. friends in S.D. Raised in Oklahoma which has no great economy, but Texas is much better. More jobs, more income, more to do overall. Great schools, athletics (if your kids are into it), many lakes, trails, etc. The weather is warmer, cost of living is 25% cheaper than CA. If you consider Texas, make a trip to Austin, Southlake (excellent), Frisco, or Plano (current residence). Downtown Dallas is not a place to raise a family. Minimal housing bubble, if any at all in the state. DFW airport is close to all.

Also love Phoenix, Chandler, or Scottsdale, Arizona. Still have the CA palm trees, great weather but no beaches. Lake Havasu, professional sports teams, mountain biking, mountains to snow ski are only a couple hours away. Amenities are great. Definately a housing bubble and weaker economy than Texas right now. Arizona St. is a good college and fun atmosphere.

My 2 cents.

[Anonymous]

I agree w/Waterboy. I have lived in the Midwest my entire life. Traveled to California many times, brother in L.A. friends in S.D. Raised in Oklahoma which has no great economy, but Texas is much better. More jobs, more income, more to do overall. Great schools, athletics (if your kids are into it), many lakes, trails, etc. The weather is warmer, cost of living is 25% cheaper than CA. If you consider Texas, make a trip to Austin, Southlake (excellent), Frisco, or Plano (current residence). Downtown Dallas is not a place to raise a family. Minimal housing bubble, if any at all in the state. DFW airport is close to all.

Also love Phoenix, Chandler, or Scottsdale, Arizona. Still have the CA palm trees, great weather but no beaches. Lake Havasu, professional sports teams, mountain biking, mountains to snow ski are only a couple hours away. Amenities are great. Definately a housing bubble and weaker economy than Texas right now. Arizona St. is a good college and fun atmosphere.

My 2 cents.

[ibjames]

my sister lives in Albuquerque New Mexico and loves it, I’m not sure what the schools or job scene is like though

[ibjames]

my sister lives in Albuquerque New Mexico and loves it, I’m not sure what the schools or job scene is like though

[ibjames]

my sister lives in Albuquerque New Mexico and loves it, I’m not sure what the schools or job scene is like though

[ibjames]

my sister lives in Albuquerque New Mexico and loves it, I’m not sure what the schools or job scene is like though

[ibjames]

my sister lives in Albuquerque New Mexico and loves it, I’m not sure what the schools or job scene is like though

[Blissful Ignoramus]

Your experience in the east as a college student isn’t the same as doing it as an adult with kids. Think about the things you do outdoors now with your kids from November through March and cross them off the list. Yeah, you can do things outdoors in the winter, but 1) most of the cold parts of the US aren’t Mammoth, and 2) going skiing isn’t exactly the same as playing in the backyard.

I’m happy with life in the northeast, and I’m sure many other Southern Californians would be too. But I know a number of people from Southern California who moved east and either went back or regretted doing it.

And as for “glamor”…that’s funny to hear from someone in California. Most of the eastern US is far from glamorous.

[Blissful Ignoramus]

Your experience in the east as a college student isn’t the same as doing it as an adult with kids. Think about the things you do outdoors now with your kids from November through March and cross them off the list. Yeah, you can do things outdoors in the winter, but 1) most of the cold parts of the US aren’t Mammoth, and 2) going skiing isn’t exactly the same as playing in the backyard.

I’m happy with life in the northeast, and I’m sure many other Southern Californians would be too. But I know a number of people from Southern California who moved east and either went back or regretted doing it.

And as for “glamor”…that’s funny to hear from someone in California. Most of the eastern US is far from glamorous.

[Blissful Ignoramus]

Your experience in the east as a college student isn’t the same as doing it as an adult with kids. Think about the things you do outdoors now with your kids from November through March and cross them off the list. Yeah, you can do things outdoors in the winter, but 1) most of the cold parts of the US aren’t Mammoth, and 2) going skiing isn’t exactly the same as playing in the backyard.

I’m happy with life in the northeast, and I’m sure many other Southern Californians would be too. But I know a number of people from Southern California who moved east and either went back or regretted doing it.

And as for “glamor”…that’s funny to hear from someone in California. Most of the eastern US is far from glamorous.

[Blissful Ignoramus]

Your experience in the east as a college student isn’t the same as doing it as an adult with kids. Think about the things you do outdoors now with your kids from November through March and cross them off the list. Yeah, you can do things outdoors in the winter, but 1) most of the cold parts of the US aren’t Mammoth, and 2) going skiing isn’t exactly the same as playing in the backyard.

I’m happy with life in the northeast, and I’m sure many other Southern Californians would be too. But I know a number of people from Southern California who moved east and either went back or regretted doing it.

And as for “glamor”…that’s funny to hear from someone in California. Most of the eastern US is far from glamorous.

[Author]

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