Looking to move to a great American city. Any suggestions?

Question

Hello all,
I am a 25 year old female and currently live in the Washington, DC metro area. This May I am looking to move to another city within the US for a change. My ideal place to live would be where people are laid back,genuinely nice and not so pretentious like DC. any suggestions?

Answer 1

As a woman in my 20's as well, here is my input:

I was born in Kentucky which is pretty laid back--the people are very hospitable and the landscape is BEAUTIFUL!! However, some drawbacks:
-still pretty racist :( and not very open to change or new ideas
-if you drink, forget about it because much of Kentucky and Tennessee is dry (they don't sell alcohol within certain counties)
-VERY humid!

If you like to stay warm, I would suggest Vegas (not the party town everyone thinks it is) or San Diego. I live in Vegas now and although I thought I would hate the big city life, I have actually grown to love this place. The locals are very very laid back and kind (except on the freeways) and although the city is huge it has a real community feel to it.
If you move here, I would also suggest moving to the Henderson area for the least pretentious people (don't move to Summerlin).
Drawbacks: Housing is insanely expensive and houses are so close together you could spit on your neighbor.
HOT HOT HOT!!!! Got to 118 last summer!

In my opinion, the best place in the world to live is the Pacific Northwest. I would stay away from Seattle, but the rest of Washington abd the western part of Oregon (including Portland) is absolutely wonderful. We are actually counting down the days before we move there again.
Drawbacks: it does get cold in many parts of this area, but it only rains a lot in the coastal towns. If you hate rain move to central Washington (I would suggest Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere or Chelan for smallish but wonderfully laidback towns)
Benefits: You won't find nicer people. No matter where your interests lie you will find someone who has the same interests.
The best benefit is the scenery is more beautiful in the NW than anywhere else! Whether you like ocean, mountains, or desert you can find it in Oregon or Washington.
Plus, the minimum wage in Washington is one of, if not the highest of all the states.

Good luck! If you want more info, check out http://www.wenatchee.org/
http://www.experiencewashington.com/
http://access.wa.gov/
http://www.oregon.gov/
http://www.traveloregon.com/

Answer 2

I grew up in DC and also think that people in DC aren't laid ack or pretentious. I would say give Seattle a try. The weather's not as bad as people seem to think (it's a lot better than DC weather) It's a very young city and lots to do. Also Chicago is nice and Austin, TX

Answer 3

Minneapolis is a great place. Lots of things to do - summer and winter - great outdoors mindset. The people are truly nice with a live let live attitude.

In the places I've lived, it's the only one where a far, far Left and a far, far Right can still be sailing or fishing buddies.

Answer 4

Anywhere in the mid-west. Mid-westerners are the nicest, friendliest collective group in the US. My experience is based on living in Indiana during the late 80s. However I've heard the same from lots of others. Pick from Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri.

Answer 5

Charlotte, North Carolina or Anchorage, Alaska

Answer 6

New Orleans, LA; Cleveland, Ohio; Fort Worth, TX; Charleston, SC;
Beaufort, SC; Gloucester, VA; York, PA

These are my suggestions-
you can also go to findyourspot.com and find the best place for you.

Answer 7

People are VERY nice in Colorado and the Durango area is very nice!! Life is quite a bit slower there than in D.C.! D.C. is great though...lots of culture!

Answer 8

Nashville, TN. great place to live.

Answer 9

if you like it here in dc you will also like san diego!