Texas (where I'm at now), Kentucky, Ohio, or North Carolina?

Question

I've been given a job offer: $75K/year, choice of four cities: Austin, Louisville, Cincinnati, Greensboro. I'd love to stay here in TEXAS, but have to do what is most economical.

Here's what I know:
1. TEXAS: Live here now, love it, it's incredible. Here in Houston, it's awesome! Austin is a great place, too. Cost of living and property taxes are high, but offset by no income taxes--and friendly people and diversity of scenery. Closest to family in Shreveport.
2. Kentucky: Lived there for eight weeks, hated it. Rude and uncouthe people, generally. To be accepted, it's not WHAT you know, it's WHO you know. Scenery is beautiful, though. Cost of living is the best of the four states, though.
3. Ohio: Cincinnati is a great city. Rest of the state, sucks. Love Jungle Jim's and Coney Island, though.
4. North Carolina: I love that place! The natives are still pretty friendly. Several great cities and pretty mountains.

Bio: age 28, single, no g/f, love live music, friendly! Thanks!

Answer 1

Born and bred Austinite, and I love it.

Pros.

The live music is seriously unbeatable, and not just at certain times. any day of the week you can look in the chronicle and find three pages of music venues and awesome shows for that night.

Cost of living isn't that bad if you live in Round Rock, Pflugerville, or even some of the neighborhoods in Northwest Austin. I'm a student, and apart from housing, everything else is very reasonably priced. Just don't get one of those "gated community" houses that all look the same. Those are a plague upon Austin.

Friendlier people you will never meet. Austin is the most open-minded and accepting cities I've ever been to. If you're nice, people will always be nice to you.

Great for singles. Check out 6th street any night, you can knock out two birds with one stone, dating and live music!

Good temperature! Nice, warmer winters. Only place where you could conceivably wear shorts and a t-shirt to a new years eve party. Summers are hot, but that's good! Snow sucks.

Cons.

Traffic. (But if you're really an Austin kind of person, it dosen't matter. just roll the windows down and listen to some good music.)

Bums, aka "Dragrats". (they're nice bums though. None of those dangerous crack-dealin' hobos. Mostly the "I live on the street because I refuse to participate in The Man's rat race" type.)

So, Austin is really the clear choice! Besides, Cincinnati has that gross chili with allspice and nutmeg and all that other crap. Stay in Texas, with good old fashioned BBQ!

Answer 2

One thing to consider, if you have allergies, I think that Louisville is the worst as far as pollen and stuff is concerned. That could cost you in doctor bills. Kentucky also has no sales tax on food items and a low sales tax on everything else, so that's helpful. I understand about the people. I'm about 4 hours away, and they aren't much better here. Maybe it's the general area. I don't know much about the the other areas. I went to the tourist area of the mountains in NC, and they are really pretty. I'd almost rather kill myself than go back to Ohio. I've never been to Texas. Even if the cost of living is higher in Texas, wouldn't you also have less travel expenses when you wanted to visit your family? Also, as far as moving is concerned, wouldn't a move within a state be easier and also less expensive (assuming that your company is not paying relocation costs?) Hope some of that helped.

Answer 3

I moved to Louisiville from Chicago last fall. It does take some getting used to, I admit. I don't see all the economic savings and suprisingly, the produce is terrible! I guess they ship the good stuff North. Southerners are also fairly suspicious (and incredibly nosy!) They aren't very forthcoming about their lives, but they do want to know all about yours and "WHY?" you chose to move here. You'll never truly belong. Local geneology is everything to them. (The longer and futher back the better!) I get that. However, I have made some nice aquaintences in the last few months (coincidence that they are all transplants too?) The milder weather was a nice change. Not having to deal with deep wind chills and shoveling snow was a real treat. Getting allergies was not! Nobody told me they call the Ohio valley, "The valley of Death!" The wind blows, but not enough to move all the pollen and mold (due to the profuse vegetation) around enough. I started shots about a month ago. In five years they promise immunity! HA! I'm not sure I'll last that long here. I don't have any advice about your choice, just wanted to give you my perspective. Home is where the heart is! Hope you'll be happy with your decision.

Answer 4

This question is right up my alley. I lived in Texas for 3 years. I live in OH now (4 years). I have vacationed to NC for 10 years. My dad lived in KY for 18 years.
Texas: Great food. TOO HOT. You can't enjoy the outdoors in the summer. The people are arrogant.
Kentucky: NO
Ohio: Stable midwestern living. Reasonable cost of living. All 4 seasons of weather are comfortable. Somewhat bland.
North Carolina: A little bit hot. AWESOME cost of living. A little good ol boy. Very pretty.

I would toss it up to Ohio or North Carolina. You may enjoy NC more. Is family a concern (distances)? We are in Ohio as a nice central location for family, but may move to TN someday. The outer banks are great. The mountains are great. NC has a lot to offer.

Answer 5

North Carolina

Answer 6

We just moved from Austin. We were there for about 15 years. It is getting too big, the traffic is a daily nightmare, and the heat is just unbearable. ( We had a two-year drought, with temps over 100 for months!) There are almost no blues venues left. Blues Boy Hubbard still plays, but since we were The Jets and we're no longer playing with him, he plays at Tokyo Steakhouse, just for future reference, just in case) And there IS Leslie, the famous transvestite, to look at, as well as seeing Jimmie Vaughan and Lou Ann Barton driving around South Austin every day. Big deal.
We left the Rat Race, moved to the Ozarks, and I have been in such a great mood for weeks now!
So, North Carolina being the closest thing to it, temperature and scenery-wise, that would be my choice.

Answer 7

I love Austin, TX for its diversity and friendly people. Also, you are so close to the Gulf, desert-like areas, hills, San Antonio, and not to forget the home of Billy the Kid, Hico TX (that's a joke kind of), wide open spaces around Waco, Stephenville, Palestine..where you can see forever. My motto is "Georgian by birth, Texan by choice and Missourian by accident" lol.

North Carolina is so green and pretty too and yes the people are so nice. I love the coast there. But most of all I love

TEXAS!

Answer 8

I'd say Cincinnati or NC. Cincinnati is southern accent/culture and conservative, it gets fairly cold here in the winter though so beware! If you're more liberal, probably Austin. I agree that the rest of Ohio is a smelly dump haha. Maybe NC is better so you can go to the beach.

Answer 9

NC, no doubt, I live in East TN., but there is so much going on over there. You can drive east to the beach, or west to the Smokies, Greensboro, is a good size "City", so there you will find lots of culture, and good southern food and hospitality.

Kentucky? No they are more redneck than Alabama
Texas? Nice, but the cost of living is crazy.
Ohio? No they cannot drive, they are rude, cheap. and the sun never shines in Ohio.
So see that Leaves North Carolina as your choice...oh wait I failed to mention the BBQ, nuff said.

Answer 10

Hey that sounds great! Why not get here in the Philippines and use that amount to unwind and forget about all those busy buzz and stacked tables! It'd be such a lot of fun, I bet! Go to tropical white beaches, do bungee jumps, eat like hell, or if you're a bit timid go nature tripping! You'll love it and I'm sure you'll get the best out of your resources. Stop buggling your mind!