Where should I move: Oregon, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, New York?

Question

I have an opp through my employer to request a transfer to one of these states.

This is what I know.
Oregon: Job would be in Portland. Great scenery, clean air and water, probably the highest quality of life of the five locales, decent people, close to Seattle, no sales tax.

Texas: Currently first pick. Would be in San Antonio. Hill Country, very clean, no income tax, people are great, some of the nicest looking women I've seen, ATX nearby.

Kentucky: would be at Ft. Knox near Louisville. The cost of living is cheap, low crime. I've never been treated nicely there; bad attitudes. I guess if I listened to country music all day, had dirty roadsides and lousy weather I'd be depressed, too.

Tennessee: would be in Nashville, a great city! Beautiful state, nice highways, great recreational opps, friendly folk. Closest to my home state.

New York: would be in Manhattan. Like the people, fast pace, and can-do will-do attitude. It's its own universe! But the cost of living...whoa

Answer 1

When people come to Oregon, they don't leave. Too high of a quality of living, reasonable prices, a lot to do.

Answer 2

Oregon Vs Tennessee

Answer 3

Believe it or not, my assessment is very close to yours. I grew up in Kentucky, and, while it is a beautiful state, the lack of sufficient industry within the state keeps the racial climate akin to 19th century values. Tennessee, however (though a bordering state to Kentucky) has enough industry to support its evolution into the 21st century, and has the diversity present to make life pretty decent for everyone. She's also a very beautiful state, and Nashville is the ultimate!
Texas is a big state. I'm a southerner, but Texans have a different flair for southern charm. I agree with you about the women in San Antonio as being among the most visually stunning in the nation; and I can't get enough of southwestern cuisine.
Oregon is another beautiful state with lots of trees, wide open spaces,and crisp clean air. And the people there seem to genuinely appreciate diversity and a pioneering spirit to a degree that surpasses those of any other state I've ever visited.
Sadly (or is that thankfully) I know very little about New York (City); my experience with NY is all upstate.
Given the choice, I'd probably choose Tennessee simply because it's closest to the rest of my family should an emergency arise. But if that wasn't a concern, it would be Oregon all the way. Good luck as you make this choice.

Answer 4

Sounds like you've already ruled out Kentucky.

If your salary would be the same regardless of the location you moved to: then your money would go further in Texas or Tennessee (TN also has no income tax). Cost of living in both of those places is less than Oregon and New York.

If you don't mind being away from family and want a change of pace then Portland sounds great, but they do have a high cost of living--not as bad as Manhattan.

Portland, San Antonio and Nashville are all fairly laid back compared to Manhattan.

It's all in what you are looking for at this phase in your life.

Good Luck.

Answer 5

Personally, I would go for Portland. I love the way of life and people in the North West. Portland has some great food, awesome weather and so much outdoors stuff to do (if you like that kind of thing). I also love the music scene, the mountains and all the green. They are a very liberal place which appeals to me also since I'm not a Rep. or bumpkin. There are a lot of tree huggers, animal rights and environmentalist in that area and I love that!. My pick is for Portland. I plan on moving that way in the next 3 years. I'm in Florida and it sucks.

Texas is OK in some parts. San Antonio is nice but I was there a short time. I did stay in Austin a lot and LOVED it, but many people tell me most of TX is not like Austin. To many Rednecks for me.

Kentucky is beautiful (I've only seen the Richie-rich areas). Again, not much into country people and same goes with Nashville.

New York is a place to live if you have the money, if not, it can be a little depressing. I visit there often and have a friend that lives outside of the city. I love to go into the city for food, shopping and entertainment. I think living there would personally be to much for me since it just never sleeps.

Answer 6

Cost Of Living Kentucky

Answer 7

Portland: (Quoting you) Decent people? If you're liberal yes. If you're conservative, it will be hard to make friends. Also, Oregon is one of the few places in the country where house prices are actually going UP instead of down, currently. Also, they don't have a sales tax but other taxes (property, income, etc.) are much higher than other areas. They also have weird laws....like you're not allowed to pump your own gas at the gas station.

Generally speaking, taxes are going to cost you no matter where you live. Oregon has no sales tax, but high income tax. Tennessee has no income tax, but a higher than average sales tax. I would prefer sales tax over an income tax any day. (You're only taxed on what you spend, not what you keep/save.)

New York: Do you have kids? If so, I would not recommend NYC unless you want to live way outside the city and commute in.

San Antonio: I have a few co-workers that live in San Antonio and they love it.

My picks:

1. Nashville
2. San Antonio
3. Louisville
4. Portland
5. NYC

Answer 8

I have to say that I have lived in Louisville and would love to go back there. I am surprised to hear that you never have been treated nicely there because, I found that the people there are so very nice. At least that was my expierence.

You might want to make a list of pros and cons of each city...I have found that it really doesn't matter where you live as long as you invest the time and effort to 'bloom where you are planted'.

It sounds a bit to me like you would be happiest in either Texas, Oregon or Tennessee. Don't discount that if you still have family near by in your home state then Tennessee would let you maybe visit them more often if that is important to you.

GOOD LUCK in your new home, whereever it may be! :)

Answer 9

I am not a fan of being down South nor being in the heat. I would try and pick between New York or Oregon. New York is an expensive city to be in and its the city that never sleeps. I think being close to Seattle would be a lot cooler, but I have never been there. I think being close to the ocean, and having the temperate weather would be really nice.

Answer 10

Oregon: Yeah clean air, nice scenery, but it rains a lot (you pay for the green). It's crawling with drug addicts and dealer, because it's on the West Coast drug corridor. Ridiculously high crime rate, exorbitant taxes. They have a great welfare system, so all the hippies, bums, and lay-abouts moved there. The poor working stiff in Oregon is supporting a lot of people. It's like socialist Kalifornia without the sun.

I'd go with your first thought and head to the Lone Star State.

Answer 11

I would recommend oregon. My dad lives there and it is really pretty. The people there are very nice and I think that I have had only one or two bad experiences while visiting. The only down side is it rains a lot. But the Spring and Fall are amazing. Like you said there is no sales tax, that's really a nice plus.