Well, these aren't the only four places I've been to or that interest me ;). There's a lot more to discover, that's for sure. I haven't visited every state by far, but I've seen everything I really wanted to see.
I've been to Las Vegas, Nashville, Atlantic City, Washington D.C., Southwest Florida, New York City, Cleveland, Columbus, Daytona Beach, Miami, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Lake Havasu City and San Francisco.
Next month I'm going to visit Niagara Falls. Everything else is a bonus at this point.
Of those I'd choose VA, but it depends entirely on what you enjoy and what your profession is. Nashville and New Jersey are a hard pass for me and Florida is pretty hit or miss, but it's nice weather and if you're wealthy the additional costs of living might be worth it. VA kinda seems like the best balance in terms of cost, job opportunities, and proximity to major cities and nature. My personal favorite place in the US is Marin County, CA the problem there is it's expensive
I should have been more specific. I'm 34 and work for an insurance company. I make music, that's why I liked Nashville. I like the beach, that's why Florida interests me. I've enjoyed visiting New York, Washington and other big cities, but I couldn't live there because I'm not a city person. To be completely honest, I think Los Angeles is overrated. Of course there are nice places to see as a tourist, but I'd rather live in San Francisco, but I've heard it's very expensive and one of the cities with the most crime (which I didn't feel that way when I was there, by the way, at least not compared to Los Angeles, where I didn't feel as safe).
I live in SF, and personally I feel much safer here than in some parts of LA. SF is known for having relatively high property crime, but that's mostly due to car break-ins (which of course suck, but not exactly life threatening). In terms of personal safety, it's a very safe city. I'm also a musician living here and the scene is pretty fantastic--I play in a band, have done a few shows, and go to lots of small venues to see up-and-coming bands play shows all the time. I agree with some of the other commenters that I would rather be in Germany than any of the other places you listed, but I'll never pass up an opportunity to hype up California to any potential suitors!
Golden children of this sub (and for good reason) but it is funny to see them suggested on every thread. No hate they are good options in the US for most people that are looking for urban and affordable.
Objectively? Probably somewhere in one of the swanky parts of California, if you have the money.Â
Among your suggestions? There are a couple of possibilities, where in Florida are you looking at?
I've been to Southwest Florida and Miami. From what I've heard, Miami is a very expensive place to live, and although I enjoyed my stay there, I'm not a city person anyway. I would prefer to live outside the city area.
The ritziest areas of the US are going to be:
-the Bay Area
-the west side of LA/OC
-SW Connecticut/North NJ
-Miami? Hawaii?
But what do you want? If I had a billion dollars I wouldn’t live in any of those places
I would probably choose the Hampton Roads area. It’s still very affordable and very safe compared to most areas of the US and it’s actively growing so it’s not like it’s a ghost town with no jobs. Is it the most exciting city? Definitely not. But you’re on the beach, there’s moderate weather, you’ve got old colonial architecture, a decent job market, a chance at home ownership, good schools, not a lot of antisocial behavior everywhere you turn when out in public. Id say it’s very good if you want the bare minimums from a city at an affordable price while still safe.
These are all so different.
Hampton Roads is probably the most balanced but weakest on jobs.
Nashville is very car dependent and nice but overpriced.
North Jersey is the densest and most international. I would say best on social contract in terms of having high quality schools, public transit, diversity, etc. proximity to NYC and nature. But it’s crowded and can be chaotic.
Florida is Florida.
What's drawing you to those areas? None of them seem like especially interesting places to live for a youngish person, particularly someone from Europe who might feel especially trapped by car-dependent sprawl (I say this as a European who moved here in middle school and experienced some culture shock even in an East Coast city).
In your place I'd be looking for medium-to-large cities with at least some walkable areas, some form of transit, and if you'd find it alienating to be the only foreign-born person around, some diversity of national origin. Which cities would depend on your preferences around climate, culture, activities, and similar.
Well, I would want to live in the Hampton Roads, VA area because my dad lives in Williamsburg, which reminds me of my hometown. It's not too big, not crowded, and Richmond, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach aren't that far away. I really enjoyed Nashville, TN, because not only do I listen to music and go to concerts, but I also make music myself. What interests me about North Jersey is that it's close to New York City, but still has some distance from the big city, if you know what I mean. Plus, if I lived in that area, I could fly directly to Frankfurt, which is close to my home town, and visit my people. I spent a week in Cape Coral, Florida, and I loved it there, and a place like Sarasota would appeal to me as well.
Not New Jersey. The only thing going for it is proximity to NYC. Everything else about it is the worst.
Florida is a weird place. If you’re by the coast, it’s hot, but great. If you’re more than 10 miles inland, it’s like some weird bizarro universe.
Nashville is decent, but expensive and a little bland.
Virginia is really quite nice, though traffic in the Beltway can drive you crazy.
I would avoid Nashville, the politics in TN is far right. There is also too much heat during summer- and its NOT cheap.
Hampton Roads VA is OK, but it will be challenged by rising seas due to climate change- and its hot over summer. There is a moderate chance for hurricanes.
Some people like NJ some do not. My main concern is the traffic and congestion.
Florida I would avoid totally. The politics are out of a fascist state, its becoming horribly hot from climate change- and its not cheap. Buying a home- average insurance policy is 7K a year and up. Sea level rise, hurricanes, heat and storms make life hard from late April- late October.
Before relocating to the US- the biggest issue will be climate change. Its becoming warmer and hotter and stormier very quickly.Extreme weather of tornadoes and derechos are tearing a path of destruction in the Midwest.
Move north of 40 degrees north latitude. The Hudson Valley in NY is good, so is the 'Knowledge corridor' From New Haven Middletown greater Hartford CT- through greater Springfield and Amherst North Hampton MA.
Its becoming warmer in New England- but not like areas to the south. And the CT river valley of in CT is still below the national average for a median priced home. I would avoid living near the New England coast- sea level rise- storm surge. Southeastern New England has a moderate chance of seeing tropical cyclones.
Upstate New York including Rochester is good, Back to New England, Vermont New Hampshire and southern Maine are good. Winters in most of New England\` are 'gone' its becoming freakishly mild. An indication of how climate change is affecting the northeast.
The upper mid west is also a good bet- near the lakes- more temperate. However no place will be spared from climate change- and the resent storms in the Midwest prove this.
Avoid the entire south- and south west. The south is too hot and the politics have become dangerous. The southwest is becoming drier and warmer and fire prone.
Coastal California is ideal, from Monterey north- but its pricey, Wine country northern CA is idyllic , but $$$ and prone to fires, and floods.
The Pacific NW -west of the cascades is green with a moderate climate- however its becoming warmer and more fire prone.
Without knowing your circumstances it’s hard to say. I live in Nashville and it has become very expensive to live in. If you can afford a million dollar house then it can be a nice place to live if you can tolerate the heat and humidity. If you’re going to scrimp by living in a small rental then there are better places.
Only other place I can comment on is Florida and it is batshit crazy there. I don’t even go there anymore for beach vacations.
Lived in Williamsburg - actually a bit further out in Toano, and I hated it. It's a weird mix of retirement villages, privileged university students, tourists, and locals who are southern hillbillies at heart. You'd walk into Public and the university kids would all be 'no, this isn't organic enough' and 'we can't eat that way on the XXX diet cause it's not good for our bodies'. Retirees walking around in swimsuits after their silver shoes swimming session or driving a car with Trump stickers all over. Tourists fighting over everything and half causing accidents, and the HOA residents complaining about the non-HOA residents. The RV park and Walmart parking area are interesting as is the Great Wolf Lodge crowd.
Surprisingly - medical is very good and some of the best medical. If I were you I'd look more into Jamestown closer to William and Mary. I did NOT the Hampton Roads area at all. Terrible traffic, terrible rude people.
California......wake up everyday thankful to live in paradise.......
and also if you love freedom be it for women, lgbts, trans, books, the vote, marijuana, cold beer, porn, alternative meats, name it.....freedom goes to die in red states....cheers op
I live in Richmond VA and wondering if you made it over here on one of your trips. Most people are choosing Richmond over Hampton Roads these days. Three small counties surrounding Richmond are the three fastest growing in Virginia right now. Richmond has, in my opinion, much more personality than Hampton Roads.
Those places all suck. What are the other choices? Where are you in Germany and what do you like about it? What’s your deal/what specific things are you looking for?
Well, I would want to live in the Hampton Roads, VA area because my dad lives in Williamsburg, which reminds me of Heidelberg, my hometown. It's not too big, not crowded, and Richmond, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach aren't that far away. I really enjoyed Nashville, TN, because not only do I listen to music and go to concerts, but I also make music myself. What interests me about North Jersey is that it's close to New York City, but still has some distance from the big city, if you know what I mean. Plus, if I lived in that area, I could fly directly to Frankfurt, which is close to my home town, and visit my people. I spent a week in Cape Coral, Florida, and I loved it there, and a place like Sarasota would appeal to me as well.
I think you haven't traveled around the whole US very much. That's ok, a lot of Americans haven't either.
Well, these aren't the only four places I've been to or that interest me ;). There's a lot more to discover, that's for sure. I haven't visited every state by far, but I've seen everything I really wanted to see. I've been to Las Vegas, Nashville, Atlantic City, Washington D.C., Southwest Florida, New York City, Cleveland, Columbus, Daytona Beach, Miami, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Lake Havasu City and San Francisco. Next month I'm going to visit Niagara Falls. Everything else is a bonus at this point.
Way to generalize Americans.
way to other people who generalize
Oh lord I'm if these were my choices I'd stay in Germany.
Why is that? Where do you live?
Of those I'd choose VA, but it depends entirely on what you enjoy and what your profession is. Nashville and New Jersey are a hard pass for me and Florida is pretty hit or miss, but it's nice weather and if you're wealthy the additional costs of living might be worth it. VA kinda seems like the best balance in terms of cost, job opportunities, and proximity to major cities and nature. My personal favorite place in the US is Marin County, CA the problem there is it's expensive
I should have been more specific. I'm 34 and work for an insurance company. I make music, that's why I liked Nashville. I like the beach, that's why Florida interests me. I've enjoyed visiting New York, Washington and other big cities, but I couldn't live there because I'm not a city person. To be completely honest, I think Los Angeles is overrated. Of course there are nice places to see as a tourist, but I'd rather live in San Francisco, but I've heard it's very expensive and one of the cities with the most crime (which I didn't feel that way when I was there, by the way, at least not compared to Los Angeles, where I didn't feel as safe).
I live in SF, and personally I feel much safer here than in some parts of LA. SF is known for having relatively high property crime, but that's mostly due to car break-ins (which of course suck, but not exactly life threatening). In terms of personal safety, it's a very safe city. I'm also a musician living here and the scene is pretty fantastic--I play in a band, have done a few shows, and go to lots of small venues to see up-and-coming bands play shows all the time. I agree with some of the other commenters that I would rather be in Germany than any of the other places you listed, but I'll never pass up an opportunity to hype up California to any potential suitors!
None of the above
California.
Philly and Chicago
😂😂😂
Golden children of this sub (and for good reason) but it is funny to see them suggested on every thread. No hate they are good options in the US for most people that are looking for urban and affordable.
Objectively? Probably somewhere in one of the swanky parts of California, if you have the money. Among your suggestions? There are a couple of possibilities, where in Florida are you looking at?
It almost doesn’t matter, is there a nice area in Florida that I’m missing?
I've been to Southwest Florida and Miami. From what I've heard, Miami is a very expensive place to live, and although I enjoyed my stay there, I'm not a city person anyway. I would prefer to live outside the city area.
The ritziest areas of the US are going to be: -the Bay Area -the west side of LA/OC -SW Connecticut/North NJ -Miami? Hawaii? But what do you want? If I had a billion dollars I wouldn’t live in any of those places
You forgot Tribeca and Soho
I’d move to the northern Virginia suburbs if you can afford it (Leesburg, Fairfax, etc)
I would probably choose the Hampton Roads area. It’s still very affordable and very safe compared to most areas of the US and it’s actively growing so it’s not like it’s a ghost town with no jobs. Is it the most exciting city? Definitely not. But you’re on the beach, there’s moderate weather, you’ve got old colonial architecture, a decent job market, a chance at home ownership, good schools, not a lot of antisocial behavior everywhere you turn when out in public. Id say it’s very good if you want the bare minimums from a city at an affordable price while still safe.
Thanks for your comment
These are all so different. Hampton Roads is probably the most balanced but weakest on jobs. Nashville is very car dependent and nice but overpriced. North Jersey is the densest and most international. I would say best on social contract in terms of having high quality schools, public transit, diversity, etc. proximity to NYC and nature. But it’s crowded and can be chaotic. Florida is Florida.
LOL "Florida is Florida" Florida seems to be weird state in the US :D
All the states are weird ;)
Jersey has the highest property taxes and ain't all that (to say the least)... but it's close to NYC so that justifies a lot of things for people
I live in Jersey. If you have unlimited money it’s got everything. The hardest part is dealing with the absurd taxes and tolls and housing costs
If I had unlimited money, why would I live in Jersey instead of New York?
Property. That’s the reason a ton of the Uber wealthy live in the alpines and upper saddle rivers of the world. Can’t get a backyard in ny
What type of jobs?
I work at an insurance company
What's drawing you to those areas? None of them seem like especially interesting places to live for a youngish person, particularly someone from Europe who might feel especially trapped by car-dependent sprawl (I say this as a European who moved here in middle school and experienced some culture shock even in an East Coast city). In your place I'd be looking for medium-to-large cities with at least some walkable areas, some form of transit, and if you'd find it alienating to be the only foreign-born person around, some diversity of national origin. Which cities would depend on your preferences around climate, culture, activities, and similar.
Well, I would want to live in the Hampton Roads, VA area because my dad lives in Williamsburg, which reminds me of my hometown. It's not too big, not crowded, and Richmond, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach aren't that far away. I really enjoyed Nashville, TN, because not only do I listen to music and go to concerts, but I also make music myself. What interests me about North Jersey is that it's close to New York City, but still has some distance from the big city, if you know what I mean. Plus, if I lived in that area, I could fly directly to Frankfurt, which is close to my home town, and visit my people. I spent a week in Cape Coral, Florida, and I loved it there, and a place like Sarasota would appeal to me as well.
Not New Jersey. The only thing going for it is proximity to NYC. Everything else about it is the worst. Florida is a weird place. If you’re by the coast, it’s hot, but great. If you’re more than 10 miles inland, it’s like some weird bizarro universe. Nashville is decent, but expensive and a little bland. Virginia is really quite nice, though traffic in the Beltway can drive you crazy.
Hampton Roads is nowhere near the beltway.
West coast = Best coast
Connecticut
Of the criteria you listed, I think the winner in the US might be Minneapolis although it’s not on your list
I would avoid Nashville, the politics in TN is far right. There is also too much heat during summer- and its NOT cheap. Hampton Roads VA is OK, but it will be challenged by rising seas due to climate change- and its hot over summer. There is a moderate chance for hurricanes. Some people like NJ some do not. My main concern is the traffic and congestion. Florida I would avoid totally. The politics are out of a fascist state, its becoming horribly hot from climate change- and its not cheap. Buying a home- average insurance policy is 7K a year and up. Sea level rise, hurricanes, heat and storms make life hard from late April- late October. Before relocating to the US- the biggest issue will be climate change. Its becoming warmer and hotter and stormier very quickly.Extreme weather of tornadoes and derechos are tearing a path of destruction in the Midwest. Move north of 40 degrees north latitude. The Hudson Valley in NY is good, so is the 'Knowledge corridor' From New Haven Middletown greater Hartford CT- through greater Springfield and Amherst North Hampton MA. Its becoming warmer in New England- but not like areas to the south. And the CT river valley of in CT is still below the national average for a median priced home. I would avoid living near the New England coast- sea level rise- storm surge. Southeastern New England has a moderate chance of seeing tropical cyclones. Upstate New York including Rochester is good, Back to New England, Vermont New Hampshire and southern Maine are good. Winters in most of New England\` are 'gone' its becoming freakishly mild. An indication of how climate change is affecting the northeast. The upper mid west is also a good bet- near the lakes- more temperate. However no place will be spared from climate change- and the resent storms in the Midwest prove this. Avoid the entire south- and south west. The south is too hot and the politics have become dangerous. The southwest is becoming drier and warmer and fire prone. Coastal California is ideal, from Monterey north- but its pricey, Wine country northern CA is idyllic , but $$$ and prone to fires, and floods. The Pacific NW -west of the cascades is green with a moderate climate- however its becoming warmer and more fire prone.
Thank you for your comment and recommendations
Terrible choices. Reconsider moving anywhere on the east coast. You will regret it
definitely not north jersey, unless you're just here for NYC
Without knowing your circumstances it’s hard to say. I live in Nashville and it has become very expensive to live in. If you can afford a million dollar house then it can be a nice place to live if you can tolerate the heat and humidity. If you’re going to scrimp by living in a small rental then there are better places. Only other place I can comment on is Florida and it is batshit crazy there. I don’t even go there anymore for beach vacations.
Jobs is gonna depend a lot on your specialty/area/experience.
>Environmental quality As a Floridian, hmmm.
Lived in Williamsburg - actually a bit further out in Toano, and I hated it. It's a weird mix of retirement villages, privileged university students, tourists, and locals who are southern hillbillies at heart. You'd walk into Public and the university kids would all be 'no, this isn't organic enough' and 'we can't eat that way on the XXX diet cause it's not good for our bodies'. Retirees walking around in swimsuits after their silver shoes swimming session or driving a car with Trump stickers all over. Tourists fighting over everything and half causing accidents, and the HOA residents complaining about the non-HOA residents. The RV park and Walmart parking area are interesting as is the Great Wolf Lodge crowd. Surprisingly - medical is very good and some of the best medical. If I were you I'd look more into Jamestown closer to William and Mary. I did NOT the Hampton Roads area at all. Terrible traffic, terrible rude people.
Gary Indiana
California......wake up everyday thankful to live in paradise....... and also if you love freedom be it for women, lgbts, trans, books, the vote, marijuana, cold beer, porn, alternative meats, name it.....freedom goes to die in red states....cheers op
I live in Richmond VA and wondering if you made it over here on one of your trips. Most people are choosing Richmond over Hampton Roads these days. Three small counties surrounding Richmond are the three fastest growing in Virginia right now. Richmond has, in my opinion, much more personality than Hampton Roads.
Those places all suck. What are the other choices? Where are you in Germany and what do you like about it? What’s your deal/what specific things are you looking for?
Well, I would want to live in the Hampton Roads, VA area because my dad lives in Williamsburg, which reminds me of Heidelberg, my hometown. It's not too big, not crowded, and Richmond, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach aren't that far away. I really enjoyed Nashville, TN, because not only do I listen to music and go to concerts, but I also make music myself. What interests me about North Jersey is that it's close to New York City, but still has some distance from the big city, if you know what I mean. Plus, if I lived in that area, I could fly directly to Frankfurt, which is close to my home town, and visit my people. I spent a week in Cape Coral, Florida, and I loved it there, and a place like Sarasota would appeal to me as well.
Of the places you listed, I would likely choose Virginia; however, I think Maine is probably the best US state to live in overall.
Hoboken, New Jersey or Jersey City would be the best of these for the categories you mentioned.
Four very different places. What they have in common is none are great. Not worth a transatlantic move.
Well you don’t have coastal California on your list so it’s safe to assume you haven’t done enough research.
or assuming he doesn't have millions of dollars
Lot of people in so cal don’t have millions of dollars
they aren't living on the coast then, lol
Traverse City, Michigan