What are the best places to live in the US?

[TruckDriver]

Best place to live is probably my garage, it's been quiet in there for years.

[Charger1973]

Matt,

Albuquerque isn't bad, but if you are going into IT, I would recommend medical IT for that area.  It isn't a bad area, but does have it's fair share of weather problems.  YES, it does get snow sometimes. 

Arizona, well I will give you my take after living there for 20 years.   First if you do go IT, then Phoenix is the area to be in.  Was the fastest growing area for IT for many years.  PRoblem is, hello average temp in the summer is between 105 and 115 degrees.  BETTER add a/c to that car if you want to enjoy it.  Second, housing is not cheap unless you live in an apartment, but even then, don't expect to pay less than $800 for a 1 bedroom.   Yes, there is plenty to do, but expect anywhere from 15 to 60 minute drives to get to work and sometimes anywhere fun.  But there is alot of fun things.  The Salt river is awesome for tubing.   Tucson is nice, not quite as big, but has been growning by leaps and bounds since the early 90's.  JOb market isn't nearly as good though.

Now the bad part, unless your are good and get into a good job, don't expect decent wages, unless you can get a government job.  Heck, I moved to Iowa to get a better paying job (and did) than I ever had hope of getting where I lived (Sierra Vista) or Tucson.  Hate the heat, so Phoenix was out for me.

Really you best bet is to really talk with other people in IT.  See what type of IT you want to be in, then check surveys and research where is the best paying and highest marketable places to move to.

I really think NM sounds the best the more I read on it.  AZ was my top pick for years, but the girlfriend isnt really into it.  So I can be a little flexible.  I do have alot of research to do... 

Yeah I was going to remove the AC from my car, because I dont really care for it on a muscle car but im reconsidering that its going to be hotter whereever I move to.  I think I'll just collect the parts for the conversion and decide at a later date if I really want to get rid of it. 

[Rocky]

I know,..
  come to the Bay Area, there's not enuff traffic and the rents and costs couldn't be higher...
oh, 'n by the way, we have the highest gas prices in the united states and all these freakin liberals, incl. democrats and socialists...
             

Don't forget the sidewalk babies too.  http://cbs5.com/topstories/local_story_113104104.html

[Charger-Bodie]

stay in iowa and suffer like the rest of us!

[Spike]

I would think South Carolina would be a nice place to live, weather, location. Suprised no one mentioned it.

[CharlieCharger]

Actually Florida isn't as expensive as most.  You can GOOGLE (best places to live in the US). CHeapest, warmest, etc...

Cheap land is in the north region of Florida.."Tampa" and its suburbs have reasonable prices..go a little further north like Land' O Lakes, Dade city and you can get a good deal on land and houses around in the area..forget Miami its $$$$$$$$$ Sarasota, anywhere a lot of retired folks live and it gets bad...

[pettyfan43]

I know,..
  come to the Bay Area, there's not enuff traffic and the rents and costs couldn't be higher...
oh, 'n by the way, we have the highest gas prices in the united states and all these freakin liberals, incl. democrats and socialists...
             

Brock, You truly live in hell huh? 

[Mean 318]

To be honest, I agree with MoParGuy01! I have visited a ot of places, but I like ND the best! Clean, low crime, and quiet! Sure it is flat where I am, but I love that you can be on the open road in a few minutes! A lot of farm land, you drive an hour one way and see lots of flat farm land, the other way rolling hills, the other way is lots of trees and hills, you go up to Bismarck and it looks like a mini grand canion. Small tows all around. Just all around nice! Here are a few pics of ND for ya! But it gets F*#@ing cold here in the winter, and it can be HOT in the summer!

[70charger_boy]

Don't move to Connecticuit IT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Rhode Island blows too!!!!!

[TK73]

I've lived in 8 states covering the East Coast, deep South, Mid West and Pacific NW... Washington State is the coolest but we're full up here... if you want to come up you have to await until somebody leaves...

[RD]

Kansas is beautif.....ummm.. no, do not come here, its terrible... you will hate it.... (more mopar stuff for me)


anywho...we have enough commiefornians already!

[GTX]

Pretty much anywhere you want to live is going to be expensive and crowded since everyone else also wants to be there. That is unless you like places nobody else does and don't mind a 100 mile commute each way.

I think most decent places have gone sky high and overcrowded now anyway but I guess it's all relative.

In my neighborhood here the homes have tripled in value in 10 years and they aren't worth it, I debated the value we paid over ten years ago . I'd love to find another city to live in and we've been looking but every place that we like is already expensive and overcrowded.
Sitting in traffic for an hour or longer each way every day going to work doesn't sound fun.

[Mean 318]

Grand Forks is 50,000, clean, housing is starting to go up tho

[BigBlackDodge]

Georgia's not bad, but you will be required to have all your teeth removed after completing 2 years of residence...state law.

....oh, and shoes are a big no-no here.

We're not the greatest state, but we are allowed to make fun of Alabama.


BBD

[Charger1973]

I really think the South West is the place for me.  I need to visit to be sure though...  I hope I like it though. 

[GTX]

We'll probably end up in the S.W somewhere but it's not far from here in Utah. You gotta make sure you like  it dry and hot in the Summer.
Of course that's what I'm looking for (I think) if I can't be in the central coast area of CA.

Does anyone know much about New Mexico? Anyone from there? That's one state I've never been to but would like to check out. Maybe Albuquerque?

[Charger1973]

We'll probably end up in the S.W somewhere but it's not far from here in Utah. You gotta make sure you like  it dry and hot in the Summer.
Of course that's what I'm looking for (I think) if I can't be in the central coast area of CA.

Does anyone know much about New Mexico? Anyone from there? That's one state I've never been to but would like to check out. Maybe Albuquerque?

Thats my thinking too.  And exactly where I am thinking of moving to.  I have been to Utah, Salt Lake City.  I was there in mid-July.  I liked it, but the Mormons were like vultures and people didnt know how to drive.   Im not sure what the winters are like there either.  Albuquerque sounds great from what I have read, but surely someone here lives there...   

[Bandit4142]

I've been told by several friends that Salt Lake is really nice, but a tough place to have any kind of social life if you're not LDS.  Just FYI.  I personally don't know, just what I've heard.

[GTX]

Oh, not so. The fact is that the population in SLC is only about 35-40% active LDS contrary to popular belief and we aren't nearly as weird as people may think. There is quite a bit to do if you are Mormon or non but it doesn't come knocking on your door.
Just like many other rocky mountain communities we have a number of local breweries which make some very high quality beer from what I'm told, I used to drink beer but never cared for it, just don't see the interest really. Anyway, the mountains in the Summer hanging out a pub is great. Boulder, Colorado is also cool.
The liquor laws are not nearly as weird as some claim and you just can't beat SLC up in the mountains in the Summer. We are in a shortage of really good restaurants and clubs at the moment but that changes all the time, they come and go but there is a fairly good night life downtown.
The Winters are more mild than the Midwest where I came from years ago but still too cold for me. Part of the reason we haven't moved yet is that we can't find another town that has the same flavor but with better opportunity for jobs and decent housing etc but warmer climate.

Since the Olympics we've had a huge influx of people who liked the lifestyle and charm but they all want to change just this one thing or that and now SLC isn't as it once was. I'm a stranger in my own town. We now have a ton of idiots here who know nothing of living (or driving)  in the mountains and we watch them fall from mountains and die in avalanches every year....and just shake our heads.

It's very unfortunate if someone has had a bad experience with Mormons or anyone else here because as a rule everyone gets along pretty well and although there are some local  quirks I have yet to see any of the weird tales in reality. Boy, I could tell you some really funny things I've heard.
There is a very strong Catholic presence and pretty much every other religion. I've got very good friends in most every group.

Anyway, sorry for the rant. Nobody wants people to get the wrong impression of their town although I agree with the driving statement but then Dallas drivers make me completely crazy myself.


( I didn't take offense at all, just wanted to add my two cents.)




quote author=Bandit4142 link=topic=27819.msg304500#msg304500 date=1177388273]
I've been told by several friends that Salt Lake is really nice, but a tough place to have any kind of social life if you're not LDS.  Just FYI.  I personally don't know, just what I've heard.

[Charger74]

Matt, If you are looking for less humid area, then you are looking in the right place.  Not to sure about NM, but what I can tell you is, their driving is  horrendous as well.  But unlike here in lovely Iowa, they tend to drive a little slower in some places. 

I really liked AZ in the summer.  I do miss not having the humidity, but when you can fry an egg on the sidewalk, it's too flipping hot.  I think you are on the right track.  I do think you would like NM.  That area is very nice.

[MM1R/T]

I currently live in NM, about 2 hours from Albuquerque. I am counting the days until I can go home to Montana.

I haven't lived in Albuquerque, but given my job, and the fact that it is the closest major center to the ugly little rathole town I'm living in for the next month, I spend a lot of time there.

If I were forced to live out my days in NM, I would probably end up in ABQ. Climate is pretty good, but probably not what you'd expect. It gets 4 seasons. a little snow in the winter (a LOT of snow this past winter) but it doesn't stick around for long. Monsoon season is impressive. Lots of rain, but, again, it doesn't last long. Really windy spring and fall. Not too hot in the summer.

Lots of good restaurants, coffee shops, that kind of thing.

I can't speak to the job or housing market, as I never looked into moving there. I do see lots of new construction going on.

It's located at the base of the Sandia Mountains, which are quite spectacular. Santa Fe is less than an hour's drive, keep going and you'll get to Taos and Raton.

The big adjustment is cultural. This place is QUITE Mexican. Not East L.A. Mexican, but more so than, say, the Midwest. If you're not used to it, it takes a little getting used to.

The real drawback to ABQ is the level of violent crime. Maybe it's just my perspective coming from low-crime Montana, but I am always amazed at the amount of stupid, random violence in ABQ. The I-40 and the I-25 cross at ABQ and I believe that a lot of drug traffic goes through there because of that. There is also a lot of gang activity. I'm sure that it's like many other larger cities around the world:  Confined to the rougher parts of town. Unless you have a real phobia regarding firearms, I would recommend equipping yourself appropriately.

[Mean 318]

Not to step on any toes here, but I was in Utah a few years back... VERY beautiful, but if you aren't Mormon you are not welcome. We stayed in a few smaller towns around Salt Lake. Couldn't get service in the resteraunts and everyone looks at you. I cant say what SLC is like, but the smaller towns were awful.

[GTX]

How did they know that you weren't Mormon? Didn't you have the horns?

You just need to know the secret code to identify yourself. 


Just like every other state, thousands of people pass through each year and stop in lodges, ski resorts, hotels and restaurants. This adds up to many millions of critical income in tourism dollars to the state so it just doesn't make sense for anyone to be rude to tourists. Our taxes would go up if we drove away tourism.


I'll say this, when I was little and growing up in Illinois we had parents tell their kids right in front of us that we could'nt come over to their house since we were damn Mormons and many other variations of language that shouldn't be said in front of a 7 year old. Stuff just happens.

Anyway, it's not my intention to turn this into a religion thread or a Utah thread. I'll say this, anyone is welcome here in my opinion and if anyone is passing through drop me a line and I'll be more than happy to show you around as best I can.
During the Olympics we got a reputation as being very friendly people to all the visitors.

[chargerboy69]

Not to step on any toes here, but I was in Utah a few years back... VERY beautiful, but if you aren't Mormon you are not welcome. We stayed in a few smaller towns around Salt Lake. Couldn't get service in the resteraunts and everyone looks at you. I cant say what SLC is like, but the smaller towns were awful.

That is weird. I have been to SLC a few times and never had any problems, and I am not Mormon. And how did they know you were not? Guess you should have told them your last name was Osmond or Romney.   

I always felt everyone was very friendly. Someday I would love to go back.

[69bronzeT5]

Best places to live in the US?


The answer is simple, dont live in the US, LIVE IN CANADA, EH!