For the travelers, the dreamers and the Southerners...
As most people that read this site realize at some point in the hopefully not-too-distant future I plan to relocate to the United States. I was looking at moving to Atlanta and while that's still a strong possibility I'm trying to expand my options and am now trying to consider more cities, but I need help.
My criteria are pretty basic:
1. I want to be closer to the east coast than to the west, unless I could land a sweet job in Seattle or Portland (Oregon, not Maine).
2. I like seasons and would prefer to live someplace that actually has four of them but I could also do without bitter cold so the milder the winters the better. Ideally I'd love to live someplace that gets one big snowfall per year and has a 4 week winter that starts about a week before Christmas but that's not too likely, huh?
3. Overall warmer is better. Washington, DC is about as far north as I'm looking. If I'm gong to leave Canada I at least want the benefits of warmer weather.
4. I have no southern limit although I did say I like seasons. That could be sacrificed though.
5. A city big enough to have pro sports would be great although minor league hockey is good enough.
6. I love water. The coast is the best but big rivers can get the job done if necessary. Lakes will also do.
7. I suppose there should be something in here about a job market... umm... someplace with offices and organizations that need writers would be good. Speeches, press releases... that sort of thing. I fancy myself a Sophist these days- a pen (or keyboard) for hire.
How's that? Anyone have any ideas? Cities that have crossed my mind but which I have hardly looked into at all include Charlotte (NC), Washington (DC), Charleston (SC), Atlanta or Savannah (GA) and New Orleans (LA). No, I haven't been to all of them.
of all those cities, DC has the best job opportunities for ya, as well as 4 seasons with a short winter. and DC could use some more Canadian input.
avoid charleston if you like liquor at all. they have the wierdest alcohol laws in south carolina.
Posted by: liz | January 25, 2005 at 10:12 PM
well, i can't recommend seattle enough. i moved up here from LA about 13 years ago and i love it here. it's got the mountains, the ocean, lakes, and the city right here. you don't have to go far to get any of them, and you can pretty much see them all as you drive from place to place (or walk). i've got an awesome church - www.marshillchurch.org there's always a good music scene. got plenty of sports here. it's a nice place. :) my 2 cents :)
Posted by: Shana | January 21, 2005 at 07:23 PM
Thanks for the suggestions folks. Keep them coming. I've also been told I should investigate Memphis so I'll add it to my list. I'm planning on going to a wedding in Knoxville in June so maybe I'll get to see a bit of Tennessee.
Windsor? What are you thinking Peacock?
Posted by: Ben | January 20, 2005 at 09:18 PM
Chattanooga, TN is a nice small city. No hockey, but we have a good minor league baseball team at a great ballpark. Nice town if you're an outdoorsy type, we have a river, lakes, and are surrounded by mountains.
chattanoogafun.com
Posted by: John | January 19, 2005 at 10:28 AM
I would say move to Windsor. If you feel the need to visit the states just go to Detroit.
Posted by: Mike | January 18, 2005 at 11:08 PM
Been to all of them, thanks to 15 years of southbound church choir tours and a couple of Sugar Bowl trips.
The Washington area (where I live now -- specifically Fairfax County, VA) is great in terms of jobs, growth and quality of life, but the cost of living is through the freaking roof. If you're not making $50K/year, your housing choices are either in the ghetto or an hour-plus away. Your Canadian citizenship might also lock you out of some jobs around here. You'll get four seasons (from 90+ summers to today's 19-degree high), but the local drivers lose their minds when they see a snowflake.
Charlotte and Atlanta are both pretty attractive. Probably more writing jobs in Atlanta with so much media there, but all those banks in Charlotte need PR people, and the Carolinas are a more relaxed place to be. Plus you'll never have to worry about getting ACC basketball on the TV in Charlotte. :)
I'd put Charleston above Savannah because Charleston is absolutely beautiful -- it's worth visiting on its own as a vacation spot, let alone living there. Don't know much about jobs in either place.
New Orleans, in my opinion, sucks. Others strongly disagree, though -- depends on how much you like the French Quarter scene.
Posted by: Josh Crockett | January 18, 2005 at 08:42 PM