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The Great Metro Debate
So, this discussion is carried over from Twitter, I am plotting to move out of LA because it's so expensive and I have a relatively location-independent job.
I've gotten some good suggestions so far but I want to broaden the discussion because I don't know much about living in other cities, especially since my experience with them is only visiting them.
Suggested major metropolitan areas? Let's hear 'em!
[EDIT]
Thanks miss Sweeney for drawing attention to what I'd need in order to consider a place live-able. I need 3 things to live somewhere: An internet connection, a place to rehearse, and local bar(s). Not even a joke, that's really it.
[/EDIT]
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sweeney on -
I expected this to be a conversation about which metro systems are better...and as such I am about to start that discussion.
It depends what kinds of things you want out of the city. Actually, the quality of its public transportation system is definitely a thing worth considering if you are deterred by LA's cost of living. Although, any major city (and as such, any US city with solid public transportation) is going to carry with it ridiculously high cost of living.
You could go the standard LA-deserter route and move to Phoenix or Denver...
Give us criteria!
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Permalink Reply by jaminicole on -
Not true. Portland, OR has a pretty low cost of living and an excellent public transportation system. And, you know, it's Portland. So it's awesome.
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Permalink Reply by nicopolitan on -
Portland is totally awesome but I'm afraid that the last time I was there I got seriously judged and ostracized for simply being from LA in the first place. :( This isn't their fault, it's just that LA's got this poor track record with other cities who don't really know what it's like out here.
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Permalink Reply by Sweeney on
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THIS IS THE MOST FRUSTRATING THING EVER. I know exactly what you mean. Everyone seems to have a strongly defined and largely inaccurate picture of what LA is. I actually love LA and can't wait to move back, but I have long since given up defending it. I know why it's awesome and I don't really care if anyone else gets it.
The Austin suggestion below sounds pretty legit. I also really liked San Antonio during the hot second I was there - can't necessarily vouch for it as a place to actually live, though.
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Permalink Reply by nicopolitan on
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Dang, I forgot livability criteria, thanks for bringing this up.
I need 3 things to live somewhere: An internet connection, a place to rehearse, and local bar(s). That's really it!
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Permalink Reply by Sweeney on
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See, you make that list sound so simple...but I get the sense that place to rehears and existence of local bars suggest that having an actual music scene is important. I lived in Jefferson City, MO and it technically meets your criteria, but I wouldn't actually suggest it.
(Although, if you're willing to give the midwest a whirl, Columbia is actually kind of a neat town. It's a total college town and in a lot of ways doesn't seem to belong in Missouri. St. Louis is pretty cool, but the fact that you can go from SUPER NICE to I MIGHT GET SHOT in the span of one block makes it a questionable choice. Kansas City is also pretty awesome, but in a very depends-on-where-you-go sort of way. But mostly don't move to Missouri. Unless you plan to live in the building that houses the St. Louis City Museum, in which case you will officially be the coolest person to exist ever, but that's another story.)
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Permalink Reply by John Reckzeny on -
Having just visited LA for a second time last week, I would suggest that you stay in Los Angeles. I've lived in every major city in Texas and I can tell you that you can pretty much throw a dart at a map of Southern Cal and be much better off than living in any city in Texas.
The upshot is that everything is dirt cheap here. And there is free parking everywhere. Since you lived in LA yer whole life, I would recommend Austin, TX for you if TX was a state you were even considering. Austin is LA's red-headed, non-competitive, abandoned step-child littered with nice, open-minded, laid back, reverse-snob hipsters. There is no dress code anywhere in the city (bars, clubs, restaurants--don't matter). If you have a dog, you can pretty much take it anywhere you want. It's a nice & easy small city with lots to do & not too far from Houston, San Antonio, or Dallas.
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Permalink Reply by nicopolitan on
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Austin is and has been on the serious consideration list, I played a show out there when I was on tour and it was so easy to get along with right from the outset. I love me some 6th st. local music. :)
Plus the tech sector in Austin is a little more out in the forefront than it is here in LA. Also I WOULD LOVE TO OWN A DOG.
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Permalink Reply by abby on -
I would like to second, third and fourth the move to Austin -- even though I don't share John's disdain for the state, I happen to love it here!! I love the attitude, the art and writing scene, the music, the price and the FOOD in Austin (I want to live at Magnolia Cafe). Plus there's Dell and other technology savvy companies at your fingertips. I am actually considering a move from Houston to Austin after my South Korea sojourn.
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Permalink Reply by Samantha on -
I thought it would be about metro systems too lol.
Um, I love Portland and will root for it anywhere. But you have to be able to laugh off hipsters, because if you're a hipster-hater you will shoot yourself here. If you can get over that...definitely come here!
Also our metro system is great. Best public transportation in the country. :)
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Permalink Reply by Lafhert on -
I'd propose Chicago, mostly because it's my favorite city, but also because it's got a transportation system with its own letter ("L"!), but there's a ton of bars and lots of internet.
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Permalink Reply by nicopolitan on
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Oh, how I love Chicago. I'd move there in a heartbeat but I'm a little concerned about the cost. If I found a full-time job out there (and how often do those come around?) to transfer to, I'd definitely go.
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