What's the best place to live in the US?

[Farm Boy]

They pretty badly need to stop thinking they're new segregation's shining beacon of morality... and stop blackballing businesses because they're from othered spaces.

They've got so much going on for them, they can turn it around if they want to.

 

[EgonSpengler]

Yet you put San Fran on your top list, that has more dogs than children because everyone who is not a multi millionaire moves out when they need any space?

I wasn't categorizing cities by my own judgment of them. I was only trying to say that one shouldn't restrict oneself to the famous cities, when it comes to looking for a place to live. And furthermore, every place needs to be evaluated by what it is you need or want. Yes, if you're not super-rich and you're looking for a place to start a family, San Francisco should probably be at the bottom of your list, not merely in the bottom tier. otoh, if you're single or in a couple that doesn't need a lot of space, and you're looking for a place to go for a couple of years, particularly in certain sectors and industries, San Francisco might be #1. San Francisco is one of very few US cities I've visited more than once (although not for a long time).

 

[Samson]

I wasn't categorizing cities by my own judgment of them. I was only trying to say that one shouldn't restrict oneself to the famous cities, when it comes to looking for a place to live. And furthermore, every place needs to be evaluated by what it is you need or want. Yes, if you're not super-rich and you're looking for a place to start a family, San Francisco should probably be at the bottom of your list, not merely in the bottom tier. otoh, if you're single or in a couple that doesn't need a lot of space, and you're looking for a place to go for a couple of years, particularly in certain sectors and industries, San Francisco might be #1. San Francisco is one of very few US cities I've visited more than once (although not for a long time).

I quite agree. San Francisco is the only US city I have really chosen to go to more than once. It is just stupid expensive to live there.

 

[sophie]

Chicago: it's got the best transit/walkability while still having remarkably good affordability on rent. It's also super beautiful, AMAZING food, lots going on, etc.

 

[EgonSpengler]

For me personally, if I could just live wherever I wanted, it would be New York City. I'm not sure where, exactly. The people I know who still live there are in Brooklyn. I know basically nothing about the Bronx. I've never even set foot in Queens, although I once met a New Yorker who said the neighborhood I live in was "like a mini-Queens." I've heard there's good Indian food in Queens. One of the big draws of NYC for me is the public transportation, and I like not having a car. Affordability would be the roadblock to me relocating to NYC. The list of places that are more expensive than where I am now is short, and I don't see myself moving up that list in the future. As I gaze around at where I might want to be 10 or 20 years from now, I think I have to set my sights on more-affordable places.

 

[lymond]

Depends on income levels. Appalachia and Carolinas have appeal due to topography. Colorado has its appeal

Realistically go where the jobs are. Probably a state capital somewhere that's not LA, NYC or more than 500k maybe

I'm considering moving to North Carolina Appalachia for more small-town life. Some nice and highly-rated places like Asheville and Hickory with low cost living too. I was just lookin' at condos online down there the other day, but I need to pay a visit. My ideal spot would be further south (I live in VA/DC area) and smaller towns.

 

[Birdjaguar]

If one takes "live" to mean "spend a couple of months between jobs" then I made this decision, and it was South Lake Tahoe 'cos:

First and formost it is the only place I have found in the US that you can go skiing without a car. There is a lift out of the centre of town, and if that is closed because of the weather there are buses to other ways up the mountain. Heavenly has some big downsides, but when a storm comes in and blocks the road I know nowhere else in the world that will hold powder all day on such steep lift served terrain.

"Cheap" accommodation. Last time I was there the Blackjack Inn was $200/week which is amazing. When I spent 2 months there there was an even cheaper and more cool hostel, but that has long gone.

Only a bus ride to San Francisco. Amtrak used to run a bus up there, so you could get there without a car and have a weekend in San Fran when your season pass had a blackout weekend.

It has casinos. I do not like them very much, but there is something about having an always on entertainment venue within walking distance. You do not need to be that good at poker to basically drink for free.

Albuquerque also has a tram to the top of the ski area from the city side of the mountain. We don't have a big lake immediately near by, but we do have the Rio Grande. Amtrak runs through Albuquerque; Phoenix and Denver are also just a "bus ride" away. We have casinos. 300+ sunny days a year. A high desert climate with seasons (not like Phoenix).

Sandia Peak Tramway - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Sandia Peak Ski Area - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Samson]

Albuquerque also has a tram to the top of the ski area from the city side of the mountain. We don't have a big lake immediately near by, but we do have the Rio Grande. Amtrak runs through Albuquerque; Phoenix and Denver are also just a "bus ride" away. We have casinos. 300+ sunny days a year. A high desert climate with seasons (not like Phoenix).

Sandia Peak Tramway - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Sandia Peak Ski Area - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

That does sound cool, but there is a big difference between these two resorts.

Spoiler Piste maps :

 

[Birdjaguar]

But my biggest demands are: not flat and good for hikes, lower humidity summers, vibrant falls, mild winters, not a big city

For all of those you have to go west: So Cal, Northern AZ, Northern NM, Southern CO

 

[warpus]

I just realized that healthcare and a social safety net would also factor into my equation. Is it true that there's some states that have state-wide universal healthcare? Is Utah one of them? I swear I read somewhere that Obamacare was in part based on such a scheme that some state has going... but I can't remember the details at all.

Either way though, assuming that I was rich, it wouldn't be an issue for me. But it'd be an issue for my hypothetical children. I would probably not want them to grow up in a place that does not provide some amount of universal healthcare or a social safety net in case they fell down on their luck. So.. I could see myself move to, I don't know, Alaska for a while, but if I ever wanted to start a family, I'd probably want to do it somewhere a bit more progressive wrt social equality and healthcare & education affordability and support.

 

[Gorbles]

I've literally never been to the States, but I've heard good things about Chicago pretty consistently.

 

[Birdjaguar]

The US is so big and so diverse in every way that there are places for everyone. Even hard red states like NC have wonderful progressive blue places where life is joyful. It has beaches, mountains, forests, rivers, four seasons, biggish cities and small towns, and friendly people. It also has chiggers, ticks, humidity, and you likely need a car. We are racially and culturally diverse too. Much that the US has to offer is "hidden" unless you have been there or know folks who live there.

@Gorbles Chicago is a big city with harsh winters (maybe getting warmer though?) with lots of nice people and a variety or industries to go along with its hot humid summers. Its rich downtown life is different from suburbia (we have lots of that everywhere) and then just a short drive away is @Farm Boy country.

 

[Farm Boy]

They're right. Don't put ketchup on those dogs. Do get a Chicago style pizza. Then... maybe go for a really long walk to work it off. Like maybe 10 miles.

 

[danjuno]

Probably somewhere between DC and NY. Smaller city with transit.

 

[EvaDK]

I'd choose Hawaii; if I could work from home, that is.

US mainland, I'd probably tilt towards the San Francisco area/Northern California as well.

 

[Smellincoffee]

I could try maybe remote Vermont or New Hampshire, but that's a wild guess. But my biggest demands are: not flat and good for hikes, lower humidity summers, vibrant falls, mild winters, not a big city (at least not an American one!).

North Alabama would met the list were it not for humidity. It's geologically very interesting, with a lot of cave and hiking opportunities. Huntsville is big by Alabama standards, but there are smaller cities nearby like Florence and Decatur. Huntsville is also demographically unusual in that given its history with the space program, it has a long history of out-of-state settlement, so its culture is more cosmopolitan. It's also far enough from the coast that hurricanes aren't a bother, and I don't think it's subject to as many tornados as most of Alabama.

Albuquerque also has a tram to the top of the ski area from the city side of the mountain. We don't have a big lake immediately near by, but we do have the Rio Grande. Amtrak runs through Albuquerque; Phoenix and Denver are also just a "bus ride" away. We have casinos. 300+ sunny days a year. A high desert climate with seasons (not like Phoenix).

Sandia Peak Tramway - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Sandia Peak Ski Area - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

My biggest regret from my NM trip was not taking that trap, but I was absolutely exhausted from an entire day walking around in Santa Fe.

 

[Birdjaguar]

I'd choose Hawaii; if I could work from home, that is.

good choice: Maui no ka oi!

 

[Bamspeedy]

I just realized that healthcare and a social safety net would also factor into my equation. Is it true that there's some states that have state-wide universal healthcare? Is Utah one of them? I swear I read somewhere that Obamacare was in part based on such a scheme that some state has going... but I can't remember the details at all.

Either way though, assuming that I was rich, it wouldn't be an issue for me. But it'd be an issue for my hypothetical children. I would probably not want them to grow up in a place that does not provide some amount of universal healthcare or a social safety net in case they fell down on their luck. So.. I could see myself move to, I don't know, Alaska for a while, but if I ever wanted to start a family, I'd probably want to do it somewhere a bit more progressive wrt social equality and healthcare & education affordability and support.

No state is offering universal healthcare that i know of.

There are 'insurance marketplaces' are something that is supposed to offer discounted insurance for people who cant get insurance through employer (single policy insurance is crazy expensive without group discounts from employer provided insurance). Im guessing the policies are cheap because they have huge deductibles.....

There is, however, programs like badgercare (in wisconsin) that provides health coverage for children, especially the first few years of a child's life when doctor visits are numerous, and therefore expensive. Its designed as a secondary insurance to the parents primary insurance (covering anything the primary insurance didnt pay for).

Rules have changed many times over the years, so cant be specific about exact rules now, but it can be free to those below a certain income, or if your income is higher you pay $30/month. (If income is too high it simply isnt available). The 'no fee' range was certainly way higher than the poverty line/minimum wage. And the $30/month was way higher yet. (Up to 70k for family of 5?...dont quote me on that, and these kind of programs dont like to advertise max income limits and make you use a online calculator and/or apply to find out if you qualify.)

Have not spent a dime on medical expenses in years for my two kids beyond paying the employer provided insurance premium. Braces, MRI, all covered by badgercare, didnt have to pay any copay or deductible that i would have with just my employer insurance.

 

[warpus]

No state is offering universal healthcare that i know of.

There are 'insurance marketplaces' are something that is supposed to offer discounted insurance for people who cant get insurance through employer (single policy insurance is crazy expensive without group discounts from employer provided insurance). Im guessing the policies are cheap because they have huge deductibles.....

There is, however, programs like badgercare (in wisconsin) that provides health coverage for children, especially the first few years of a child's life when doctor visits are numerous, and therefore expensive. Its designed as a secondary insurance to the parents primary insurance (covering anything the primary insurance didnt pay for).

Rules have changed many times over the years, so cant be specific about exact rules now, but it can be free to those below a certain income, or if your income is higher you pay $30/month. (If income is too high it simply isnt available). The 'no fee' range was certainly way higher than the poverty line/minimum wage. And the $30/month was way higher yet. (Up to 70k for family of 5?...dont quote me on that, and these kind of programs dont like to advertise max income limits and make you use a online calculator and/or apply to find out if you qualify.)

Have not spent a dime on medical expenses in years for my two kids beyond paying the employer provided insurance premium. Braces, MRI, all covered by badgercare, didnt have to pay any copay or deductible that i would have with just my employer insurance.

Ah, I was thinking of single-payer healthcare, which Vermont seems to have. Apparently single-payer means that not every citizen necessarily gets coverage though, which I did not know. We have single-payer healthcare here in Canada, but everyone is covered (So I assumed single-payer implies that everyone gets coverage)

I would also like the record to show that I would absolutely never want to live in Gary, Indiana or Cleveland.

 

[Bamspeedy]

I'll dream of picking southwest Wisconsin, dairy country. Rolling hills, all four seasons, maybe out near some Pennsylvania Dutch, better county fairs, like the food, etc.

Will i have a new neighbor soon?

Not for everyone of course. La crosse is where most of the action is for those not wanting something quite so rural. Then madison 2 hours away. Milwaukee or Twin cities 3-4 hours, chicago 4-5. Becomes an all day trip at that point, i really do not want to go to chicago.