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We have an entire calendar year to vote on our dream US city to live in 2012. We will choose out of the most often debated cities on C-D in 2011.
The following is your current situation:
No children
Single
Six figure income
35 years of age
no geographical family commitment
Where do you go for 'at least' one year and why?
I choose my city based on where I've lived - NYC, Chicago, Atlanta and Denver. I choose my city based on where I've visited - Boston, Philly, LA, Dallas, DC, Houston, Miami, SD, NO, Detroit, Phoenix and Vegas. I'm choosing my city because I can do the following:
- mix use of public transportation
- moderate climate
- ethnic diversity
- big city feel
- accessible to other big cities (within 7 hour drive)
- liberal
- iconic
- multiple outdoor activities
- walkable
- dense cbd
- urban
- cultural options
- notable skyline/structures
- global importance
It's going to be San Francisco. New York is New York (and trust me, I'm not comparing the two). I have a great deal of respect for the NE megalopolis. And when we look at this thread on 12/31/12, I would bet that given the criteria listed it will be a close fight between the traditional big 3 powerhouses and some off shoot places that people have fallen in love with in the Pacific NW or the US SE.
I choose SF because it gives me things that I couldn't get in Manhattan or Chicago. A slower pace, a little more laid back and liberal vibe. A chance to make a life vs. the hustle of making a living. I choose SF because of the climate averages 65 and 50 for the year. I can do all of my activities under those conditions. I choose SF because of the natural setting (although SEA and DEN will surely get some votes because of this).
I will say that if I had a 2-5 it would be: NYC, DC, SEA, DEN.
New Orleans is one of my choices, I blend in with the culture and it wouldn't be a shock moving there. COL isn't sky high and I get the urban lifestyle with the amenities I like such as NFL and NBA walking distance away from my condo or a taxi ride away from my mansion in the Garden District. I can fly anywhere or drive to Atlanta in 7.5 hours, Houston in 6 hours, Memphis in 6 hours, some of the best beaches in a few hours, and the Ozarks in about 6 hours.
Houston would be another one of my choices. I'm already familiar with the layout and people of Houston. I have friends there and a short history.
If I was say 25, I would pick NYC easily. But at 35, I'd go with DC and that's a hard one. But I like the combination of weather (except Summertime), urbanity, diversity, location, and more. Great thread. I'm interested to see how this turns out.
Also, I also agree with BigCityDreamer. If Chicago was on the East Coast, I'd pick that EASILY.
The OP had it absolutely correct. SF without question. On a ten point scale, SF scores either an 8, 9, or 10 in each criteria the OP has designated.
NYC, for me, comes a distant second due the low scores in climate and outdoor activities (in the 2-3 range IMO). For me, these are absolute dealbreakers. Period. Otherwise it scores well for the rest of the criteria.
Then I'd choose LA for most of the same reasons as SF, except if fails in public transportation and certainly isn't as walkable as the top 2.
Also, Happy 2012, C-Ders! Please follow the criteria. It will be interesting how this turns out by the end of the year.
Last edited by Rhymes with Best Coast; 01-05-2012 at 04:50 PM..
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