How do you decide on a place to live...? (real estate, college)

[Scott01776]

I am 26. I was born and raised in Massachusetts. Went to college in Ohio. Have been living in Chicago ever since. Right now, I am deciding between staying in this industry (finance/investments) or switching in to another industry (probably consulting or real estate). Moving to Chicago was a no brainer after college b/c of the job opportunity and experience I've had since. But after burning out for 3.5 yrs I've realized I've sacrificed a lot of things - social life, leisure activities, etc. I want my next move to be based more on lifestyle and the job will be secondary (of course I'll bust ass there too...)

I am growing sick of Chicago's winters. The heat is on in my building from mid-October to mid-May, thats 2/3rd of the year. Growing sick of working 12-14 hour days in finance as well. I'm no where near mountains or the ocean either. It's time to head back East...

I am looking at two options: 1) Moving back to Boston. Pros - be near my family and a few friends. Cons - same crappy climate as Chicago, same liberal politics, same hustle and bustle, same cost of living... 2) Move to Charlotte. Pros - close to mountains/oceans, lower cost of living, conservative politics, slower pace of life, Southern women. Cons - would be away from family

In short the easy thing is to move back to Bos. The adventurous, more riskier move, is Charlotte...

How do other people, who have been in similar situations, weigh their priorities and options in deciding on a place to live?

Thanks

[DANNYY]

Originally Posted by Scott01776

I am 26. I was born and raised in Massachusetts. Went to college in Ohio. Have been living in Chicago ever since. Right now, I am deciding between staying in this industry (finance/investments) or switching in to another industry (probably consulting or real estate). Moving to Chicago was a no brainer after college b/c of the job opportunity and experience I've had since. But after burning out for 3.5 yrs I've realized I've sacrificed a lot of things - social life, leisure activities, etc. I want my next move to be based more on lifestyle and the job will be secondary (of course I'll bust ass there too...)

I am growing sick of Chicago's winters. The heat is on in my building from mid-October to mid-May, thats 2/3rd of the year. Growing sick of working 12-14 hour days in finance as well. I'm no where near mountains or the ocean either. It's time to head back East...

I am looking at two options: 1) Moving back to Boston. Pros - be near my family and a few friends. Cons - same crappy climate as Chicago, same liberal politics, same hustle and bustle, same cost of living... 2) Move to Charlotte. Pros - close to mountains/oceans, lower cost of living, conservative politics, slower pace of life, Southern women. Cons - would be away from family

In short the easy thing is to move back to Bos. The adventurous, more riskier move, is Charlotte...

How do other people, who have been in similar situations, weigh their priorities and options in deciding on a place to live?

Thanks

I think your pro's for Charlotte outweigh the cons.

I know family is a huge factor, but Charlotte is closer to Boston than Chicago is. If you were able to handle being away from family for 3.5 years in Chicago, then Charlotte should be the same.