Chicago, New York, Silicon Valley

[amberpi]

I live in NYC, so I that is my pick. If I had a choice of European cities, right now it would be Barcelona.

Barcelona is nice. I'd have more opportunities in London, Brussels or Zurich. Hhmmmm.
I do love NYC. I could sell my cars and that'd be awesome. I hate driving.

 

[amberpi]

There's a ton of cons, too, but it still compels me to go back.

What major cons do you see?

And thanks!!!

 

[amberpi]

The food is easy to deal with. Thankfully there is a lot of good healthy food!

I'd walk even more than do now!

 

[dosekies]

None. NY was way too big for me. Never been to Sillicon Valley and not really interested. I live literally right outside of Chicago and I hate the city. It is just too much for me.

I would love to live in Boston. I had a Boston accent as a child and no one knows why. Decided I wanted to look at colleges there so I went to visit and absolutely fell in love. It felt like home right away. Unfortunately I didn't attend school there, but I would move there in a heartbeat.

 

[mom2rtk]

Probably Chicago because I went to school there. I've seen the worst of the Chicago weather so that wouldn't come as a shock. And I have no interest in NY or Silicon Valley.

Plus, my son just moved to Wisconsin and I'd love to be closer!

 

[amberpi]

None. NY was way too big for me. Never been to Sillicon Valley and not really interested. I live literally right outside of Chicago and I hate the city. It is just too much for me.

I would love to live in Boston. I had a Boston accent as a child and no one knows why. Decided I wanted to look at colleges there so I went to visit and absolutely fell in love. It felt like home right away. Unfortunately I didn't attend school there, but I would move there in a heartbeat.

I do like Boston and there's a ton of pe shops I could go to work for...that's actually a really good suggestion.

I'm definitely a city girl.

 

[Mirielle]

Charlotte.

 

[chicagoshannon]

All three places are super expensive. If money was no object Chicago. If you just want to be near a big city then move to Kenosha, WI. It's much cheaper but near enough to Chicago.

 

[amberpi]

All three places are super expensive. If money was no object Chicago. If you just want to be near a big city then move to Kenosha, WI. It's much cheaper but near enough to Chicago.

I'm not a commuter person. Some people can do it. I'm not one...at all. The suburbs weren't very healthy for me - emotionally.

I can afford Chicago. What pulls you to it?

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

What major cons do you see?

And thanks!!!

The subway system is a mess right now. If you look at the NYT, Village Voice, etc. you'll see a lot of misery surrounding the MTA at the moment. Wanna go to a different borough on the weekend? Too bad the 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, 4, 5, 6, M, F, D, B, N, Q, W, R, J, Z all have planned service changes. The L Train is going down in 2019 so that'll be another issue to deal with. Personally I like driving, so that was hard to give up. I didn't always feel like being squished against a bunch of sweaty bodies, watching someone try and clean up vomit on the seat during my morning commute, or deal with changing bus schedules/routes. It also can take forever to get around the city, despite all being within a few miles.

The cost of living is so expensive. Rent is outrageous, even in the "affordable" areas. My friend lives in a crime-filled area of Brooklyn and is still paying $825/month for her room (she has a roommate). Groceries are expensive and a pain to get home (I could only bring home what I could carry). Restaurants/bars are generally expensive (although I found my cheap go-to's). I love having a washer/dryer in my home, but at least I had the luxury of having a laundry room in my building (many have to drag their laundry to a laundromat). I wouldn't want to live in a walk-up building.

 

[amberpi]

Charlotte.

Is it a walkable city at all? I've only been in and out for business. Seems like a place I'd like though. What do you love about it?

 

[jevs]

Got any large cities you've loved in your travels? Unfortunately, my skill set wouldn't transfer to Australia, but it DOES definitely transfer to the large European banking centers. I've spent a ton of time overseas because of it.

I lived in London for some time. Certainly a place where you'd never be bored. Other places (with the exception of NYC) have been limited stays.

I'm not sure what London is like these days - I lived there in the 90s. I know my ex husband who was a Londoner, would never move back.

At some point, I'll be moving back to, or closer to my beloved Melbourne. Rural living has served its purpose and has been great to raise kids but opportunities are limited, especially for the younger generation. Besides, I'm sick of mowing and fixing up fences every weekend.

 

[Mirielle]

Is it a walkable city at all? I've only been in and out for business. Seems like a place I'd like though. What do you love about it?

Right in the heart of downtown, yes, it's walkable. And, it IS after all, a banking mecca. I like the size of Charlotte and it's very clean when compared to many cities. Lived there as a single female and never got bored, but that was a long, long time back. Still visit quite often.

 

[amberpi]

The subway system is a mess right now. If you look at the NYT, Village Voice, etc. you'll see a lot of misery surrounding the MTA at the moment. Wanna go to a different borough on the weekend? Too bad the 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, 4, 5, 6, M, F, D, B, N, Q, W, R, J, Z all have planned service changes. The L Train is going down in 2019 so that'll be another issue to deal with. Personally I like driving, so that was hard to give up. I didn't always feel like being squished against a bunch of sweaty bodies, watching someone try and clean up vomit on the seat during my morning commute, or deal with changing bus schedules/routes. It also can take forever to get around the city, despite all being within a few miles.

The cost of living is so expensive. Rent is outrageous, even in the "affordable" areas. My friend lives in a crime-filled area of Brooklyn and is still paying $825/month for her room (she has a roommate). Groceries are expensive and a pain to get home (I could only bring home what I could carry). Restaurants/bars are generally expensive (although I found my cheap go-to's). I love having a washer/dryer in my home, but at least I had the luxury of having a laundry room in my building (many have to drag their laundry to a laundromat). I wouldn't want to live in a walk-up building.

Ok, that's great info on the mass transit stuff. I'd give up driving tomorrow if I could and one of the biggest allures is the mass transit of NYC.

I think I'll be ok on the rent issue; I have a pretty comfortable budget. I didn't even think about the washer/dryer situation though. I need to look into that. My budget is pretty generous (in my mind).

 

[amberpi]

Right in the heart of downtown, yes, it's walkable. And, it IS after all, a banking mecca. I like the size of Charlotte and it's very clean when compared to many cities. Lived there as a single female and never got bored, but that was a long, long time back. Still visit quite often.

That's an awesome suggestion actually. Like *mindblown, of course* suggestion. I have contacts in those banks...Thank you!

 

[RedAngie]

Of the three choices listed, New York would be my pick.

There are some nice areas of Chicago, but I don't think I could handle the winters.

No to Silicon Valley.

But my top choice would be Los Angeles, well, the west side of LA, or Santa Monica. Manhattan Beach is also a nice area.

 

[amberpi]

I lived in London for some time. Certainly a place where you'd never be bored. Other places (with the exception of NYC) have been limited stays.

I'm not sure what London is like these days - I lived there in the 90s. I know my ex husband who was a Londoner, would never move back.

At some point, I'll be moving back to, or closer to my beloved Melbourne. Rural living has served its purpose and has been great to raise kids but opportunities are limited, especially for the younger generation. Besides, I'm sick of mowing and fixing up fences every weekend.

I did about a 10 month gig in London - they put us up at the Intercontinental on Hyde Park - I'll have a pretty decent budget, but I'm not thinking it's going to be a Hyde Park budget...lol!

 

[wilkeliza]

Ok, that's great info on the mass transit stuff. I'd give up driving tomorrow if I could and one of the biggest allures is the mass transit of NYC.

I think I'll be ok on the rent issue; I have a pretty comfortable budget. I didn't even think about the washer/dryer situation though. I need to look into that. My budget is pretty generous (in my mind).

Depending in your budget a lot of buildings have washer and dryers and some apartments. I mean my apartment has a washer dryer 100% legally.

Also subway really depends. Most of the people that work at my company seem to make it work. Of course I only live 5 blocks and one avenue away from work so I don't often subway. Just got to pad your travel time.

 

[low-key]

Charlotte.

Do you ever watch "I am homicide" I love watching that guy

 

[amberpi]

Of the three choices listed, New York would be my pick.

There are some nice areas of Chicago, but I don't think I could handle the winters.

No to Silicon Valley.

But my top choice would be Los Angeles, well, the west side of LA, or Santa Monica. Manhattan Beach is also a nice area.

I'm not loving the idea of Silicon Valley, but the Fintech is a big draw professionally.

I have much fewer job prospects in LA than most other large cities I'd definitely have to buy myself some boobs to live there too! Who wouldn't want to live in Santa Monica though? I'd also love to live in La Jolla, but no jobs for me, and also, it's beyond expensive.