Who wants to be my neighbor?

[SmilesAustin]

Howdy folks,

Just looking to get some opinions on some great places to live. I will be graduating college in September, and even though I've got more school and a 10-hour test ahead of me after I get my bachelors, I would like to at least dangle my resume to some different areas and see if I get any bites. It's somewhat unlikely that I'll move until I'm completely done with school, but if I can get a decent job opportunity somewhere, I may be inclined to take it.

I don't have many preferences except that I want to be warmer. I'm tired of Iowa winters --it was negative 28 degrees last night with a wind chill of negative 48 degrees-- and would like to get back down South where I spent most of the first 8 years of my life.

I've already started to look into the Dallas/Fort Worth area. They've got hundreds of finance jobs (my degree will be in Business Finance) listed and the house prices seem fairly reasonable. I would love to live there, but am interested in other alternatives.

Anyone have any suggestions? It can be somewhere near where you live or just some place you know about.

[b_cadvantag]

you can come up here to minnesota...we can show you more colder temps..... or go to north dakota they are colder yet...

[bluestar]

Texas is a good choice.

I say look at the East Coast. Charlotte, North Carolina is something to strongly consider.


Maryland, DC , VA area would have a lot of jobs that your looking for but the cost of living is tough.

[SmilesAustin]

Man I would love to live in DC. I have a buddy that works out there. Always getting invited to the White House for this and that. When he gets bored, theres always something to go out and see. The bad thing about living in an area where there's a high cost of living is that if you lose your job, it's a HUGE problem. The jobs pay approximately what you need to be paid in areas like NYC and Pittsburgh... San Francisco, etc. But if you lose your job, you've got a $450,000 mortgage to pay, whereas if you lose your job in a lower cost of living, you may only have a $185,000 mortgage to pay. I wouldn't be against living in an area where it's expensive to live as long as I could find a job that paid the bills. My fiance is going to be a nurse, so she doesn't have to worry about being laid off like the rest of us do.

I also wouldn't mind North Carolina. I was born on a Marine base in Cherry Point, NC. We left there when I was too young to remember so it'd be neat to get back over there. I'll have to look at what the job outlook is like over there when I get ready.

I actually wouldn't mind Minnesota Bryan. You should see how horrible snow removal is here in Cedar Rapids. That's my main reason for wanting out. It takes them nearly a week to clear the road of snow. After the floods this summer, the city's budget is so weak that they're having to scrimp on snow removal and it sucks for the whole city.

Yeah I really liked the Texas idea. I would be tickled pink to live closer to the Cowboys and actually get to attend the games and not have to cross my fingers that they're at least being televised. I have found a perfect location in the Dallas/Fort Worth area called Garland, Texas. The crime rate in Garland is lower than Cedar Rapids Iowa, the cost of living is cheaper (than Cedar Rapids), and it's only about 30 minutes outside of Dallas where there are over 1,400 finance jobs listed on Monster.com. My dad was born in Frisco, Texas, even. The important part is that it's even a bit closer to my hometown of Eupora, Mississippi where I grew up than where I am now. It's still 8 hours away, but that's a lot closer than 12 hours.

[CowboyzAdam]

Well Zac you can't come where I live. I live in the mountains and it is pretty secluded but peaceful and we all love it here. It would not fit what you are looking for. BUT...you could go to North Carolina or even Atlanta which is not to far from where I live. Atlanta is about an hour and 45 min from me and NC is about 45 min. Tenn is only 45 Min from my location as well. I live in what they call the Tri-States.

[b_cadvantag]

Zac,

Some facts on Minnesota: We are called the biotech Medical Device Valley (compared to silicon valley in tech world). We have many fortune 500 company HQ's. Our economy is pretty stable, esp when you compare it to others..Our housing market has not been that bad...I have not lost much value on my houses, but on a side note you do pay higher taxes here...but so do you in major cities (Chicago, NY, LA). Snow removal- we have the best airport in the world in handling snow removal and cold weather issues- we can Always get you out of here on a flight...BUT, if you are trying to get back here THAT airport may not be able to get you off the ground...Big joke around these parts on how other city airports can't handle a little snow....One thing about SNOW. It generates Money for our state that stays in our state....People ski, snowmobile, buy snow tires, get injured, snow protect crops, melts waters crops, fills lakes and rivers...you get the idea...SNOW makes our economy stronger...Something a southern city does not have..Using the inside out approach- you first make sure you have a good job and strong financial position- then you want your community or state to be financially strong...At least that how I look at it- since I need clients to be able to afford my services...

Sports- we have all four sports, in case you are a hockey, b-ball or hoops fan...

Where ever you look be sure to factor in our current economy....Charlotte, North Carolina will get hit hard when the Wachovia and Well Fargo deal settles... Wells may just close down the whole Wachovia HQ in Charlotte...

If I looked to the south I would look in Atlanta. It is a big city, I called it the Big Apple of the south...Things move fast there like here in the north...I have relatives there and always have enjoyed that city...Things I have heard about the economy in Atlanta is they expanded so fast that now housing, retail and others are in a major contraction stage...I know that they have many big company HQ's there and you would get your nicer weather also...Texas has done well economy wise, but how much due to Bush being Pres for 8 years...what now...Obama may change some of that...Watch how Halliburton gets trashed as a company not that Bush is out...Halliburton is a company prick Cheney has major ties with...

I remember when I graduated in 1994, I was looking at a few places...One was Denver..I like the mountains..But they had a major change in insurance laws that would make a move there not a smart idea..

You got time and I know you will make a wise decision...just giving my two cents and what I would look at as factors to consider...

Brian

[CowboyzAdam]

Yep...that's why I made the point to throw Atlanta in there for ya Zac.

[SmilesAustin]

I've actually considered Atlanta also Adam. I think I might have mentioned this to you in the past via PM. My fiance has family in Florida (as do I), and I have tons of distant relatives in Georgia. Not to mention Atlanta is a little closer to Mississippi where most of my family lives. Pretty much any place where there are professional sports teams is going to be good for a financial planner, because you know right off the bat that there are at least 30+ millionaires associated with each professional sports team living in that area. The trickle-down effect takes place when these millionaires are spending money in the area and making others "well off" enough to need a planner/adviser at some point in their lives.

Minneapolis is another great area, Bryan. I know Ameriprise financial has their HQ in Minneapolis and they pride themselves on investing in college grads and helping them get their CFP. I am currently looking for a mentor in my area (with a CFP designation) to help guide me along the right path.

You're right Bryan. I've got lots of time right now. The likelihood is that I'll end up staying in Iowa for at least 4 more years while I'm waiting for my fiance to finish nursing school (can you believe there is a waiting list to get into that program here!?) so I've got plenty of time to research the location that I want to build my future in.

For me, this is like playing a big game of chess. I'm going to research all the locations that you guys have provided me with, save this information in a file, and keep myself updated over the years. When the time is right, I'll make my move and I'll have the confidence of knowing exactly what I'm getting myself into.

[bluestar]

I myself am considering moving after I get my master degree so I know it is rather difficult to choose a place. Since my mother passed away the plan for everyone to move back here with me has changed. My brother is relocating to West Memphis and I am thinking about heading out to Memphis myself. I have thought about Atlanta or Dallas just because there is family for me in those areas as well.

My father has been talking about retiring from the Navy and moving to Merrillville, Indiana (just outside of Chicago) where is mother and sisters stay at. Too cold for me and he knows its too cold for him. I lived in Chicago for 3 1/2 years and the winters are harsh I could not imagine Minneapolis.


My advice would be to stay near family.

[SmilesAustin]

Well, we may run into eachother in Memphis, BlueStar. Memphis has actually been my number one choice, even though jobs in finance are a little harder to find than in Dallas. My reasons for liking Memphis have everything to do with family.

The reason is because Memphis is only about 2 or 3 hours away from most of my family in Mississippi, and when my parents drive down to visit Mississippi from Iowa, they always pass through Memphis. For those reasons alone, Memphis is perfect. The cost of living is also much less expensive than Iowa and I'm sure Florida as well.

Blue: A good tool that I use to help aid my decisions is the cost of living calculator, located at http://www.bestplaces.net/COL/
You may find that jobs in Memphis don't pay as high as jobs in Florida, but I'll bet dollars to doughnuts the cost of living is peanuts compared to florida. I know it's listed as 12% cheaper than where I live. I plugged in Tampa, FL compared to Memphis, and Memphis is 24% cheaper than Tampa. So essentially you could live on 24% less money than you make in Tampa and still have the same quality of living.

[bluestar]

Well, we may run into eachother in Memphis, BlueStar. Memphis has actually been my number one choice, even though jobs in finance are a little harder to find than in Dallas. My reasons for liking Memphis have everything to do with family.

The reason is because Memphis is only about 2 or 3 hours away from most of my family in Mississippi, and when my parents drive down to visit Mississippi from Iowa, they always pass through Memphis. For those reasons alone, Memphis is perfect. The cost of living is also much less expensive than Iowa and I'm sure Florida as well.

Blue: A good tool that I use to help aid my decisions is the cost of living calculator, located at http://www.bestplaces.net/COL/
You may find that jobs in Memphis don't pay as high as jobs in Florida, but I'll bet dollars to doughnuts the cost of living is peanuts compared to florida. I know it's listed as 12% cheaper than where I live. I plugged in Tampa, FL compared to Memphis, and Memphis is 24% cheaper than Tampa. So essentially you could live on 24% less money than you make in Tampa and still have the same quality of living.[/b]

Thanks for the tool.

I remember looking at some Nice apartments downtown Memphis with doorman and it was very cheap like 600-800 dollars in 2007 so yeah its much easier housing wise there. Downtown Tampa would be 1000-1500 and it would be a box. Home prices are less expensive and you get a thing called ACRE which does not happen here in FL ,well unless you are out in the middle of nowhere. I enjoy Tampa very much but I would not want to settle, start a family, or retire here. I would get a timeshare that is about it. Since I am young I want to be around the fast city life. I have always lived near an ocean so it would be a bit of an adjustment near the Sip. There are many things to do in the Memphis area, lots of good live music. Crime is a big problem and growing every year I go.

I got two friends who have been trying to drag me to New York City. I am going up there soon to visit. It would be interesting to do temporary for like two years.

[cowboynick]

I live in the Texas Panhandle about 45 mins from Amarillo and me and my wife love it cost of living is way low especially if you compare it to Dallas 100,000 a year goes a long long way here man

[Enlightened27]

Im biased, I wouldnt leave Georgia if you put a gun to my head. Id have to say Atlanta for all the reasons already stated.

[SmilesAustin]

That doesn't surprise me, Eric. My Grandfather's entire side of the family lives in Georgia (that is where our family reunions are) and it is truly a great place. You've got the secluded mountain area like where Adam lives, and then you've got the big city areas like Atlanta. The weather is hot, but not nearly as hot as places like Florida or Texas, and mild in the winter time.

For me, human nature is to be warm. Our core temperatures are 98.6 degrees, so we enjoy weather within about 30 degrees of that temp (30 degrees below 98.6, that is). When you start getting colder than that, it's no fun. Now, I could live in a place north of Iowa as long as it had really good snow removal. Don't get me wrong, I'm that guy doing figure-8's in the parking lot with my car when it snows, but at the same time, snow ruins vehicles. You slide into snow piles and crack your bumpers, you slide into curbs and bend your rims, and travel time on snowy roads is ridiculous. It's worse than traffic in big cities on a regular day.

[Enlightened27]

Yeah my dad is up in Iowa, its terrible up there.

[SmilesAustin]

You ever come up here Eric? If your dad lives anywhere near me you should look me up if you're ever up here.

[Enlightened27]

Seeing as though he and I dont get along I dont see that happening. The farthest Ive ever traveled north is Virginia/West Virginia.

[DCfan60]

Oklahoma isnt bad, temps just get in the -teens here.. and its just us rednecks.