So, we might move. We like bigger cities, lots of arts and culture, public transportation, nice weather (Alex likes warmth and Rey likes the four seasons), lower rent and lots of greenspace. Not every place has all of these things, but we'd like to maximize them. The reason we'd be leaving NYC is the high cost of living. This is otherwise my favorite place I've ever lived.

The biggest possibility right now is Chicago, but I'm from Minneapolis and I'd prefer a different, more friendly climate. Tell me which city you chose and why please. Thank you!

when you say different, friendlier climate - are you talking about the weather or the general attitude of the inhabitants?


Weather - Los Angeles
Friendly people - Portland

I love Oregon, so of course I would pick Portland...

although if it were me moving I would move somewhere along the coast of Oregon...

I love Oregon too - if I had the right job offer, I'd move to Portland in a heartbeat.

I suppose actually both. That's something I didn't know about Portland. It's a city where neither of us have ever been, but it was my idea so I'm rooting for it. I've heard it's beautiful. True?

the Oregon coast is so beautiful...

Rey mentioned there isn't a lot of IT stuff in Portland. But I hope he will at least put some feelers out. It sounds kind of ideal. And it's really liberal too, right?

I have only driven kind of past Portland but it does seem like a nice city...

I think you would love Portland - it's very beautiful with mountains and coast all within day-tripping distance. It's got a small town feel with big city advantages. Good public transport, good bike paths (if you like that sort of thing), good restaurants and bars and Powells, the best bookstore in the world.

I also chose Portland We had targeted it as a place we would like, but nothing came our way as far as opportunities there. Perhaps some day!

Considering your political and social views, you'd probably be most comfortable in San Francisco or Seattle.

we should all move to Portland...

This sounds like heaven.

Boston is too expensive!

Yeah, my worry about Boston and San Francisco is that they won't really be much better in terms of cost of living than where we currently live. They'll definitely be better, but maybe not enough to make a difference... otherwise I think those two would rank at the top for me. Except for Boston's weather.

What is wrong with Chicago?

Nice touch there adding Jersey City...

The problem with JC (the city, not our lord and savior) is that I heard it is kinda dangerous...

@ JC... I wanted to add all the places we considered. Hey, Portland is sounding pretty good, huh? We're going to have to visit both these places before we move, aren't we? PS come home soon?

If we can afford going to thoses places to check them out, what is the point of moving?

Obviously my vote is for Seattle But I also love Portland. Both places have a great deal going for them, but I think maybe Seattle is a bit more liberal than Portland? (I am only basing this on my experience in Seattle and a friend's living in Portland). When I moved west, there were just no jobs that I wanted in Portland (teaching) and there was in Seattle. I'm happy though, it's a beautiful area.

Good point. I'll go to Portland for a weekend during my internship. You could meet me there instead of coming to San Diego?

Maybe...

But it is not fair that you grouped the two cities in only one option...

This poll is invalid...

SF is crazy $$ but has plenty of IT jobs. I love SF!

Portland was too small & hippie-ish for us. Maybe for you too?

We loved Seattle tho.

LA is close to many places & has sunshine 350 days a year! And IT aplenty.

Portland was the only place I ever searched on dice.com and didn't find a single result...


Dayton, OH has more opportunities for me than Portland...

Me too, Marilyn.

That's because Dayton is close to Cincinnati & Columbus - both big cities with big companies.

Portland is full of non-working hippies.

Both Intel and Nike are Portland companies, though I have no idea what the job market is like for IT people

They've got to have something, right? Thanks Robin.

JC? What happened to H'ken?

Robin's a hippie at heart.

I am sure they have more then hippies living in Portland

Apparently all of your fine state is off the table now, which I'm cool with.

I just did a search for jobs in Portland in the "IT / Software / Systems" field.... it came up with over 400 jobs...

http://portland.jobs.topusajobs.com/cgi/search.cgi

I'd vote for Seattle/Portland as well.

Boston is nasty - I worked there.
Chicago is expensive (for what it is) and colder than hell.

All the real hippies are in Eugene - Portland is more hipster these days

Well, I could work for M$ in Seattle...

Losers

You're not tough enough for NYC.

The city chewed you up and spat you out.

None of the above but I did like Chicago....at least in the summer. We are going to move to Colorado.

When, why?

People always say that. From inside their tiny craptastic apartments with bugs and sh!tty water pressure.

Anyway, nobody needs to be tough to live in NY anymore. This is Disney NY. You've never even been to the "tough" NY.

Either way, I still want to stay. But we're two people.

If I could live anywhere but here (Orlando...my family lives here), it would be anywhere in the Pacific Northwest...

Alex, I have lived in Portland my whole life. I have been to many other cities, but they always seem to be lacking. We have all the things that a large city The Oregon Ballet, The Oregon Symphony, Portland Art Museum. You would fit in politically too, I bet!

If you like the New York style living you would want to live in the Pearl District Down Town, If you would like the suburban style upper middle class type of living in a house with a decent size yard live on the West Side or Beaverton, If you have the cash you would want to live in the West Hills right above Down Town Portland just next to the Zoo, Like in the Everclear song that goes " I will buy you a big house way up in the west hills." that is where he stole that line from. Ever since I was a boy living in the south east we always said what you think you are rich, you want to live in the West Hills.North and North east Portland are kind of a mixed bag some very expensive 100 year old homes and some of the more of the higher crime, low income areas. I have Lived in South East most all of my life, this is lower middle class blue collar type of area. And I will live here all the rest my life, a minority Republican in a sea of Democrats.

But it is the literally the Garden of Eden compared to the rest of the country.

I live in Portland, Dev. Would you consider me a Hippie?

You'll have to forgive her (or ignore her).... her brush only comes in one width.

We plan on moving back to Europe....but if we had to pick from the list, it would be Seattle. It's great there!

Isn't California as expensive as NY?
I vote San Francisco, Boston coming in second, then Chicago. I know nothing about Portland and I definitely wouldnt want to live in Seattle, JC or Los Angeles.

If I HAD to pick one, I'd also probably pick Portland or Seattle...leaning towards Portland. I've never been to either though. My sister visited Portland and liked aspects of it but it is very different than the East coast which is what I am used to.

Chicago and Boston have scary looking winters for someone like me. San Fransisco and LA would be super expensive it seems.

what the hell's wrong with hippies? do you NOT like Ben n Jerry or something?

What's with all of the hippie nonsense anyway?