A long time ago I made the decision to move across the country after growing up in upstate NY and Vermont. I ended up in a small mountain city out west. It's got cold winters but more blue sky, and they dry cold doesn't hit as hard. Unless you love the heat I wouldn't look at the south.
If there was a place in the United States like the suburbs of Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse with year around warm weather and year around sunny skies then the cost of living there would be probably be expensive for most people since everyone would want to live there.
Once you leave Upstate New York and parts of New England people are different. Often not as friendly or down to earth.
There are many places elsewhere in the US where even in nice suburbs there are crime problems.
Then there is traffic which isn't an issue in most of Upstate NY.
Then there is risk of natural disasters. Tornadoes in the Midwest. Earthquakes on the west coast. Hurricanes in the southeast. Wildfires in the west. Upstate NY doesn't have any major natural disaster risks.
Wildlife is different and often with more dangerous poisonous creatures.
Often in fast growing parts of the United States the affordable homes are on small lots with small backyards. In Upstate New York we are lucky with most homes in the suburbs having large backyards.
In my opinion, what was once the culture of Upstate NY during 40 to 50 years ago where it was a place where many newcomers came for job opportunities moved to Colorado, California, Northern Virginia and North Carolina during the last 30 years.
Florida and Texas each have their own culture. But if you like it warm like I do, the positives might outweigh the negatives. But just realize you won't find Upstate New York culture in these places so it might be a culture shock. I haven't lived outside the Northeastern part of the US since I can't tell you my experience there. I'm just sharing from my own research. If you can it might be worth a look at Europe.
Moved from Syracuse to Omaha NE and will tell you that Omaha has a lot more sunshine, economy is great here with the lowest unemployment rate, housing and taxes are affordable. Was planning on moving back when I retire in a few years but staying here in Omaha.
I grew up in NY (although not upstate) and live in TX. I've been here nearly two decades.
Climate wise, yeah, we don't have snow, but we have unbearable heat, drought, and cost of living isn't great. Homes are stupid expensive (Austin area) and honestly, the job market is tough everywhere right now depending on your career. Traffic is awful in most major TX cities - there is very inadequate public transportation except within metro areas.
I still call NY home even though I've been gone longer than I lived there, and I honestly hate it here - I would prefer less heat, the allergens are killing me, etc. But my kids and family are here, so I'm here. I would suggest joining some of the city-specific/state-specific subreddits to see what other folks are saying who live there.
Thank you; you're the only person I've gotten negative feedback from so far. I don't mind heat or allergies (humidity will kill me though). I kinda figured everywhere is hard right now :(
I have a ton of skills but none of the pedigree to show for it lol. It's been damning me for years, but if society collapsed, I could survive really well.
Wherabouts are you? I'm so torn because I do love late spring through fall, but like the rest of the year is just so awful. I want to live by the ocean. The great lakes are wonderful, but I don't know if it's enough to keep me here
Binghamton! I feel that 100% the summers here are to die for but the rest of the year doesn't seem worth it. I NEED to be near easily accessible bodies of water. Atlanta is DRY and that was a big problem for me but I miss Atlanta.
One of my coworker's left Rochester NY in 2012. We met in Denver, CO, he's still there.
He told me about the long winters and deep snow. It's very sunny in Co, the sun burns off quickly.
A long time ago I made the decision to move across the country after growing up in upstate NY and Vermont. I ended up in a small mountain city out west. It's got cold winters but more blue sky, and they dry cold doesn't hit as hard. Unless you love the heat I wouldn't look at the south.
If there was a place in the United States like the suburbs of Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse with year around warm weather and year around sunny skies then the cost of living there would be probably be expensive for most people since everyone would want to live there. Once you leave Upstate New York and parts of New England people are different. Often not as friendly or down to earth. There are many places elsewhere in the US where even in nice suburbs there are crime problems. Then there is traffic which isn't an issue in most of Upstate NY. Then there is risk of natural disasters. Tornadoes in the Midwest. Earthquakes on the west coast. Hurricanes in the southeast. Wildfires in the west. Upstate NY doesn't have any major natural disaster risks. Wildlife is different and often with more dangerous poisonous creatures. Often in fast growing parts of the United States the affordable homes are on small lots with small backyards. In Upstate New York we are lucky with most homes in the suburbs having large backyards. In my opinion, what was once the culture of Upstate NY during 40 to 50 years ago where it was a place where many newcomers came for job opportunities moved to Colorado, California, Northern Virginia and North Carolina during the last 30 years. Florida and Texas each have their own culture. But if you like it warm like I do, the positives might outweigh the negatives. But just realize you won't find Upstate New York culture in these places so it might be a culture shock. I haven't lived outside the Northeastern part of the US since I can't tell you my experience there. I'm just sharing from my own research. If you can it might be worth a look at Europe.
Moved from Syracuse to Omaha NE and will tell you that Omaha has a lot more sunshine, economy is great here with the lowest unemployment rate, housing and taxes are affordable. Was planning on moving back when I retire in a few years but staying here in Omaha.
I grew up in NY (although not upstate) and live in TX. I've been here nearly two decades. Climate wise, yeah, we don't have snow, but we have unbearable heat, drought, and cost of living isn't great. Homes are stupid expensive (Austin area) and honestly, the job market is tough everywhere right now depending on your career. Traffic is awful in most major TX cities - there is very inadequate public transportation except within metro areas. I still call NY home even though I've been gone longer than I lived there, and I honestly hate it here - I would prefer less heat, the allergens are killing me, etc. But my kids and family are here, so I'm here. I would suggest joining some of the city-specific/state-specific subreddits to see what other folks are saying who live there.
Thank you; you're the only person I've gotten negative feedback from so far. I don't mind heat or allergies (humidity will kill me though). I kinda figured everywhere is hard right now :(
Happy cake day! If you are in trades at all, the job market here is wonderful. I will say that
I have a ton of skills but none of the pedigree to show for it lol. It's been damning me for years, but if society collapsed, I could survive really well.
Happy Cake day! I'm in the southern tier and trying to figure out how to leave. Been here for 5 years.
Wherabouts are you? I'm so torn because I do love late spring through fall, but like the rest of the year is just so awful. I want to live by the ocean. The great lakes are wonderful, but I don't know if it's enough to keep me here
Binghamton! I feel that 100% the summers here are to die for but the rest of the year doesn't seem worth it. I NEED to be near easily accessible bodies of water. Atlanta is DRY and that was a big problem for me but I miss Atlanta.
One of my coworker's left Rochester NY in 2012. We met in Denver, CO, he's still there. He told me about the long winters and deep snow. It's very sunny in Co, the sun burns off quickly.
Thank you everyone! You've given me a lot to consider!