Considering move from SW to NE US
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Beware the chancla!
You never know, this might be why OP is moving!
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So I grew up in Arizona as well as Bay Area, CA
(my parents were divorced). Moved to Austin, Texas in 2000 and NM a couple years ago. I've never lived in the Northeast, never even been further than NYC in that direction, though I loved Brooklyn.I've been thinking lately, partly because I've always hated the heat and partly because I'm sure global warming won't be kind to the area, that I'd like to check out the Northeast, maybe upstate NY or around there. Maybe Maine. Maybe even Canada if things get particularly a way here. In any case, besides taking time to actually visit the area which I plan to do next fall for about a month, hopefully, I'd love to get any opinions about living in that region. Likes? Dislikes? Favorite areas to consider? Suggestions? Anyone make the kind of geographic change I've described? Thanks!
People are meaner on the East Coast, but they're also more capable.
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So I grew up in Arizona as well as Bay Area, CA
(my parents were divorced). Moved to Austin, Texas in 2000 and NM a couple years ago. I've never lived in the Northeast, never even been further than NYC in that direction, though I loved Brooklyn.I've been thinking lately, partly because I've always hated the heat and partly because I'm sure global warming won't be kind to the area, that I'd like to check out the Northeast, maybe upstate NY or around there. Maybe Maine. Maybe even Canada if things get particularly a way here. In any case, besides taking time to actually visit the area which I plan to do next fall for about a month, hopefully, I'd love to get any opinions about living in that region. Likes? Dislikes? Favorite areas to consider? Suggestions? Anyone make the kind of geographic change I've described? Thanks!
Never lived there but I've visited CT. Went to a movie with my wife. The first Narnia film, so it was like 3 hours long? It was nice when we went in. It was nice when we left. However, during the film there was a blizzard, seemed like it dropped snow a foot deep! That being said, the city had cleared all the roads. They know how to deal with the snow. Of course when you get to side streets it's a bit dicey, but the main roads? Like to our hotel? Clear as you like. The roads are twisty and windy up there, and people drive crazy — well, they drive appropriate to the state of the roads, to be fair — and I never felt unsafe despite being unaccustomed to driving in snow.
Beautiful area. Summers get hot, winters get cold. You gotta plan for each. But it's nice and not too humid.
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Truth. I was raised in the deep snow, and when first seeing Bane's iconic line delivered on-screen, I snickered at his puny claim in comparison.
Which line?
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For sure, but when you go to visit lifelong Midwesterners, that's the absolute last place they'll take you.
I think a lot of times that's just lack of familiarity bc the better restaurants are newer.
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Which line?
“Oh, you think darkness is your ally. But you merely adopted the dark; I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but blinding!”.
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Which line?
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark; I was born in it, molded by it...."
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You never know, this might be why OP is moving!
Kinky. 🤪
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Naw, where I really messed up was I had thought that the temperature/comfort level had any relation to the amount of sun. Ask me about my first 18degree day in JANUARY
Northern hemisphere, I assume, but yeah. I feel ya. It's only gonna get worse/weirder, NGL.
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Never lived there but I've visited CT. Went to a movie with my wife. The first Narnia film, so it was like 3 hours long? It was nice when we went in. It was nice when we left. However, during the film there was a blizzard, seemed like it dropped snow a foot deep! That being said, the city had cleared all the roads. They know how to deal with the snow. Of course when you get to side streets it's a bit dicey, but the main roads? Like to our hotel? Clear as you like. The roads are twisty and windy up there, and people drive crazy — well, they drive appropriate to the state of the roads, to be fair — and I never felt unsafe despite being unaccustomed to driving in snow.
Beautiful area. Summers get hot, winters get cold. You gotta plan for each. But it's nice and not too humid.
You’re saying CT isn’t humid?
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You’re saying CT isn’t humid?
Insofar as humidity exists everywhere... I suppose it is.
Speaking as somebody who's lived where humidity is stupidly annoying... no, it's not. And those of us who have experienced real humidity love it for that reason. We love getting out of really bad humidity.
I mean, I suppose it could get humid. I've only visited. I also suppose any coastal area could get humid, due to proximity to the ocean. But the South ain't playing when it comes to humidity, and that's what I meant.
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Honestly? I'd recommend the other lateral direction, instead. Northern Oregon & Washington are far better in many (most?) ways and don't seem nearly as risky a bet re: future livability politics-wise. 🤌
Keep in mind that the Pacific Northwest is getting due for the Cascadia earthquake. Based on the historical records have been found it's bad
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Before you leave the SW, take a cooking class from some abuela. You'll be glad to share some real food one in a while just to have some yourself.
East of the Mississippi and north of OK, people think all tacos are hard shell, stale-ass Taco Bell abominations. I just can't even sometimes.
people think all tacos are hard shell, stale-ass Taco Bell abominations. I just can't even sometimes.
While you do see some people in the north that can't take spice, this quote is just wrong
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Well something I have experience in! Nothing prepared me for my first winter. Yes there is snow and it’s cold. The dark is what got me. I would leave for work before the sun came up and it was already setting as I was coming home. It was so deeply unsettling that first winter, like there was no warmth left in the world.
It is a lovely area. It feels so much older because they tend to preserve the historic homes and just driving around through the small rural towns is super cute. Fall is the best season in the NE. The colors are gorgeous! Apple cider donuts are the best donuts, most local orchards make them fresh too.
It’s pretty rural outside of NYC, Maine is especially so. You’ll most likely need a car, even if you’re in a town. The towns are walkable, but they’re small towns so the selection is limited. Getting hooked up with local events can be a challenge as word of mouth is the most common form of promotion. Get in good with your local coworkers or other local groups and they’ll help you find the cool ski deals and niche concerts.
On the whole car thing. Snow ands salt are really hard on cars. The inspection in NE is much more intensive than the SW which only checks emissions. Good tires are worth the investment, but the best method is just don’t drive while it’s snowing. Keep an eye out for black ice, the melting and refreezing is no joke. The people are nice though, had a kind man help pull me out of a snow bank when I made that mistake. If you’re ever unsure just go slow.
Also: NO, 4-WHEEL DRIVE DOESN'T MAKE YOU STOP FASTER IN SNOW. All it does is help you get unstuck if you slide off the road.
If you're driving in winter conditions, you have to drive slower and allow for significantly more distance from the next car forward. Like, actually follow the 3-second rule and then double it. Also, always keep an ice scaper and an emergency blanket in the car. You will need the ice scraper. You hopefully won't need the blanket, but it's better safe than sorry.
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So I grew up in Arizona as well as Bay Area, CA
(my parents were divorced). Moved to Austin, Texas in 2000 and NM a couple years ago. I've never lived in the Northeast, never even been further than NYC in that direction, though I loved Brooklyn.I've been thinking lately, partly because I've always hated the heat and partly because I'm sure global warming won't be kind to the area, that I'd like to check out the Northeast, maybe upstate NY or around there. Maybe Maine. Maybe even Canada if things get particularly a way here. In any case, besides taking time to actually visit the area which I plan to do next fall for about a month, hopefully, I'd love to get any opinions about living in that region. Likes? Dislikes? Favorite areas to consider? Suggestions? Anyone make the kind of geographic change I've described? Thanks!
Grew up in NM, moved to Mass about a decade ago and recently to Vermont. I love it. It gets hot though. And cold. And everywhere in between. People claim that folks out here aren’t nice. Never had an issue and frankly never met meaner folk than northern New Mexicans. Be prepared for a preposterously high cost of living though. (Especially Mass).
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Keep in mind that the Pacific Northwest is getting due for the Cascadia earthquake. Based on the historical records have been found it's bad
Could come today, could be another few hundred years but yeah all signs point to it being bad.
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So I grew up in Arizona as well as Bay Area, CA
(my parents were divorced). Moved to Austin, Texas in 2000 and NM a couple years ago. I've never lived in the Northeast, never even been further than NYC in that direction, though I loved Brooklyn.I've been thinking lately, partly because I've always hated the heat and partly because I'm sure global warming won't be kind to the area, that I'd like to check out the Northeast, maybe upstate NY or around there. Maybe Maine. Maybe even Canada if things get particularly a way here. In any case, besides taking time to actually visit the area which I plan to do next fall for about a month, hopefully, I'd love to get any opinions about living in that region. Likes? Dislikes? Favorite areas to consider? Suggestions? Anyone make the kind of geographic change I've described? Thanks!
I grew up there, but spent a long time in Colorado and have a place in northern NM. The snow, cold, all fine all doable, but it's the dark overcast that gets you.
Depending on the region it's a lot more interesting economically- lots of small businesses, plenty of summer activities. It's getting expensive though, for what it offers. I think few people move to New England from outside new England though (except for the important cities). You will certainly get some funny looks when you tell people you moved from Arizona.
I would personally move to a town with a lively population but not a big city. Think Burlington Vermont or Binghamton NY or great Barrington Mass. Definitely different and if you can settle in there probably a better life!
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I grew up there, but spent a long time in Colorado and have a place in northern NM. The snow, cold, all fine all doable, but it's the dark overcast that gets you.
Depending on the region it's a lot more interesting economically- lots of small businesses, plenty of summer activities. It's getting expensive though, for what it offers. I think few people move to New England from outside new England though (except for the important cities). You will certainly get some funny looks when you tell people you moved from Arizona.
I would personally move to a town with a lively population but not a big city. Think Burlington Vermont or Binghamton NY or great Barrington Mass. Definitely different and if you can settle in there probably a better life!
Thank you! This is wonderful advice, and I'll check out these places!
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Insofar as humidity exists everywhere... I suppose it is.
Speaking as somebody who's lived where humidity is stupidly annoying... no, it's not. And those of us who have experienced real humidity love it for that reason. We love getting out of really bad humidity.
I mean, I suppose it could get humid. I've only visited. I also suppose any coastal area could get humid, due to proximity to the ocean. But the South ain't playing when it comes to humidity, and that's what I meant.
Oh gosh, so true. Houston and Austin were terrible!
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No real network there, though I do have a friend who lives in NJ and a little family in MN. I work remote and may get a pay adjustment for moving to a higher COL area, but I also make more than I technically need to for where I am, so it may balance. The COL calculator I checked recommended a 4.5% raise.
NJ is best state.
