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[CharlieDigital]

Austin is great but the cost of living is pretty high.

That's all relative. It's dirt cheap compared to just about even tiny out-in-the-boondocks towns and boroughs in New Jersey.

 

[Shake Appeal]

I don't see Detroit. Odd.

I love Detroit, but it's not odd that it's not on the list.

 

[reilo]

Another popular recent arrival is the city’s major league soccer team, the Portland Timbers, which regularly sells out its games.

WTF

 

[Eidan]

Great to see DC at 3rd, wonderful city. But how the hell is Arlington so far below it? Its proximity to DC gives it a lot of the cultural and economic benefit, without the crime and high taxes. Hell, Arlington had 0 murders in 2011. ZERO.

It does have a lot more dbags though.

Call it the popped collar penalty.

 

[SpectreFire]

New York's ranked way too high.

 

[Brendonia]

All you Atlanta haters why so bad? I moved here a year ago and I'm enjoying it so far. The traffic sucks but beyond that I'm pretty happy and agree with it's place on the list having lived in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and close to Raleigh (Chapel Hill) over the past 6 years.

I will say though if Pittsburgh had Atlanta's weather I would probably move back immediately.

 

[distantmantra]

Surprised to see Lincoln, NE on the list. Would've thought Omaha would rank higher than us.

Lincoln is way more walkable, which really helps. Aside from Midtown, the Old Market and Dundee, Omaha is a massive sprawl monster.

 

[Rayis]

I live in Houston, 22nd is expected, Austin is much smaller but has considerably more things to do (especially for college-aged kids), We are a lot cheaper though

 

[t26]

How is Oakland over San Jose ?

 

[~Devil Trigger~]

hold that shit LA

 

[Struct09]

Only #2? You may have won this round San Francisco, but this is not over.

 

[truly101]

Surprised new orleans finished so hIgh. I agree with the ranking, but its always seemed to me like people that dont live here have a pretty low opinion of the place

I liked New Orleans a lot when I visited back in 2004, it reminded me a lot of Pensacola, just on a bigger scale. Its got sketchy places I wouldn't want to have a break down, but it also has places you won't see really anywhere else, especially outside of creole coast area.

 

[led4lyfe]

Virginia Beach doing good (even tho I hate my city)

I've lived in Virginia beach for a couple years now and I really enjoy it. I moved down here from Boston and I was shocked how friendly people are.

 

[Zoe]

I liked New Orleans a lot when I visited back in 2004, it reminded me a lot of Pensacola, just on a bigger scale. Its got sketchy places I wouldn't want to have a break down, but it also has places you won't see really anywhere else, especially outside of creole coast area.

Maybe it's just around the area the bf's from (east side), but there are parts that still haven't recovered from Katrina.

 

[PatzCU]

Can't argue with the Denver #6 ranking. Unfortunately, it seems the word is out because this city has started to significantly grow in the last 5 or 6 years to the point that traffic has practically doubled.

 

[CrankyJay]

CTRL+F "Buffalo"

0 of 0.

LOL

 

[Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku!]

Maybe it's just around the area the bf's from (east side), but there are parts that still haven't recovered from Katrina.

The east side was always pretty rough. The fact that it was nothing but a giant swamp as recently as 50 years ago and it lacks levee protection doesnt exactly help it during hurricanes

 

[Raistlin]

32. Rochester, NY

 

[TheKaeptain]

NY 7th.

LA 50th.

Sounds about right.

#buttheydonthearmethough

At least our Chinese food doesn't suck.


I agree about San Fran. I will retire there.

 

[Pickles the Firecat]

San Diego being out of the top five means fewer people moving here to muck up our cost of living. I'll take that all day.

2k for a 'micro-apartment', get real.

 

[reggieandTFE]

It's absolutely absurd to have any Midwestern city in front of Chicago on a list like this.

 

[LegendofJoe]

Why in the world would you retire somewhere as expensive as San Francisco? South/Central America is where it's at.

 

[andthebeatgoeson]

Also, wtf at Cleveland being before LA.

Wow, wtf? They should have taken a poll of NBA players and see which city they would want to be in. They contribute to the economy and to the population growth of an area; that has to count for something.

 

[pizzapizza64]

Aww yeah, Lexington in the top 25. Suck it, Louisville!

 

[zero_suit]

Wow, wtf? They should have taken a poll of NBA players and see which city they would want to be in. They contribute to the economy and to the population growth of an area; that has to count for something.

I wonder what Joakim Noah thinks..

 

[Jhriad]

Not really. It costs me much more to live here than in Chicago despite the significantly lower wages I receive. I mean obviously it's not San Francisco, Boston or New York -- but it's still high in comparison to essentially everywhere else.

Of course you're not paying any state income tax here in Texas either.

 

[Foxy Fox 39]

I love Detroit, but it's not odd that it's not on the list.

lol, t'was a joke.

 

[Meier]

Aren't you living central though?

We live in South Austin off Lamar (kinda near the Broken Spoke) -- probably going to try and move when our lease is up at the end of November. I love the area but we pay about $950 per month (varies slightly based on the complex's water usage) for a 1 BR and I'm sure our rent will go up again.

 

[Host Samurai]

I thought you were a hamptons guy?

I am. I was speaking for people that would not be fortunate to live that lifestyle in L.A. I said in my post that I had an awesome time.

Also the best thing about L.A is that it is super easy to meet friends. The last time I was there so many people wanted to chill with me and were being really friendly, but not in a creepy way. Bartenders and waiters were all inviting me to hit up parties with them and the bottle girls were awesome. L.A is the only place that I pulled a bottle girl to come out and party with me. In NYC this would never happen.

Yeah Tampa sucks and Pittsburgh? there is nothing special about that place.

 

[Vyroxis]

Minneapolis shouldn't be anywhere near that list. The entire city is a shithole. Decent to visit, but live there? I'd sooner be a Browns fan.

 

[Pickles the Firecat]

Also the best thing about L.A is that it is super easy to meet friends. The last time I was there so many people wanted to chill with me and were being really friendly, but not in a creepy way. Bartenders and waiters were all inviting me to hit up parties with them and the bottle girls were awesome. L.A is the only place that I pulled a bottle girl to come out and party with me. In NYC this would never happen.

My impression has always been that the further west you go, the friendlier people become.

 

[ErasureAcer]

St. Paul > Minneapolis. Booya!

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Also the best thing about L.A is that it is super easy to meet friends. The last time I was there so many people wanted to chill with me and were being really friendly, but not in a creepy way. Bartenders and waiters were all inviting me to hit up parties with them and the bottle girls were awesome. L.A is the only place that I pulled a bottle girl to come out and party with me. In NYC this would never happen.

I agree. But I also found a shitton of flakes there. Shallowness is on a different level in LA. Too many people trying to be actors. I have a ball whenever I'm there, though.

I find people from the Bay and San Diego are much more down to earth.

 

[cousins]

Cleveland is currently experiencing a resurgence mostly due to the Cleveland Clinic and a Casino. Lot's of people moving back downtown and some nice investments are building the area back up.

The only thing Horseshoe has brought downtown is a bunch of homeless people. That Casino's ruining public square.

I am. I was speaking for people that would not be fortunate to live that lifestyle in L.A. I said in my post that I had an awesome time.

Also the best thing about L.A is that it is super easy to meet friends. The last time I was there so many people wanted to chill with me and were being really friendly, but not in a creepy way. Bartenders and waiters were all inviting me to hit up parties with them and the bottle girls were awesome. L.A is the only place that I pulled a bottle girl to come out and party with me. In NYC this would never happen.

Yeah Tampa sucks and Pittsburgh? there is nothing special about that place.

Word. And, I agree with you about Tampa and Pittsburgh.

 

[Natetan]

st paul over minneapolis? over my dead body. you guys dont even have numbered streets or alphabetize your names streets.

enjoy your lemon tree shelbyville of minnesota.

 

[Le-mo]

Surprised to see Seattle at #2.

 

[ErasureAcer]

st paul over minneapolis? over my dead body. you guys dont even have numbered streets or alphabetize your names streets.

enjoy your lemon tree shelbyville of minnesota.

At least we have a better shot at not being murdered. Your mayor and nightlife is better though.

 

[MormaPope]

Surprised Madison Wisconsin is rated so high.

 

[SouthernDragon]

ctrl + f "Miami"

Not found

ctrl + f "San Francisco"

#1

I definitely made the right choice in moving, fuck yea

 

[victreeb3l]

7th place, ill take it. everyone knows were the true #1 in their hearts, and thats all that matters

Austin is great but the cost of living is pretty high.

if austin is considered expensive, i cant imagine what you think of NYC or SF

 

[Anaslex]

They'll always refer you to The Tenderloin as some sort of "gritty" badge. But the fact is the T-L is just a containment unit designed to make the surrounding area nice for the tourists. It's a controlled environment.

I always figured Oakland was the containment environment

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I really don't understand the love for Madison.

Chicagoland > Madison.

Iowa City > Madison, even though the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor is really far away from a major city.

Madison is a city that is trying way too hard to be Portland, and sees itself as a rival to the Twin Cities, Portland, and Kansas City, but it's not.

 

[GatorBait]

Tampa is awful, and I don't know how it's even in the top 50. Awful traffic (Tampa/St.Pete/Clearwater metro ranked 4th worst in nation), a lot of low class people, and high crime.

Shouldn't be that hard to figure out... You can find your fair share of traffic, crime, and shitty people in many of the major metropolitan cities in the U.S. It seems to come with the territory. However, the criteria for this list more strongly weights leisure, which the Tampa Bay area does have a good share of.

All things considered, the Tampa area is probably the best metropolitan area to live in Florida. You can certainly make a strong case for Miami, but I think that city is more polarizing with its positive and negative aspects.

 

[jon bones]

NY 7th.

LA 50th.

Sounds about right.

#buttheydonthearmethough

 

[Seth C]

From Atlanta too. I completely agree.

None of you guys spend much time in Chicago during the winter months (all 6 of them), do you?

 

[teh_pwn]

Austin is great but the cost of living is pretty high.

Really? I don't live downtown, but cost of living is fairly cheap, especially considering the size of the city. It's not dirt cheap like rural areas, but we don't have a state income tax, we don't have sales tax on necessities, the property tax hits the wealthy the most, and large single bedroom APTs are $700/month outside of downtown.

Sure if you live downtown or at the domain and shop at Whole Foods, Apple Store, etc..but you can do that lots of places.

 

[FantasticMrFoxdie]

LA at 50?
Bloombarg pls


They're all just jealous we have the Endeavour.

 

[MormaPope]

I really don't understand the love for Madison.

Chicagoland > Madison.

Iowa City > Madison, even though the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor is really far away from a major city.

Madison is a city that is trying way too hard to be Portland, and sees itself as a rival to the Twin Cities, Portland, and Kansas City, but it's not.

What.

Comparing Madison to Chicago or any of those cities you listed is odd.

 

[a secret-boss]

Been in San Francisco for 4 yrs. hated the weather. Now in San Diego. Downtown is not as good as Chicago

 

[ErasureAcer]

At least we have a better shot at not being murdered. Your mayor and nightlife is better though.

I'd like to strike my mention that you have a better mayor...well maybe you do as Chris Coleman sucks but RT Rybak can't be much better the more I'm reading up on him. His handling of the Occupy movement through the police is pretty bad. His Wiki says he's cutting civil right workers in the city, a compromise as he flat out called for eliminating them. And he said buying marijuana pays for the bullets gangs use to kill people. Dude's a fucking idiot.

My mayor(Coleman) said cities run best with a distinct class structure....low, middle and rich. He then has the audacity to say he's working to bring living wage jobs to the city. Yeah, right. If you wanted living wage jobs in the city you'd pass a law demanding them. Dude is full of shit. This city would be better off if there were no low paying jobs. Same can be said for Minneapolis...maybe RT's drug dealers would work to make a living instead of selling weed. Apparently, St. Paul has a living wage ordinance that exempts small business receiving city funding. It's a complicated mess of a law trying to figure out the details with it's exemptions and other shit. How bout...everyone, city funding or not, has to pay their workers a living wage...yeah, pretty sure the retail/fast food workers are getting crap or at least they were when I worked in the city from 2001-2005.

Gotta get rid of these dipfucks.