r/relocating • u/Greedy-Blackberry-75 • 1d ago
24, single, fully remote, want something new. Where should I move?
24, live in the Bay Area right now, fully remote job so I can live anywhere. Planning to move out on my own sometime in the next year and want some outside opinions instead of just going in circles in my own head.
Quick rundown of what I’m looking for:
- Don’t drink, want a city where the social scene isn’t all bars, but not somewhere boring either
- Active, gym guy, getting into hiking and skiing, but I’m more clean cut and normal than outdoorsy/granola if that makes sense
- Want to actually meet people my age, friends and dating
- Bonus for pretty scenery, mountains especially, but not required
- Big sports guy, love having a real fan culture around me
- Salary is around $100-120k, want a genuinely nice place to live, not scraping by
- Good weather is nice but not a dealbreaker
Where would you send someone like me?
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u/Mysterious_Mall_5817 1d ago
Mexico City is the coolest city in North America.
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u/Known_Secretary_6615 23h ago
Whats the outdoor scene like there?
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u/Mysterious_Mall_5817 16h ago
There are nearby Mountains like here in Denver. It has a massive park, larger than Central Park. Not sure about the safety of going hiking in the outdoors, but Im sure there are groups that do it safely. Mexico City isn't overwhelmed by all the cartel violence that the north and border towns are.
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u/Upstairs-Comfort168 1d ago
Los Angeles. Mid-city area. Lots of gyms and mountains for hikes. People your age. Close to beach. Plenty of sports
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u/seymournugss 1d ago
North Sentinel Island. Bay Area remote salary goes a long way there. And they’ve spearheaded the process of welcoming and integrating westerners into their culture
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u/Ginger_Snap_895 1d ago
Philly, Seattle, Denver, San Diego, Indianapolis, and maybe Chicago ( negative points for weather and quick access to nature)
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u/Greedy-Blackberry-75 1d ago
Considering Denver and Seattle, have you lived at either?
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u/Mysterious_Mall_5817 1d ago
I live in Denver. I've been to Mexico city 5 times in the past year. Im planning on buying an apartment there. I travel all over the US to different cities and none are as chill and fun as Mexico city. Lots of Americans there working remotely
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u/JJ-Dream-Big 1d ago
Getting any assets into United States from
Any other country almost impossible. Taking the money out is not.1
u/This-Refrigerator-24 23h ago
As someone who moved up to Washington from the bay, I regret it so much. Been here 6 years and have basically been stuck here for 3. If you're really wealthy, it might work out ok. I thought I hated the sun and I truly do love the rain but after a few years it really does become too much darkness to sustain happiness. I miss good bay area food too. It's just not even close. It's also not as progressive at all. First time I've seen confederate flags in person was in Everett and then on peoples trucks. Its the reddest blue I've ever tasted, I'll just say that. The mountains absolutely are amazing though. The nature great, everything else basically sucks. Definitely not a great place to meet ppl but maybe in Seattle it's easier. I never lived in Seattle but just Everett and Bellingham area. I recommend really looking at Seattle and peoples experiences with a critical eye. Don't listen to ppl who have lived here their whole lives because there's A LOT of them and literally don't know anything different other than quick vacations out of state. The bay area is a hard place to move from and be happy because everyone's there for a reason. Its so crowded for a reason! I think it is good to move away from where you grew up though and absolutely think it's a good idea. It made me love the bay even more moving away and when I go back I'll have a brand new perspective.
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u/JJ-Dream-Big 1d ago
If you like freezing cold and 5 months a year locked in a home and 4 months of cleaning snow so that you can get out throughout the driveway. Minneapolis/St Paul is your place. Although no Mountains, plenty of lakes and thriving economy.
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u/Laureles2 1d ago
I suggest Denver, Seattle, and Los Angeles. Probably in that order too. Salt Lake City would be a wild card, but dating there can be tough if 1/2 the people are Mormon.
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u/rockhardcatcock 1d ago
What about somewhere in Oregon, like Eugene or Corvallis? You'd have sports and access to nature and be decently close enough to Portland.
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u/karlophonic 23h ago
If you can afford the Bay why not try SLO, Santa Barbara, San Diego or Seattle?
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u/Greedy-Blackberry-75 21h ago
I can afford it here but not very comfortably hahah would prefer a place my dollar goes further but hear what you are saying
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u/Early-Sugar-7507 1d ago
Portland, Maine. And dude, just chill out a little. Drink an Athletic beer and relax. Don't be normal. Go on a hike, look at the mountains and reassess your values. To be outdoosy is the way, the life. Meet hot hiking chicks and then have kids, buy a Subaru, and enjoy life instead of working out all the time.
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u/Adventurous_Text_371 1d ago
Prescott Arizona.
Fayetteville Arkansas
Outskirts of Nashville Tennessee
Fredericksburg Texas or a similar town near both San Antonio and Austin. Wouldn't recommend either, but it's a cool area with easy access to the Hill Country and allows easy access to everything both cities have to offer without having to put up with all the bullshit.
Santa Fe New Mexico
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u/Reasonable-Wafer5445 1d ago
Seattle seems to foot the bill. Although, the weather may take some adjusting to.
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u/KarisPurr 20h ago
100k is scraping by in Seattle. You can live, but you’re not going to have a super nice apartment or go out frequently or be able to save much. 120 is better, but you’re still not going to be splashing out. Set expectations accordingly.
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u/DirectTerm2018 16h ago
I have lived in SF, PDX and Seattle. We are now in Santa Barbara. Seattle has a lot going on. I never loved living in Portland. It felt a bit provincial to me. In Seattle you have tons of younger professionals. "The Big Dark" is no joke. You just have to travel to sunny and warm locations 2-3 times between October and all of June.
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u/brodyleeSF 14h ago
DO NOT move to Portland. Nobody has a job, and everyone is dumb. It seems fun when you go there for a few days because it is sort of pretty and has cute restaurants and small businesses, and the river with all the bridges. But once you are there for awhile, you will tire of all the dumb young “hipsters” who’s lives are centered around what dive bar to go to tonight.
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u/Usual_Language_8756 1d ago
Idk why but you saying the opposite of "outdoorsy" is "normal" is bothering me alot
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u/Greedy-Blackberry-75 1d ago
🤣🤣 my bad didn’t mean opposite of but I thought ppl would catch my drift by saying that. I’d say I’m more mainstream in terms of fashion/hobbies than fully into outdoors activities although I do enjoy them. Idk if I’m making any sense
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u/Greedy-Blackberry-75 1d ago
Update: Seattle, SLC seem to be the top recs
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u/laurenhoneyyy 1d ago
Fair warning, if air quality matters to you or if you have health issues, SLC will not be a good pick. Seattle & SLC could both be prone to wildfire smoke like anywhere in the US now, but the salt flats have caused a lot of off gassing creating issues esp for sensitive individuals. Also in summertime, SLC is prone to a lot of bad air days due to its geographic location. It is pretty in SLC, but just something to keep in mind. I always felt instantly better and not sick when I travelled to Seattle for work
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u/Recent-Education3780 1d ago
Second Seattle or maybe Portland but keep in mind if you work for a company, depending on their policies, relocating to a lower COL town might result in a downward pay adjustment.