Ohhh, I've actually been thinking about this a lot lately, since I (likely) have another cross-country move coming up. Here are mine: What is the traffic like? Can I generally take multiple routes...
Ohhh, I've actually been thinking about this a lot lately, since I (likely) have another cross-country move coming up. Here are mine:
What is the traffic like? Can I generally take multiple routes to get to my destination, or am I stuck relying mainly on the interstate? (Similarly, if it's a wintery area, does snow get plowed quickly/effectively?)
What's the political/religious leanings of the area? As an athiest, can I comfortably exist here without being affiliated with a church/religious organization?
Is there a decent selection of local restaurants/take out places that are vegetarian friendly? Do the local supermarkets have a meatless/vegetarian/vegan section?
Is there a music venue in driving distance?
Are there events/"things to do" in the area besides bars? And if so, how often are these geared towards adults/everyone vs. families with children?
This is meant as a simple feedback for OP: Thanks. This is going to be the first topic on tildes that I actually bookmark because both your list and the commenter's are definitely important and...
This is meant as a simple feedback for OP:
Thanks. This is going to be the first topic on tildes that I actually bookmark because both your list and the commenter's are definitely important and I'll come back and check out next time I move :)
I can't think of five, but here are three "small" things that I'd be interested in: What does the water taste like? Where's the nearest place I can go for a 5 mile run? Where can I buy a warm...
I can't think of five, but here are three "small" things that I'd be interested in:
What does the water taste like?
Where's the nearest place I can go for a 5 mile run?
Absolutely agree with the water thing. The town I've grown up in had teeeerrible hard tap water, so I always had to filter it before drinking. The new place I'm living has really nice water and I...
Absolutely agree with the water thing. The town I've grown up in had teeeerrible hard tap water, so I always had to filter it before drinking. The new place I'm living has really nice water and I didn't realize how inconvenient bad city water really was
Is it really that much of an inconvenience? I live in Florida, a state almost famous for its horrible tasting, hard drinking water. Everyone here has a water softener, they come with all newer...
Is it really that much of an inconvenience? I live in Florida, a state almost famous for its horrible tasting, hard drinking water. Everyone here has a water softener, they come with all newer houses and condos. Additionally, most people use a water filter in their fridge or on their faucet.
I have to change it every few months, but it's pretty easy. I've lived here for most of my life though, so maybe I'm just used to it.
I've never lived in a newer house (or at least not one with a water softener) nor had a fridge with a built in water dispenser. We've always used a Brita filter for drinking water. Having to fill...
I've never lived in a newer house (or at least not one with a water softener) nor had a fridge with a built in water dispenser. We've always used a Brita filter for drinking water. Having to fill it up so often and wait for it to filter before being able to drink is annoying. I was definitely used to it when having to deal with shitty tap was all I knew, but after living somewhere with good tasting water straight from the tap I really wouldn't want to go back ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
This is quite a good question and something I've been thinking of for awhile actually. For me, my 5 would be: Diverse grocers. Like you I love to cook and love experimenting with different...
This is quite a good question and something I've been thinking of for awhile actually. For me, my 5 would be:
Diverse grocers. Like you I love to cook and love experimenting with different cuisines that require specific ingredients. I absolutely want to live someplace with lots of import markets and access to uncommon ingredients.
As someone who loves the ocean, I really want to live somewhere within day-trip distance to a beach. Doesn't have to be a tropical white sand beach, but it's a must for me personally to live close to the ocean.
Similar to the diverse markets, a diverse restaurant scene. I want to live somewhere I could eat German food one day and Ethiopian food the next. Coming from a small town with few options, I very much relish the ability to eat diverse cuisines and would only want to live somewhere where that's a possibility.
Very specific to me, but I'd ideally appreciate a place that has a large population of pet rat owners or people who are interested and know about pet rats. I've kept rats as pets for a long time and have had trouble finding veterinarians who are knowledgeable in rodent care, as well as just finding other stuff who love keeping rats as pets. So living somewhere where vets for rats are readily available is quite important to me.
How many museums and art galleries there are. I love going to museums and so definitely would want to live in a place with a lot of local ones :)
If your mind isn't made up I think a relevant question is about the most annoying/worst aspects of a place. I know it sounds like a downer question but it can definitely give some clarity on what...
If your mind isn't made up I think a relevant question is about the most annoying/worst aspects of a place. I know it sounds like a downer question but it can definitely give some clarity on what you'll have to put up with. It might be traffic, humidity, no fun activities within a resonable distance, or heroin junkies that come out at night. Each place will have something that you'll have to deal with on a regular basis and it's worth knowing ahead of time if you're willing to put up with it.
Heroin junkies are my vote. I can deal with most slightly annoying things. Worrying about getting stabbed because I didn't want to give a buck to the junkie on the train platform on my way to work...
Heroin junkies are my vote.
I can deal with most slightly annoying things. Worrying about getting stabbed because I didn't want to give a buck to the junkie on the train platform on my way to work every morning is not one of those things.
Freedom of Movement. Can I go where I want to go? Can I reasonably get far, far away in an hour or so? Can I make my way anywhere around the area with ease? If not, I flat out can't deal with the...
Freedom of Movement. Can I go where I want to go? Can I reasonably get far, far away in an hour or so? Can I make my way anywhere around the area with ease? If not, I flat out can't deal with the city/area.
Soundscape. What's the soundscape like? Is it too quiet? I hate it when things are quiet. Quiet is suffocating. Is it loud enough to hear, but not obnoxiously so? Can't stand that. Yuck. Is it loud and constant enough that I can tune it out? Perfect!
Air Quality. Can I breathe? Will I reasonably be able to expect to function well throughout the whole year? I can deal with pollution; I can't deal with pollen or really thin air. This is huge; and I'm pretty sure that my anxiety levels are at least halfway tied to air quality.
Cultural Openness. Is it one of those cultures where everyone says "Hey, how are you?" and you're expected to reply positively? One where you're expected to know your neighbours well? One where you're obligated to have forced rather than chosen friends? Not for me, but some people like it.
Ease of obtaining substances. There are a fantastic amount of DIY 'medications' nowadays; not a tonne of sources though. One with a solid reputation in the area is a huge plus.
I'm actually in the middle of filling out a "places-rated" type spreadsheet right now; the spouse and I want to relocate to someplace we can spend the rest of our lives after years of insalubrious...
I'm actually in the middle of filling out a "places-rated" type spreadsheet right now; the spouse and I want to relocate to someplace we can spend the rest of our lives after years of insalubrious relocations for work.
This draws on our personal preferences (not enumerated in great detail), but the second tab has the rating factors. Sources include U.S. Census, Sperlings, city guides, and so on.
One missing item in the above lists is Internet service coverage! Geoisp.com is a no-nonsense site with general speed and carrier information, including wireless, for cities and towns across the U.S.
Aside from most of the things previously mentioned:
Trees, hills, water - public hiking trails and paddling areas are significant quality of life amenities.
Good advanced health care, reasonably close. This isn't going to register for the younger, healthier crowd, but accidents, heart attacks and cancer are extra fatal if the nearest major hospital is thirty miles away.
Local governance - is the locale prone to unplanned growth, police or other corruption, unfunded schools?
One thing we've noticed is that a lot of factors are strongly correlated - if you'd like to live in a place with high minimum wages, you're also going to get great coffee shops, bookstores, and a lot of the other amenities people above are seeking. Low wages correlate with highly religious communities...
I listen to Nova almost nightly to help me sleep. Sinkholes are something that isn't really talked about in my area but places by the sea it can be a major issue.
I listen to Nova almost nightly to help me sleep. Sinkholes are something that isn't really talked about in my area but places by the sea it can be a major issue.
Ohhh, I've actually been thinking about this a lot lately, since I (likely) have another cross-country move coming up. Here are mine:
What is the traffic like? Can I generally take multiple routes to get to my destination, or am I stuck relying mainly on the interstate? (Similarly, if it's a wintery area, does snow get plowed quickly/effectively?)
What's the political/religious leanings of the area? As an athiest, can I comfortably exist here without being affiliated with a church/religious organization?
Is there a decent selection of local restaurants/take out places that are vegetarian friendly? Do the local supermarkets have a meatless/vegetarian/vegan section?
Is there a music venue in driving distance?
Are there events/"things to do" in the area besides bars? And if so, how often are these geared towards adults/everyone vs. families with children?
This is meant as a simple feedback for OP:
Thanks. This is going to be the first topic on tildes that I actually bookmark because both your list and the commenter's are definitely important and I'll come back and check out next time I move :)
Great idea for a topic!
I can't think of five, but here are three "small" things that I'd be interested in:
Absolutely agree with the water thing. The town I've grown up in had teeeerrible hard tap water, so I always had to filter it before drinking. The new place I'm living has really nice water and I didn't realize how inconvenient bad city water really was
Is it really that much of an inconvenience? I live in Florida, a state almost famous for its horrible tasting, hard drinking water. Everyone here has a water softener, they come with all newer houses and condos. Additionally, most people use a water filter in their fridge or on their faucet.
I have to change it every few months, but it's pretty easy. I've lived here for most of my life though, so maybe I'm just used to it.
I've never lived in a newer house (or at least not one with a water softener) nor had a fridge with a built in water dispenser. We've always used a Brita filter for drinking water. Having to fill it up so often and wait for it to filter before being able to drink is annoying. I was definitely used to it when having to deal with shitty tap was all I knew, but after living somewhere with good tasting water straight from the tap I really wouldn't want to go back ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
This is quite a good question and something I've been thinking of for awhile actually. For me, my 5 would be:
Diverse grocers. Like you I love to cook and love experimenting with different cuisines that require specific ingredients. I absolutely want to live someplace with lots of import markets and access to uncommon ingredients.
As someone who loves the ocean, I really want to live somewhere within day-trip distance to a beach. Doesn't have to be a tropical white sand beach, but it's a must for me personally to live close to the ocean.
Similar to the diverse markets, a diverse restaurant scene. I want to live somewhere I could eat German food one day and Ethiopian food the next. Coming from a small town with few options, I very much relish the ability to eat diverse cuisines and would only want to live somewhere where that's a possibility.
Very specific to me, but I'd ideally appreciate a place that has a large population of pet rat owners or people who are interested and know about pet rats. I've kept rats as pets for a long time and have had trouble finding veterinarians who are knowledgeable in rodent care, as well as just finding other stuff who love keeping rats as pets. So living somewhere where vets for rats are readily available is quite important to me.
How many museums and art galleries there are. I love going to museums and so definitely would want to live in a place with a lot of local ones :)
If your mind isn't made up I think a relevant question is about the most annoying/worst aspects of a place. I know it sounds like a downer question but it can definitely give some clarity on what you'll have to put up with. It might be traffic, humidity, no fun activities within a resonable distance, or heroin junkies that come out at night. Each place will have something that you'll have to deal with on a regular basis and it's worth knowing ahead of time if you're willing to put up with it.
Heroin junkies are my vote.
I can deal with most slightly annoying things. Worrying about getting stabbed because I didn't want to give a buck to the junkie on the train platform on my way to work every morning is not one of those things.
Freedom of Movement. Can I go where I want to go? Can I reasonably get far, far away in an hour or so? Can I make my way anywhere around the area with ease? If not, I flat out can't deal with the city/area.
Soundscape. What's the soundscape like? Is it too quiet? I hate it when things are quiet. Quiet is suffocating. Is it loud enough to hear, but not obnoxiously so? Can't stand that. Yuck. Is it loud and constant enough that I can tune it out? Perfect!
Air Quality. Can I breathe? Will I reasonably be able to expect to function well throughout the whole year? I can deal with pollution; I can't deal with pollen or really thin air. This is huge; and I'm pretty sure that my anxiety levels are at least halfway tied to air quality.
Cultural Openness. Is it one of those cultures where everyone says "Hey, how are you?" and you're expected to reply positively? One where you're expected to know your neighbours well? One where you're obligated to have forced rather than chosen friends? Not for me, but some people like it.
Ease of obtaining substances. There are a fantastic amount of DIY 'medications' nowadays; not a tonne of sources though. One with a solid reputation in the area is a huge plus.
I'm actually in the middle of filling out a "places-rated" type spreadsheet right now; the spouse and I want to relocate to someplace we can spend the rest of our lives after years of insalubrious relocations for work.
Shared here as a work in progress:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1leM7I9FGiGVrOwSLT6UACehziraZk6QuiJfwcFOk4i4/edit?usp=drivesdk
This draws on our personal preferences (not enumerated in great detail), but the second tab has the rating factors. Sources include U.S. Census, Sperlings, city guides, and so on.
One missing item in the above lists is Internet service coverage! Geoisp.com is a no-nonsense site with general speed and carrier information, including wireless, for cities and towns across the U.S.
Aside from most of the things previously mentioned:
One thing we've noticed is that a lot of factors are strongly correlated - if you'd like to live in a place with high minimum wages, you're also going to get great coffee shops, bookstores, and a lot of the other amenities people above are seeking. Low wages correlate with highly religious communities...
I listen to Nova almost nightly to help me sleep. Sinkholes are something that isn't really talked about in my area but places by the sea it can be a major issue.
Interesting how the perspectives are different: violence was the first thing in my mind. I’m in Brazil.
This, so much.
Oh yeah; hard agree.
For cities in the US I absolutely need public transport.