mrken30

My employer give me the option to choose between 5 states to work in and will be adding NM and TX next year. I'm in OR at the moment but have no experience of living in the other States. Where would you live if you had the choice?

Wintersong

Out of those? Probably OR... so unless you're hankering for a change, my advice is to stay put

Marc_ely

They're all pretty big states - can you choose anywhere in them, or do they need to be close to airports for job etc?
I wouldn't live anywhere other than CA, as I like the weather, the plethora of eating places, the outdoors spaces and the mix of people. It's expensive as hell though.

mrken30

I would be paid the same if I moved State. Primarily its the major cities such as Anchorage, Seattle, Portland and Orange county in CA.

kimilseung

I only know Portland and Seattle. I'd say Seattle is a bigger city with more happening (debatable), but Portland has proper fish and chips.

scrubbedexpat099

OR

dc koop

I would give Anchorage a skip unless you'd have no problem with very short daylight hours in winter

Any of the rest sound good. Orange county homes and rents are very pricey though. That's where the well heeled of southern California live

dc koop

There's a British pub in Seattle that does a first rate shepherd's pie

kimilseung

George and Dragon?
Market Arms?

Sarah

Oregon. Although if you did go, I'd probs just go up a bit to WA

scrubbedexpat091

If your pay doesnt go up, I would write off California especially since you mention Orange County which can be pricey.

Alaska would likely be off the list as well if you want to maintain your lifestyle. Alaska can be be pricey especially for food stuff.

Texas and NM would be your best bets if you wish to maintain your current lifestyle.


If I had to choose a state, it would be California but I am biased. But I would not live in the Orange County/LA region. Too many people. Too much traffic.

Owen778

I'd be willing to live in any of them, though New Mexico might be a push.

Honestly, though, it depends on what you want from your local area. People who post here live in almost all of those areas and are happy to do so. Do you need good flight connections for work? If so, it probably rules out Anchorage, but still leaves all of the other major metro areas in those states. Do you want to be outdoors? Near the coast? Cheap cost of living? Mild temperate vs. inland climate?

username.exe

If you're already being paid loads of dough, I'd go to Orange County. Is it wfh gig, or would you have to commute?
The smaller coastal towns in southern OC are great... San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente I really like. I wouldn't be so keen if it were Irvine or Anaheim, but at least the weather would still be decent.

dc koop

Sorry I cant remember the name. It was at the foot of a hilly street leading from Pioneer Square and near the harbor I think. I think it was an Irish pub. I went there three times during a short stay in Seattle, each time had the shepherds pie

Boomhauer

I would pick Or, since I've lived there and like it. Even though the following aren't choices for you, I would not want live in Florida , New Jersey or anywhere on the East Coast.