Best place in US to live?
May 5th 2008, 6:24 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 94
Best place in US to live?
I know this is a very broad question, but I'd be interested to see how answers are grouped. As a framework I've drawn a short list of what I think are some fundamental criteria that a British expat may consider:
1) Employment
2) Standard of living
3) Education
4) Cost of living and taxes
5) Health Care
6) Entertainment
7) Culture
8) Assimilation
I have visited other places but have only lived in California for a few years. There seems to be plenty of work (though unemployment on the rise), but then it is the economic power house of the US. Standard of living is high. If measured by disposable income, I'd say higher than most of Europe, but if measured by quality of life, the same or less. Education is not something I have experience of, but an American teacher told me it's lower than in Europe. Cost of living can be high, mainly due to housing but also food and eating out on a par with major European capitals. Taxes definitely lower, unless you get caught out by AMT, which is a silly tax as is the property tax. I saw Michael Moore on CNN saying he thinks France is lower tax than here if you add health care and school fees etc. I like Moore, but I'm not sure I agree with him on that on. The health care still freaks me out, and I just can't seem to get my head round why the US is the only major industrialized nation not to have socialized health care system. Living in the entertainment capital of the US (notice I didn't say the world), there's no shortage of things to titillate the senses, but they nearly all involve parting with hard earned bucks. No nice walks or drives in the countryside, villages, towns, mountains, lakes, swimming, or romantic getaways. Culturally, around LA is a vacuum. San Diego gets a bit better, and San Fransisco has almost a British feel to parts of it. Marin County reminds me of Kent. Assimilation is fairly easy in LA because there's so many different nationalities here, that you never feel singled out. I still feel a little like a guest in someone else's country, which is perfectly normal, but never that I don't belong.
On balance, had I moved to LA in when I was much younger, it would have been easier to accept things like the health care, lack of culture, and desolation of arid countryside, but I'm certain this isn't the best place for me in retirement, or even now in semi-retirement.
1) Employment
2) Standard of living
3) Education
4) Cost of living and taxes
5) Health Care
6) Entertainment
7) Culture
8) Assimilation
I have visited other places but have only lived in California for a few years. There seems to be plenty of work (though unemployment on the rise), but then it is the economic power house of the US. Standard of living is high. If measured by disposable income, I'd say higher than most of Europe, but if measured by quality of life, the same or less. Education is not something I have experience of, but an American teacher told me it's lower than in Europe. Cost of living can be high, mainly due to housing but also food and eating out on a par with major European capitals. Taxes definitely lower, unless you get caught out by AMT, which is a silly tax as is the property tax. I saw Michael Moore on CNN saying he thinks France is lower tax than here if you add health care and school fees etc. I like Moore, but I'm not sure I agree with him on that on. The health care still freaks me out, and I just can't seem to get my head round why the US is the only major industrialized nation not to have socialized health care system. Living in the entertainment capital of the US (notice I didn't say the world), there's no shortage of things to titillate the senses, but they nearly all involve parting with hard earned bucks. No nice walks or drives in the countryside, villages, towns, mountains, lakes, swimming, or romantic getaways. Culturally, around LA is a vacuum. San Diego gets a bit better, and San Fransisco has almost a British feel to parts of it. Marin County reminds me of Kent. Assimilation is fairly easy in LA because there's so many different nationalities here, that you never feel singled out. I still feel a little like a guest in someone else's country, which is perfectly normal, but never that I don't belong.
On balance, had I moved to LA in when I was much younger, it would have been easier to accept things like the health care, lack of culture, and desolation of arid countryside, but I'm certain this isn't the best place for me in retirement, or even now in semi-retirement.
May 5th 2008, 6:30 pm
#2
Banned
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Santa Monica,CA from Birmingham, UK
Posts: 18,402
Re: Best place in US to live?
I know this is a very broad question, but I'd be interested to see how answers are grouped. As a framework I've drawn a short list of what I think are some fundamental criteria that a British expat may consider:
1) Employment
2) Standard of living
3) Education
4) Cost of living and taxes
5) Health Care
6) Entertainment
7) Culture
8) Assimilation
I have visited other places but have only lived in California for a few years. There seems to be plenty of work (though unemployment on the rise), but then it is the economic power house of the US. Standard of living is high. If measured by disposable income, I'd say higher than most of Europe, but if measured by quality of life, the same or less. Education is not something I have experience of, but an American teacher told me it's lower than in Europe. Cost of living can be high, mainly due to housing but also food and eating out on a par with major European capitals. Taxes definitely lower, unless you get caught out by AMT, which is a silly tax as is the property tax. I saw Michael Moore on CNN saying he thinks France is lower tax than here if you add health care and school fees etc. I like Moore, but I'm not sure I agree with him on that on. The health care still freaks me out, and I just can't seem to get my head round why the US is the only major industrialized nation not to have socialized health care system. Living in the entertainment capital of the US (notice I didn't say the world), there's no shortage of things to titillate the senses, but they nearly all involve parting with hard earned bucks. No nice walks or drives in the countryside, villages, towns, mountains, lakes, swimming, or romantic getaways. Culturally, around LA is a vacuum. San Diego gets a bit better, and San Fransisco has almost a British feel to parts of it. Marin County reminds me of Kent. Assimilation is fairly easy in LA because there's so many different nationalities here, that you never feel singled out. I still feel a little like a guest in someone else's country, which is perfectly normal, but never that I don't belong.
On balance, had I moved to LA in when I was much younger, it would have been easier to accept things like the health care, lack of culture, and desolation of arid countryside, but I'm certain this isn't the best place for me in retirement, or even now in semi-retirement.
1) Employment
2) Standard of living
3) Education
4) Cost of living and taxes
5) Health Care
6) Entertainment
7) Culture
8) Assimilation
I have visited other places but have only lived in California for a few years. There seems to be plenty of work (though unemployment on the rise), but then it is the economic power house of the US. Standard of living is high. If measured by disposable income, I'd say higher than most of Europe, but if measured by quality of life, the same or less. Education is not something I have experience of, but an American teacher told me it's lower than in Europe. Cost of living can be high, mainly due to housing but also food and eating out on a par with major European capitals. Taxes definitely lower, unless you get caught out by AMT, which is a silly tax as is the property tax. I saw Michael Moore on CNN saying he thinks France is lower tax than here if you add health care and school fees etc. I like Moore, but I'm not sure I agree with him on that on. The health care still freaks me out, and I just can't seem to get my head round why the US is the only major industrialized nation not to have socialized health care system. Living in the entertainment capital of the US (notice I didn't say the world), there's no shortage of things to titillate the senses, but they nearly all involve parting with hard earned bucks. No nice walks or drives in the countryside, villages, towns, mountains, lakes, swimming, or romantic getaways. Culturally, around LA is a vacuum. San Diego gets a bit better, and San Fransisco has almost a British feel to parts of it. Marin County reminds me of Kent. Assimilation is fairly easy in LA because there's so many different nationalities here, that you never feel singled out. I still feel a little like a guest in someone else's country, which is perfectly normal, but never that I don't belong.
On balance, had I moved to LA in when I was much younger, it would have been easier to accept things like the health care, lack of culture, and desolation of arid countryside, but I'm certain this isn't the best place for me in retirement, or even now in semi-retirement.
Please be specific?!?!
Last edited by Lord Lionheart; May 5th 2008 at 6:35 pm.
May 5th 2008, 6:50 pm
#3
Not here much
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Highland Park, NJ
Posts: 2,452
Re: Best place in US to live?
When I left my last job, to continue my health insurance for my wife and I was over $700 a month, so if only one of us was working on the average NJ wage, and assuming that the employer was paying for the healthcare (effectively making my "salary" $60400) then almost 14% of "my" money is going on healthcare alone (and that's without my co-pays and costs for items the insurance company won't pay for).
If you're earning less than that, the percentage going to healthcare obviously increases because the cost of healthcare does not change for lower earners; obviously the inverse is true, so earning more then percentage going to healthcare reduces.
Now, back to your query, there are too many factors to be able to answer - employment may depend largely on your area of expertise; as already pointed out, culture is not easily defined; taxes are a tough one, because lower income tax in a state might mean a higher sales tax and/or property taxes and vice-versa; education is usually tied to the level of local taxes, etc.
May 5th 2008, 7:19 pm
#4
strangely floppy..
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ohio - originally London
Posts: 1,719
Re: Best place in US to live?
I know this is a very broad question, but I'd be interested to see how answers are grouped. As a framework I've drawn a short list of what I think are some fundamental criteria that a British expat may consider:
1) Employment
2) Standard of living
3) Education
4) Cost of living and taxes
5) Health Care
6) Entertainment
7) Culture
8) Assimilation
I have visited other places but have only lived in California for a few years. There seems to be plenty of work (though unemployment on the rise), but then it is the economic power house of the US. Standard of living is high. If measured by disposable income, I'd say higher than most of Europe, but if measured by quality of life, the same or less. Education is not something I have experience of, but an American teacher told me it's lower than in Europe. Cost of living can be high, mainly due to housing but also food and eating out on a par with major European capitals. Taxes definitely lower, unless you get caught out by AMT, which is a silly tax as is the property tax. I saw Michael Moore on CNN saying he thinks France is lower tax than here if you add health care and school fees etc. I like Moore, but I'm not sure I agree with him on that on. The health care still freaks me out, and I just can't seem to get my head round why the US is the only major industrialized nation not to have socialized health care system. Living in the entertainment capital of the US (notice I didn't say the world), there's no shortage of things to titillate the senses, but they nearly all involve parting with hard earned bucks. No nice walks or drives in the countryside, villages, towns, mountains, lakes, swimming, or romantic getaways. Culturally, around LA is a vacuum. San Diego gets a bit better, and San Fransisco has almost a British feel to parts of it. Marin County reminds me of Kent. Assimilation is fairly easy in LA because there's so many different nationalities here, that you never feel singled out. I still feel a little like a guest in someone else's country, which is perfectly normal, but never that I don't belong.
On balance, had I moved to LA in when I was much younger, it would have been easier to accept things like the health care, lack of culture, and desolation of arid countryside, but I'm certain this isn't the best place for me in retirement, or even now in semi-retirement.
1) Employment
2) Standard of living
3) Education
4) Cost of living and taxes
5) Health Care
6) Entertainment
7) Culture
8) Assimilation
I have visited other places but have only lived in California for a few years. There seems to be plenty of work (though unemployment on the rise), but then it is the economic power house of the US. Standard of living is high. If measured by disposable income, I'd say higher than most of Europe, but if measured by quality of life, the same or less. Education is not something I have experience of, but an American teacher told me it's lower than in Europe. Cost of living can be high, mainly due to housing but also food and eating out on a par with major European capitals. Taxes definitely lower, unless you get caught out by AMT, which is a silly tax as is the property tax. I saw Michael Moore on CNN saying he thinks France is lower tax than here if you add health care and school fees etc. I like Moore, but I'm not sure I agree with him on that on. The health care still freaks me out, and I just can't seem to get my head round why the US is the only major industrialized nation not to have socialized health care system. Living in the entertainment capital of the US (notice I didn't say the world), there's no shortage of things to titillate the senses, but they nearly all involve parting with hard earned bucks. No nice walks or drives in the countryside, villages, towns, mountains, lakes, swimming, or romantic getaways. Culturally, around LA is a vacuum. San Diego gets a bit better, and San Fransisco has almost a British feel to parts of it. Marin County reminds me of Kent. Assimilation is fairly easy in LA because there's so many different nationalities here, that you never feel singled out. I still feel a little like a guest in someone else's country, which is perfectly normal, but never that I don't belong.
On balance, had I moved to LA in when I was much younger, it would have been easier to accept things like the health care, lack of culture, and desolation of arid countryside, but I'm certain this isn't the best place for me in retirement, or even now in semi-retirement.
May 5th 2008, 7:50 pm
#5
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: Best place in US to live?
Doesn't a lot of it have to do with your career field?
If your a nurse, Maine ain't a bad place to live, high property tax, but over all not bad...if your not a nurse then not so good on the job front, and education, not so great generally for kids, but not bad for uni, though there's a massive difference between the north and the south of the state.
Throwing a pin into a map, Colorado, North Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, Washington and Oregon seem pretty appealing to me though, but then they could be utter pants for all I know.
If your a nurse, Maine ain't a bad place to live, high property tax, but over all not bad...if your not a nurse then not so good on the job front, and education, not so great generally for kids, but not bad for uni, though there's a massive difference between the north and the south of the state.
Throwing a pin into a map, Colorado, North Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, Washington and Oregon seem pretty appealing to me though, but then they could be utter pants for all I know.
May 5th 2008, 8:22 pm
#6
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 94
Re: Best place in US to live?
Yes, this is open to interpretation. I mean in it more in an historical sense; a deep-seated notion of belonging to a people or place, by virtue of homogeneity and a strong nurturing of art's, social behaviour, and intellectual traditions. So for the purposes of my post, I would therefore exclude things like youth culture, corporate culture, and things you grow in a biology lab. Hope that helps.
May 5th 2008, 8:25 pm
#7
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 612
Re: Best place in US to live?
Come up to Oregon - many Californians been heading this way for years.
An appealing countryside, lots of beautiful walks and drives, valleys, coast, mountains, "culture", etc - it's all good.
An appealing countryside, lots of beautiful walks and drives, valleys, coast, mountains, "culture", etc - it's all good.
May 5th 2008, 8:41 pm
#8
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 719
Re: Best place in US to live?
Madison, Wisconsin
It actually has been voted one of the best places to live in the US. It's a great small town. Massive college, beautiful scenery, very cultural, great nightlife, relatively low crime, only couple of hour drive from Chicago. If I had a family I would definitely consider living there.
It actually has been voted one of the best places to live in the US. It's a great small town. Massive college, beautiful scenery, very cultural, great nightlife, relatively low crime, only couple of hour drive from Chicago. If I had a family I would definitely consider living there.
May 5th 2008, 8:54 pm
#9
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 612
Re: Best place in US to live?
Madison, Wisconsin
It actually has been voted one of the best places to live in the US. It's a great small town. Massive college, beautiful scenery, very cultural, great nightlife, relatively low crime, only couple of hour drive from Chicago. If I had a family I would definitely consider living there.
It actually has been voted one of the best places to live in the US. It's a great small town. Massive college, beautiful scenery, very cultural, great nightlife, relatively low crime, only couple of hour drive from Chicago. If I had a family I would definitely consider living there.
One thing that appeals about Oregon (Willamette Valley anyway) is the equable weather - 4 seasons with a pleasant mediterranean type summer. For some british expats surviving the summer heat of Texas or the winter cold of minnesota would be a put off even if the other criteria were satisfied.
May 5th 2008, 9:21 pm
#10
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Re: Best place in US to live?
Billings Montana ... If you are not into too much heat ...
May 5th 2008, 10:13 pm
#11
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,387
Re: Best place in US to live?
You are always going to have the healthcare issue anywhere in the US. As for culture depends on what you are looking for. I love NYC for just that reason and for the fact that there is always something to do and see at any given time. If I want good scenery, I can drive to the beach (Jones Beach on the Island or to the Jersey Shore), or drive to Massachusetts for culture at Tanglewood, the summer stock theaters, the art museums, on both ends of the state, or I drive to the Finger Lakes in New York to relax and fish and contemplate the state of my navel. I have the four seasons and winter is only a minor hiccup. Not too cold and not too much snow.
May 5th 2008, 11:16 pm
#14
Banned
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Santa Monica,CA from Birmingham, UK
Posts: 18,402
Re: Best place in US to live?
Yes, this is open to interpretation. I mean in it more in an historical sense; a deep-seated notion of belonging to a people or place, by virtue of homogeneity and a strong nurturing of art's, social behaviour, and intellectual traditions. So for the purposes of my post, I would therefore exclude things like youth culture, corporate culture, and things you grow in a biology lab. Hope that helps.
http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/
http://www.lacma.org/
http://www.getty.edu/museum/
http://www.hammer.ucla.edu/
http://www.huntington.org/
http://www.museumoftolerance.com/
http://www.nortonsimon.org/
http://www.theatricum.com/
http://www.musiccenter.org/
http://www.queenmary.com/
http://www.wherela.com/LA/la_g_museums.html
http://www.losangelesopera.com/
http://www.centertheatregroup.org/theatres/ahmanson/
http://www.centertheatregroup.org/theatres/douglas/
http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/?gc...FQYxiQodM2d_UQ
http://www.americansouthwest.net/cal...ons/index.html
http://www.olvera-street.com/html/ol...__history.html
http://college.usc.edu/geography/la_walking_tour/
http://www.laconservancy.org/tours/d.../bradbury.php4
http://www.caamuseum.org/
http://www.chinatownla.com/
http://www.historicdowntownla.com/br...ater_district/
http://www.moca.org/index.php
http://www.griffithobs.org/
http://www.museumoftheamericanwest.org/
http://www.greektheatrela.com/
http://www.hollywoodforever.com/Hollywood/
Not to mention all the other places like Little India, Koreatown, Little Saigon, Little Tokyo and Alpine Village in Torrance for Oktoberfest.
Homogeneous LA is not.
The biggest problem I have is having the time and money visit all these places nd more, in addition to all the outdoor activities, sports, restaurants, theme parks etc. etc
May 5th 2008, 11:17 pm
#15
Banned
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Santa Monica,CA from Birmingham, UK
Posts: 18,402
Re: Best place in US to live?
Last edited by Lord Lionheart; May 5th 2008 at 11:24 pm.