I mentioned a couple of days ago that I was thinking of moving out of Kansas City. I still feel that way. I need a fresh start. I need a city where I can go and make new memories, not live in a city that is filled with so many memories of struggles, sadness and hurt. I need a place where I can start over.
It has always been a dream of mine to pack up and move. I have lived in Kansas City my entire life and I need some new surroundings. Ever since I saw New York City it has been a fantasy of mine to move there. I remember watching The Cosby Show when I was younger and I dreamed of having steps out front where I could sit and watch the people go by (I love just sitting and watching people go about their lives). Not that I would, but the thought of being able to get up at 3am and do whatever you want is so cool to me. Here in Kansas City, most doors are shut by 9pm. So boring. But New York City is very expensive and I am not sure I would be able to survive on a social workers salary. But New York is still an option.
It's also been a dream of mine to live in Minnesota. Ever since I went to summer camp there I have fallen in love with the state. When I was younger I used to sit and dream about what it would be like to live in Minnesota all the time. And the winters...it's no secret that I love snow. I remember going to visit some cousins when I was around 10 and they had so much snow that it was literally 2 feet deep. That visit is when my love affair with snow started and it has never ended.
So here is what I need from my loyal readers. I need for you to tell me the benefits of your city and why Caroline in the City should move to your City. Keep in mind I am a social worker, so a strong social service field is a huge plus. I am not against moving somewhere that is warm, but there needs to be a lot of benefits if I give up snow.
So tell me why I should move to your City.
17 comments:
Caroline- Columbus Ohio is very gay friendly, according to the Advocate, anyway. It is easy to find- Take 70 E and in about 9 hours you'll be here. I'm struggling to find a job in my field, but i don't imagine you'd have any trouble. the newspaper classifieds can be found at Columbusjobs.com if you're interested.
We do have some snow, but not a huge amount. One nice thing is it's easy to get to other places from here-lots of major cities and destinations within about 300 miles. I hope you find the place that will make you happy and where you can make some good memories.
If I had the chance, I'd definately go SOUTH! I hate snow and cold weather and would love to be somewhere where I never needed a winter coat.
Caroline honestly I think you would be happiest in Minneapolis. Sandra already gave you some good info as she lives there. I think a move is definitely a good thing for you to be thinking about. A fresh start, if you will. I'd do it in a skinny minute if I could.
I love Chicago, that's where I would like to live. Chicago is a big city with rich culture and history, full of gorgeous architecture. It's on lake Michigan. There is a ton of night life. It is affordable. And it's still in the mid-west.
You don't want to live here. Too fucking hot.
Hey there Caroline. I've been reading for about 2 weeks, but don't think I ever commented.
I live in MN and love it. Similar weather to KC - just a bit colder at times. You still get all the seasons.
Art culture is rich here. The community is strong. Great school systems. I also like to think we have a great GLBT community too.
Housing prices are higher than expected, so be prepared for that. Most who relo here are shocked.
Moving does give you a fresh start, but you still have to re-establish your network and support system. Who do you call if your car breaks down? That's one thing I missed when I moved away from MN for awhile.
Good luck!!!
-Crystal
Weighing in for NYC: you're a social worker eh? I believe there's quite the community here in that field. Keep in mind that this city is steeped in problems. I wouldn't be surprized if a great many people get overwhelmed and burned out pretty quickly. Being here without a good job would really not be a good experience. It's an expensive place to live and you definitely don't want to be here living hand to mouth. That being said, if you have a job and benefits, then here's a sampling of the city's greatness: the best authentic ethnic food;
best theatre;
incredible museums;
Central Park, Bronx Botanical Garden and Zoo;
fantastic architechture;
and best of all, freedom to be you!
Good luck on your decision! May you be led to the perfect place for you! Blessings!
I've heard Minneapolis is a cool place, and Madison, Wisconsin. Portland, Oregon would top my list if it were not for the rain. NYC is cool, but way too expensive for me. Chicago is also cool. All these cool places that have crappy cold weather... :) I can't take the cold, but it sounds like you can.
Anyplace with a university nearby will have places open later.
AND, I think you are not seeing some of the good things about KC. I can totally see getting away from memories though. But, in KC's defense, there are a ton of cool things going on downtown and in the crossroads district and in the river market... If you stick to the suburbs, any city is boring.
Portland is great, with a very large lesbian community, but it is very expensive to buy a home here. It also rains quite a bit, but I only get tired of it around now. You can have all of the snow you want simply by driving about an hour into the mountains and the beach is an hour the other direction.
I'm pretty sure that the Cosby show took place in Philadelphia, it's less expensive but not quite as exciting as NYC.
Washington DC is great, I lived there for several years and loved it.
Northern California would also be a choice I would make if I could move.
I've made a major move every three to five years and I highly recommend it.
I've lived in Columbus, OH and it is a great town.
I've been to Chicago many times and I wouldn't mind living there.
San Diego ROCKS, but it is very expensive, and traffic is killer. The ocean views are spectacular. It is 72 and sunny almost ever day of the year. I loved living there.
I've been to Minneapolis/St. Paul several times I would advise against moving there until you've experienced it in the dead of winter, don't ya know.
I've been to Madison WI many times and it is a very progressive town with a great college scene.
I lived in Milwaukee, WI (Amanda was born there) and it's a lot of fun... in the summer.
Pittsburgh, PA is a great city with an awesome arts scene, a variety of museums (The Carnegie, Andy Warhol, Heinz Heritage Center), and it offers a very affordable cost of living. Great ski slopes are nearby too, if that's your thing. It has a lot of green space (like Schenley Park), and wonderful neighborhoods. I loved living there. There are several great schools (Carnegie Mellon, Pitt, Duquesne) to if you want to continue your education.
Asheville, NC is where I want to retire. It's very Bohemian.
As for where I live right now... well, what can I say for East Jesus, VA? You could go to Jerry Falwell's church. You could attend Liberty University. You would be prohibited from adopting or foster-parenting children and prohibited from entering into contracts with your partner. There are so many wonderful things to say about East Jesus, VA. On the negative side, two of every ten residents (male and female) sport a mullet. I don't know why all lesbians haven't discovered this mecca of mullets.
Heck, if more lesbians moved here, we could petition to have the state renamed "The Commonwealth of VAGINA."
There isnt much here in my town for you unless you want to work in a prison, we have 8 of them surrounding us. Not much for jobs in the town I live in but surrounding big towns are great. We get the snow, our weather sounds like yours, where you are now!
Oh, Caroline, don't move to my city. Not that we wouldn't love to have you, but you are used to a much bigger area.
However, might I suggest Louisville, Kentucky. Beautiful area, wonderful seasons, just enough north to get snow, just enough south to enjoy the summers. Many cultural opportunities, strong commitment to betterment of the community and such a diverse constituency. And there's the Derby and the Highland district.
If I had my druthers on a move: it would be to Asheville, North Carolina.
Make sure you check out economic factors too, like cost of living and taxes. There are websites out there that will allow you to compare cities so you can get an apples to apples comparison.
Well, I can only really put a plug in for Boston. Boston is a combination of things--lots of culture and history, for one, and lots of education at your fingertips. It is the captial city in the only state that legally recognizes gay marriage, and consequently, under law actively prosecutes discrimination against homosexuals. It is easy to get around via the T with a lot of variety. Weather, at times, leaves much to be desired, but there is nothing like being half an hour from the quiet New England coastline while living in the middle of the action.
Hi Caroline,
Just make sure it isn't a geographical cure. KC is a great city and I wonder if you just don't hang around the wonderful places here. I've lived in Detroit (LOVED it), Richmond, VA (HATED it), Chicago (LOVED it), and now I'm here in KC (LOVE it 'cept for no water). Every place has its ups and downs. I hope you figure out what will make you happiest!
Minneapolis has a very strong GLBT community, excellent health care, and a lake every mile or so that you can walk the dog around. Oh and dog parks galore! Mind you, I'm all gung ho now because winter is like 9 months away. I sing a different tune in mid-January, but as we like to say around here, our cold weeks in winter keep the riff-raff out :)
But I must add, that if I could pack up and go anywhere, I'd go to Boston.
Hi Caroline, short-time reader and I'm so sorry for what you are going through right now. Hang in there! Here's a vote for Indianapolis...my partner and I love it here.
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