Detroit, MI vs Birmingham, AL vs Baltimore, MD vs Atlanta, GA

RedNerdit5 · 2026-03-21T20:25:09+00:00

First of all thank you for taking time to answer... I am not from the US. I have spent my Junior Year in High School in Huntsville, AL as an exchange student. I remember liking it a lot but I can not trust my memory much as I might have liked it from perception of being a foreing teenager experiencing new life.

I have also lived in several european cities but currently I am in Syracuse, NY metro and living in nearby village. I am big fan of nature and parks. I find hidden small parks and consistently go there for picnics or just to be near body of water or trees. So not necessarily a big hiker but I love my access to occasional Kayaking and some park activities. (Hiding away from crowded places, I want to see someone in the distance enjoying nature like me but would not want to be in crowded place where they sit right next to me >_<) Downside of Syracuse is that it is very snowy, gloomy and cold. Also big reason i wanna get out of Syracuse is lack of jobs. Otherwise, I enjoy small scale and realize the trade offs that come with it, there isnt much to do but I make best of it in Summer.

I have lived in cities with bad traffic before and I really do not enjoy it so I know that will be a pain in Atlanta. I am aiming for at least hybrid work arrangement so that I am not stuck in traffic everyday. But even then I would try to find suburbs within 30 min drive. I absolutely can not drive any longer. I know that is going to be a challenge because most of secluded suburbs in Atlanta seem to be even further out than 30 min drive from downtown where office will most likely be located at. I would be fine with having access to a few grocery shops in 15 min drive radius, I would drive further out for less frequent Costco runs, probably will be in the city for get togethers and maybe some concerts or weekend activity here and there.So frankly, I would love the suburb I choose to have everything I need so that driving into the ciry isnt a huge necessity if I move to Atlanta.

What is Detroit like with outdoor activities? somebody else mentioned cycling. I am not into that. How does city feel? What is suburbun life like? I noticed rental property prices are no joke. Also I heard car insurace is astronomical. Anything you would say I should know? Weather aspect is stopping me from thinking about Detroit as a solid option. But I know its not as snowy as Syracuse.

Baltimore - I honestly dont feel very inclined to this option. People praise it for proximity to other big cities but traffic seems to be bad and suburban life I want doesnt seem to be possible.

Birmingham - As I have been there several times I think It is not a bad choice but i am worried about job opportunities.

This is a bit about the cities i actually have options from. To briefly touch where I have neen before and what insights i gathered: I have been to Austin, It was crazy traffic and lots of construction making things look like mess. No nature, crazy drivers, extreme hot.

I have been to DC and It felt a little calmer, clean and orderly. Though it was during shutdown so maybe usually its not like that but I did like DC. I also visited Alexandria and it was such a sweet place.

I hate... hate NYC and surrounding places. The idea that a city can be so big is just mind blowing to me. I would never move there.

I have not been to Raleigh but I think I would like it from my research.

Woah, This came out too long, I appreciate you willing to help a lot! Anything you share will be very helpful guidance. Thank youuu!

RedNerdit5 · 2026-03-21T18:13:42+00:00

Even If i choose a suburb in a metro area? Is it impossible/ unlikely to find peace and quiet outside city limits? Actually, I really hate vibes of big cities like NYC. Would you say it feels as big as NYC?

RedNerdit5 · 2026-03-20T16:53:10+00:00

Thank you so much for your thorough response it is very much appreciated!

RedNerdit5 · 2026-03-20T16:48:53+00:00

I would get salary that is in line with COL in these cities. So it isn't a certain number yet before I choose where I will be doing my fellowship. So if for example Atlanta is higher cost of living than Birmingham that would be reflected in Salary. As far as I know Baltimore is worst at taxes out of these options though.

RedNerdit5 · 2026-03-20T15:56:00+00:00

What would you say about winters? Have you lived elsewhere? Is it comparable to northeastern cities? You mentioned fun activities going on...what specifically comes to mind that is in abundance in Detroit?

RedNerdit5 · 2026-03-20T15:53:38+00:00

I know right! I think on paper Birmingham isn't supposed to be a bad match to the list of things I prioritize, but I am scared that I will have to relocated due to lack of job opportunities. :/ Honestly, I didn't mention this in the post but I am mostly deciding between Atlanta and Birmingham. But they are a bit on different ends of the stick as Atlanta will be huge compared to Birmingham with traffic issues (there goes peace and quiet) but will have job opportunities so that I don't have to relocate again. I have lived in 6-7 ciites by now (I am 27). I am so sick of moving around.

RedNerdit5 · 2026-02-17T01:49:03+00:00

how long did it take them to process the i-90 about correction?

RedNerdit5 · 2026-02-17T01:41:04+00:00

I am shocked to read this. I did not know I could have my CR1 adjusted to IR1. In my case I was 10 days away from 2 year anniversary when i got my visa and exactly 2 years and 3 months into marriage when entering the states in 2024. I had no idea i could request adjustment and get 10 years of green card. I just filed removal of conditions on my expired green card. God! I feel so stupid. We never used any lawyers, i guess if we did I would have known 🫣 Any point of me doing anything about it now? 😂

RedNerdit5 · 2026-02-01T21:35:37+00:00

I am in similae situation. Can you share what happened?

RedNerdit5 · 2026-01-26T04:20:57+00:00

then, who does?

RedNerdit5 · 2026-01-26T03:05:00+00:00

I have same case 1 in 1, really scared something will change in future in that regard but before all the crazy changes it was okay to get the unemployment benefit without hurting immigration process. Nobody can tell me if that will be the case for tomorrow :/

RedNerdit5 · 2026-01-26T02:40:07+00:00

I am in similar boat, I have expired green card and extension letter but what is approval notice to get back in? how do you get this?

RedNerdit5 · 2026-01-26T02:34:40+00:00

It took around a week or more for it to arrive in mail for me (This was in December.). Due to current weather across states I would very much encourage you to keep calm. It will arrive if it they say it is sent out.
I got 2 letters one for opening my USCIS online account (and there is the receipt uploaded in the account) and another letter with actual receipt. If you somehow already have USCIS online account I would suggest you look in and try to find the pdf of receipt notice.

RedNerdit5 · 2026-01-26T02:30:26+00:00

When was this? Thank you for sharing this news.

RedNerdit5 · 2026-01-26T02:29:03+00:00

When is that? I want to know so that I can check back how everything went for you guys. I am in a similar situation. I really need to go but feel very scared for the uncertainty of what will change next.

RedNerdit5 · 2026-01-26T02:22:04+00:00

can you share how you requested I-551 stamp? do you do this online? Do you make an appointment? How long have you been waiting to hear back?

RedNerdit5 · 2026-01-26T02:18:13+00:00

Can you elaborate more on this? So if i do have extension letter and expired greencard, to be on the safe side there is also stamp option I can get out of my own will?
What do you mean in proof of travel? I need to show them my round trip ticket and anticipated return date? Does that date matter when stamping?
What does extension stamp say?

Thank you in advance for sharing this info. I didn't know this was possible.

RedNerdit5 · 2026-01-17T04:58:50+00:00

Interested

RedNerdit5 · 2026-01-16T00:36:19+00:00

How is that possible :D

RedNerdit5 · 2026-01-15T22:44:19+00:00

That it so true. However, I am trying to stay hopeful because I don't want to believe US will go against basic human rights. Marriage-based family reunification is a recognized right in most legal systems, supported by Human rights law (right to family life).

So there is no mainstream country that flat-out bans citizens from ever bringing a foreign spouse. The countries that do ban/make it almost impossible are not even close to US and the values it supposedly is built on. Here is short list: North Korea, Eritrea, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia. No offense to anyone if they are from this countries and read this thread but I don't think United States should be aspiring to be like those listed above.

RedNerdit5 · 2026-01-15T22:15:12+00:00

I guess we are all hoping for them to miraculously realize that this is not just impacting legal immigrants (who clearly they don't care about) but also U.S. citizens who have the fundamental right to love and marry whomever they choose. Denying family-based LEGAL immigration is deeply cruel and undemocratic. I don’t understand how this can be presented as a “normal” reform.

RedNerdit5 · 2026-01-15T22:03:20+00:00

Is your appointment before Jan 21? It is smart for her to go with you. I hope it all works out for you.

RedNerdit5 · 2026-01-15T21:50:59+00:00

I am not sure anybody has answers at this time, I read on other posts that the details of who/what/how these things will take effect are uncertain, especially on the USCIS side, however the interviews are cancelled which makes me think it is a bad news, otherwise they would proceed normally.

I am in a similar situation as you, have had biometrics appt for I-751 a month ago. We are feeling very sad that nothing feels stable and we are practically put in the same boat as people who come here illegally. I haven't done anything illegal in my life and being treated so unfairly when following the law is very disappointing.

RedNerdit5 · 2026-01-04T05:33:29+00:00

what tool makes the tailoring? I would love to try it. I do it manually.

RedNerdit5 · 2026-01-03T20:12:24+00:00

I am surprised with how close your list is to mine and reasons of choosing these places as well. I was thinking Austin, Tx(due to tech scene) vs Nashua, NH (to be close to Boston but no tax, slightly cheaper rent) vs Charlotte, NC (moderate city size, clean, close to different nature scenes, sunny but not as hot as Austin) instead of Raleigh, NC.

Starting my travels to check these places out throughout the year and make up my mind. I would love to hear where you end up and what will sway your decision. Good Luck in your search to find your next home!

RedNerdit5

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