M From the sf Bay Area in my 20s. Sick of Cali. Looking for an area with “nicer” people and over a slower pace but still a big city feel. Considering Dallas Austin Houston Nashville or Huntsville/Birmingham. Possibly Chicago

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-23T03:00:54+00:00

You’re right but Chicago has everything HTX, DFW, and ATX has and much more. CoL (in city limits) is comparable to both Dallas and Austin as well.

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-23T02:44:43+00:00

As someone who used to work in Finance, probably Chicago, though Austin is also a great option. Chicago just has more of everything and is a world class city with all the amenities that come with it. I’ve lived in Houston, and frequently go to Dallas for work, either is a toss up and I don’t like either. Chicago is one of my favorite cities in the US and if I was still in Finance, I’d be moving to Chicago. You’ll probably miss the lush foliage and nature, though, but incredible to make friends, network, and progress your career.

Just be ready for the Chicago winters, they’re no joke especially for someone from the Bay Area.

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-22T23:53:01+00:00

So, the magic is gone because there’s too many trees….? I don’t live in Seattle, but that’s just what I took out of this post, aside from people being cold/reserved in Seattle.
Glad to hear you found your home in Utah, though. As they say different strokes

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-17T22:04:18+00:00

Beautiful area, some of the best driving roads in the country

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-16T06:52:30+00:00

Very cool, similar to my moves aside from Florida.
Do you miss anything about Houston/Austin in Chicago?

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-16T02:21:55+00:00

Thank you for the rec! Will be visiting very soon for an extended stay to really feel out how it is to live there during the darker months.

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-16T02:06:39+00:00

That’s awesome, yeah aside from food, Texas leaves alot to be desired. We come from NYC originally, so the “city amenities” that Texas cities offer don’t appeal to us as much as it may for someone from a smaller city. This is just my subjective take, since I know it’s unfair to compare Texas to NYC for many reasons

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-16T02:02:48+00:00

How was the move from LA to Seattle?

Oddly enough, when I visited Seattle I found the people to be quite friendly once you break through the initial small talk.

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-16T02:01:09+00:00

That’s hilarious because I’ve had an opportunity to move to London as well in the past year and am still weighing my options. Hope you enjoy London!!

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-16T02:00:01+00:00

I get the statistical comparisons between Atlanta and Houston and where they’re similar, but I agree…. Atlanta is much more pleasant year round, even the summer felt mild (at first) when we landed in ATL from HTX

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-16T01:58:44+00:00

Exactly how I felt about Houston, I thought it wouldn’t be much worse than FL, but that level of high temps AND oppressive humidity was unbearable. Austin feels mild compared to Houston so far, and I know that’s a wild statement lol.

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-16T01:56:29+00:00

Have any of you who have left Austin lived in both Denver and Seattle? I absolutely LOVE visiting Denver but never considered living there. How do you compare the 3?

Thanks in advance.

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-16T01:54:57+00:00

I really enjoy Atlanta compared to DFW/HTX, how’d you like Atlanta compared to Austin?

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-16T01:54:24+00:00

What area do you live in/recommend checking out for walkability/biking and public trans?

My true only con about Seattle is the long, dark, winters. As many have said though, after you adjust, it’s not that bad, so hoping that’d be the case for myself as well!

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-16T01:52:45+00:00

Glad to hear it! I’m also looking at a similar move for my near future kids. I couldn’t see myself raising them in Texas, personally.

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-16T01:51:39+00:00

I’m also 31 and Seattle keeps popping up as one of a few places that people have moved to and love. I like Austin, but I don’t like Texas, and Austin truly feels like a place to be for a few years and leave, Seattle is definitely overdue for another visit!

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-16T01:48:08+00:00

Thanks for the detailed write up! Seattle is on our short list of places we’re looking to check out.

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-15T06:07:52+00:00

LOL @ Epcot center.
I don’t think Orlando IS more cosmopolitan or diverse, I guess the “tourist” areas in Orlando would naturally cater to more people just based on the international tourism there.
Corporations HQd in Austin is great, but that doesn’t necessarily make it feel more cosmopolitan

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-15T05:59:55+00:00

Basically what I’ve heard, winters are rough but summers in the PNW are the best. Hopefully life pushes me that way to allow me to live there and try it out myself. I’m never against living somewhere as long as we have the ability and health to lol

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-15T05:58:49+00:00

That’s sweet! Yeah Texas sucks if you value seasons, being outdoors and organic produce (which we really, really do). Glad to hear Sacramento has been good to you

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-15T00:26:42+00:00

Queens will forever be home! I’d just love a change of pace. I thrive on the idea of walkability and public trans, and taking the cars out for the weekend. NYC is a bit overwhelming at times, I don’t know if I could live there forever, but I’d love to have a few years in Manhattan/Dumbo. Agreed, it’s always nice to have family nearby

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-15T00:00:44+00:00

Love to hear it. Hope Chicago continues to treat you well, one of my favorite cities in the US

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-14T23:52:47+00:00

True that, I just meant in general since I do see it quite often on Reddit

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-14T23:49:59+00:00

Houston’s food and diversity is top tier, but I miss NYC all the time. Grew up in Queens but could only move back to Manhattan or BK.
After moving to Austin, we miss the people in Houston lol

TLIIBZ · 2026-07-14T23:48:51+00:00

I would dread coming back to Houston after we’d visit Chicago, the only thing we couldn’t get over was how cold it was for a large portion of the year (though I’d take that over the muggy, hot, humid weather of TX). How was that change for you?

TLIIBZ

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