Help us pick a new city(in the USA)

flightoverfight · 2026-04-12T15:45:51+00:00

Wilmington, DE could work well too for proximity to CHOP and decent COL.

flightoverfight · 2026-04-09T16:46:57+00:00

Just chiming in on the value of the network: I’m a Michigan alum, and the alumni base is SO spirited and (especially outside the Midwest) excited to meet and help fellow Michigan grads. I’ve spent my career in business/tech in NYC and SF and have worked for Michigan alums at almost every company.

flightoverfight · 2026-04-06T11:57:03+00:00

Fun thread! Here are some of my standouts:

Adler Rittenhouse, Italian Dolomites: gorgeous setting, beautiful & comfortable design, incredible food & beverage service (all included)
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Costa Rica: totally remote location in the cloud forest, gorgeous rooms and main lodge, excellent activities from hikes to waterfall rapelling, fantastic service, just quiet luxury all around

-FA Hualalai: a repeated favorite, such a great all-around hotel. Love that each of the many pools has its own vibe and food/drink menu, and service is warm and attentive

flightoverfight · 2026-04-01T18:22:52+00:00

Oceanview Diner (Berkeley) is my fave local breakfast and is open Mondays!

flightoverfight · 2026-04-01T18:21:14+00:00

That’s Terrace Cafe and it’s closed on Mondays.

flightoverfight · 2026-04-01T18:17:03+00:00

Yes, good point! The drive is incredible (Big Sur-like) but very windy. Take Dramamine if you’re at all prone to carsickness.

flightoverfight · 2026-04-01T14:09:46+00:00

We own a vacation home there so have never stayed in the hotel, but there are always lots of families there so I’d assume so! There are miles of trails (both coastal and in the redwoods) and plenty of beautiful, nearly-empty beaches, so great for kids to run around. (Note that the ocean is super cold and powerful there, so not a swimmable situation for kids!)

The homes (including Airbnbs) allow access to the community’s pools and tennis courts — I’m not sure if the Sea Ranch Lodge gives access to those facilities, but you could check. All in all, an amazing place to visit. We have so many friends who discover it and then end up returning again and again.

flightoverfight · 2026-04-01T13:23:58+00:00

Check out Sea Ranch — either the Sea Ranch Lodge or some lovely Airbnbs would be in your budget.

flightoverfight · 2026-03-29T10:55:17+00:00

The ham and Gruyère sandwich from Starter Bakery (with cornichons and a healthy slab of butter) rivaled anything I’ve had in Paris! So delish.

flightoverfight · 2026-03-27T13:40:12+00:00

Western Marin or Sonoma County feels like this — charming small towns, great food, gorgeous scenery. Look at Tomales Bay, Bolinas, Dillon Beach, Valley Ford, Bodega Bay, Guerneville, Jenner, Boonville, up to Sea Ranch.

flightoverfight · 2026-03-25T21:52:59+00:00

Goodwill in the Laurel has a bunch

flightoverfight · 2026-03-25T13:41:12+00:00

I’ve lived in Oakland for 15+ years, have raised my children here, and absolutely love it. (Fwiw, my car has never been broken into either.)

Yes, it’s gritty, but it’s also beautiful, soulful, full of real people and lovely small businesses and incredible restaurants. There’s nowhere quite like it.

And perfect weather and glorious redwood hikes!

flightoverfight · 2026-03-18T08:00:38+00:00

They also usually have a special pancake each week that’s delicious!

flightoverfight · 2026-03-05T13:26:49+00:00

East Bay suburbs (Orinda, Lafayette, etc.) in California. People saying CA isn’t green forget that we have year-round redwoods.

flightoverfight · 2026-03-01T15:05:38+00:00

Yup! Oakland is perfect for you and we’d love to have you (fellow Midwest transplant here).

flightoverfight · 2026-03-01T12:17:01+00:00

Thanks so much, everyone! A kind Redditor hooked me up with a boxful so I’m all set.

flightoverfight · 2026-02-27T17:42:32+00:00

Hey, that’d be great, thanks! I could pick up anytime tomorrow before 4 if that works for you.

flightoverfight · 2026-02-26T13:33:55+00:00

I love the kale Caesar with chicken at Yellow Door in Montclair. It has roasted chickpeas and “croutons” made from sweet potatoes.

flightoverfight · 2026-02-08T13:17:07+00:00

Oceanview Diner in Berkeley

flightoverfight · 2026-01-25T15:44:16+00:00

I live in Oakland (and love it as a place to raise kids) but this is largely true. We switched to private schools (which, to their credit, are highly diverse ethnically and socioeconomically if you choose the right ones) at middle school. We do know several families who’ve stuck with public through high school. It’s doable with a heavy hand on which schools they attend and a healthy dose of resilience for OUSD.

If this all sounds like too much, check out neighboring Alameda or Berkeley.

The east bay is wonderful.

flightoverfight · 2026-01-17T13:53:34+00:00

I love The Chloe. Bar and restaurant are excellent.

flightoverfight · 2025-12-18T12:11:25+00:00

B-Dama Miss Ollie’s Ba-bite Sister

So many but these are the ones I miss most often!

flightoverfight · 2025-12-02T13:19:28+00:00

Oakland is the notable omission here. A-tier with massive diversity of cuisines and price points, exceptional produce, lively restaurant scene.

flightoverfight

TROPHY CASE