I think everyone has their own preferences, and the cities have to be gauged on what is most important. so Mirch bhai jan has to give factors that are important. otherwise we can go all over the map and analyzing non critical factors to the nth degree. It has to be a little more specific to the individual. Cities will vary based on
e.g. is real estate price a very big factor
job growth is nice, but is it in the right industry.. right level and types of jobs
blue state vs red state is that important..how much?
proximity of good universities for children…USC and ucla vs UH and rice - is proximity important?
how many and how good are tier 2 unis in the area?..
commute time from areas you want to live in to areas where the jobs are
public transport infrastructure
entertainment, sports, culture,
availability of services, community etc for parents if they live with you
I have alot of family in california and none of them would ever willingly move out of cali. I haven’t been to orange county but I have been to other parts in southern cali and bay area and its absolutely beautiful. houston has its charm too, but its really hot and not as pretty as california. also california has alot of ourdoor activities, scenic routes, mountains, valleys, state parks, lakes. we have camped at big sur, rented cabins at lake tahoe, explore yosemite. there is just endless outdoor activities in california which you wont find in texas. that being said, my husband and I are planning to move to texas from NY as soon as he’s done with his fellowship. texas is a great place for families, big houses for half the price, job opportunities, less taxes (compared to ny and cali). we are thinking of dallas or nearby areas like Plano.
True. I lived and worked in downtown LA for about 2 years and then in OC for about a year. Loved the beaches. Laguna Beach was about 9 miles from my apartment. Huge masjid within a mile. Loads of halal places in Anahiem and Irvine. Its awesome out there.
maybe i can bring some change in a red state. as far as most political issues, im more libertarian than liberal anyway. but my husband is very republican so if i can put up with him, i can put up with the rest of texas.
Not in Htown. Here it is more of a torture.
The places I have lived in for last two decades has changed me , otherwise I used to play cricket in Karachi in full sun of June and July, for fun not for living.
I have lived in SoCal/West, Mid, East and in south and have enjoyed what each region has to offer. If we take out job related restrictions, here is the list in order where I want to live
West (specially SoCal)
South
East
Mid West
I have put SoCal at top because here I find right balance of
quality education (for kids and adults)
Islamic resources (mosques, Islamic school, halal good etc)
great weather (you can go out and enjoy your day almost all year except when its raining)
Enough desi population to socialize in our desi setting but not enough for someone to show up at our door every day asking for piaz or aaloo or some desi auntie telling my wife that she saw me with some chick during lunch hour
Yes it does come with the price tag though. So if saving is the top goal, I’d advise against it. I actually moved out of SoCal and moved to South for around 8 years for same purpose and moved back couple of years ago.
PS: btw, We also enjoyed Toronto a lot and we would have stayed there had it not for my wife and son getting ill more frequently due to cold weather. We still own a property there so who knows we might move back someday.
^This is true! That said, if you want to get friendly with the Pakistani community, take their phone numbers and host parties. It took me more than a year to get accepted where I live now.
I live in Missouri. Simply put, here, if you are not a doctor than doesn’t matter what else you did in life. You could be a high school drop out or a phd, its the same to them. Even most of the masjid community is like that. They go either for super religious or super rich people. That said, I have a great social life now. In the beginning, if I invited 10 families, 3-4 would drop out at the last minute, now most people come. But I did not give up. Don’t wait for things to come to you, go to the things that you want is my motto in life. But the first year I moved here, I was very bored and wanted to move back to Michigan. Now I feel as if Michigan is the most boring place on earth.
Now now let’s be fair. Walking from car to front door of whatever is not bad if (1) Parking is in a covered garage with attached tunnel leading to building (ex. Galleria!); or (2) If the walking is not being done b/t then hours of noon to 6:00 p.m.
is that important..how much?
as far as most political issues, im more libertarian than liberal anyway. but my husband is very republican so if i can put up with him, i can put up with the rest of texas.
