This is incredibly premature, but DH & I have always talked about one day moving out of the Dallas area. For me, since I moved away from my family it doesn't really matter where I am since they are a plane ride away anyhow....
What do you consider when you make a jump to a new city? I want to make sure I'm not overlooking anything since when I moved here I did so purely on the fact that DH lived here. I just got lucky that we have great shopping, restaurants, etc. We don't have to consider kid related items, though I'd like to hear those things as well since I think a good school system translates into other positives in a city. If you have a city "must have" & "can't tolerate" list, what are the items on that list?
__________________
Who do you have to probe around here to get a Chardonnay? - Roger the Alien from American Dad
i have to be within at least a half hour of shopping of some sort. my mall now is only 15 minutes away, but because of the sever traffic where i live, it takes me 35 minutes to get there. i can't live in a place where i have to drive an hour or so just to get to town. i need to feel somewhat like i am near civilization. i would prefer to be in a big city and be able to walk to a lot of places so i don't have to constantly drive everywhere, but where i live now, it is impossible to walk anywhere. so i spend $50 on gas every week. also, i look at how comfortable i will be in a neighborhood. i don't want to be jam packed into a neighborhood, but i don't want to be too far from my neighbors in case of an emergency.
Hmmm...I never actually made a big move like that, but I think I would look for...
A thriving music scene or at least a city that has a lot of cool venues and attracts touring bands both bid and small.
Good shopping beyond mall stores - cool boutiques in a variety of price ranges, and hopefully some that support local designers.
A city layed out in a way that allows for decent mass transit or the ability to walk or bike places. This one is super important to me because I hate driving.
Generally friendly population, people don't take themselves too seriously.
Good, affordable restaurants.
Grocery stores w/ good natural food sections, good farmer's markets.
Lots of places to do outdoorsy stuff - hike, bike, kayak, etc. Okay, I don't do that shit very often, but I like to know that I can.
Weather. I hate snow.
Yarn stores!
Really, you should just move to Seattle and be done w/ it.
Interesting luckylily, you just described Dallas! Other than the traffic issues...
I said the same about yarn stores - the place we were kinda looking doesn't have one but DH reminded me that maybe they need one then!
And yeah, Tashina - I have never lived anywhere that having a car was a luxury - it has been a necessity everywhere I've ever lived. I wouldn't know how to act without a car note / insurance / gas bill. Man I could do some shopping then...
-- Edited by laken1 at 16:40, 2006-08-17
__________________
Who do you have to probe around here to get a Chardonnay? - Roger the Alien from American Dad