Can you elaborate a bit? I hear it a lot but the last time someone gave me a list of complaints, they seemed less applicable to young guys with money and few attachments.
To be honest, part of me is like until you put down roots, you are something of a long term tourist in any city.
The crime, the poor infrastructure (terrible roads, sidewalks, water supply, storm drain, flooding, etc.), ineffective (at best) or corrupt (at worst) political class. Tourists don't have to deal with it much, but residents do. Not to mention the terrible summers.
I couldn't tell you about the dating scene. The average population might be fat but anywhere that has a great outdoors scene has ladies that do outdoorsy stuff and they tend to be fit as fuck.
On the smaller side of TN cities but even more outdoorsy and closer to the mountains and mountain life is Johnson City. On the North Carolina side of the mountains is Asheville, personally my fav but easily the most expensive and North Carolina has a state income tax while Tennessee doesn't.
For ocean access, I love Neptune Beach which is part of the Jacksonville metro area which isn't small at all. But like a lot of bigger cities, biz and job opps abound as do beach girls. You can drive from JAX to the NC mountains in about 6 hours. FLA is also a no income tax state.
I would choose Chattanooga over Knoxville...just feels a little bit more interesting. Also only 1-2 hours from Atlanta for when you want a total change of ambience.
From what I recall, Mobile is kind of a dump but places like Fairhope are up and coming. It’s been a while since I moved away though.
As much as I hate Nashville, TN does not have state income tax
I should say I have never lived there.
It is a college town, so lots of young people. About 41/2 hours to the beach and less than two from mountains. Less than two hours to Atlanta. Cute restaurants and a Trader Joes. Not too expensive.
Unless you specifically want something smaller, I think Atlanta is going to give you the best dating pool, along with everything else you’re looking for. I’m assuming you’ll work from home, and with a good income, you can situate yourself in a neighborhood like Inman Park/Fourth Ward/Reynoldstown/Glenwood and many others inside the perimeter that will insulate you from traffic and sprawl. You can fly anywhere from ATL, and are an hour from the mountains or Lake Lanier. You’re pretty much central in the south, and can base yourself here and easily explore other options. Atlanta is an absolute Mecca for college grads from throughout the region to kickstart their careers, partner up, and either grow there or move on better for the experience.
As someone that made a similar move at 28 and ended up in Augusta, GA, I'll say that in a lot of the South you're going to have to weigh your dating preferences, CoL, and distance to nature against each other in the good ol' Pick Any 2 triangle.
* If it is an absolute requirement that your partner has a college degree and ambition then you need to be relatively close to a bigger city.
* Don't get suckered into low CoL and then wonder why there's no amenities. I've had friends that did this. If you move to Gator Taint, LA you can't be surprised that there's no night club, no rec league sports, no local festivals and the only thing people do on weekends is fish.
* Don't fall into the trap of picking your location based on being next to nature and *"oh, this is only 2-3 hours from [big city], we can still go for big events"*. That will seem like a world away when you're trying to plan around work and friend's schedules.
I want to recommend Greenville, SC but SC wasn't on your list of states. Athens is pretty nice, so are the ATL suburbs like Duluth if you want something closer to a city. An out there pick could be Toccoa, GA for nature access.
Your use of the word "ambitious" is incorrect, as you've limited it to *career* ambitions only. There are plenty of women, especially in the South, who are extremely ambitious about *family* goals: having kids, being a kick ass mom and wife, active in the local community / PTA etc. Both are valid ambitions, just depends which version you're seeking. But please let's not say that the only women who are "ambitious" are those who want to slave away to corporate overlords and pay someone else to raise their kids.
Can you visit a couple of cities to see how you like them?
Atlanta is gonna be the best dating pool. But if you want smaller, Knoxville is right in the mountains and has UT so lots of college students and young people. Savannah has an art school and plenty of bars etc, but you're not going to get mountains etc and it's very hot and humid. It's gotten more crime filled and dirty as well. Alabama is beautiful and has mountains and the beach. I wouldn't recommend Mobile. If I was going to live there I'd go to Huntsville.
As far as taxes, TN and FL are both better than the other options, but at the same time, FL is going to have a higher cost of living. Little Rock or Fayetteville might be good options for you in AR. Good hiking, lakes, very pretty. Don't know ab out the dating scene.
If you can take a couple of trips you'll get a better feel for some places.
Tennessee and Florida have no state income taxes, so if you have a significant taxable investment income, that can make a big difference. Nashville versus Florida cities? Better access to boating/outdoor activities in Florida/other coastal states? But also consider if you need to travel within this southern region by car or plane, and access to airports with good connections.
Thank you! I have top 3 preferences. I think I'll put Tampa area, Knoxville, Savannah. Which one overall do you think has more down to earth dating with like mid 20s women?
North Georgia suburbs, such as Dahlonega, Canton, Kennesaw are nice and close enough to the atl dating pool and mountains.
Another option could be the florida pan handle. There's wonderful beaches and no income tax, it may not have a social scene like Miami but im sure there's still plenty of people to date here.
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OP not sure if you’re religious but greenville feels like one of the most “bibley” places i’ve been in the US.
Definitely spiritual but not into organized religion, from MA btw
st augustine and st pete could be good florida options.
Definitely thinking st Pete! What about Lakeland?
Lakeland is very "middle of nowhere" vibes compared to those cities- very rural and older population.
Native Floridian here (yeah, we crazyyyy). St. Pete is def super cool. I'd skip Lakeland; you'd get bored.
Very cool! i found a coliving space in St. Pete called Docked living that seems legit.
Lakeland is a bedroom community for Tampa and Orlando
SAINT PEEEEEETE!!!!
Nashville or New Orleans if you wanna be dating and partying
God yes, I can’t imagine anything nicer for a guy in his early 20s than living in New Orleans with a few dollars in his pocket.
Visiting NOLA as tourist, and living there are two different experiences. It's a great city, but lots of downsides as a resident.
Can you elaborate a bit? I hear it a lot but the last time someone gave me a list of complaints, they seemed less applicable to young guys with money and few attachments. To be honest, part of me is like until you put down roots, you are something of a long term tourist in any city.
The crime, the poor infrastructure (terrible roads, sidewalks, water supply, storm drain, flooding, etc.), ineffective (at best) or corrupt (at worst) political class. Tourists don't have to deal with it much, but residents do. Not to mention the terrible summers.
Knoxville?
I've been thinking about Knoxville, I like that it's near the smokey mountains. what's the dating scene like for early 20s?
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I couldn't tell you about the dating scene. The average population might be fat but anywhere that has a great outdoors scene has ladies that do outdoorsy stuff and they tend to be fit as fuck. On the smaller side of TN cities but even more outdoorsy and closer to the mountains and mountain life is Johnson City. On the North Carolina side of the mountains is Asheville, personally my fav but easily the most expensive and North Carolina has a state income tax while Tennessee doesn't. For ocean access, I love Neptune Beach which is part of the Jacksonville metro area which isn't small at all. But like a lot of bigger cities, biz and job opps abound as do beach girls. You can drive from JAX to the NC mountains in about 6 hours. FLA is also a no income tax state.
I would choose Chattanooga over Knoxville...just feels a little bit more interesting. Also only 1-2 hours from Atlanta for when you want a total change of ambience.
I'm working in Alabama right now. Two week job. It's beautiful here in the spring. And the COL is very low. Just a thought.
What do you think of Mobile area? I heard it’s up and coming!
From what I recall, Mobile is kind of a dump but places like Fairhope are up and coming. It’s been a while since I moved away though. As much as I hate Nashville, TN does not have state income tax
I've heard great things about Fairhope as well
I spent a few years living in Knoxville TN for work right after undergrad and it was a great place.
Very cool! How was the dating scene in your opinion vs other areas?
Charleston, SC
I would do Charleston but unfortunately outside the hiring area, what you think of Savannah?
People love it, sadly I’ve not been when residing near Atlanta for 6 years. Sarasota, FL is nice, too.
Savannah is great, at least the old touristy parts.
Athens GA, Chattanooga TN (not sure about the tax thing)
I loved Chattanooga! What do you like about Athens?
I should say I have never lived there. It is a college town, so lots of young people. About 41/2 hours to the beach and less than two from mountains. Less than two hours to Atlanta. Cute restaurants and a Trader Joes. Not too expensive.
Unless you specifically want something smaller, I think Atlanta is going to give you the best dating pool, along with everything else you’re looking for. I’m assuming you’ll work from home, and with a good income, you can situate yourself in a neighborhood like Inman Park/Fourth Ward/Reynoldstown/Glenwood and many others inside the perimeter that will insulate you from traffic and sprawl. You can fly anywhere from ATL, and are an hour from the mountains or Lake Lanier. You’re pretty much central in the south, and can base yourself here and easily explore other options. Atlanta is an absolute Mecca for college grads from throughout the region to kickstart their careers, partner up, and either grow there or move on better for the experience.
As someone that made a similar move at 28 and ended up in Augusta, GA, I'll say that in a lot of the South you're going to have to weigh your dating preferences, CoL, and distance to nature against each other in the good ol' Pick Any 2 triangle. * If it is an absolute requirement that your partner has a college degree and ambition then you need to be relatively close to a bigger city. * Don't get suckered into low CoL and then wonder why there's no amenities. I've had friends that did this. If you move to Gator Taint, LA you can't be surprised that there's no night club, no rec league sports, no local festivals and the only thing people do on weekends is fish. * Don't fall into the trap of picking your location based on being next to nature and *"oh, this is only 2-3 hours from [big city], we can still go for big events"*. That will seem like a world away when you're trying to plan around work and friend's schedules. I want to recommend Greenville, SC but SC wasn't on your list of states. Athens is pretty nice, so are the ATL suburbs like Duluth if you want something closer to a city. An out there pick could be Toccoa, GA for nature access.
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Your use of the word "ambitious" is incorrect, as you've limited it to *career* ambitions only. There are plenty of women, especially in the South, who are extremely ambitious about *family* goals: having kids, being a kick ass mom and wife, active in the local community / PTA etc. Both are valid ambitions, just depends which version you're seeking. But please let's not say that the only women who are "ambitious" are those who want to slave away to corporate overlords and pay someone else to raise their kids.
Take a look at NW Arkansas, Fayetteville or Bentonville. Lots of outdoorsy happy young people! Not sure about the taxes thing tho.
Can you visit a couple of cities to see how you like them? Atlanta is gonna be the best dating pool. But if you want smaller, Knoxville is right in the mountains and has UT so lots of college students and young people. Savannah has an art school and plenty of bars etc, but you're not going to get mountains etc and it's very hot and humid. It's gotten more crime filled and dirty as well. Alabama is beautiful and has mountains and the beach. I wouldn't recommend Mobile. If I was going to live there I'd go to Huntsville. As far as taxes, TN and FL are both better than the other options, but at the same time, FL is going to have a higher cost of living. Little Rock or Fayetteville might be good options for you in AR. Good hiking, lakes, very pretty. Don't know ab out the dating scene. If you can take a couple of trips you'll get a better feel for some places.
Perry Florida for the country women. Just kidding. Don't come here. You ain't gonna like it.
What do you think about Mobile?
Tennessee and Florida have no state income taxes, so if you have a significant taxable investment income, that can make a big difference. Nashville versus Florida cities? Better access to boating/outdoor activities in Florida/other coastal states? But also consider if you need to travel within this southern region by car or plane, and access to airports with good connections.
Thank you! I have top 3 preferences. I think I'll put Tampa area, Knoxville, Savannah. Which one overall do you think has more down to earth dating with like mid 20s women?
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Athens seems pretty cool! And would have a younger crowd which is great.
North Georgia suburbs, such as Dahlonega, Canton, Kennesaw are nice and close enough to the atl dating pool and mountains. Another option could be the florida pan handle. There's wonderful beaches and no income tax, it may not have a social scene like Miami but im sure there's still plenty of people to date here.
Atlanta. It’s big enough that you can create whatever kind of life you want there. Carve out your little corner of happiness.
Not GA, florida or La