Moving to San Fran maybe possibly?

[Kim]

I've been working for the census for the past couple of weeks, but it's a temporary position, and it looks like work may have run out. I could be out of work here as soon as the end of the week. I'd like to move as soon after that as possible.

The way I see it, the sooner I move, the more money I have saved that I can pay for rent with until I find work where I move. I'd like to think I could find good work in a couple weeks, but that's blindly optimistic. The more rent money I have to spare, the better.

So, I want to move. Where do I want to move? San Fran, or at least within driving distance of it. There are a number of really terrible reasons, but all that's important is that that is the plan for now. It would obviously use up all my money, or more, paying for rent for a single month in San Fran itself, so I want to live somewhere nearby that is at least moderately cheaper than SF itself. Problem: I don't know the area... at all.

That's where you come in NPF. I assume at least some of you know the area, and could recommend places to look for apartments or the like. Any help you could give in this regard would be fantastic.

EDIT: Alt uses for this thread are telling me why I should instead move to some other random place.

[Terex4]

Is this a random move or do you have a really good reason for wanting to live in San Fran? Personally I can't stand the place, too many hills and people.

[TDK]

Is it because you're gay?


What? Don't look at me like that, you were all thinking it.

[Terex4]

Is it because you're gay?


What? Don't look at me like that, you were all thinking it.
....Yeah I was. And if that's the reason maybe check out Vermont. It might be a really nice place no one's heard about.

I've only been to SF a couple times, but California is expensive to start with and the city is a royal pain to get around in. I will never personally recommend a move to the Bay Area unless you have a solid job to start with that pays really well.

[Julford Hajime]

EDIT: Alt uses for this thread are telling me why I should instead move to some other random place.
Michigan! We have snow, which is awesome.* If you're in the Detroit area, there's a ton of casinos, which are always fun to go to with friends (Just don't make a habit of going every week or you'll lose a lot of money fast)

Plus, there's like a hojillion anime cons within a three-four hour drive, which are always fun. Going to those would give you a chance to hunt me down and beat me for being a dick in your Let's Play, too :P

*: Never EVER ask for my thoughts on snow when there is actually some on the ground. All I do then is complain.

[Kim]

A lot of it is just that I really want to move ASAP, and the where is actually secondary to that. I wanted to live near SF mostly because that put me near my biological father, so I can hopefully get to know him better, and a couple other people and places I wanted to be near. So honestly, if someone could give me a good eough reason to live somewhere else, I'd probably consider it.

I'm basically thinking SF area because I don't really have anywhere else that I think of and go "Oh, if I moved there, that'd put me near whatever."

Michigan! We have snow, which is awesome.The only good thing about snow is it gives me another excuse to not go outside.

[Terex4]

You might try looking here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Bay_Area. Many of the links to the surrounding areas should lead to sites that will tell you the cost of living and other vital statistics for the area.

I would seriously avoid living in SF itself due to the reasons I mentioned above, but then again you might not mind traffic as much as I do. There are several ways into the city from the surrounding areas including BART and the ferry.

Arkansas is actually a better place to live than I would have anticipated when I moved here from the west coast. Northwest Arkansas is the home base for Tyson, Wal Mart, and JB Hunt, plus its on the border of Missouri and Oklahoma with 3 major airports within 2-4 hours away. The cost of living is significantly lower with 4 bedroom apartments just now inching towards the $900 mark for some of the more expensive ones. There are plenty of cheap studio apartments and all utilities paid units as well.

The biggest issue with this area is the lack of public transportation. Fayetteville has the Razorback Line but it sucks balls.

This area is also located in the Bible Belt but contrary to West Coast rumors, its not that bad. I very rarely (read once in 5 years) had to deal with someone actually trying to forcefully convert me. Its really more that Christianity is really popular here and the vast majority of people here follow that religion.

[Mondt]

Stay the fuck out of california!

D=

My sister makes 22.50 as a receptionist.

My brothers girlfriend makes the same thing

The difference is, one is poor as hell and the other one pretty much has it made because of cost of living.

[Kim]

plus its on the border of Missouri Well, that would put me near one nice thing. Bishie Con

[Axl]

So you want to move to San Francisco eh? Well, I don't know where you're moving from, but if it's not NYC, your cost of living goes way up. You don't have to travel very far though to A) reach another city and B) find a cheaper place to live.

I don't know what type of work you'll be looking for though, which is probably kinda important. I pretty damn sure Fifth lives in Berkeley, so you can ask him yourself if you're really invested in the Bay Area. I think Mirai lives about an hour or so north of SF, and I live about 1-2 hours east of SF. There are a shit ton of feasible options really, I just don't know how to particularly narrow them down.

[Julford Hajime]

Really, I would find somewhere that's cheap to live. I mean hell, if you can get any kind of loan (I have no bloody idea how old you are, so maybe this isn't an option), you can buy one of like a bajillion 2 1/2 bedroom houses within fifteen miles of Detroit (There I go with Michigan again) for less than $20,000. I know this because I tried to buy said house and was denied because of shit credit :(

[Ravashak]

Really, I would find somewhere that's cheap to live. I mean hell, if you can get any kind of loan (I have no bloody idea how old you are, so maybe this isn't an option), you can buy one of like a bajillion 2 1/2 bedroom houses within fifteen miles of Detroit (There I go with Michigan again) for less than $20,000. I know this because I tried to buy said house and was denied because of shit credit :(God damn, that's cheap, houses here go for first-time buyers go for 10x that o.0
(that said, we do have some silly systems here that drive up the prices of houses).

[Magus]

From what documentaries I've watched on Portland, Oregon it's a lot like San Francisco in culture and sensibilities and "atmosphere", but currently WAY nicer and not filled with deathly smog. If the "lifestyle" of San Francisco is what you're after, Portland looks a lot nicer, seriously. It's where I'd like to live over SF. They've instituted all kinds of measures to keep their inner city really nice and populated by preventing suburban sprawl and it's all very progressive and "city of the future" seeming.

(I don't mean gay lifestyle, that's not what I meant! Not that there's anything wrong with that!)

[Azisien]

Come to Canada! We have good beer and better women!

We also like gay people if you stick east!


Edit: Did I mention we have funky coloured monies?

And moose?

[Kim]

But Canadia has snow! And Communism! And Communist snow!

Also, I don't know where my passport is... or really much about Canada...

[Azisien]

I take serious offense to that, we do not have any Communism here. Though we do have the Communist snow, yes. That god damn snow just falls everywhere equally, and it is superabundant!

[Professor Smarmiarty]

I went to Canada once. That counts as harbouring communists.

[TIME BOMB]

san fran is cool and all but its expensive as hell to make a new start there. I second the portland idea. Its cheap and also has a reputation as being one of the best cities to live in in your 20's cuz the culture. Only problem is unemployment is a little bit worse in oregon compared to other states. Oh and the weatheer sucks, but so does the weather in the bay area.

[Kim]

san fran is cool and all but its expensive as hell to make a new start there. I second the portland idea. Its cheap and also has a reputation as being one of the best cities to live in in your 20's cuz the culture. Only problem is unemployment is a little bit worse in oregon compared to other states. Oh and the weatheer sucks, but so does the weather in the bay area.

The reason I'm living with my parents right now is because the only job I could find in Pocatello, where I was living before, involved holding a sign for a store going out of business, on a street corner during absolute terrible weather, only getting two fifteen minute breaks in an eight hour shift with no lunch break at all (if I was lucky), and being payed under the table. Obviously, I haven't lived in Portland so my knowledge of there isn't much, but I still have a hard time imagining it being that bad.

[Daimo Mac, The Blue Light of Hope]

We also like gay people if you stick east!


You know that's not really fair to say Azi.

But hey, I guess its par for the course for As if there are any other kind.

[mauve]

Obviously, I haven't lived in Portland so my knowledge of there isn't much, but I still have a hard time imagining it being that bad. Oregon as a whole has an unemployment rate of 10-12% or something. I don't know about Portland in particular. But it's pretty bad. 1 in 4 people in the state are on food stamps this year.

Portland's not a bad city, actually. I don't live anywhere near it, but I've been there quite a few times. It has a very unique culture. Oregon is divided in constant struggle between the hippies and the rednecks, and Portland is on the more hippie side of the scale. Not that that's a bad thing-- I like the more hippie-ish areas. It's a very "green" city, if that's important to you, and it's big on education, cultural preservation, etc. The people, for the most part, are on the more liberal end of the scale and are generally open minded. They're also very "earthy" and quirky, and the city as a whole has a dark sense of humor. They also drink more coffee than the rest of the universe combined.

That being said, for some reason people from other parts of the country say Northwesterners as a whole are standoffish and unfriendly.

Also, like TIMEBOMB said, it rains about 8 months of the year and occasionally snows in the northern part of the state. If you have seasonal depression, this is not the place for you. Also, the "occasional" part of "occasional snow" means nobody knows how to deal with that weird white stuff that falls from the sky. A few inches can shut down the interstate. And road salt is apparently illegal in Oregon, so snow lasts forever.

Also, this is fairly accurate. (http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=261)

[krogothwolf]

Come to Canada! We have good beer and better women!

We also like gay people if you stick east!


Edit: Did I mention we have funky coloured monies?

And moose?

I take it you don't go west very often?

[Azisien]

I take it you don't go west very often?

Beer, check.

"Hospitality," check.

Dad hit moose in ALBERTA when I was 9, check.

Money still funky coloured there, check.

Giant blue splotch of Conservative in western Canada, bet you can guess what that means, check!

What am I missing here?

[Daimo Mac, The Blue Light of Hope]

Beer, check.

"Hospitality," check.

Dad hit moose in ALBERTA when I was 9, check.

Money still funky coloured there, check.

Giant blue splotch of Conservative in western Canada, bet you can guess what that means, check!

What am I missing here?

1: Is that a crack at how much a westerner drink?
2: No comment
3: Blaming Alberta for your dad hitting a wild animal. Hey guess what, Northern Ontario has wild animals as well
4: So what if we are still Conservative. We still have Gay marriage in Alberta. It's not like we are arbitrarily saying No you cannot get married. Hey guess what, homosexuality is still accepted in most parts of Alberta. Just like in BC, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.


Too bad you don't know when to check your ignorance you tool. I can cite half dozen of sources where I can prove that the Maritimes is just a hotbed of racial hate just as Alberta.

[Kim]

On second thought, I won't move to Canada. You guys get into arguments over the silliest things.

[POS Industries]

On second thought, I won't move to Canada. You guys get into arguments over the silliest things.
This.

Calm down, Mac.

EDIT: On second thought...

Too bad you don't know when to check your ignorance you tool.
Calm down before I'm forced to put you down. This is not how we behave here.

[krogothwolf]

On second thought, I won't move to Canada. You guys get into arguments over the silliest things.

Do you know how cold it gets here? If we didn't argue to get the blood flowing we'd all freeze to death!

Glitter mod post really stinks the eyes! It's such a good enforcing tool.

[Fenris]

But yeah guys can we get back to talking about places NonCon should live? He's kinda strapped for time to make a decision.

Don't come to Iowa, it's a hole.

[krogothwolf]

St. Paul, Minnesota was a nice place to visit and my friend who lived there said it was not to bad.

[Terex4]

But yeah guys can we get back to talking about places NonCon should live? He's kinda strapped for time to make a decision.

Don't come to Iowa, it's a hole.
Fortunately the list can be narrowed down by eliminating entire states.

Iowa: Never lived there but all I know about the state is it contains bad drivers and corn.
Idaho: If you want potatoes, move to Ireland
Nebraska: Is it even a place?
Delaware: I don't know why but I have it stuck in my head that no one actually lives there.
Oklahoma: Sometimes as crazy as Arizona.
Arizona: See the thread in Discussion.
Texas: I don't know you that well NonCon but you just don't seem like a Texan.

Places to try:

Nevada: The cost of living is better than California and there's no state tax.
Oregon: Good things were mentioned earlier and I've never heard anything bad about it.
Arkansas: I gave a few reasons earlier. Wigmund can also tell you about the state, specifically the NW region.
Missouri: Don't know much about the cost of living but it seems pretty laid back.

The only areas I've really enjoyed living are Reno, Nevada and NW Arkansas. I spent enough time with my wife in Kansas to never want to return (to Miami county anyway. The courts there are crooked as hell). California is just too expensive to live in for my tastes and you never truly appreciate that until you move out of state.

I can't say yay or nay to Canada but I imagine moving out of country is a somewhat complicated process and being pressed for time its realistically right out no matter how attractive it is (again I imagine don't quote me on it).

[Krylo]

St. Paul, Minnesota was a nice place to visit and my friend who lived there said it was not to bad.

There was some talk of either St. Paul or Minneapolis (I can never keep track, the cities basically overlap) becoming the new gay capital of the US or some shit awhile back too. Apparently they're overtaking San Fran in that particular demographic, so it oughta appeal to Noncon on that level.

Then again, Snow.

[bluestarultor]

I'm going to say to strike Wisconsin from the list. While I like it here, we're pretty much economically depressed and don't have jobs available. Also, Milwaukee is pretty terrible these days from what I hear and Madison is supposedly incredibly expensive and has no parking. That pretty much sums it up for our cities minus Green Bay, which isn't half bad.


Edit: Whoops! Forgot Appleton and Eau Claire. Well, actually I just didn't include Appleton because it's close enough to Green Bay for government work, but Eau Claire is apparently pretty nice. I was planning on transferring there before I decided to get into the workforce.

There are other cities listed on Wikipedia, but minus possibly Racine, nobody here really cares about them, at least not in this area.

[Premmy]

If you come to Savannah Georgia, be a SCAAD student or prepare for life to suck. If you come to Savannah to be an art student, prepare to be dicked around by people like me cause them's the rules.

[mauve]

If you're thinking about San Fran but are worried about costs of living, Nonsie, I'd suggest looking into smaller cities nearby. Those'll be cheaper to live in, and you'll have less traffic to deal with. California's roads suck.

Oregon: Good things were mentioned earlier and I've never heard anything bad about it. Weeellllll.... it's not exactly the entertainment capital of the world. You have to be an outdoorsy type to really enjoy the state, cuz that's pretty much all you get. It's okay if you like hiking, camping, skiiing, rafting, or whatever, but it's kind of bottom-of-the-barrel for concerts and conventions and indoor places of interest. I visit Portland for its art museum, but other than that, it's rather boring.

It's also against the law to pump your own gasoline.

Plus the aforementioned open-minded people generally live in the more urban pockets of the state. There are a lot of crazies elsewhere. Last I heard, a hate group was trying to buy property in a small town to make a national headquarters for itself. The town's residents are terrified because there's nothing the city can do to stop them.

[Magus]

It's also against the law to pump your own gasoline.


Well, right there's reason enough not to go to Oregon, this is obviously unconstitutional! And similar to New Jersey!:D

I'd also like to mention Seattle, Washington is pretty nice, my brother has lived and worked out there for over 15 years for various computer and gaming companies, but rent and so on are extremely expensive like the rest of the west coast. Actually, he lives in Redmond which is a suburb of Seattle, not in the city itself. It's pretty nice. I suppose it rains all the time, though, but I was there for a week and it was pretty clear, so at least one week of the year you can expect nice weather I'd suspect.

[Julford Hajime]

I'd also like to mention Seattle, Washington is pretty nice, my brother has lived and worked out there for over 15 years for various computer and gaming companies, but rent and so on are extremely expensive like the rest of the west coast. Actually, he lives in Redmond which is a suburb of Seattle, not in the city itself. It's pretty nice. I suppose it rains all the time, though, but I was there for a week and it was pretty clear, so at least one week of the year you can expect nice weather I'd suspect.

Seattle is a lovely city, I lived there for about a year. Honestly, I'll probably move back there once I'm finished with school, should I get the option. Yes it rains a lot, and in the winter there is the occasional snow (Typically very light, though '08 had some massive snowfall), but typically the weather is VERY nice,

But yes, rent can be REALLY bad out there; most places I could find were in the $600 a month range for a single bedroom of a two-bedroom apartment; I got incredibly lucky and found a single bedroom of an older woman's house for ~$400 a month, but situations like that are A) rare, and B)leave less privacy for yourself.

[Ecks]

Michigan! We have snow, which is awesome.* If you're in the Detroit area, there's a ton of casinos, which are always fun to go to with friends (Just don't make a habit of going every week or you'll lose a lot of money fast)

Plus, there's like a hojillion anime cons within a three-four hour drive, which are always fun. Going to those would give you a chance to hunt me down and beat me for being a dick in your Let's Play, too :P

*: Never EVER ask for my thoughts on snow when there is actually some on the ground. All I do then is complain.

HOLY SHIT, YOU LIVE IN MI TOO?

WHERE WHERE WHERE WHERE WHERE WHERE

EDIT: Oh, I suppose I'd throw in my hat for Michigan too. If, y'know, you can find a JOB here.

There's always Ohio.

ALSO don't move to San Fran, it sucks...

BUT NOT AS MUCH AS ARIZONA!

[Julford Hajime]

HOLY SHIT, YOU LIVE IN MI TOO?

WHERE WHERE WHERE WHERE WHERE WHERE

EDIT: Oh, I suppose I'd throw in my hat for Michigan too. If, y'know, you can find a JOB here.

There's always Ohio.

ALSO don't move to San Fran, it sucks...

BUT NOT AS MUCH AS ARIZONA!

Wait you never noticed? I mean, I don't go all "RAWR MICHIGAN IS WHERE DA BITCHES AT" 24 hours a day, but I know I mention it every now and then >.>

Anywho, check your PMs.

[Kim]

It looks like the census people may have some work for me up in Bannock County, so I have a little more time to figure this all out.

[Grimpond]

Wait you never noticed? I mean, I don't go all "RAWR MICHIGAN IS WHERE DA BITCHES AT" 24 hours a day, but I know I mention it every now and then >.>

Anywho, check your PMs.


so hey, GUESS WHO ALSO LIVES IN MICHIGAN!!!

[Kim]

I kinda wish I lived in Michigan just so I could join this little conversation...

[Grimpond]

I kinda wish I lived in Michigan just so I could join this little conversation...

The better to pursue my mancrush on you, you, cat...boy...thing

:dance:

[Julford Hajime]

so hey, GUESS WHO ALSO LIVES IN MICHIGAN!!!

Goddammit guys there's this thing called a PM. I hate dragging topics into "Guess where I lives?"-ville.

I kinda wish I lived in Michigan just so I could join this little conversation...

DO IT.

[Kim]

But Michigan is even further away than California? It's gonna take so long to drive there.

[Azisien]

But Michigan is even further away than California? It's gonna take so long to drive there.

Take a bus, play Pokemon on the ride. Problem solved.

[Krylo]

We live in Michigan
Places that are potentially good to live in:
Michigan
Everyplace else.

[Julford Hajime]

Hey, why isn't Ecks on that list?

[Krylo]

Because I wasn't reading that close?

Also, I don't know how to put five strike outs through a word.

[POS Industries]

Places that are potentially good to live in:
Michigan
Everyplace else.
Hey, Michigan is way better than Ohio.

PS NonCon don't come to Ohio. Ever. Just trust me on this.

[Daimo Mac, The Blue Light of Hope]

Hey, Michigan is way better than Ohio.

PS NonCon don't come to Ohio. Ever. Just trust me on this.

What's wrong with Ohio?

[Julford Hajime]

What's wrong with Ohio?

Well for starters, it's Ohio.

[POS Industries]

Well for starters, it's Ohio.
Yeah, I don't really know what else needs to be said on the matter.

[Daimo Mac, The Blue Light of Hope]

I'm Canadian. I have no idea the issues with things in the states.

[bluestarultor]

I'm Canadian. I have no idea the issues with things in the states.

http://i49.tinypic.com/6f06k7.gif

All you need to know.

[Art of Hilt]

The only notable thing about Ohio is a single building and even then there are other ways to enjoy rock and roll.
You'd think the rest of the state would make up for it. It would, except the rest of the state happens to be Ohio.

[Green Spanner]

Both times I went to Ohio, it was completely deserted and everything was closed.

On a Saturday.

At noon.

[Wigmund]

Arkansas: I gave a few reasons earlier. Wigmund can also tell you about the state, specifically the NW region.

Actually, Terex already mentioned most everything there is about this area. Fayetteville is a liberal college town, there's jobs - mostly minimum wage but the cost of living is cheap enough that you can live off of it, it's safe - I live in the 'worst part of town' and have not had any troubles besides a crazy druggie neighbor.

I've lived in the area since I was 5 and I love it here, but I am by far no expert on the region other than to say "It's a great place", I suggest googling the hell out the region on whatever your concerns are to see how you'd like it here.

Both times I went to Ohio, it was completely deserted and everything was closed.

On a Saturday.

At noon.

I have the mental image of the entire state being deserted as everyone went somewhere better for the weekend.

[Green Spanner]

I have the mental image of the entire state being deserted as everyone went somewhere better for the weekend.

There is a wealth of better places to be than Ohio.

Even the tumbleweed didn't turn up.

[Ecks]

Fuck you Krylo, Michigan is awesome.

Sweet, Grim, didn't know you lived here too.

NonCon, you should totally come to Michigan.
And not go through Ohio. Seriously, go through Indiana.

The cops in Ohio stop you if you're even 1 mile per hour over the limit. It's not like awesome Michigan where if they clock under five over the limit they'll be like "Eh, whatever" and won't stop you.

[Julford Hajime]

The cops in Ohio stop you if you're even 1 mile per hour over the limit. It's not like awesome Michigan where if they clock under five over the limit they'll be like "Eh, whatever" and won't stop you.

Actually, it more like as long as you're within twenty of the speed limit, at least in the Detroit area. We tend to go 85 on a 70mph zone and we're one of the slower cars on the road.

BUT YES NONCON JOIN US.

ONE OF US.

ONE OF US.

[Ecks]

That must be Detroit then. I got stopped once for going 82.

Yeah, don't ever get in the car with me, I'm fucking crazy.

Would you believe I didn't get a ticket? Michigan cops RULE.

[Kim]

I'm actually a little worried to meet you guys. I'm not sure I could ever reconcile how you actually look with your avatars. My mind couldn't take it.

[tacticslion]

Whelp, I've no idea what you like, but...

If you like horses, rediculous heat waves, and playing DnD you could always move to Ocala, FL! Huh? Huh? ... man we need more people here.

[Loyal]

I'm actually a little worried to meet you guys. I'm not sure I could ever reconcile how you actually look with your avatars. My mind couldn't take it.This coming from the guy with a catboy in his avatar.

[Kim]

My hair is brown and I have a pair of cat ears. I highly doubt EckScizor has Isshin hair.

[Ecks]

No I don't, but I could if I just let my hair stand up after I dry it in the morning.

Not saying I will... besides, I change avatars on a semi-frequent basis. At least I'm not using the Scizor avatars anymore.