Nice American city to live for Aussie?

Question

Hello
I have recently been looking around at American real estate. I am 22 years old, but have a personal wealth of just over $2million AUD. I am currently studying at university but I trade shares at home making a healthy living. In the next couple years I am looking at getting some land and a home.
I have visited the United States several times and have loved it. I enjoy the culture and lifestyle, particularly the sports. I love consumerism in the U.S, there is so much available and everything is a lot cheaper than here in Melbourne.

I was looking for a suburb with a close proximity to a happening city, but one that is fairly open, not too busy and room to breathe. My favorite cities I have visited are Philly, Chicago and San Fransisco.
Any ideas?
I am unsure if it will be a permanent move, as Melbourne is such a great place to raise a family, but it will be a prolonged stay for at least 5 years, permanent if it is as nice and safe as Melbourne.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

I would suggest living in the New York City area. NYC is the best place to raise a family out of the three major cities here.

I actually live in a city that is 1 hour away from Philly and 1 hour away from NYC. It is called Bethlehem Pennsylvania, you should look it up.

We were voted the nicest city in Pennsylvania in 2006. We are 82% white (if that matters to you), and have a TON of old American history here. Great place to raise a family or to just visit for holiday. We also have a very European style feel to our city, since we have many Germans and English/Irish/Scottish people living here. Bethlehem is part of the Lehigh Valley which is home to about 750,000 people.

You would love it here, and within an hour of Philly and NYC you won't get bored.

Billy Joel even wrote a song about my area titled "Allentown". (Allentown is our neighbor city).

Definitely worth looking into. And get ready to be surrounded with Eagles and Phillies fans!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethlehem,_…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K62DdoFoN…

Source(s):

Bethlehem PA born and raised

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

NYC is my favorite place on earth, amazing place to visit but I couldn't live there.
An hour's travel would be perfect!

Thanks

Answer 2

If you're not too worried about cold weather in winter (anywhere from 0 degrees C to -30 degrees C on average in December through February), I would say that Minneapolis is a good place to look. The culture in Minneapolis/St. Paul is the best in the Midwest, and there is room to breathe. If you haven't checked out Minneapolis, you should. I think it's a great place to live

Answer 3

For Chicago, if you don't mind a half-hour or so commute, a great place to live would be Arlington Heights. It's upscale, yet affordable, with a lot of ways to entertain kids. I think education there is alright, but you would have to research it more.

Source(s):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlington_H…

Answer 4

try Tennessee
we have a lot of open space, lot,s of big towns close by.
lots of wild life,
and TN is the cheapest state to live in,

Source(s):

old timer in TN

Answer 5

Go to Austin Texas, it's like the #1 thriving city in the US and I have herd just a great place to live in

Answer 6

Charleston, South Carolina!

Answer 7

Of the places you mentioned, Chicago would be the best choice for a young, single person. It has a lot of young, single people. Relatively inexpensive (relatively) cost of living. And plenty of nightlife, entertainment & activities. With both airports, you can also catch cheap flights for the weekends.

San Francisco is a very expensive place to live. And I can't say much about Philly. Just not that familiar with it.

I agree that Austin would be a good option. You should check it out.

Also take a look at Portland, Oregon. Seattle, Washington. Or perhaps Charleston, South Carolina.