As I do from time to time, I'm getting a bit of an itch to try something new, or at least somewhere else. So...sell me on your city. Gimme pros, cons, and just shit you won't find anywhere else. Doesn't have to be music related at all. You don't even actually have to live there now. If you have been dying to move back to Youngstown, lemme have it.

Sorry folks in NYC, LA, Texas and Louisiana, I've already ruled that out.

Let's hear it!

atlanta has big beautiful black women...

I could say something about LA which you've ruled out or Annapolis which logically you don't need me to do. Otherwise, I've got nothing.

Out of curiousity though, are you looking for a place to take a short trip to or are you looking to up and move.

I think Fu means Louisiana not Los Angeles because he's already lived here

Actually I've ruled out both. Big L little a because I lived there, and Big L big A just because it really doesn't interest me. Same with NYC. Texas? Well, for starters it's Texas.

I'm pondering up and moving. I don't have anything really tying me down here, especially if I change industries. Immediate family is here, but I'm not sure for how long, and, this is my life to make.

This is the very early stages of a likely long process, but I'm just working on figuring out what in the world it is I want before wasting time and energy browsing around.

You are pretty familiar with Cincinnati, aren't you?
Come visit, and we'll go see a band and game or something.

Northeast Ohio is supposed to be dying pretty quick. I think I heard Hamilton county is one of the few Ohio counties that isn't losing residents.

There are always tons of things to do, you just have to look a little harder than when I was in Chicago, and the events aren't quite as hoppin' which isn't always bad because Chicago events could get out of hand way too fast with too big of crowds.

Austin isn't Texas.
It's the West Berlin of the South.

Case closed.

Portland is beautiful, but already rife with graphic designers. You and I have talked offline about this before already, and I'd be certainly willing to provide more info. Vancouver, BC would be my 2nd choice of city to live in if I could afford it.

If I were going to move to another American city, it would be Portland.

That's the fun part—I don't even have to design! I'm pretty open career-wise.

right on, Mike! You got built-in friends and family here too.

Definitely consider it before Cincinnati or Austin.

I would never suggest moving to Lincoln or Nebraska in general, but Omaha does have some positives.
Arguably the best steaks in the country for an incredibly reasonable price.
Most restaurants per capita in the USA
A relatively new arena that ranks in the top five/top ten for draws and concert revenue.
Two new modern indie clubs, one of them owned and operated by Saddle Creek Records.
Real Estate is pretty cheap.

Also consider it before anywhere in Nebraska.

more compehensive list for portland....

pros:
no sales tax
sustainable/green practices
best bookstore in the country
1.5 hours to beautiful coastline
1.5 hours to prime skiing/snowboarding
beervana
liberal
lots of bikes and dogs (and friendly places for both)
ton of stuff to do/see (first thursday, tons of movies, pubs, clubs, indoor/outdoor activities, lots of friendly folks without 'tude, great music scene)
contained growth (no sprawl) and logical city planning
effective public transport (not like Chicago, NYC or London, but not terrible and easy to use/navigate)
it's a river city
great citywide curbside recycling program
GORGEOUS summers-- humidity free

cons:
hipsters and hippies
smaller city (approx. 1 million)
abysmal property taxes and somewhat expensive housing if you buy (although it's a buyer's market right now)
stupid drivers
too liberal at times (if that's possible)
gets passed up by certain bands between Seattle and SF
can be depressing if you don't like constant drizzle in the winter months

I'm sure I'm missing a few in each category.

[img][393:500]http://www.legendsofamerica.com/photos-oregon/PortlandOregon.jpg[/img]

I ride a kangaroo to work everyday. If that doesn't sell you I just don't know what will.

Where I live:

Pros: Reasonable cost of living, close to the ocean and lots of nice waterways, mild winters, no state income tax, $18 crack whores.

Cons: Basically no live music scene to speak of, hot & humid in summer, THEM, $18 crack whores.

And under "shit you won't find anywhere else"

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/QUjhdw_a ... ZDVGHWyiHQ


We have our local, um, legends.

Oh, and there is always Phil's cooking. BIG plus. You should really just follow us around the country for the parties and food.

yup, im born and raised as a Vancouverite and have always liked it here

Pros: Mountains very close to the North (30 min from downtown). Famous Whistler mountain 2 hr drive to north. Skiing at all said mountains.

Surrounded by sandy beaches. Including famous Wreck Beach - nude beach right next to major university.

the air! which you can immediately notice when arriving at Vancouver airport. Very fresh ocean/mountain air.

2 excellent universities - University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. University of Victoria also good - a ferry ride away.

Pro sports - Really a hockey city that religiously follows the Canucks. Also BC Lions of Canadian Football league and Vancouver Canadians of single A ball in beautiful little Nat Bailey Stadium

Doesnt get cold in the winter - very mild temperatures, may snow on a couple occasions, but melts soon.

Major rock acts now make a stop in Vancouver. City also has developed some homegrown talent - New Pornographers, Econoline Crush, Matthew Good Band, 5440, Bryan Adams, etc

Close to Victoria and Seattle for weekend get-aways


Cons

Expensive to live in the city. If you buying a house under 500 grand, better buy far in the suburbs

Rain Rain and more Rain. yes it can rain weeks on end. Only guaranteed good weather month is August.

Rush hour traffic. The city's main arteries run very slow in rush hour. There will be a new subway line for the 2010 winter olympics

Earthquakes?? Supposedly due for a major one for a while now, but it hasnt happened yet.

Canada won't have me.

Thanks for the rundown though, db. That's the kind of stuff I'm looking for.

Chicago:

pros:
What kind of ethnic food do you want?
The neighboroods... each one its own little city.... hell, its own little country!
Great local music scene (spare me the Spade Kitty comments)
Best theater town in the country -- Steppenwolf, Second City, Goodman Theater, and countless other small troupes.
The CSO
Hot dogs
Pizza
Summer festivals
The lakefront
Great public transportation, if you live in the city and want to get around
Summer

cons:
It's expensive
Winter

San Diego:

Pros:
mexican food that isn't chipotle
nice harbor and bays
beaches in winter
close to TJ if you are into that
close enough to LA if you really really want to see a band that skips SD
no humidity
lots of good microbrews
mountains, desert, beach, chaparral all within an hour's drive

Cons:
never rains
surfers
beaches in summer
pretty much car dependent
city is basically bankrupt
a lot of bands skip SD thinking LA is close enough, even though its really not
expensive housing
often lumped in with LA in generalizations about southern california
lots of military folks (often conservative, probably not the obner style)

After Portland, this would be my next choice.

San Diego is not close to me, and nobody is into me.

I haven't travelled much in my relatively young age, but San Francisco would be high on the list of places I wouldn't mind living.

I've also always wanted to go to Memphis, Seattle, and Albuquerque (or is it Santa Fe?), but mostly for reasons that are beyond me as I've never actually seen them in person or know many people who have.