Miami vs. Atlanta vs. Austin
Me (remote/can work anywhere in US), my wife (non-working), and 2 young kids (2 years away from school) currently live in the Miami area (just north of Miami Beach). We’ve lived in NYC and LA previously, and may move back to one of those one day, but the taxes and housing costs just seem unjustifiable to us currently. We don’t love Miami - too hot, people not the brightest, party culture, kinda bored (beach or pool today? Womp womp), and don’t think a great place to raise kids (maybe the suburbs like Boca, but even more boring than where we are now)… plus hurricanes and home insurance, don’t want to settle here and be forced to evacuate one day and deal with damage, etc. Considering Atlanta (northern suburbs) and Austin (suburbs)… know some people there, can find a good house at a reasonable price, relatively low tax (although Georgia will cost more and more as my TC increases)… but just not excited about either, feels like I’m making a calculation, not a positive choice. SoCal (LA and SD) love for the weather and NYC love for Manhattan, and part of me thinks just pay the price and move back… don’t love anything about Miami and likely won’t love anything about living in Atlanta or Austin. Considered Raleigh and Nashville, but they’re barely 3rd tier, and Hawaii is a dream/impractical. Would love your thoughts TC: 400K
OP knows shit about the US
Lol, sorry only lived here my whole life - educate me
If that was true, you wouldn’t have said this: “Considered Raleigh and Nashville, but they’re barely 3rd tier”
Dude miami anytime for no income state tax, weather is good, beaches and attractive womans and above all their real state is really good at the moment.
I think the real estate is bad in Miami given a lot of prices are yo 60% from two years ago and I’m not sure there’s a ton more up to go. In Nyc now and debating a move to Miami, but not sure the 50k in tax savings is worth having to live in Miami instead of nyc
well if you are okay with the cold weather then nyc is cool but think about what happened during covid in nyc and california vs texas and miami, these cities gives us better living conditions overall and less stressful. If you are young in mid 20s sure go for it, if you in 30s with wife and kids I will really think through.
Avoid all 3 cities on your list. Atlanta is the most desirable city of the three. Raleigh -Durham area and Charlotte are better cities for families.
Raleigh definitely seems great for families, but similar cost vs Atlanta for a much smaller urban area with fewer amenities… Charlotte feels like a plainer Atlanta… not hating, just not super exciting
Me and my wife are considering Chicago in the future. Just curious if the cold made you rule that out
Chicago is a shithole
I like Chicago, would consider if we knew anyone there, felt like a cleaner and nicer NYC, definitely world class, and more affordable than NYC
San Diego for sure
Love it, but the tax+housing costs are wild
Only if you are ok with narco and human trafficking next to your door.
No
What if you have to change your job and next job doesn't allow remote?
At this point in my career/field, I’m remote forever unless I choose to change to a job that requires me to be somewhere specific… I could also technically live overseas if no tax issues for my company or part of the year
Southern suburbs of Charlotte. SC has dirt cheap property taxes.
The income taxes will more than make up for that over time
Austin is even hotter than Miami. It's not cooled by the sea. Do not recommend if that's a priority.
Austin gets hurricanes too
When was the last time anyone in Austin had to evacuate due to a hurricane?
California 100%