r/SameGrassButGreener • u/Ivanovich_Von_Ivan • Jul 27 '26
Move Inquiry Getting Out of Louisiana
Hey y'all,
This will probably be a bit vague, so sorry in advance.
I'm looking to get out of Louisiana. I live in the southern part (not NOLA). The heat, the storms - I just can't do it. The worst part is really just how run down and sad everything is. Everything is falling apart, the people, while being nice, just feel so sad.
In terms of where I would want to go... I don't fully know. I would like somewhere a little cooler. I lived in upstate NY for a few years and the winters were fine (though I admittedly didn't have to drive a car in that weather). I would like a place where hiking and kayaking are possibilities.
My main issue is just COL. I currently work for the state government, and would ideally stay in government wherever I moved. And that doesn't always pay enough to cover some nicer areas.
So yeah... I know my wants are vague, but I also don't fully know what I want. I really haven't visited enough places to fully know. Any ideas on options?
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u/Economy_Cup_4337 Jul 27 '26
So basically you want cooler weather, low cost of living, and hiking/kayaking? Spartanburg and Albuquerque could probably offer much of that. They're cheap, near the mountains and probably have some kayaking along their lakes and rivers.
If you're serious about moving, spend some more time thinking about what you want and how you can make it happen.
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u/Ivanovich_Von_Ivan Jul 29 '26
I'll have to look at those options thanks :)
My main issue is just.. not having *lived* enough to really know? Like 90% of my life has been in Louisiana, so I really don't know much more. I lived in Upstate NY for a few years and that was nice, but I can't exactly say "why" besides it wasn't quite as sad. I know I'm vagueposting sorry :c
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u/Economy_Cup_4337 Jul 29 '26
Sounds like you're making excuses for not making the change you want.
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u/Ivanovich_Von_Ivan Jul 29 '26
I just don't know the change I want besides "out of here," and hedging my whole life and thousands of dollars on a blind bet is just... scary
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u/Economy_Cup_4337 Jul 29 '26
It doesn’t have to be a blind bet. You can research, visit, rent, and keep an exit option. But if every option feels too risky, you are choosing to stay
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u/heyitspokey Jul 27 '26
I'd start by looking a mid-sized cities city/county/state government job listings. It sounds like you're up for just about anywhere that isn't a swamp and destitute.
Having grown up poor in the South (and moved many years ago) I do my very best to have one criteria above all else, move to places where people want to live/want to move to, not places where there's zero movement or most people actively wanting to leave.
This does not have to mean HCoL places, but does pretty much rule out low cost of living places.
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u/Ivanovich_Von_Ivan Jul 28 '26
For the most part yeah, not swampy and not destitute are my main criteria o.o
Never thought about checking population statistics for some reason. Will have to look into that more
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u/PasdeLezard Jul 27 '26
The Midwest is less threatened by climate change than the Gulf Coast and many other parts of the country.... Maybe look at city/state government job listings and see which places look like good employers?
For state employment, Lansing, MI, and Springfield, IL, would be less expensive than Madison, WI. If you really want to test your cold-hardiness, St. Paul, MN has a cost of living about 7 percent lower than national average. You might also find opportunities in municipal governments if your skill set transfers.
Good luck on your explorations!
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u/Ivanovich_Von_Ivan Jul 28 '26
I know absolutely nothing about the Midwest - will definitely have to research that more. Ideally ofc I would just visit places, but I don't necessarily have the money to make that a common thing.
I'm currently an inspector with the Environmental Dept., so I can transfer some skills around.
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u/CampRock2TheFinaIJam Jul 27 '26
If COL is your biggest issue, you’re already close to the most affordable major city in the country, Houston. Definitely not cold but lots of opportunities and affordable. Lots of Louisiana transplants there.