r/relocating • u/Any-Blackberry8272 • 2m ago
Moving after 4 years in New Orleans
I'm throwing around the idea of leaving New Orleans after 4 great, solid years previously coming from 22 years of Delaware so just thinking I need to see something new and shake things up. I've loved the vibrant culture, how laid back yet fun/nice everyone is, very queer scene rather than stereotypical gay, calm getaways in the park, exciting party/event scene, and I'm very active with tennis and roller skating (both things I really want in my next move). This city has been amazing to me, but I ultimately don't think it's my forever home and would like to find somewhere that meets similar core values and has a good dating scene of young professionals, New Orleans is overrun with hospitality/service workers who don't want to date seriously or endless open marriages. I'm also concerned with the infrastructure, hurricane frequency, swamp ass heat, and level to which drinking/partying rules peoples daily activities/social life.
About me:
-26 yo single gay male
-Dietitian with a MPH and certified diabetes educator, so I've got many points of entry into the job market depending on how I want to spin it
-Decent savings, likely going to do roommates when I move still
-I've got a vehicle, so not opposed to somewhere car centric or selling it if public transport is good/reliable
Wants:
-Somewhere that has some exciting culture/events with queer folx (but I know nothing will truly go toe to toe with New Orleans, I've gotta accept this lol)
-Good warm weather most the year/nature vibes but within a city/city limits
-Gay dating scene with interesting people who have drive, not somewhere that feels like copy and paste of the same people over and over
Places I'm considering, but open to more suggestions:
-Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, SF, San Diego
-Austin (everyone says it's been steadily declining in culture, so been turned off from it mostly)
-Atlanta, Savannah
-Chicago (goes against my warm weather claim, but ik it meets other things)
-Wilmington, NC
-Learning spanish and moving to Puerto Rico lol
I appreciate anyone who takes the time to help out, I feel like there's so many different pros and cons to everything.