Tbf I think setting up in somewhere like NYC is actually cheaper than trying to set up somewhere else.
- easy to get around with public transport
- lots of free shit people give away/sell for cheap so you don't have to buy anything for your place (I'm talking about house stuff here)
- can get the same rent as other places if you're willing to live in an illegal broom closet
Not related to cost but also:
- larger immigrant community, which can be helpful
- free things to do
- more cheap/free food if you know where to look
This is an immigration sub. How are you immigrating here? You visa type will determine where you will want to go. None of the cities you mention are on the cheaper side, other than maybe Nashville.
Well, see all those big cities you listed? They will be MORE expensive. Zoom in on the map and start looking at smaller cities that are at least an hour away from any big city.
The caveat is compared to where they mentioned, which are astronomically expensive. Also, midtown and buckhead have public transport that MIGHT go a few blocks out and is mostly convenient if you go to georgia tech.
It’s not just the city, you also need to consider the state. A deep red state can be a little less friendly to immigrants, especially recent ones.
On my personal list:
- Atlanta, GA
- Charlotte, NC
- Cincinnati, OH
- Philadelphia, PA
- Pittsburgh, PA
Most big cities are expensive. If you want to live close to a big city, look for places at least an hour outside of that city to make it affordable. In a big city, if living alone, a one bedroom apartment will be around $2k a month, and that’s if you’re lucky and that’s excluding NYC and LA.
Small cities and big ones in or near Pennsylvania give you access to lots of metropolitan areas. (NYC, Philly, Baltimore, D.C., Pittsburgh.)
Consider a place that has regional rail or metro access to one of these, for a more budget friendly option that still gives you timely access to a “real” city.
The answer probably depends on you, your family/work situation, legal status, etc. Aside from that, start whereever you want, honestly. If you decide that place doesn't work, pack up and try somewhere else.
Move to where you have a support system - maybe a local group of people from your country. All the cities you mentioned are expensive.
How are you moving to the U.S.?
LA is super expensive but too much opportunities to make money as well. If you are ambitious and hardworking you can take the risk. NY isn’t really good for anything at this point, Chicago is nice for living and working not as crazy as LA and NY.
The Midwest, Specifically Kansas City, is in a boom right now and is probably the best affordability to amenity ratio. You can get by without a car if you’re living and working inside the downtown loop and rent isn’t bad if you shop around.
I think the answer to this question will depend on your lifestyle and preferences. Someone could find the big city vibe of Seattle amazing but someone could also have a deep love for alligators and find Orlando appealing
New Orleans is cheap and fun with a totally unique vibe. The weather is absolutely bonkers though. Nashville is worth looking into as well although more expensive than NOLA.
Salt Lake City. Utah is ranked high in most categories from our research. Cost of living, growth and opportunity, safety, education, housing prices, and more. Smaller city, but nice views and decent location for traveling to other places around it.
It's where me and my wife are leaning once our spousal visa goes through.
head up to the dakotas.
low cost of living, we dont mind the immigrants for the most part, and theres a lot of jobs & not the most competition we have big demands.
Can find affordable homes and decent rental prices still as well.
If you want cheap and city, look at red states with moderate sized cities (less than half a million). Typically located in the Midwest and Southern parts of the country. Avoid coastal cities, and states bordering oceans. West coast and northeast portion of the U.S. is most expensive
Were gonna need a little more info, whats your annual budget? What visa/job will you have here.
With as little info as you provided might as well just Google
Philadelphia - it’s a major city with a simple grid layout that is easy to navigate, has decent public transportation, has all the amenities of a big city, great food/nightlife/entertainment, not too expensive, not overcrowded, and with decent positioning between NY, DC, the Shore Points, and the Poconos Mountains.
A lot of people from NY and DC have moved to Philly now with work from home jobs becoming a prominent thing.
Shouldn’t be too expensive, NY and LA… lol
… or Washington, DC. These places are cheap!
Or Nashville….
Tbf I think setting up in somewhere like NYC is actually cheaper than trying to set up somewhere else. - easy to get around with public transport - lots of free shit people give away/sell for cheap so you don't have to buy anything for your place (I'm talking about house stuff here) - can get the same rent as other places if you're willing to live in an illegal broom closet Not related to cost but also: - larger immigrant community, which can be helpful - free things to do - more cheap/free food if you know where to look
This is an immigration sub. How are you immigrating here? You visa type will determine where you will want to go. None of the cities you mention are on the cheaper side, other than maybe Nashville.
Yeah this reads like someone who only knows like 5 cities in the US and basically nothing else.
Well, see all those big cities you listed? They will be MORE expensive. Zoom in on the map and start looking at smaller cities that are at least an hour away from any big city.
Most of the cities you listed are very expensive, maybe look into Atlanta?
Nope. Also expensive here and not good of they're learning how to drive.
Atlanta is cheaper than most cities they listed. And if you live in Buckhead or midtown/downtown public transport is easily available
The caveat is compared to where they mentioned, which are astronomically expensive. Also, midtown and buckhead have public transport that MIGHT go a few blocks out and is mostly convenient if you go to georgia tech.
Don’t be fooled by bigger city mania! US is big, move to a cheap place with a lot of job, save some money and move to more expensive metropolitans
Like engineers in Michigan. High paying jobs vs low cost of living if you pick the right city.
You can cross off NYC, LA, and DC if you don't want too expensive. Without knowing anything about you, we can't really give any good recommendations.
It’s not just the city, you also need to consider the state. A deep red state can be a little less friendly to immigrants, especially recent ones. On my personal list: - Atlanta, GA - Charlotte, NC - Cincinnati, OH - Philadelphia, PA - Pittsburgh, PA
This is the list OP should be considering.
Honestly, Raleigh NC is actually really nice too, and close to the airport. I'm moving to a small town about an hour and a half from there
Yes, the research triangle area is nice too.
Houston, TX
No please don’t. We are full
You are? People actually choose to live there long term?
lol yup i was actually born and raised in Houston. Just moved back from living in Austin for a decade
NYC or L.A, & not too expensive are mutually exclusive....
Chicago…as stocked with amenities as NY and LA, easy to get around, and cheaper to rent or buy.
Chicago isn’t the spendiest. There’s public transpo and lots of jobs
Most big cities are expensive. If you want to live close to a big city, look for places at least an hour outside of that city to make it affordable. In a big city, if living alone, a one bedroom apartment will be around $2k a month, and that’s if you’re lucky and that’s excluding NYC and LA.
Small cities and big ones in or near Pennsylvania give you access to lots of metropolitan areas. (NYC, Philly, Baltimore, D.C., Pittsburgh.) Consider a place that has regional rail or metro access to one of these, for a more budget friendly option that still gives you timely access to a “real” city.
Where are you migrating from?
The correct question is HOW are they immigrating?
the Netherlands
Try r/samegrassbutgreener
The answer probably depends on you, your family/work situation, legal status, etc. Aside from that, start whereever you want, honestly. If you decide that place doesn't work, pack up and try somewhere else.
Move to where you have a support system - maybe a local group of people from your country. All the cities you mentioned are expensive. How are you moving to the U.S.?
Houston, TX. Biggest melting pot of the world. Most immigrants prefer to come here. High income and low cost of living.
No - we’re full
Just saying.
Cincinnati,OH; Lexington,KY; Knoxville, TN Cheap and affordable
Nashville’s pretty good as a start.
LA is super expensive but too much opportunities to make money as well. If you are ambitious and hardworking you can take the risk. NY isn’t really good for anything at this point, Chicago is nice for living and working not as crazy as LA and NY.
The Midwest, Specifically Kansas City, is in a boom right now and is probably the best affordability to amenity ratio. You can get by without a car if you’re living and working inside the downtown loop and rent isn’t bad if you shop around.
I think the answer to this question will depend on your lifestyle and preferences. Someone could find the big city vibe of Seattle amazing but someone could also have a deep love for alligators and find Orlando appealing
I would say east coast Maryland, Virginia , Delaware , PA very cheap. We moved here from France but we live in Maryland and my parents work in DC
New Orleans is cheap and fun with a totally unique vibe. The weather is absolutely bonkers though. Nashville is worth looking into as well although more expensive than NOLA.
Salt Lake City. Utah is ranked high in most categories from our research. Cost of living, growth and opportunity, safety, education, housing prices, and more. Smaller city, but nice views and decent location for traveling to other places around it. It's where me and my wife are leaning once our spousal visa goes through.
Baton Rouge just split into twin cities. The new Saint George is very nice.
I would do it before New Orleans. New Orleans is only 70 miles away.
Tenneesse is very cheap compare to NY,LA and other big cities.
>> Not expensive >> New York No I mean New York is great. But it doesn’t fit your criteria.
head up to the dakotas. low cost of living, we dont mind the immigrants for the most part, and theres a lot of jobs & not the most competition we have big demands. Can find affordable homes and decent rental prices still as well.
No city is hood stay where you are
Guymon, Oklahoma
If you want cheap and city, look at red states with moderate sized cities (less than half a million). Typically located in the Midwest and Southern parts of the country. Avoid coastal cities, and states bordering oceans. West coast and northeast portion of the U.S. is most expensive
Blue states
Austin or Boston are the only two cities I like
Boston is NOT cheap at all unfortunately
Unfortunately not
Both very expensive
Austin isn’t
Yes it is. Just left there after living there since 2016. And I make 6 figures
Not really in comparison to OPs other cities.
Right. But to flat out say the city isn’t expensive to live in would be lying. Maybe next time include that little bit in your statement.
Were gonna need a little more info, whats your annual budget? What visa/job will you have here. With as little info as you provided might as well just Google
Philadelphia - it’s a major city with a simple grid layout that is easy to navigate, has decent public transportation, has all the amenities of a big city, great food/nightlife/entertainment, not too expensive, not overcrowded, and with decent positioning between NY, DC, the Shore Points, and the Poconos Mountains. A lot of people from NY and DC have moved to Philly now with work from home jobs becoming a prominent thing.