Help me find a place to live...

[d373rm1ned]

Hello all,

I'm currently in the search of a place to call home. I'm 25 and will be graduating in May with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy degree. I'm originally from IL but want to move somewhere where I do not have to put up with snow and can golf nearly year round. My current interests are Austin, TX and Phoenix, AZ but could be persuaded into other areas of the continental US. Sticking points... I'll be in the healthcare field so access to hospitals and being in states with good Medicare reimbursements would be key and I'll be a fresh grad and therefore not financially stable - high cost of living would be out of the question. Little more about myself - will be relocating with fiance, we like to eat out a lot but don't like the club scene, I like to workout so access to decent gyms would be good, love cars, love to hike, would like to take our dog with us, and most importantly LOVE to golf. If anyone could help me weigh the Pros/Cons of AZ and TX or any other state you can think of it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Mrd19abhs]

My uncle actually is a has a masters in pt and a docterate in prostetics and he is a marathon runner and he currently live by the university of south florida where he works there and at the va. in that area there a ton of golf courses and there is the va, and a hospital within ten minutes of the university so if you are considering gettin your doct. the tampa area may be wonderful for you. plus there are alot of neat resturants in that area. Also cost of living is really cheap

[leezer99]

Los Angeles, CA has all that you are looking for with the exception of a low cost of living. However, you can move to someplace just outside of LA with a lower cost of living and still enjoy all that LA has to offer. Get ready for a culture shock though... the people here are just plain mean. I've been here in the outskirts of LA for 10+ years and love the access to everything LA has to offer but I'm also far enough away to enjoy great golf and an even better group of friends.

[jlh1508]

Try the state of Washington. Especially the central part in the tri cities area. Kennewick, Richland, Pasco. It is a beautiful area with great nature. There will be a month of cold, but you can 10 out of the 12 months.

I would highly recommend that area

[danieldrieberg]

Keep Austin Weird.------If you can appreciated the popular tee shirt, then by all means Texas.

[Travtex]

Austin's a decent town, though I personally can't stand driving through it (I live in San Antonio, currently). Austin traffic seems to be even more ridiculous than San Antonio -- The metro area's population definitely grew faster than the infrastructure to support it.

I'm getting ready to move to Fayetteville, Arkansas for a job in the medical field (Neonatal). The cost of living looks to be a bit lower than already reasonable south Texas, though the taxes are higher so I think it's going to break about even. Northwest Arkansas is -gorgeous- if you like outdoor activities. From what I've seen, the hospitals are nice and well-run. Can't speak to the medicare details. Might not be what a Young Professional is seeking in general (My fiance' and I are definitely not the metro party type. Shared quote is that we prefer going out in public when there's no public around.)

[Blades4me]

Whatever you do, don't move to the Northwest. It always rains, greens fees aren't expensive enough, too many golf courses, we have to golf all year, no domestic beers (only micro brews), the coffee is too strong and Oregon has the strangest most inept politics I have ever seen. Just terrible I tell ya, just terrible.

[Fatphil]

Can't beat S FL for old people if you're in the health biz, I would not recommend Miami unless you speak spanish but most of the old folks are up in Palm Beach (Boca, West Palm)

FL (like TX & AZ) has no state income tax and with the housing bust rentals are cheap and golf in the summer is real cheap.

[murphmjm]

South Florida is quite nice, DON'T LIVE IN DOWNTOWN MIAMI!!!! I made that mistake and promptly moved back to Massachusetts (although Miami Beach was awesome for the year i lived there just traffic traffic traffic). Up north by boca is quite nice and there are tons of doctors offices there so you probably wont have too much trouble finding a job. The rent's up there are also cheap and you could even live on a golf course if you wanted. If you are going to be making a good amount you might try Weston FL, there's a couple nice communities with quick access to highways going north and south yet your not close to the poverty of downtown and the surrounding areas. Check out the google map, golf courses everywhere down there and its normally 70 or above year round, in fact when it hits 70 its quite chilly :)

[Jcp907]

Add Central Florida to your list! Check out the RDV complex for work. The Magic HQ is there. Two ice rinks, huge gym, Jewitt Ortho. There are many courses with great rates. Mike Bender is in Lake Mary at Timacuan-the tops for golf instruction according to one of the magazines. I am taking lessons there with one of his instructors and am making huge progress!

[kfowler]

My wife is a PT and we lived in Raleigh for a couple of years. It was my favorite place I've ever lived. It has all of what you're looking for. They do get an occassional snow but it's gone in a day or so. You can play year round. Lots of good food and reasonable COL.

[murphmjm]

Zillow.com might help you with valuation etc on these places.

[Aceboympk]

Hell, with your skills you should be a snow bird.

[Sun City Country Club]

I have never been to Austin, but I would highly recommend Phoenix. Low cost of living, golf courses EVERYWHERE, including some of the best in the country. Seriously, the housing market fell through the floor. You can buy an incredible place for 1/4 of the price you would pay 10 years ago. The healthcare field is booming, plus we are home to the famous Mayo Clinic.

[leezer99]

Zillow.com might help you with valuation etc on these places.

Zillow.com is not an accurate representation of home values. For an accurate assessment please contact someone in real estate.