Where to move in USA
When deciding where to move in USA, future settlers face a number of complex tasks. They determine their wishes, correlate them with reality, and eventually choose what seems to them the optimal option from a multitude of possibilities, in theory.
The USA has 50 states, and each has its own advantages, disadvantages, peculiarities of legislation, taxation, climate, and other nuances. Ultimately, the answer to the question "where to move in USA" greatly depends on what aspects are most important to you, and which ones are less valuable.
Let's take a closer look at some popular states and cities for relocation based on three important points: climate, social support, and opportunities in terms of education/work. We will consider 3 states and 3 major cities as examples.
Where to move in USA: Option #1, California
Climate: Mild and sunny on the coast, hot and dry in the inland areas.
Social support: This state is one of the leaders in terms of the level of social programs, as well as in terms of healthcare and education accessibility for newcomers. However, the cost of living is quite high in the state, especially in major cities (Los Angeles and San Francisco).
Education: There are many top universities here – just think of Berkeley, UCLA, Stanford, and Caltech. Admission is extremely difficult, tuition is expensive, but it's outweighed by the quality of education and international recognition of such a degree.
Work: In the job market, California is particularly attractive to IT professionals (home to the famous Silicon Valley), as well as in the entertainment and agriculture sectors. Competition is high, but there are endless networking opportunities and high salaries for qualified professionals.
Conclusion: When choosing where to move in USA, this state often comes to mind first – mainly due to its social support and excellent opportunities for work and study. However, one should not forget that there is quite high competition for both university admissions and job positions, plus some of the highest income tax rates in the USA. Additionally, it's worth noting that marijuana is legalized in this state – a point that might concern parents with young children.
Where to move in USA: Option #2, Florida
Climate: Very warm and humid, with a lot of precipitation during summer and fall (approximately from July to November), and hurricanes often hit the coast with significant consequences for infrastructure. However, recovery is usually quite rapid.
Social support: Medium level, with various social programs, but noticeably fewer than in California.
Education: The state hosts numerous educational institutions – both public and private. Among the most famous are the University of Miami, Florida International University, Florida Memorial University, etc. The cost of education may be lower than in other regions, but the cost of living is quite high, especially in the resort area.
Work: The key sectors of the labor market in Florida are tourism, agriculture, etc. Average salaries in the region may be lower than in other US states. When deciding where to move in USA and considering Florida, one of the advantages is the absence of personal income tax.
Conclusion: If you highly value hot summers and the opportunity to swim in the ocean, and hurricanes do not scare you, Miami would be an excellent choice of where to move in USA. However, keep in mind that in terms of business activity, Florida is slightly less competitive compared to the less warm regions of the country.
Where to move in USA: Option #3, Texas
Climate: Ranges from moderate to hot, depending on the region. Extremes can occur – winters can be very cold, and summers extremely warm. When deciding where to move in USA, carefully consider whether the state matches your climatic expectations and preferences.
Social support: Below average (the state is Republican), but it compensates with low taxes and, in general, the cost of living is significantly cheaper than in California or Florida.
Education: Texas hosts several very renowned educational institutions, among which the University of Texas at Austin, Rice University, Texas A&M University, and others are particularly valued. You can find almost any specialty and consider many grant options.
Work: Recently, Texas has become particularly attractive to many large companies and rapidly growing startups. The main employment sectors are the oil and gas industry, machinery, IT technologies, agriculture, etc. In some industries, competition can be high. The state does not impose a personal income tax.
Conclusion: If you do not plan to rely on state support and are not deterred by hot summer weather, Texas will be a good option for where to move in USA. Primarily due to low taxes and comparatively moderate cost of living. The state has a high business activity, a rapidly developing economy, and excellent educational opportunities. Remember, many businesses are moving their offices here from California (again, due to the low tax rate).
Where to move in USA: Option #4, New York City (State of New York)
Climate: All four seasons are present, with cold and snowy winters and warm summers.
Social support: High level of social programs and services, but the cost of living is quite high.
Education: The most famous educational institutions in NYC are Columbia and New York University (NYU). Besides these, there are many simpler options, with the widest range of educational programs, from arts and humanities to business and technology. Students from all over the world choose NYC annually among all options for where to move in USA, so interactions will be multicultural and diverse. But consider the cost of living – as expected in a big city, it's high.
Work: NYC is rightly considered the financial, media, advertising, and fashion center of the USA, creating a broad labor market with opportunities in various fields. Salaries are substantial, with many networking options. However, you will need to find the optimal balance between these advantages and the high cost of living and impressive competition for jobs.
Conclusion: NYC is a city with a high population density and relatively expensive housing rentals and transportation costs. Additionally, it has some of the highest taxes in the country. But at the same time, it's an important economic, financial, and cultural center of global significance. If city life and business activities are important to you, New York would be a good place to move to in USA.
Where to move in USA: Option #5, Chicago (State of Illinois)
Climate: Four seasons, with winters often very cold, windy, and snowy, and summers warm and humid.
Social support: Good level of social services and programs, including support for the underprivileged and special programs for immigrants and refugees. The cost of living is high, typical of major US cities (though lower than in NYC or LA, which are often chosen as places to move to in the USA).
Education: Chicago is home to several high-ranking educational institutions, including the University of Chicago and Northwestern University, known for their research programs. Professional programs in business, law, medicine, and engineering are highly valued. Grant search can be very successful.
Work: The job market in Chicago offers the most opportunities in financial services, trade, manufacturing, printing, publishing, and transportation. A large and very active business community helps in developing professional connections and discovering new opportunities. The state has relatively high taxes.
Conclusion: Chicago, the third largest city in the USA, is a major economic and cultural center, demonstrating high business activity. It should be considered if, when choosing a place to move to in the USA, you prioritize a dynamic urban environment with good opportunities for work and education.
Where to move in USA: Option #6, Seattle (State of Washington)
Climate: Moderate maritime climate, with cool and dry summers and warm, wet winters. Frequent rains in the autumn-winter period can significantly affect mood and motivation.
Social support: Quite a high level of social support, including access to medical services, education, and various social programs. The state does not impose an income tax, which can also be an advantage for those choosing Seattle as their city to move to in the USA. However, it's worth noting that there is one of the highest sales taxes in the country, affecting the overall cost of living.
Education: Seattle is a major center for technology and scientific research, offering students excellent internship opportunities and collaboration with leading companies. It is also home to the University of Washington, one of the country's leading research universities. At the same time, Seattle is one of the most expensive cities to live in the USA, which can significantly increase the overall cost of education.
Work: Seattle is home to the headquarters of many major players in the labor market: Microsoft (IT sector), Amazon (online retail), Boeing (aerospace industry), Nordstrom (retail), and others. Accordingly, there will always be a demand for highly skilled professionals.
Conclusion: Seattle often makes the list of the best cities in the USA to live in (and one of the most expensive in the country). It is home to the headquarters of Microsoft, Amazon, and other companies in the IT sector, as well as several high-ranking educational institutions. However, the cost of living here is quite high, including housing prices. Choosing Seattle as a place to move to in the USA should be done considering all the mentioned pros and cons.
In addition to the aforementioned aspects, when choosing a place to live in the USA, it is also important to consider the availability of jobs in your field, the crime rate, the overall cost of living, and other factors. It's crucial to thoroughly research each state and city to find the optimal option that will satisfy all your needs and preferences.
However, overall, even if you haven’t considered everything and the place of residence disappoints you after moving – you can always conduct a re-analysis of options while already in the States and choose a new place where to move in USA.