In just a few short weeks we have to turn in THE LIST.
THE LIST, in case you didn’t know, consists of 17 cities. One of these cities will be our place of residence for a minimum of four years. If we like it we can stay forever. If we don’t, we can put in for a transfer and then wait and wait and wait and wait for there to be an opening.
Best case scenario: we get assigned to a place we love.
We will not know the city to which we are assigned until mid-April. Once we know, we’ll have 90 days to get there. The kick-off to the whole process begins in a few weeks with the turning in of THE LIST.
Here are the cities, in no particular order:
San Francisco
Los Angeles
San Diego
Phoenix
Dallas
Houston
San Antonio
Chicago
Detroit
Philadelphia
Boston
Baltimore
Newark, NJ
New York City
Washington D.C.
Atlanta
Miami
I’d like to know how you think we should rank these cities – first choice to last. You don’t have to rank all of them, but at least give me your top five and tell me why. Keep in mind we’re a family of six with small children. (So, please don’t tell me how we should go to such-and-such a city because they have an awesome singles’ night life.)
One more… complication. Just because we’re assigned to one of these cities, doesn’t mean Dan will be assigned to work in the actual downtown office (except in the case of New York City). For example, we’re currently assigned to the Memphis office, but Dan actually works here in Clarksville, some 4 hours away.
Okay… ready… set… go! I can’t wait to hear what you have to say!
P.S. We do get to turn in THE LIST, but it doesn’t necessarily mean a thing. We will be assigned where ever it’s deemed most beneficial (and not to us). But, at least we get the chance to think we get some say in the matter.
17 responses so far ↓
1 Susan // Jan 20, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Of the four I’m most familiar with, I would rank them
Dallas
Phoenix/San A
Houston
It would really depend where in San A or Houston. We live south of Dallas right now and like it. My IL’s live in Phoenix but work in Houston and the kids’ godparents live outside San A.
2 Joan Scott // Jan 20, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Susan
I think Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Phoenix, Atlanta are the most family friendly cities. They are also close to your family, fairly close to Dan’s family, not perceived as high a cost of living as some on the coasts. Big decision for you and Dan – We’ll keep you in our prayers.
Jim and Joan
3 Troy Remick // Jan 21, 2008 at 9:51 am
I think Phoenix and the TX cities would be on my list. I also would love Baltimore. It is close to a lot and not as congested as DC. Although, I have several friends in the DC area and they love it (despite the higher cost of living). Is there a novena about relocating!
4 Rosebud // Jan 21, 2008 at 12:00 pm
I’d recommend any of the TX cities, but San Antonio in specific. The COL for TX is significantly lower than nearly any other large metropolitan area. We have no state income tax. Housing costs are almost obscenely low. San Antonio doesn’t have the traffic issues that Dallas and Houston do. Plus it’s closer to us! (and a host of other Board folks) :-p
San Antonio has lots of good fun family type things, as well as being close-ish to fun day trips like wildflowers, little towns, museums, hiking, camping, wineries (not exactly kid friendly, I know), etc.
5 Dawn // Jan 21, 2008 at 12:17 pm
San Diego…beautiful and lots to do with kids. Universities close by. However, as with all of Southern California, it is very, very expensive. It has always been our favorite vacation spot.
(We just moved from Orange County, CA to Ohio…we had no idea house prices could be so different.)
Los Angeles…again, expensive. The nice thing about it is no matter where he works, you have tons of living options in the surrounding area and none of them too far away…plus you are 30 minutes from the beach (or closer depending on where you live) and an hour from the mountains. Where else could you go skiing in the morning and be at the beach in the afternoon? It is pricey but with the housing market at the lowest, it would be the BEST time to buy…
Atlanta…everyone I know who has moved here LOVES it. Again, you have the ocean and you aren’t too far from Disneyworld and all that fun in Florida. Georgia has a moderate climate and is beautiful.
Texas…if you watch HGTV you can get some awesome homes in Texas for very reasonable prices. But I’ve never actually lived there.
I stayed away from anything cold, rainy, or prone to hurricanes.
6 Carol Hemmersmeier // Jan 21, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Uncle John said to tell you, based on his travel experience he would rank the first four as: 1.Dallas, 2.Chicago, 3.San Antonio and 4.Atlanta. Uncle John said the coasts are too expensive. I hope wherever it is that you all will love it. It would be great to be close to family. We miss you all.
Uncle John and Aunt Carol
7 Heather // Jan 21, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Too bad there aren’t any smaller cities to choose from. Personally, I would put California at the bottom of the list, just given the high price of real estate and the whole earthquake, forest fire, landslide considerations. I do not enjoy the cold, so that leaves out the northeast. I would probably pick Phoenix or Atlanta. Have you seen this website? It may be helpful in your rankings. Good luck!
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2007/poll/index.html
8 Liz // Jan 21, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Too bad Honolulu isn’t on the list!
We would have a blast!
San Diego is a great place with kids!!!
I would do
But I think that Dan would stand out in the undercover part of Detroit! 
San Diego, Phoneix, then the Texas places. But if you get Detroit…let me know and I will move back home!
9 Sarah // Jan 21, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Definitely Dallas #1. You have to come home. But anywhere in Texas would be nice.
I don’t know much about the other cities. My sister lived in Pheonix and hated the heat, she’s outside Chicago now. I guess she likes the cold more. I think she really likes having 4 seasons.
10 Melissa // Jan 21, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I’m too distraught that you are leaving me to even list a city!!
Waaahhh!
11 Theresa // Jan 22, 2008 at 1:54 am
SAN DIEGO!!
It’s a great place for families.
12 Amanda Johnson // Jan 22, 2008 at 2:50 pm
OMG! I can’t believe your gonna leave! It’s happened the last 3 years (since I had Parker) I find some really cool girlfriends and then they up and move. Hmff…I wish I could move too!
13 Gwen // Jan 22, 2008 at 6:48 pm
“San Antonio doesn’t have the traffic issues that Dallas and Houston do.”
I would have to say that it depends on where you live in S.A…give me Dallas over 410 any day.
14 Anne // Jan 23, 2008 at 11:56 am
Hi, I would list the cities as Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta. But the real reason I ranked them like that is because we can still drive to visit each others families. Chicago has great shopping and the suburbs are not to far away from the city. Hopefully, where you get it will be a perfect place for your family.
15 Stephanie // Jan 24, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I am Amanda’s friend…anyway Ihave some input on some of the places you have listed I am sorry to here you are moving I know you will be missed!!
Anyway I have relatives in the Chicago area(Algonquin) and they love it.. They have become super active in a church and just love their neighborhood and the people of the area. I also have relatives in the Atlanta area(Duluth), and they love it also just wanted to share my thoughts on your list. Wishing you the best of luck in getting somewhere you love!
16 Mike // Jan 27, 2008 at 3:23 pm
My vote would be a city that would you could still drive to see family. Our frieds that moved to a suburb of Atlanta love it. Great schools and seems to be a city with a lot of transients. No one on their street is from GA. Chicago suburbs would also be a good spot. Dallas seems to be a natural fit with Susan being from there.
Mike
17 A quick update « Fourinarow // Mar 10, 2008 at 9:43 pm
[...] sent The List in. Pray for us – that we are able to move to a wonderful community where we can be happy raising [...]
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