We are being transferred
 

Hello you lot,
I know I haven't been around much lately. So much has been happening. We were recently informed that in order for my husband to be promoted, we must move to either Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, or Atlanta. As most of you know, I'm originally from the UK, and have only lived in New York City where I trained, and here in Florida.

I must say that I've grown accustomed to the climate here, in addition to having my husband's family nearby. My husband is leaning towards Boston, and we've been hearing some fantastic things about Boston and the surrounding areas. The cost of living seems so prohibitive. I was wondering if any of you have lived or presently do live in or around any of these cities? If you have any information I'd appreciate you sharing it with us. This is a big decision for us, and I'm totally baffled as you can see. Thanks for your help.

All the best,
Chris

Hi,

We have never corresponded before but I saw your post. I lived in NYC for 13 years and one day up and moved to Chicago where I spent 4 years. I now live in LA but miss Chicago dearly. It was a fabulous place to live. Would be happy to share anything and have many friends there I could introduce you to.

Good luck

Sorry Chris, can't be of much help here. I have lived in a number of different cities, but Atlanta is the only one of these that I have actually lived in. I absolutely thought it was the most wonderful place to be at that time, but it has changed a lot. This was many years ago.

I do know that, naturally being very large cities, each of these places will have a lot to offer culturally. I have visited Boston and loved it.

Good luck in making this decision. It is a big one.

Virginia

Hello Shelley and Virginia,
Many thanks for your replies. We plan on visiting all four cities in the next few weeks to make our final decision. I shall keep you apprised of our final decision, and would be grateful for any pointers you could provide.

All the best,
Chris

I watch House Hunters on HGTV and I love to see all the communities surrounding Atlanta. It just seems so beautiful and full of culture and heritage.

Hi Chris,

I live in Vancouver, but have traveled most provinces (Canada), and states (US). I've also lived in NZ and Australia for several years.

I went to Chicago in Sept/06, and thought it was an amazingly beautiful and friendly city.

Georgia/Atlanta is nice, but it's my experience that you really want to be from the south in order to "fit in". JMHO.

Good luck on your move!!

Cherie

Hello Doydie and Cherie,
Thank you for your replies. My husband has been to Atlanta on business but has never seen more than the airport and the plant where his office is located. It would be closer to his family down here, but I do pine for the Boston area as I lived in NYC when I first came over to the states. I've never seen Chicago, but we continue to hear great things about it.

We will be looking for a home in a family type neighborhood as we hope to have children in the near future. We've been assigned a relocation specialist from my husband's office who has been working with us this past week. The price of housing in the Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago areas is just shocking.

I shall keep you all posted on our progress.

All the best,
Chris

My husband is from Connecticut originally and he loves to go back and visit Boston. I'm a west coast girl and have never lived in those cities. I think it would be great to see and learn first hand about all of the historical events that have happened in those towns. Good luck!
Jean

Please see your PMs.

Hello KittyKat,
Thank you for your help. I've replied to you. Perhaps we shall meet one day.

All the best,
Chris

Hi Chris,

We live about 60 miles west of Chicago, it's a great city, but gets very cold in the winter. Good luck in your move!

Go Bears! :D

Hi Chris,
My DH almost took a transfer to Atlanta (actually Hapeville next
to Hartsfield airport) this past yr.
I had researched the Atlanta counties extensively.
I'll tell ya there's a lot to know about the greater Atlanta area!
Here's a link that may help you out: http://www.city-data.com/forum/

Boston is great, but $$$.
Also, do you & your DH like the change of seasons?
That's something to keep in mind also.
Health care is outstanding in Boston-MA, CT, NYC too.

Good luck! ;0

Hello Ewizabeth,
Thank you for the lovely note about Chicago. We plan on going up there towards the beginning of next month I do believe. We were in Atlanta this past weekend and it was quite chilly for a southern state. I felt as if I was back in NYC. Best of luck to your "Bears" next weekend. My husband refused to travel this weekend because of the game. Imagine that!

All the best,
Chris

Hello vlys,
We spent this past weekend in Atlanta. It is quite a lovely city, but the traffic is horrific, and as I stated above it was rather chilly. We spent a good amount of our time looking at homes in the Alpharetta and Cumming areas. It seems as though the schools in Forsythe County are better than they are in the Alpharetta area. The link you gave me seems very helpful. However, it seems that most people aren't quite pleased with the Atlanta area for some odd reason. Could it be the miserable traffic we encountered? Thank you again for your help. I think I'm still leaning towards the Boston area. I do prefer the change of seasons coming from GB. My husband has always lived down here in Fla., and has become quite the spoiled one.

All the best,
Chris

I lived in Chicago when I was pregnant. Winter months pregnant in Chicago--don't mention it! That was one of the worst winters ever, l0 degrees below for a month. I had to move to my in-laws home to be near the hospital, as we were iiving out in the sticks. You can afford the sticks, but you probably don't want to do so.

Have never seen Atlanta. Passed through Boston on several occasions on way to visit son at Cornell. Liked Boston, but I never saw it in deep winter. More brrrr.

NYC I would never consider unless I could afford to live where I didn't have to spend too much time commuting. I don't know where husband will work, but he doesn't want to go too very far to work, I hope? That gets old if you have children. if you can live in the city, near cultural things, this would be a great benefit to your children. I have only seen NY on two occasions, on the way to Europe by boat and coming back.

This is such a hard decision. One thing, I know the medical in Chicago was a step above most places, but that may be true in Boston and NY too. Don't know about Atlanta. If I'd stayed in Chicago after my pregnancy I might have had a quicker diagnosis, I suspect. I spent a week in the old Cook County hospital and then another week, hooked up to an IV while pregnant...it was a good place, but it's gone.

Wherever you are, blessed be.

Mariel

Well Chris, how are things going?

Hello Doydie,
We took this weekend off (SUPERBOWL). We are planning on going to Chicago next weekend I believe. We heard the temperatures were about 6*F today. I'm not so sure about all this. I shall keep you informed. Thank you for your inquiry.

All the best,
Chris

Thank you Mariel. Read the post above.

All the best,
Chris

I'm sorry you've already been to Atlanta. I would have suggested you check out the Emory University area, in Decatur. It's a lovely area, very much a nice place for families but still close to the city. Health care would be excellent with Emory right there, and there are some good schools and colleges. Decatur is a sweet town -- a small town surrounded by the city -- with easy access to plenty of culture, art, and parks.

The comment about needing to be from the south is pretty accurate, but in a university area like Emory you find so many transplants the culture is very eclectic.

The Shepherd Center is a major benefit for people with MS.

However -- the weather is hot. Summer is awful. A big consideration for people with MS.

Where else: Chicago is a lot of fun, with the best ethnic restaurants. You have to love the lake. If you're looking for family neighborhoods, there are plenty of good areas. Be sure to look north at Evanston and check out Northwestern. But the weather is the worst you can imagine -- really awful winters and really horrible summers.

On a subjective note, I also thought the surrounding area was oppressive -- there seemed to be no end to "Chicagoland" -- suburb after suburb and perpetual car dealerships and malls and highways . . .

You are also considering Boston: Great choice for all sorts of reasons, especially as a Brit. But you already know that. Concerned about prices? Well, you get what you pay for.

Enjoy your visits. Good luck with the decisions.

Hello Nola,
Thank you for your lovely note. Yes, we've already been to Atlanta, and after this weekend it's looking a lot better to me simply because of the weather. Can you guess where we were this past weekend? CHICAGO! I've never been so cold in my life. But, what a lively city. We stayed downtown the first night we were there because I had never seen the city, and went to a wonderful restaurant and "tried" to walk around, but it was so cold and windy, I didn't last long.

The next day we spent looking at homes in the suburbs, and although the areas seem nice, the weather put a huge damper on my decision as well as the fact that each suburb seemed to blend into the next.

Next stop; Philadelphia. We shall see. Thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions. I shall keep you up to date on our escapades in the cold north. Stay warm you lot.

All the best,
Chris