I currently live in Sioux Falls, SD - and am out of a job come the end of February. I am looking to move and have my choice of a few states (long story): South Dakota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Carolina, Tennessee, Idaho, Utah, Virginia
So far, I have applied for jobs in: Madison, WI - Des Moines, IA - Raleigh/Durham, NC - Omaha, NE - Sioux Falls, SD
Of all of these places, I really only know alot about Omaha (from college years). Where in these states would you like to live? We need to live near a medical center since my wife is a nurse - I am a systems admin, so anywhere there is computer work is game. Also looking for a good place to raise a family since we have an 18 month old and another on the way. We are more concerned with outdoor life than other forms of entertainment. Hiking, camping, some type of water, triathlon, adventure racing, etc. all good things
Thanks for your help - I know most of these places will have pretty good triathlon groups as well…
Ok, a little background which you can take or leave as you see fit. I have lived in a few cities in the midwest and grew up in Cedar Rapids, IA. I now live in Raleigh, NC. All of my moves have been corporate relocations.
My list of your states/locales would be as follows:
Raleigh NC … quality of life is excellent. You are no more than 2 hours from the ocean and no more than 2 hours from the mountains. Schools on a higher ed level are excellent but the primary and secondary ed levels are nothing like the midwest. Cycling is ok, roads here are a little on the narrow side compared to those in the midwest. Climate is awesome, especially coming from the midwest (very mild winters).
Madison WI … great city, lots to do, good college and school system. Quality of live is excellent both from an outdoors perspective as you have a nice lake right there and from an entertainment perspective. Climate is a bit cold in the winter but you are already used to that living in SD.
Utah … good opportunity for an outdoor lifestyle mountains everywhere skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and road cycling. School system is pretty good. We have some friends that lived several years in Salt Lake City and loved it. Depending upon your religious affiliation (if you have one) you may find it a bit challenging living in the middle of the Morman epicenter.
Des Moines IA … excellent school system. From everything I have heard every one that moves here enjoys it. I have heard it described as both the insurance capital of the world and silicon valley east. Again the climate is bit challenging but you are already used to that. Outdoor activities are good, although not what the others have to offer.
Virginia … much the same as the NC paragraph but cost of living is extremely high if you are close to the DC area. If you are looking at Richmond the description should be very similar to Raleigh. The major climate difference is about 5-10 degrees cooler in the winter but still much warmer than where you are.
I know I did not touch on all of the places you listed but hope this gives you a start.
I live in Iowa City and my folks are in Des Moines. Des Moines is nice, there is relatively a lot to do, not much of a tri community, but plenty of runners. Several hospitals. You should really look hard at Iowa City, though, people come here for all sorts of reasons and then never leave. It has way more going on than you’d expect, but still all the good smaller town advantages. More triathletes every year. There’s both the University hospital and Mercy, which is private.
Stay away from Northern VA if possible, this is where I live. Traffic is terrible, cost of living is soaring out-of-control and our roads suck for cycling. We do have one nice trail (W&OD) but it’s packed from May-Oct.
My two favorite areas in Virginia are Hampton Roads (which includes Williamsburg, Norfolk, VA Beach, ect.) and Charlottesville.
One plus for VA is that we do have a decent coastline and riding Skyline Drive & the Blue Ridge Parkway is a blast.
I will second both Hampton Roads and Charlottesvile as nice areas of Virginia to live. I have family in each of these areas and both are great. If I had to pick one I would go with Charlottesville and I will most likely be relocating there in a couple of years.
Can’t go wrong with Utah. In fact, I’m heading back there with my family midway through December. Great family environment, great outdoors, great scenery and tons of hospitals and sys admin needs there.
We’re moving back…it’s a permanent thang. My wife’s family, as well as my own, are all in the SLC area, and we’d like see them more than once or twice a year, especially now that we have a couple of bambinos running around. We’re excited to get back, but still a bit sad about leaving lovely Oregon.
I am a recent transplant to Salt Lake City from Bay Area. As much as I love the Bay Area, I must give my props to Salt Lake. So far this has been a great move for us. Plenty to do, all within 30 minute drive.
Bend is an awesome place. We were actually thinking about moving down there after I graduated from law school. I don’t know much about the school situation down there, but I do know that the tri scene is awesome. Fresh Air Sports (a tri club down there) is hella active and has a handful of tris every year, as well as some clinics and training camps. Plus, it’s absolutely gorgeous down there. If we weren’t moving back to SLC next month, we would have seriously considered Bend.
My sister and her husband lived there for a couple of years. It’s a pretty small town, so the job situation is limited. If you can find something there, though . . . . WOW.
I second Raleigh/Durham/Cary (though i am biased in favor of Raleigh).
University medical centers - Duke & UNC. Throw into the mix State, the state Government, GSK, IBM, Nortel, etc. etc… and there are lots of economic opportunities for both of you.
I grew up one hour away from Madison and my older brother currently lives there, and I was just home last weekend riding and thinking how great the riding is there, lots of rolling hills, green grass and farms. Also, lots of places to explore in terms of State Parks and lakes to go swimming in with in a one hour drive. There are many group rides in Madison and tri clubs etc also quite a few tris that go throughout the summer ending of course with IMOO, the school system is good and there is always something fun to do with kids there too!! Devil’s Lake is 40 mins away with camping, hiking and world class rock climbing, there are also some small ski hills and lots of parks groom cc ski trails. That makes me ready to go back home for Christmas!!! It really is a beautiful city with lots of neat opprotunities.
