[Senilsson]

Hello!

I got lucky winning the Diversity Visa Lottery and as long as I don't screw it up I do meet all the requirements which means I will be a lawful permanent resident in the near future.

This is a great opportunity for me and something I've wanted for a long time, but it's difficult to know where to look for a place to settle down. There's just too many options.

So who am I and what do I look for?
I'm a 24 year old service manager (at a BMW dealership of course) living in a small swedish town (<25 000 ).
I would prefer to move to a place where the weather is better than here but not too hot. I would also prefer a larger city, around 250 000 would be minimum. Needless to say it should have a good thriving job market and low criminality.

As always there's pros and cons to every place but I just wan't to research some interesting areas and who's better to trust than you guys?

I should add that I could consider a job outside the automotive business.

Please help me in the right direction!


EDIT: Weather:
Ideally mild weather. I hate snow just as much as super hot humid weather. Sure, it can be fine a month or two but long periods of extreme weather is nothing I desire. With that said, I prefer sun over snow since I'm used to cold, dark weather from October - May.

Terrain and surroundings:
I'm not the "active" type that loves to skii, hike and go live in a tent for a week and a beach isn't necessary for me either, not for living anyway. If the weather is fair and there's parks etc in the city that's more than enough for me.

Political:
This one is difficult since I have no clue what it means living in a blue or red state/city.
I have no idea what to expect from people, are republicans religious nutjobs and are democrats marxists!? Slightly exaggerated but I've yet to see some balanced opinions.
I'm quite reserved and conservative myself in some areas and very liberal in others, I guess that means I should live in a 50/50 voter state..

Taxes:
Don't care. I live in a country with the second highest taxes in the world which has it's up and downs. Other things matter more in this case.

Guns:
I don't want to die. No guns then?

Housing cost:
I would need to rent an apartment to begin with. I don't know how much the rent differs from city to city but I'll bring enough money to buy a new 3-series and hope that money lasts until I can get a job.

Cost of living:
Same as above. I'm used to plan my economy and never live above my assets. As long as I find a decent job I don't see a problem with paying extra.

People:
This is one of the most important things. I hope to make friends of course, despite my accent and the fact that it would take some time before my english gets more fluent. I can hold my own in a conversation but I lack in quickness, if you understand?
I don't think the language will be a problem after a few months, but I just need to get a foot in somewhere.

City or suburbs:
Definately city or at close proximity! I have lived in a small town my whole life and am tired of it.
Somewhere around 250 000 and up is a number I guess..
I do care about the city not feeling run-down or worn tho. I like clean and modern enviroments.

Nightlife:
I'm not out partying every weekend and it's not my biggest interest. I think any city is fine honestly. Drugs and violence - no thanks.

Activities/Hobbies
I like to explore a little bit of everything! I'm curious as a person.
Main interest must be hockey and cars tho. I follow the NHL every day and would love to get the opportunity to live close to an AHL or NHL team.
Cars isn't too hard to figure out since I'm here. But I don't want to work on my own car neither do I feel the need to go to a racetrack or a car meet.

As any other guy in their mid 20's I like to travel, work out, fiddle with new stuff, meet new people and what not.

This ain't easy but I hope it helps!

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

Senilsson, still waiting for a list of priorities you have. Might help you.

Example
Weather
Temp ranges, max, min, typical
Beach, mountains, etc
Political, liberal, moderate, conservative
Taxes big deal or not
Guns yes or no
Housing cost.
Cost of living
Car inspections or do whatever
Shoot off fireworks or none
Stay out at bars after 12 on saturdays
Hot single women or family life
Live in apartment in a city or house in the burbs
Activities you want to do
Steady weather all year or seasons
Etc. Prioritize them, pick what you want, and add what I missed you feel is important to you

[UncleWede]

If you need my bank account info to wire me the winning funds so you don't have to pay any international fees, just PM me

[EndOfAnEra]

Are you the Prince of Zamunda?

Might I suggest Queens, New York for your place of residence. Specifically, the Waldorf-Astoria hotel.

[UncleWede]

I hear McDougal's is hiring!!!!

[Bluewater328iT]

First is to find a job. Here are the US cities with the highest job growth:

http://www.newgeography.com/content/...ies-job-growth

The top two CA cities are very expensive. The top NC cities are nice, and do not have the congestion of most of the cities on the list. Seattle and Jacksonville are nice and have no state income tax.

These are larger cities than you are used to, but large cities have more amenities, job opportunities, and congestion, so you might have some more research and visits to do before deciding.

[UncleWede]

Wait, I thought those adjectives in front of Lottery were just some sort of brand name or something. You didn't win any actual money??? Then don't bother PMing me, sheesh.






OP, I hope you realize quickly MOST of us are just screwing with you, but in a good-natured way.

[RickFLM4]

If you look like most people in Sweden, I'm guessing you aren't what people here associate with the word "diversity" so don't take it personally if you say you arrived through a diversity program and people have odd looks on their face.

I would start by picking a region where you want to live - e.g. Northeast, South, Southwest, CA, Pacific Northwest, Midwest. There are significant cultural, quality of life, living cost and industry / job opportunity differences in different regions. Once you find a region that seems interesting, find a city that you like in the region.

[Lups]

If you're a russian, I suggest Washington dc.

But I recommend Wyoming or Oregon.

[Eau_Rouge111]

Compton California

[sygazelle]

San Diego area.

[Cbozz]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

San Diego area.

weather there is perfect, very cool area! I live in Florida and it's pretty hot and humid here! I'd love to move to San Diego area! City tho has ton of homeless 'inhabitants' lmao

[F80Dreamer]

Totally different idea, consider Canada, its a great place...I am a Canadian transplant living in Texas, Canada should be on your consideration list.

[overcoil]

Baltimore (crime yeah, but the whole country is a crime wave)

North Baltimore is very pretty. Lots of colleges.
Four season, very green and lush in spring, summers can get humid but the summers are short. I actually love the winters here, pretty much run all winter long in shorts, and once every few years a big snow storm of a meter or so then everything melts in a few days.

Pro, football and baseball teams, horse racing. Lots of very good biking and running clubs.

Sometimes I'm driving in my car and I can't believe how beautiful everyting is.
And beautiful women from all over the world.

[Eau_Rouge111]

Originally Posted by F80Dreamer

Totally different idea, consider Canada, its a great place...I am a Canadian transplant living in Texas, Canada should be on your consideration list.

Agreed...all jokes aside...the Toronto area....great place to live

[Fundguy1]

Make a list of things you want then we can help
Seasons, mostly warm, mostly cold
Singles or family area
Conservative or liberal politics
Guns yes or no
Ocean, land locked
Flat, mountains
High or low taxes
Women. Only rivaled in the US by California, but California taxes, housing, guns, politics, don't agree with me.
Etc

From my initial read I would recommend Charlotte, NC. I lived in multiple areas and I've stayed in most. I chose Florida because
Rarely goes below 0 celcius
Low taxes
Guns are normal not frowned upon
Mix of cultures with northeast liberals, midwest conservatives, and Spanish being the most prevalent.
As far as heat goes, its not so hot, especially at the coasts, because the sea keeps it in check. Its typically upper 70s to low 90s year round Fahrenheit. Also, housing is cheap. You can buy a lot for your money most places unless you are on the ocean.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by F80Dreamer

Totally different idea, consider Canada, its a great place...I am a Canadian transplant living in Texas, Canada should be on your consideration list.

Except OP won the U.S. diversity lottery...

[capo180]

I'm in Cleveland Ohio, I wouldn't move here. Lol. I concur with those that say the Carolinas, I want to get there one day myself. Job market there is pretty good from what I hear/see.

You really need to do some major research about what different states and localities bring to the table.

[P1]

Cannot go wrong with the west coast...

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by P1et

Cannot go wrong with the west coast...

Screw that! You take him over in Tey-haus.

[c1pher]

California.

[infinitekidM2C]

Originally Posted by Senilsson

Hello!

I got lucky winning the Diversity Visa Lottery and as long as I don't screw it up I do meet all the requirements which means I will be a lawful permanent resident in the near future.

This is a great opportunity for me and something I've wanted for a long time, but it's difficult to know where to look for a place to settle down. There's just too many options.

So who am I and what do I look for?
I'm a 24 year old service manager (at a BMW dealership of course) living in a small swedish town (<25 000 inhabitants).
I would prefer to move to a place where the weather is better than here but not too hot. I would also prefer a larger city, around 250 000 inhabitants would be minimum. Needless to say it should have a good thriving job market and low criminality.

As always there's pros and cons to every place but I just wan't to research some interesting areas and who's better to trust than you guys?

I should add that I could consider a job outside the automotive business.

Please help me in the right direction!

When you find this fuccing paradise let us know so we can rent a room from you. Oh wait you live in Sweden...

[P1]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Screw that! You take him over in Tey-haus.

Tejas is awful. Very warm, mediocre food, unwelcoming people, and dangerously close to the Mexican border. Texas would be a bad, bad choice.