I wanna live in a 3-bed house that costs $500k in a fun big city as close to downtown as possible and with bearable winters. Currently in NYC. Which other cities should I consider?

No love for Dallas?

Diverse (Tex Mex everywhere, Vietnamese in Arlington area, Indian in Irving area, Korean in Carrolton area)
Affordable (hello, gas is less than $2.5 here)
No state income tax
Growing city (Toyota, AA, Southwest, Uber, AT&T Alcon, Lockheed, hospitals, offices of many big companies)
Transportation (biggest hub of 2 of the big 4 airlines, highway system is def bearable, inner/Dallas trains, Dallas-Fort Worth trains)
Great sports, music, concert, theatre scenes (not New York but hello, we are def better than many other big cities)

Portland area is the only option on the west coast. Beaverton near Nike I sold a huge house overlooking Portland, huge backyard, nice neighbors, your career takes a hit but if you got skills you’ll be okay. My house sold for $465. Non traffic time it was 15 minutes to downtown Portland. You can get something in Portland in the 500k range as well. Oregon is much better than Seattle for living but fewer jobs. You drive to snow, no extreme weather, no humidity. If you can handle some rain without crying you’ll be okay. I grew up there so I’m probably bias.

Charlotte ?

Houston. Most diverse city in the US, inexpensive and awesome foodie scene. Moved here from NYC years ago and best decision ever. Except for the summers. Summers are rough.

Minneapolis, Atlanta and maybe Chicago

Philly - easily. Young city with character and affordable

Definitely Atlanta. You might be able to find something for a better price as well. I’m 13 min away from downtown and about 20 from the airport. We are looking in the area at 3-2’s for 250-300K. Some need some renovations but that’s totally okay.

Easy 24 hour access to bubble tea might be a delivery thing though..... unless you live in midtown. We’ve got good fried chicken though!

Pretty much any city that’s not SF NYC DC LA or Boston.

Dallas/Austin

Denver

Phoenix. (It’s the summers you need to watch out for!)

Philadelphia

Houston

Nashville

Dallas or Austin. Both growing cities with bustling downtown areas. Austin’s more fun for younger people, Dallas a little older persons city.

PM me. I'll have u convince to move to Houston by the next crawfish season. Asian but I can eat any food around the world in Houston. We're formerly the fattest city for a reason !

Philly. You can be walking distance to Center City, and within walking distance to the 30th Street Station which will take you to NYC within 1.5 hours, if you miss anything back in the city.

Austin

So you want a house under 500k in a major metropolitan on a place with culture, not in the south but no harsh winter.

I’ve got nothing. The price + city - south rules out everything I can think of.

Stay out of Raleigh. If you’re that picky, you aren’t going to fit in.

Houston