# Are there any cities/regions of the US that you wouldn't move to regardless of the money?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [May 6, 2024, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202 "2024-05-06T20:25:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 3

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202/41 "2024-05-07T14:22:22Z")

</div>

> [@Loach](#):
>
> $6 million? You have to make the question harder than that. I would move to Chernobyl for $6 million a year.

🤣 🤣 🤣

Me too!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202/42 "2024-05-07T14:23:44Z")

</div>

Any southern or red state. No amount of money could entice me.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202/43 "2024-05-07T14:30:04Z")

</div>

Also a Humanities professor, but a gay, non-Christian one with a foreign spouse. I ruled out most everything but large cities in liberal states, at considerable cost to my career, but life is too short to have to worry about safety and sanity all the time.

Ended up in Canada, and now would not go back to the US for much less than $1000000 / year. (Though the times and I have both changed, and I would now be fine in almost location, I think.)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202/44 "2024-05-07T16:55:35Z")

</div>

Any place from Texas to Florida. I did live in Louisiana in the late '70s, but it was a bit better back then. Anyhow, at my age I wouldn’t go back to work anywhere for $6 million a year.

> [@CalMeacham](#):
>
> Rochester, NY
> 
> I spent too damned many years there, and have far too many bad memories and associations with the place.

I was involved with a conference once which was situated in Boston and San Diego alternate years. There was a meeting every January - in Rochester. But I had no big problem with the place - I guess it was too cold to smell anything outside. And by chance it never snowed while I was there.  
But it might be worse if I had ever experienced it when it was above freezing.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202/45 "2024-05-07T17:09:04Z")

</div>

Hey, there’s blue areas in the South, mainly in the cities. It’s not all Trump country. Some of us even have indoor plumbing.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202/46 "2024-05-07T17:20:03Z")

</div>

I’m recommending the website [The Bitter Southerner](https://bittersoutherner.com/) for anyone who’s never been to the South yet confuses a few facts with complete understanding.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202/47 "2024-05-07T17:21:02Z")

</div>

> [@Whack-a-Mole](#):
>
> Gary, Indiana.

I lived in Gary, Indiana for nearly 20 years and I was making considerably less that what was proposed in the OP.

The key thing is _which part_ of Gary you’re living in. Ditto for a lot of other cities with bad reputations.

I have modest tastes. I could work for one year for $6 million, pay the required taxes, and live comfortably off the remainder for the rest of my life.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202/48 "2024-05-07T17:28:44Z")

</div>

> [@peedin](#):
>
> Any southern or red state. No amount of money could entice me.

Completely agree. With that kind of money one could insulate themselves to a large degree but in no world would I support such a state with my taxes.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swords_to_Plowshares)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202/49 "2024-05-07T18:52:06Z")

</div>

doesn’t Florida and Texas not have state income taxes? not to excuse them.

yeah, I’d live pretty much anywhere in the US for 1 year at $6 mil. I can retire with that and help a lot of people.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202/50 "2024-05-07T19:11:45Z")

</div>

My thoughts and experiences exactly. It was embarrassing how easily I overlooked things didn’t effect me as a White guy.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202/51 "2024-05-07T19:13:02Z")

</div>

> [@Omar\_Little](#):
>
> It’s consistent with your skillset and you believe you would be reasonably successful at doing this job. It’s not illegal or unethical…

These are contradictory parameters. 😁

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202/52 "2024-05-07T19:19:50Z")

</div>

> [@Voyager](#):
>
> I was involved with a conference once which was situated in Boston and San Diego alternate years. There was a meeting every January - in Rochester. But I had no big problem with the place - I guess it was too cold to smell anything outside. And by chance it never snowed while I was there.  
> But it might be worse if I had ever experienced it when it was above freezing.

Oh, yeah – Rochester in winter.

One of my complaints is that – at least when I lived there – Rochester’s first response to snow is to put down salt. They frequently did this _before they plowed_. This love of salt has resulted in a cultural phenomenon I have seen in Rochester, but not elsewhere

The Rust Rat

When the first snowflake touches the ground in Rochester the conscientious automobile owner puts his prize car in the garage, safe and secure during the winter months. He or she then brings out of the garage the cheap sacrificial car that they will drive around town through the salt-encrusted streets until spring comes. This is the Rust Rat. The car that you don’t car if the body rusts away, because its only purpose is to protect your “real” car. If the Rust Rat rusts out, you junk it and buy a new Rust Rat.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202/53 "2024-05-07T19:21:38Z")

</div>

I have enough money and I like where I am.

There are few places in the US I would want to live other than where I am. It’s a fucked up country.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Scoobysnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Scoobysnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scoobysnax)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202/54 "2024-05-07T19:23:48Z")

</div>

For $6 million, as long as it is not in or adjacent to an active war zone, there are very few places I would not go. For that much, I would leave my family at our current house and commute home every few weeks for a year or two. The money would let me retire early or work part time.

I was once contacted by a recruiter that wanted me to work for a petrochemical company in rural Louisiana. The job paid ~$180-200k/year. Based on the housing prices, that is a lot for that area. Other than the money, there was nothing that attracted me or my family to that area.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202/55 "2024-05-07T19:29:30Z")

</div>

> [@CalMeacham](#):
>
> The car that you don’t car if the body rusts away, because its only purpose is to protect your “real” car. If the Rust Rat rusts out, you junk it and buy a new Rust Rat.

Pretty much everyone in Canada (except maybe for those who’ve never lived outside of the Vancouver area) would recognize the concept of a winter beater car. I’ve never had one, but they’re very common, or at least used to be.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202/56 "2024-05-07T19:34:28Z")

</div>

I’d have a real problem with any place in the Deep South, given current political trends. That pretty much covers anywhere from Texas to Florida, up through Georgia and North Carolina, and I’d need to think carefully about Tennesee or Kentucky.

Which is a pity, given that in general, the cost of living is better down there.

I’d have a real problem moving some place where medical care, shopping and transportation options are not good; I “joke” about moving up to Vermont, but my daughter’s town, for example, has almost no bus service, taxi service is a joke; there’s an airport that flies 3 puddle-jumpers a day to Boston, shopping (unless you like your wardrobe from WalMart) is nonexistent… It’s cheap, though.

Those requirements limit a lot of beautiful areas of the country, unfortunately.

Really, for all its disadvantages, the DC metro area has spoiled us.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202/57 "2024-05-07T19:35:34Z")

</div>

Sure. As long as there’s utilities, AC/heat and internet, I’ll just stay indoors for 3-4 years and then retire. I handled the pandemic, I can handle that.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202/58 "2024-05-07T20:01:40Z")

</div>

> [@TRC4941](#):
>
> > [@Loach](#):
> >
> > $6 million? You have to make the question harder than that. I would move to Chernobyl for $6 million a year.
> 
> 🤣 🤣 🤣
> 
> Me too!

The hypothetical doesn’t say you have to live there forever. I’m retired now and I’m under 60. I do worry that I’ll have enough for what I need. Unretiring for a couple of years to take care of myself and my family? No brainer.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202/59 "2024-05-07T20:59:54Z")

</div>

If I’m making $6 million a year, I think I can insulate myself from most of the unpleasantless of any area I’d happen to be in. No, I cannot think of a city in the US I wouldn’t move to for $6 million a year. I could even afford New York or San Francisco.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\
**Post date:** [May 8, 2024, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202/60 "2024-05-08T01:47:53Z")

</div>

> [@CalMeacham](#):
>
> Rochester, NY

You’d be okay with Buffalo or Syracuse or Binghamton or Elmira or Utica and it’s Rochester you’d have a problem with?

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202.md?page=2)

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cities-regions-of-the-us-that-you-wouldnt-move-to-regardless-of-the-money/1001202.md?page=4)