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Author Topic: Where would you live?  (Read 4144 times)

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Offline sacinsc

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Where would you live?
« on: November 12, 2007, 12:36:14 am »
At my present situation and my life does suck royally. But that is in another thread...Thoughts on my life this year.... Anyway, I am cashing in all my 401Ks which look like I may get around 10,000 to live on. I want away from SC. I want a decent ID doc. I want somewhere where there a cool gay guys. I want an area where there is a HIV population so I can get a support group, and maybe get a bf eventually.

Know these brief criteria, and that I really hate the cold as in Minnesota and Alaska type (can handle the DC/NY) type cold. Knowing how much money I have. And know I need a decent college in the area to complete my masters.

The big question is.....if you had to follow these criteria......where in the US would live?

Any suggestions would be great. BTW if you read the other thread, you will now know ANYWHERE in the vicinity of Orlando is O U T.

Thanks guys - I need something to jumpstart my brain.

Matt
March 07 - Negative
May 07 - Exposed
June 07 - Seroconversion
September 07 - CD4 402 VL 118000 25%
October 07 -     CD4 294 VL 124000 22%
November 07 - Norvir, Triuvada and Reyataz
December 07 -  CD4 355 VL  550 .... guess the meds are working.
January 08 - CD4 446 VL <48 undetectable!
April 08 - CD4 554 VL <48 undetectable!
July 08 - CD4 666 VL <48 undetectable! Hporay...I have devil CD4's

Offline OzPaul

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Re: Where would you live?
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2007, 12:52:35 am »
Hey Matt

Given your various requirements/wishes I might suggest Albuquerque, New Mexico. It has a great university, large gay population, decent ASO's and good employment statistics. The winter weather is fairly mild though it does snow there from time to time. Easy to get anywhere in the USA from its airport and affordable housing prices.

I lived nearby for many years in the wonderful, gay and unfortunately very expensive city of Santa Fe.

You might also try  a google search for Asheville NC.

Good luck !

Paul

Offline GoodMatchHawaiiRetreat

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Re: Where would you live?
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2007, 01:45:05 am »
Big Island, Hawaii!!!
   The weather is great year around, there is a good HIV specialist and HIV/AIDS organization, huge (and growing) gay community (It has become common to refer to the big island as the BIG GAY ISLAND).  Property is very affordable.  Plentiful fresh fruit and vegetables. Dolphins at the clothing optional beach.  Active Lava flow to remind one of the continual recreation of the earth.
Worth considering!!!

Offline Life

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  • Member 2005
Re: Where would you live?
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2007, 01:59:08 am »
Matt,  just a side note... Be careful that you are not just pulling a "geographic" and taking your problems right along with you.   We have seen this happen quite a few times around here...  I was told in my first year was to stay put and allow time between diagnosis and action..

Just Sayin,

Eric

Offline BT65

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Re: Where would you live?
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2007, 07:09:16 am »
Well, if I could (or anyone could) afford it I would move it California.  But it's pretty expensive to live there, I hear.

I agree with Eric about doing a geographical cure.  I've done that myself and I ended up back where I started.  If you don't work out your problems before you move somewhere else, well, they will just follow you.  Wherever you go, there you are and all that.
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Offline Dachshund

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Re: Where would you live?
« Reply #5 on: November 12, 2007, 07:36:10 am »
Some times a move can be just what the doctor ordered, but remember you still need to be able to afford to pay for the doctor. Your list of requirements will burn through ten grand in about a nanosecond if you aren't careful. Most gay Mecca's come with a hefty price tag and no guarantee of happiness. I know the application process sucked in Orlando, but if your nose is clean you should be able to find a teaching (if that's what you really want to do) job in just about Anytown, USA. Believe me, you do not want to have to rely on Ryan White/ADAP for your healthcare needs and paying out of pocket would take care of ten grand yesterday. My only suggestion is that you secure employment (with insurance is better) before you commit to a move.  Other than that, I say go for it girlfriend.

Offline DCGUY2007

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Re: Where would you live?
« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2007, 01:43:36 am »
Matt I agree with Eric and the others. I would think about it seriously before moving.  I live in Washington DC area. I have also traveled a lot. I am very unhappy living here after 20 years. But after extensive traveling I realize I may initially be happy if I moved (only because I would be the new guy on the block) but after a while would I really be happy?

I have lived down south too and can understand what you mean. If you find a place you want to move to I would seriously do some research about the place before moving. Just my thoughts  :)
« Last Edit: November 13, 2007, 01:52:16 am by DCGUY2007 »

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Where would you live?
« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2007, 02:32:52 am »
Ryan White is not bad where I live, and there is quite a huge HIV population with great medical care.  Access to drug trial is good too, and the cost of living is probably the least of any large city in the northeast.  Of course, as the 5th largest metropolitan area in the US there are numerous universities and cultural organizations/museums.

Anyway, that's why I moved here -- I was priced out of NYC once I went on disability, yet I needed to live somewhere with doctors that had a lot of experience with "treatment challenged" patients due to my multiple resistance issues.

If you plan on ever having to tap into ADAP (you might not need to now, but you may at some point) I'd definitely rule out several states solely on that criteria.

I did NOT move here for the nightlife, that's for damn sure.  Fortunately NYC is a quick 1.5 hour jaunt away, and I'm closer to my parents to visit them.
« Last Edit: November 13, 2007, 02:34:26 am by philly267 »
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline StrongGuy

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Re: Where would you live?
« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2007, 12:25:30 pm »
NYC is great for gays and pozzies. I"d never leave and has great services, butit's not for everyone. But as Eric said, I'd be cautious about making a big move without giving it a lot of thought. Good luck with whatever you decide!


Peace :)
Mike
"Get your medical advice from Doctors or medical professionals who you trust and know your history."

"Beware of the fortune teller doom and gloomers who seek to bring you down and are only looking for company, purpose and validation - not your best physical/mental interests."

"You know you all are saying that this is incurable. When the real thing you should be saying is it's not curable at the present time' because as we know, the great strides we've made in medicine." - Elizabeth Edwards

Offline dixieman

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Re: Where would you live?
« Reply #9 on: November 13, 2007, 01:49:48 pm »
I would go ahead and finish my masters... If you move to another state you'll have to pay out of state tuition. Search for employement in your field... check the computer for democraphics, cost of living, cost of housing, educational levels of the population, crime, industry and employment... etc... also check medical facilities etc... with possible cuts in ADAP... or no increases ... services will be sliced... taxes... South Carolina taxes are in no way in comparison to NYC... California, etc... just because a place is full of homos... does not mean its a mecca... visit the area your interested in.. and not for a day or two but, try out several weeks if possible. Weigh the pros and cons... I had a friend meet someone in NYC... quit his job... packed and moved to find out the person he met financially ruined him... took his savings etc and left him destitute... some people learn the hard way... also a friend of mine here at present was so enamored about Savannah Georgia from watching the movie " Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" he thought it was eutopia.. I stated have youve ever been there? he said no! I said go for a visit... 6 hour drive from here... he was back the next day.... The grasss is not always greener over in the next pasture... many times its full of thickets, weeds and dead grass...  If your not happy where you are ... reach within... because moving will not make you happy... First plan... pros and cons and make yourself gainfully employed... I'm sorry to say $10,000  is nothing in the areas youve mentioned... Think before you run... and move... prepare... I wish you the best...

Offline pozattitude

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Re: Where would you live?
« Reply #10 on: November 13, 2007, 02:36:24 pm »
I moved to California (San Francisco Bay) almost 2 years ago and I would not change it for the world.  I've always loved San Francisco, the weather is perfect for my taste (never hot, never cold), the geography is gorgeous and so much to do in the area (culture, nightlife, outdoors paradise) and don't forget the schools (Berkeley, Stamford, UCSF and so many, many more.....).  The downfall is cost of housing which is very expensive (you can't find a 1 bedroom apartment for less than $1200.00  and that is for an old little place).

Rich
(who already has a will that reads "must be buried in California")
« Last Edit: November 13, 2007, 02:39:10 pm by pozattitude »
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Offline Oceanbeach

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Re: Where would you live?
« Reply #11 on: November 14, 2007, 06:49:12 am »
Hey Matt,

Having spent the past 11 years with AIDS and as a California native... I would suggest Los Angeles County.  I have had 4 years of the best health care at the Care Clinic at St. Mary's Medical Center in Long Beach.  You could do your MA at UCLB, Pepperdine, UCLA or USC.

The Gay and Lesbian Center on 4th and Cherry (Long Beach) offers several support groups..  Long Beach is the fifth largest city in California, has a large gay population and will be the last place ever to lose Title I funding.  I left 7 years ago for a free house in Northern California but return to visit every couple of years.  During those visits, I run into many old friends... we visit, drink and tell bad jokes.  There were about 6 or 7 gay bars and more have opened in the past few years.  I plan on moving back after Sonoma County loses it's Title I funding in 2 more years.  Have the best day
Michael

 


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