Left home midwest state at age 18 for University of Chicago computer science>we were studying leetcode stuff weekly around a pizza in 2013 + exchanging tech interviews we'd recently seen etcMade it to $1.5M USD net worth at age 32, but I've hopped around a lot geographically. I lived in Denver, Seattle (shortest), Hong Kong, Manila + surf town philippines, and now Bangkok. I've been living in Asia for a few yearsI think an anon in a thread last month told me they believe I'd "eventually come around" to re-settling in the Midwest, so I've begun to think more about if it made sense for me financially, relationally, professionally, climate, etc.So, I'd like to open a broader discussion on the Midwest. I'd especially like to hear from those that returned to it to re-settle or that paired it with a career switch/starting a (local) Midwest business.
I wouldn't recommend Ohio, it's full of rude assholes. The Upper Midwest is superior in every way.
>>2741434>The Upper Midwest is superior in every way.I would definitely be open to areas of the Midwest with higher quality of life, more economic boons, etcThis is actually why I specifically phrase it as "back to midwest" instead of "back to Ohio"What are the hubs of the Upper Midwest? What are new or familiar cultural elements to Ohio?
If I was going to settle anyplace in America, it'd be either near one of the Great Lakes or somewhere around the Missouri Ozarks. Clean water is a must.
>>2741434>I wouldn't recommend Ohio, it's full of rude assholes.Oh also in regards to this, I suppose it was one of the reasons I left at 18, but had also never tried Ohio as an adult with my own place and life built out.It would be a leap of faith for me to return.While some friends from that time remain-with 1 even in my home neighborhood-over half my friends left to Seattle, Texas, mexico city, florida, colorado, germany, bay area and more.
>>2741438>If I was going to settle anyplace in America,Curious where would you settle outside of america.
>>2741441Better to be mobile in foreign countries, unattached to any specific place. Every time I've stuck around a city for a few weeks, I've grown weary of the same old streets. >>2741440Summer 2023 I road-tripped through Ohio. So much anti-social behavior in evidence. People seemed a lot happier and friendlier in northern Michigan. If you have roots in Ohio it can make sense to return, versus trying to start a social circle from scratch in a new place.
>>2741345I can't comment on the Midwest but I moved home after living abroad and regret it. Being close to family has been a huge problem, I frankly don't like the people of my country, and don't see the country going in a good direction.The experience of going home is that you've grown and changed so much, then you return and find that no one else has moved on. Their lives are boring. If you bring up anything interesting you've done overseas they give you a look like you're bragging and will resent you for it.I plan on heading overseas again to live, probably won't ever move back.
>>2741438>Great Lakes>CleanUmmm,,,,,
>>2741345born in ohio, moved to florida for 7 years, back in ohio going on 2 yearsthe weather's shit and the people aren't as friendly as floridians (I don't agree with calling them mean, I think that dude is just autistic or expected some kind of southern hospitality, but they are unapproachable), but stuff is more affordablethat's on a small and large scale, groceries are a bit cheaper and housing is more affordable (area dependent of course, but generally)if I had your money I would move a few miles out of town and buy a house with land and live in peacequite jealous of you
>>2741434>>2741926wait are you the retarded michiganfag that bitches about ohio at every opportunity?
Pretty much what I do/did OP>non stop travel for a few years>always a few months at in some countries>shit was all blurring together at time>move back to US >grab some ~400-500 dollar apartment >4-6 months at home>6-8 months abroadBurnout cured, actually enjoy buying and collecting things during my travels since I can take it home to store it, made friends with some locals who I message while away. Sure I am losing a bit of money with an unoccupied place here and there but honestly now when I am abroad I feel like I value the time that much more.
>>2741981>>4-6 months at home>>6-8 months abroad>Burnout cured, actually enjoy buying and collecting things during my travels since I can take it home to store it, made friends with some locals who I message while away.Ya I am looking to purchase a primary residence in the next 1-3 years. I have several hobbies that are enhanced by having more items than fit on a commercial flight. I just don't want to be stuck to a place where I need to be doing upkeep or the city fines me. Midwest with money and ability to be away for the winter might be comfymaxxed. I left mainly because of weather and low opportunity, but those can be mitigated more now.>>2741940>born in ohio, moved to florida for 7 years, back in ohio going on 2 yearswhat prompted the return? would you just do florida if the rest lined up nicely?>if I had your money I would move a few miles out of town and buy a house with land and live in peaceI'm considering very close to downtown Kent, Ohio. it's a college town near my actual hometown. I've never myself owned a large patch of land; don't know what goes into that on an ongoing basis
>>2742392>I just don't want to be stuck to a place where I need to be doing upkeep or the city fines me.Cheap apartment or get a lawn care service to come by on a regular basis.Direct all mail to a PO box.Have ADT installed to secure the home.
When is the last time you've lived, or even visited the Midwest/US?I would think that living abroad and in larger "international" cities in the US would leave you somewhat disconnected from what the USA actually is like. A lot has changed over the last 7 years in the USA-- not that other places haven't changed, but it isn't the same as it was 7 years ago. Particularly because of the way the American economy, politics, technology, media, and as an effect society have changed so much, especially since the pandemic. After so much moving around and spending so much time in other places, you might find it doesn't really fit you anymore. Then again you might feel comfy. Anyways, what im saying is consider giving it a little trial before diving in head first.As a person who has spent most of my life living in the Midwest (Wisconsin and Minnesota), but spent about a year total living in Europe, and has traveled internationally more than the average person, If I had your level of mobility and $$, anywhere in the USA would not be my first choice to hang my hat. But if it had to be the USA, if probably pick somewhere in the Midwest, or NYC or something.
>>2742397>When is the last time you've lived, or even visited the Midwest/US?Aside from some extended visits (2-3 months) between jobs, 2011 was the last time I lived in suburban Ohio. That was it. That's 13 years ago. I'm not sure how US general trend shifts have effected northeast ohio since then. It was already decayed out from the peakFrom there, I have been living in 1-14M metro population cities>If I had your level of mobility and $$, anywhere in the USA would not be my first choice to hang my hat.I'm writing from Bangkok right now, but there is a certain deep level of familiarity and comfort with your home land, especially if introducing children.
>>2742395>Cheap apartmentya I think an apartment/town house could end up more appropriate for my needs. That or I strike up a deal with my brother and his fiancee to use my midwest place for free while I'm gone. would need to get them interested in that thoughIf I impregnate my filipina gf, I'll go house right away.
>>2742397Coastal fag hereI moved to the midwest when I realized in my mid 20s its about what you make of the situation and people around you not the area. Sure there are far more opportunities in the big cities and such but at some point it becomes moot. I'd rather spend 3 months abroad, back for 2-3, 3 more abroad, back for 2-3, and repeat. I get it "waste" money by doing that but honestly paying 550/mo for everything is easier than renting a POD, PO box, finding a month to month place, etc etc. A studio or 1br in the Dakota's can be <500/mo, often heat paid meaning you're literally just paying to keep the fridge running and maybe a remote PC, then store my stuff. People back home always tell me "man if I made you're money I'd move to the west coast and be loving the weather!". Which is all good till you realize the other 24x7x365 the people, taxes, and such can be dogshit.I lived in a pop city of 1.5, then 5m, now it's about 250k. I feel better in a 250k place where I can have conversations and I know the people across from me aren't blowing smoke to keep up with the Jones's.
>>2741345I dunno how long you've been out of the country but the US has turned to complete dogshit since 2016.
>>2742427>I dunno how long you've been out of the country but the US has turned to complete dogshit since 2016.i was gone 2016-2018 and 2022-now. that return period was pretty ass but I'd like to think it was partially just me or my timing
>>2742392>what prompted the return?life shit, got kicked out of the affordable housing because it was 55+ and a studio in florida is like $1800 compared to the $1000 I'm paying in ohioI would've loved to stay in florida honestly, I was in one of the few white parts >I'm considering very close to downtown Kent, Ohio. it's a college town near my actual hometown.I'm actually thinking of going to KSU when I'm done with my associate'sI don't think it's a bad area and it's close enough to cleveland for events and shitI live in columbus right now and it's pretty nice, concerts and sports events out the ass, relatively affordable even in nicer areas, and close to an international airportI'm assuming your from akron so I'd say kent is definitely a step up
>>2741345Why don't you travel the midwest for a few weeks at least and see if you like it?
>>2742453>Why don't you travel the midwest for a few weeks at least and see if you like it?and maybe I would, but even doing that properly will require:1. return to USA2. buy a vehicle (or rent one)3. and then the hotel life isn't really the midwest experience
>>2741345>Denver, SeattleNice larping dork go patrol another hallway LOL
>>2741345Only do it if you already have a wife. As a tech guy, you're probably going to eat shit trying to date in a small town.
>>2742472?
>>2742481he's accusing you of being some other anon (who was a security guard) that kept making posts about moving to seattlet. /trv/ knower
>>2742472Ah no I'm not security guard anon lol >>2742478In my hometown, even a dorky guy can get a 6-7/10 with nice milkers
>>2742421As a Coastal fag I came to the same realization towards the end of the pandemic. I've been looking around various Midwest cities where I can plant roots, but I've found there's a total absence of decent paying jobs in most areas. Omaha looked promising, but the high property taxes are discouraging and all of the industries there are licking off the same ice cream cone that is Berkshire Hathaway. Once Warren Buffett dies, the city is headed for an economic decline. Chicago is a world class city that's affordable to live in, but fuck the high property taxes in Illinois. Indianapolis looks like it has a decent job market and his affordable, but seems like a sleepy city without a whole lot going for it.
>>2742500>, but I've found there's a total absence of decent paying jobs in most areas.OP here and ya...that's why I left at 18. It was so clear to me that the unskilled job market is much more robust in a proper city than northeast Ohio. Ohio companiesI wouldn't return to the midwest without accumulated assets, a remote income, or a sweetheart deal/plan to make it work financially.
>>2742500If you can battle the cold, Fargo unironically has some stupid high paying gigs. They pay well due to brain drain of students leaving and many people working in the oil industry.
>>2742421>People back home always tell me "man if I made you're money I'd move to the west coast and be loving the weather!". Which is all good till you realize the other 24x7x365 the people, taxes, and such can be dogshit.moving to california was a normie dream for many midwesterners in my generation, but the deal changed a lot since my parent's prime. When they were my age, housing in california was about the same as everywhere else in the country + amazing weather. Now you're facing hellish financials as a tradeoff for the weather Very few people actually executed this move though and even less did it for more than 3-5 years>>2742618>Fargo unironically has some stupid high paying gigswhat are the nature of these roles: careers and key places in businesses or some sort of churn+burn tradesman/labor work?Seasonal or full time cadence of work??
>>2741926>Summer 2023 I road-tripped through Ohio. So much anti-social behavior in evidencewhat behavior stood out to you? would love to hear more While I have roots in Ohio, they're not necessarily some key part of my life that I can't see myself without Social circle would need work in any place, so best to get a good area and work from there. I don't mind organizing clubs/events or getting out there to make it happen
>>2742620>what are the nature of these roles: careers and key places in businesses or some sort of churn+burn tradesman/labor work?IT is big with MS right there, lot of things involving healthcare and supporting those companies, manufacturing, etc. Goverment jobs for the state pay fairly handsomely talking 100-115k where apartment rent for a good place might be high 700's low 800''s for a 2 br.There are seasonal and full time gigs all over most the farmers and oil workers, many truck drivers live here, do seasonal so winters they just sit and drink at the bar a bunch. Not impossible to make 30/hr just hosing down 18 wheelers or 25 working at dennys.Fargo pretty much has anything with a fair amount of other companies moving in due to low corporate tax rates and decent labor. Helps that crime is basically "dumbass drunk went into a ditch" as the bad part of the daily news not gang violence or such
>>2742623>IT is big with MS right there, lot of things involving healthcare and supporting those companies, manufacturing, etc. Goverment jobs for the state pay fairly handsomely talking 100-115k where apartment rent for a good place might be high 700's low 800''s for a 2 br.>There are seasonal and full time gigs all over most the farmers and oil workers, many truck drivers live here, do seasonal so winters they just sit and drink at the bar a bunch. Not impossible to make 30/hr just hosing down 18 wheelers or 25 working at dennys.great quick hitter breakdown on the pay and variety of work>Fargo pretty much has anything with a fair amount of other companies moving in due to low corporate tax rates and decent labor. Helps that crime is basically "dumbass drunk went into a ditch" as the bad part of the daily news not gang violence or suchdefinitely way better than targeted violent crime
>>2742478>Only do it if you already have a wife. As a tech guy, you're probably going to eat shit trying to date in a small town.If i moved to a place like Kent, Ohio I would either make my current gf my wife or the focus would be something like college students (grad students) or I would look for ways to generate social traction
Let me respark discussion with this:Should I focus more on settling in Asia (probably SEA w/local wife) or Midwest, if I have the option of both?
>>2741345Ive lived in the midwest my whole life. Grew up northern wisconsin. Minneapolis for 15 years then Sioux Falls SD for 2. Its not what it used to be. Somehow somalians and Nigerians are everywhere now even in small towns. Isn't like the 1990s or 2000s when I was a kid. Northern wisconsin right by lake superior is a nice area still. The browns haven't infected it completely yet. If I were you I'd look at places like Bayfield and Ashland. Outskirts of Duluth are ok. Stay away from superior.
>>2743708>Its not what it used to beDo you feel like your history specifically in Minneapolis leads to this belief or is it really all over now?Minneapolis is potentially the low key epicenter of this within the region. michigan might also share this property.I know sometimes people can be confused on where the liberal pockets of midwest are. don't the twin cities swing above their weight in terms of liberal chimpout rioting/violence?
>>2743753The key is doing what the white flight figured out years ago, move outside the cities for safety reasons. Usually when the city gets over 300-500k you start getting real issues, cities without a tram/metro line = less problems as they don't turn into glorified homeless shelters.Here are some strong tips I've found when choosing a good midwest city1. Avoid over pop of 500k, can verify it with city-data for many things2. Use apartments.com to see # of Section 8 huge warning flags3. Check local news sources every few days for a while if the biggest report is "drunk driver hit a pole" probably very safe4. Cold weather = big bonus for getting the trashy people out5. Avoid "college" cities if you don't want pants on head retarded laws or cities bending the knee for the college gibsTech has it made easy as many midwest cities are more willing to work around WFH for talent or "hybrid" of come into the office a few days every X days/weeks. I've seen multiple postings where you WFH 2-3 weeks, come in 1, rinse and repeat which isn't exactly terrible.
>>2742621I was in a shitbox minivan with out-of-state plates. That's a red flag in most of Ohio. They do not like outsiders, particularly brokefag vagabonds, snooping around their towns, selling drugs or kidnapping little girls or whatever the fuck weird guys in minivans are suspected of doing. Lots of aggressive driving behavior too. It's the kind of state where people strap on their concealed carry and think "today I might have to kill someone" before leaving the house. I spent most of my time in the Wayne National Forest.
>>2742618Thanks for the tip. I was also looking at Fargo, Bismarck, and Sioux Falls as potential places. But I work in finance and commercial banking; I'm not really seeing a whole lot of job opportunities out there for my field. >>2744686I've met a lot of Ohioans out here in the West Coast. They're almost universal in their opinions that Ohio is a shit hole with lots of poverty, drugs, and crime. When you live in a state like that, it's not difficult to understand why so many Ohioans exhibit anti-social behavior and are all around cagey.
I kinda did. I moved back to Southwestern Pennsylvania after leaving New York. It’s pretty depressing sometimes but it’s home so it is what it is.
>>2744913>They're almost universal in their opinions that Ohio is a shit hole with lots of poverty, drugs, and crime.Pretty much yes. Unless you live in some of the more posh areas.But Columbus isn't even cheap anymore. And those nice areas? Why the fuck would you stay there if you can move somewhere better?I want to leave but it's not happening for a few years at minimum.>t. Ohionigga
>>2744913>>2745273Ohio honestly isn’t bad. It’s quintessential Americana actually. Columbus kind of sucks, Cleveland is hit or miss, and Cincinnati can be quite good. The rest of Ohio is just rust belt patch cities dotting a landscape of farms and forests, same as everywhere East of the Mississippi. You think Mass. is much different? It’s not.
>>2745273>Columbus isn't even cheap anymore.there's pockets that are nice and affordable, I got a 1b/1ba apartment for $1k/mo and I'm 20 minutes away from so many venues that I can go do something every week if I wanna + super close to CMH for /trv/
>>2745281>Ohio honestly isn’t bad. It’s quintessential Americana actually. There are plenty of areas that still have that Americana, but don't suffer from the numerous economic and social problems that afflict Ohio. >You think Mass. is much different? It’s not.The difference is that in Mass. You have easy and quick access to world class amenities, and professional opportunities.
>>2745999No, there’s not actually. The places you’re thinking of are just playgrounds for boomer retirees, not actual Americana. I don’t think you really know what you’re talking about. The amenities in Boston are about equal to those in St. Louis and pale in comparison to those in Chicago. The rest of New England is depressed patch towns with opiate problems or absndonrd rusted cities…with opiate problems. Besides, who gives a fuck about “amenities”?
>>2746773>No, there’s not actually. The places you’re thinking of are just playgrounds for boomer retirees, not actual Americana. You can't even define "Americana" > The amenities in Boston are about equal to those in St. Louis and pale in comparison to those in Chicago.St Louis? You're delusional if you believe that. Chicago, I would agree they're both world class cities with lots of economic opportunities and things to do. > Besides, who gives a fuck about “amenities”?A lot of people give a fuck about amenities, people move and make life decisions based on those. Most people don't share in your hobby of spending the evenings watching paint dry.
ITT: retards who never know the midwest outside hollywoodNo one here is talking about moving to Centerville Iowa or Brookings South Dakota for living. People who move or want to live in the midwest here are probably going to be living a bit outside a main city or around a city with a 200k pop. Any of the places with a min pop of 200k is going to have your daily needs and often nicer things that you might need to look 5 seconds longer for. Sure you can't walk down to a microcenter and grab some GPU deals, but there are tons of hand made quality goods by people that will last more than the fresh off the boat ikea shit. The legit argument is that jobs can be fewer, but more often than not in the midwest they aren't so cutthroat on replacing with an H1B. Jobs can pay less but the offset of low cost of living often means it's about the same, the only ones who care are other tech nerds who go "WTF I DON'T HAVE MY 175K HEKKIN JOB IN SV?" Money is great but it ain't everything. One really thing about the midwest is that the stress levels outside work are far far lower.
>>2746907>there are tons of hand made quality goodsthe vast majority of goods here are cheap plastic chinese pieces of shit
