Alright, so in about another year I plan on moving out of NJ and head for warmer weather and nicer people. Now my eventual goal is to go back to SoCal but that's not going to do the trick right now as I need to live somewhere with some lower cost-of-living than Jersey.

Anywho, I have already begun looking into potential cities that would provide an adequate job market, good weather, and semi-affordable/fun along the southeast coast. I've only been to Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Greenville in the past and will be making my first trip to Florida in a few weeks (Disney for vacation!). However, I am looking for some suggestions into any other cities that I should check out that may suit my needs and I'm sure a few of you out there have more experience than I. I'll only be 24 and will have been with my company for 3 years by the time I'd ready to move so an active social scene/nightlife is important as well as an area that has a good corporate job market with some semi-affordable living (plan on renting).

Any and all suggestions, help, and/or discussion is welcome. Hell, if you think I'm crazy and should stay in Jersey I'd love to hear your argument there as well.

Jersey rules, and there ain't nuthin you can do about it!

Seriously, I love Charleston and Savannah - great history. Orlando should fit your bill, although it is not ON the coast, you're about an hour away from Daytona, 30 minutes from DeLand, a great little college (Stetson) town in a great location. Mobile has potential for what you're looking for. Huntsville does as well, but it's not on the Coast.

Look at Melbourne, St. Pete, Tampa if you want larger cities - I prefer small towns for the traffic, the locals and less stressful atmosphere.

I've lived in Miami - nice place to visit, but from Fort Lauderdale down to South Miami, the traffic, the locals and the prices are awful, but the food and nightlife are awesome.

I live in Jacksonville, Alabama, a small college town (JSU) about half-way between Atlanta (2 hours) and Birmingham (1 and a half hours). Love it - great place to raise kids.

The quality of women (for long term commitment//marriage) is usually inversely proportionate to the size of the city they are from. Small town girls are usually more trustworthy, loyal and dependable. But you may not want to marry a boy scout. If you're just renting, a big city girl is fine.

Different strokes.

havok, i also live in jacksonville, alabama. in my life i have called 3 places home. pensacola, florida where i grew up; monterey, california where i set out to make my fortune as an artist (carmel by the sea); and jacksonville where i have settled. florida almost killed me, monterey was too expensive, but jacksonville is just right. the pace is slow, i married a small town girl (she ain't no boy scout!) and this is a great place to raise a family. bear in mind this is a college town which is a completely different type of small town. havok, the thing that most separates the deep south from jersey is the climate. if it's under 70 degrees it's too cold. (joe thinks i'm a wussy when it comes to my aversion to the chill) orlando is very cool, especially away from the tourist traps. but, be aware that south florida has become very diverse and the pace of life has accelerated. and when you go further south than orlando new york accents (and attitudes) are as common as the humidity. i would recommend that you also look into atlanta, quite possibly the epitome of a southern metropolis. thriving corporate atmosphere and inexpensive living outside the perimeter. great food, great night life and beautiful women. in fact, joe and i are going to the braves home opener this next monday, our traditional baseball road trip.

Havok, I'm kind of in the same boat as you. My future wife is finishing up on her degree and will have some options here in about a year, and we plan a move that has basically the same parameters as you mentioned. Lucky for me, I'm a career restaurant man and can get a job anywhere so it all depends on what pans out on her end. She put in for four different cities and I presume we'll end up in either IND, CHI, CIN or PHX.

What I have going for me regarding the move is that I was born in the military and I've been a rambling man all my life and have lived in a lot of places. But I've settled back down here in the Indy area for almost seven years now, and that's as long as I've lived anywhere, ever. I'd be happy staying here and raising a family. Nice city, lots to do, good eatin', nice people in general and a great sports town.

That being said...

I know it's not on the eastern seaboard, but the place that keeps pulling me back is Phoenix. I spent most of my childhood shuttling between PHX and IND and always hated leaving the Valley. I even did some college and adult years out there but always fell on my ass and had to come back home. The fact that PHX has between 300 and 330 sunny days a year is well documented, and the open spaces and raw beauty do plenty for the soul. I found the people (especially the women) to be a lot more independent than here in the midwest, but the sports scene (DBAX and spring training - hello!!!) is kick-ass and there is so much to do that there just isn't enough time in the day. Yeah, the summers blow, crime is bad, traffic sucks and so do the Cardinals, but if you like the outdoors and seeing the sky once in a while, you could definitely end up in worse places.

As far as the eastern seaboard goes, I lived in Lakeland, FL for a while and generally liked it there, despite the horrible summers and the fact that I wasn't on the water. It is a conservative city (judging by all the churches and Dr. Tavel shops) but there is spring training and Tampa and Orlando are nearly equidistant and are under an hours drive. I found that the people there just liked to have a good time, and that goes for something I guess.

Also, I loved Southern Cal as I grew up there during the disco era, watching CHiPs and B.J. and the Bear. Went to my first Angels game in '78. Haven't been there in many years but from what I hear, you better have some coin to live there. But If I had lots of money, I'd probably move to the whale's vagina - San Diego ("Take it all in, it goes down smooth, doesn't it?"). It's like 75 degrees every day, right?

Thanks for all the input guys. I like the idea of Pheonix as I've always heard great things so I will definitely do a bit more research on that end. I have no problem moving far whatsoever as I've been bouncing around my entire life - I lived in 13 different houses in 12 different cities in three states (NJ, CA, and MA) in 23 years (not bad huh?). To jump, I've always enjoyed the desert whenever I've been out there (mainly Vegas and the surrounding area) and the outdoors and atmosphere can really sooth my soul. To DNA and Joe, I'm not so sure I'm ready for Florida as I don't know if I can handle the humidity, old people, and constant influx of tourists; however Atlanta does peak some of my interest.

Thanks again guys and keep the opinions/reviews flowing. I will keep you updated as the situation progresses. Now to look into Phoenix and Atlanta