Gaming across the US

[kenobi65]

I'm in Salt Lake City, and I don't know that many people that game here. Unfortunately.

Good friend of mine, and a fellow RPGAer, moved to SLC for work 3 years ago. He hates it. There's very little in the way of a gaming culture there, and it's very hard to fit in, in general, if you aren't Mormon, with a big family.

The upside, apparently, is that the cost of living there is apparently pretty good. And, he's got golden handcuffs at his job, so he's sort of stuck.

 

[buzz]

You know, as much as I'm pimping Chicago, if the PacWest is an option for you, that'd seem like a good choice. The weather is a lot better, there are mountains, and I have to imagine that there's some good gaming given how close you are to WotC HQ. I have a non-gaming buddy who live in Portland and he's probably never going to leave, he loves it so much.

 

[kenobi65]

You know, as much as I'm pimping Chicago, if the PacWest is an option for you, that'd seem like a good choice.

The other thing I'd note, based on what several friends have told me, is that it's pretty liberal, politically and socially. So, if you're a non-traditionalist in other aspects of your life (not saying you are, but I do note that a fair number of gamers are), you may find it a more comfortable fit. Certainly more than Salt Lake City or Jackson, MI.

One of the guys from my college gaming group, who grew up in a small town in Wisconsin, moved out to Portland after school. He vows he's never coming back.

 

[waterdhavian]

Chicago-land is a great area. Lots to do in general. Game wise, I had found it hard to get a game for a long time, but then I found several, and literally down the street from me! Games Plus is amazing and the En world crew around Chicago are some of the finest people around. There are many beer and pretzel game nights around the city focusing on boardgames and the like and we have a very strong war game community.

 

[kenobi65]

One thing I'd note about Chicago...it ain't cheap to live here. Esp. if you're used to the cost of living in those smaller cities in your profile, you're in for a shock. Make sure you take that into account when you're looking at jobs and salaries.

The other thing I'd note is that traffic can stink. It's probably not quite as bad as LA or NY, but it's far worse than Toledo or Somerset.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

You know, as much as I'm pimping Chicago, if the PacWest is an option for you, that'd seem like a good choice. The weather is a lot better, there are mountains, and I have to imagine that there's some good gaming given how close you are to WotC HQ.

I used to live in Tacoma, and I've been to Chicago...

While the PacWest doesn't get the snow Chicago does, I'm not sure that many people would describe 80% of the days being rainy or overcast with a slight chance of volcanic eruptions and mahars (those mountains are active volcanoes, you know) to be "better."

It is, however, MUCH prettier.

I'll never forget going down the coast on vacation, looking out the car window over some bay, and seeing orcas jumping around...

 

[buzz]

While the PacWest doesn't get the snow Chicago does, I'm not sure that many people would describe 80% of the days being rainy or overcast with a slight chance of volcanic eruptions and mahars (those mountains are active volcanoes, you know) to be "better."

I gotta think it's easier to deal with than the hellish winters we have here.

Also, kenobi65 is right about cost of living and traffic. The latter is a bigger pain than the former, as there are some suburbs where you can live reasonably. But, traffic... lord, traffic here in Chi sucks like you wouldn't believe.

Okay, now *I* want to move to Portland.

 

[kenobi65]

...as there are some suburbs where you can live reasonably.

True, though "affordable" is often relative around here.

A lot also depends on (a) where your job is, (b) how viable public transportation is for you to get to that job, and (c) how long of a commute you're willing to accept.

If you work downtown, public transit's a great option for commuting, and you can live in the city (because you probably don't need a car). If your job is in Schaumberg or Naperville, you're likely looking at having to drive to work, regardless of where you live.

I know folks who have nice, good-sized houses, that they didn't pay a fortune for...but they live in Kane County (about 45 miles west of downtown) or Will County (about 50 miles southwest of downtown). They're willing to put up with an hour+ train ride each way to work, in order to get that.

Ultimately, someday, my lovely bride and I are going to get sick of how crazy it is here, I'll change careers, and we'll move to Wisconsin. But, not in the foreseeable future.

 

[hexgrid]

Just say no to Jackson.
I worked there this summer (live in Ann Arbor). Jackson is not the most gamer friendly town in Michigan. It is a bit closed minded about anything that is not main stream. It also does not have the best school system, but there is a federal prison there!!!

There is in fact gaming in Jackson, and even a group that maintains a public gaming area in the basement of a building downtown (or they used to, at least.)

I can't imaging choosing it over some of the other options in the OP, though. Jackson is a dreary place.

 

[nyrfherdr]

The Portland area has a lot of gaming options.
When you mention small towns around Portland, it depends on which one, how much gaming there is.
There are several great game stores in and around Portland, Oregon.

I don't live there anymore, but my last business trip into town (about 9 months ago) led me to the same stores and they are still active.

I don't remember there being much in the way of Convention games, but the stores all host games and activities, including RPGA events.

I hope that helps.
Game ON!
nyrfherdr