What is the best place for a TS to live? I would like to know because I don't think I will be able to hold a job or get one in Tennessee or Alabama. I have family in Riverside CA that might help me get a start out there but I know nothing about Riverside like cost of living. I know this topic probably been posted already but I would like to get some fresh information on the subject.
Thanks,
Anna
Riverside is a suburb of a suburb. Los Angeles is the center an then moving southeast you come to Orange County, the original 'burb which has since become more urban and out to the east is Riverside, a suburb to Orange and LA Counties. I haven't been there in many years but I imagine it's still hot and smogy. It's cheap by Southern California standards but probably more expensive than Alabama or Tennessee. There wasn't much to do out there 20 years ago and I doubt that's changed much. I lived in the LA area for half my life. The closer to the ocean you are the better it is. It's okay. LA was fun but I wouldn't go back. Been there, done that.
I've lived in San Francisco for many years now. I love it here. There lots to do, a large LGBT community and I always feel safe here. It is expensive but wages are high. Skills and or education are must though.
I live in Boulder Colorado.
I live here for a reason.
I would not want to live in a place that was not liberal and progressive.
I would reccomend University Towns and or known liberal cities.
Like the Bay Area. Or here in Boulder.
I think you will find you have the least ammount of trouble that way.
Sara
I don't SFO that's great for a TS.
Its a beautiful place no question.
But, the cost of living is very high.
Unless your an engineer, much of your
rent will go into rent.
I had the engineering part, so for
me it wasn't too bad. But, the
average rent in the city is $1700,
and your not getting a palace for that price.
Most TS are underemployed,
so you don't want to be in a place
where you risk being thrown to the street without work.
There's a very big street TS population in SFO.
Quote from: Keira on January 15, 2008, 10:15:41 PM
I don't SFO that's great for a TS.
Its a beautiful place no question.
But, the cost of living is very high.
Unless your an engineer, much of your
rent will go into rent.
I had the engineering part, so for
me it wasn't too bad. But, the
average rent in the city is $1700,
and your not getting a palace for that price.
Most TS are underemployed,
so you don't want to be in a place
where you risk being thrown to the street without work.
There's a very big street TS population in SFO.
Wow. I wouldn't have expected that.
Thank you for posting that.
I guess I do recomend Boulder as I live here and have very good experience with it.
Rent is reasonable. At least more so than San Fransisco.
I don't pay out the arm and a leg here.
I do have room/housemates, but people are pretty open and accepting here, or at least those sorts of people are easy to find, so it's not so a problem to find a place to live and or get work here.
Thanks Keira. That was good to hear if however disapointing.
I would have thought it would be a Transexual paradise given the City's open reputation.
Thanks.
Sara
I highly recommend California. The laws here are great regarding LGBT individuals, and people are pretty accepting. I just moved to Los Angeles with my wife, and people could not be more friendly. All in all, I would recommend any large city; people tend to be much more free-thinking than in small towns.
California is liberal, but very expensive as whole.
If you've got a good education, it may be a good place.
If you're marginal, not so sure.
One of the problems is that the most liberal cities and state
in the US are often the places which are most expensive to live.
If you find a place with a good variance in rents, it may be
good to live there even if the average is very high. New-York City
has the highest average rents in the US, but if you live in the
outer parts of Queens, you can still find a decent place
that won't break you.
If you don't mind immigrating, Montreal is a very cheap
and very liberal.
Re: What is the best place for a TS to live?
.......Brazil, Thialand or San Fransisco. Right now England U.K is the worst place to live if you are TS...
What are your job skills and where is that type of work?
Quote from: Berliegh on January 16, 2008, 05:06:30 AM
Re: What is the best place for a TS to live?
.......Brazil, Thialand or San Fransisco. Right now England U.K is the worst place to live if you are TS...
I would add Canada to that list one of the most accepting countries in the world.
Steph
Oh man. I was planning on moving to the UK England area in a year or so. Why is it a bad area for TS? My ftm boyfriend lives over there and he's never mentioned it being particularily bad...I know the NHS has a long waiting list for surgery, though...
Quote from: Keira on January 15, 2008, 11:30:16 PM
California is liberal, but very expensive as whole.
If you've got a good education, it may be a good place.
If you're marginal, not so sure.
One of the problems is that the most liberal cities and state
in the US are often the places which are most expensive to live.
If you find a place with a good variance in rents, it may be
good to live there even if the average is very high. New-York City
has the highest average rents in the US, but if you live in the
outer parts of Queens, you can still find a decent place
that won't break you.
If you don't mind immigrating, Montreal is a very cheap
and very liberal.
It certainly is! Just ask Stockwell Day, the minister of something or another. Be sure and check out the Clark Institute while you're in Canada.
I'm neither an engineer or wealthy but I get by in San Francisco just fine. Rents are neck and neck with Manhattan but in both cities you don't need a car. If you like a fast paced urban lifestyle this is a great place to live. When I leave San Francisco, I'll be in a box!
FYI, California has a 30% larger population than all Canada. Our GDP is comparable to Italy's making us the 7th richest nation in the world without the other 49 states. There are jobs and money here.
Albetra, Canada is probably the best place if you're looking at Canada. There are a couple of reasons:
1) If you are citizen, or become one, you can sign up for our provincial health care program, it costs like $40 a month or something, but they cover SRS -- it's about a two-three year process. They've gotten stricter recently after being slack for a while.
2) TS people are all over the province (but mostly in Calgary and Edmonton -- I swear these two cities have become a trans mecca! And a lot of trans people have no issues with jobs, and very few actual issues with discrimination). Although we are considered a "conservative" province (we're way more liberal than the states and what the rest of Canada thinks -- Alberta kinds of gets a bad wrap from other provinces for being different), people are generally friendly here and apathetic, so as long as you're not bothering anyone, no one bothers you. I have several TS people who've moved from other provinces, Quebec, Ontario, BC, etc, and all have said that it's nicer here and we're more friendlier over all, a lower crime rate, people don't get in your face, and it's just a completely different city than the rest of Canada. Other cities are nice, and each have something different to offer, but ours isn't too bad. We're very new into the big-city game, however, so we're also growing and people moving here are now shaping the future of Calgary. Our city is just over a million people big -- so, smaller than Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal.
An example would be that my friend and I (m2f), another friend (f2m), and a group of drag kings, and one drag king (dressed in a pink PVC fairy outfit), went to the Calgary Stampede last summer. It's basically a big cowboy themed festival, but we walked around with no issues. A few people stared at my my x-dressing friend, which he didn't mind, but we weren't bothered at all. We got a lot of positive comments, actually.
Now, Alberta isn't the only option, of course, because some other provinces have similar programs, although in terms of access and wait times, ours is still a little better. Some provinces have gotten rid of the program (Toronto, for example). Quebec covers it through re-reimbursement (I think). So, if you go through their program, you pay for the surgery and then you get reimbursed. Manitoba, I think, covers a percentage (like 80%). BC (well, Vancouver) has a GID clinic and it's supposed to be pretty good; however, funding is shaky from when I last herd. The province has a record of covering, and then not, and then covering again. I believe that they made a new GID clinic to "study the need of TS people and if SRS is necessary." So, basically, a delay. From what I hear, Vancouver has a lot of TS people and is friendly -- I've considered moving there after my SRS, but I'm still deciding on that one.
Calgary has the better weather in the province (Alberta) because of where we are. We get something called Chinooks in the winter which is a warm wind that keeps us warm. Now, the wind isn't always around, so we go form below freezing to above freezing several times during the winter. Our xmas's are usually brown (it was 5C - 41F). This week it's been warm and so far we've only had one cold week, where it actually dipped down to -20C -4F. The rest of Canada, is buried in snow and having storms, storms aren't as common here. Vancouver is usually very wet in the winter, and recently they've been hit with a lot of storms due to global warming (global warming has it's affect here, too, which means more moderate temps).
Alberta is also popular because getting a job here is as easy as walking out your front door. Our economy is booming, our taxes are low, and every single place is looking to hire someone. The down side to the booming economy is housing. Housing has gone up and our cost of living has gone up as a result -- I believe we just passed Vancouver as the most expensive city by 4 or 5%. Edmonton is cheaper than Calgary, but also colder, dirtier, not as modern, etc. But the downside to Calgary is that we're over populated, we can't keep up with City growth, and so we're more expensive. But, it's also a more popular city to live in than Edmonton.
So, lots of well-paying jobs, but also not as easy in your pocket book. There are other cities that are cheaper, but the trade off is better jobs. I have a lot of friends back east who've moved out here to get a good job, because they couldn't find a decent one back east or on the west coast. Basically, I've seen friends who were educated back east, but ended up working stupid low-paying factory jobs, and then move out here and get a high paying office job. Calgary is more popular for office jobs, since we're more of a major business center than Edmonton. But then, again, better jobs and better pay = a higher cost of living, but a better quality of living.
So, that's the low down from my part of town. Sorry that it was a bit long.
--Natalie
Posted on: January 16, 2008, 04:15:53 PM
Quote from: Claire de Lune on January 16, 2008, 03:40:54 PM
Be sure and check out the Clark Institute while you're in Canada.
Clark Institute is evil! I'm glad that Alberta's program and research is better, and has a better reputation compared to what's offered back east. Vancover's Clinic and stuff is also apparently good as well. The Clark is a bad mark on Canada. The Clark was in Toronto. At the time, Ontario government covered SRS, but you had to go through the evil Clark to get it. The Clark was sort-of shut down (the people who ran it still exist and run the new place, I hear it's crap). But now the Toronto government has no plans of brining back SRS coverage, because they have a government that sux. Alberta is still the for-runner for trans-care and trans-health. I think that our system is the best in the world at the moment -- it's not perfect, and they are always trying to improve it, but it's considered to be the easiest to access, best care, and coverage.
Recently, it's been going through some type of improvements. It used to be more slack, and we used to have two GID doctors. But we only have one GID doctor and it's a year wait to see him, and another year wait until SRS. I'll be done the year wait in May, which is also my two year FT mark. The requirements is only one year FT, but it's best to start your FT before you see the GID doc. Hormones are accessible before seeing the GID doc.
Now, there is a fast-tracking program, but it's been wonky recently because someone got through who shouldn't of. Before, people were getting to see the GID doctor quicker, depending on the case, and getting SRS quicker -- as long as it fit the Harry Ben's stuff, so one year FT. The problem is that it might have been too fast for someone, I know one person in pertiuclar, so the province has asked the GID doc to slow down and triple check everything.
Technically, I'm in the fast-track program. But my stuff got delayed, so instead of having SRS in Nov-Dec, they delayed it 'cause of recent developments here, as well as in other programs in other countries (ie, people having surgery and then trying to sue doctors, etc). So, the program and province are being more careful because they don't want to get sued or have the program shut down because of someone who got through who shouldn't of at that time, but should have had other issues worked on so that she could correctly take care of her self, make a good decision, and have a clear head about things.
The person I'm talking about is a drug addict. Got through (it's very easy to lie about what's going on because back checking got pretty slack). she wanted to sue Montreal for the Surgery. She didn't take care of her self post-op, so she got very sick, and actually has gone back to Montreal to fix and recover what ever is left. So, yes, it wasn't a good situation.
So, of course, the province is now slowing the process down for a lot of people in the program by a few extra months because they do not want a repeat. Everyone else I know who went through the program has been successful, and were happy to have SRS. I'm sad that my stuff got pushed back a bit, but it also happened to a bunch of my friends. So, we just make the best of it. We're lucky that the program still exists, that the wait time isn't too long, and it's probably a good thing that they are now being more careful, even at the cost of a few extra months.
--natalie
Rents are high in SF, a studio costs 3X what I paid for a 4 bedroom house in Iowa, on the other hand, I don't have $500+ heating bills in the winter either (or huge AC bills in the summer). Matter of fact, I'm out on the deck now in a bathrobe and its its pretty nice. So if the rooms/apts are small, you are in a place where people can and do spend a lot of time outside of the house. But the Bay Area is huge, and diverse. Up in Santa Rosa (60 miles north of SF) I can get a 2 bedroom in a nice complex, with pool, heath club and all that stuff for about $1K a month in one of the safest and prettiest places I've ever lived. 60 miles south, in the Silicone Valley area you might not find a place at any price as the demand is so huge. But there are little communities like Olema out on the coast that are cute and not too bad, and there is Richmond too, which is not only one of the murder capitals of the United States, but your living on top of two HUGE oil refineries also - rents aren't that bad if you are living next to the refinery and atop the Shoot-'N-Save.
It is very competitive, high education and skills levels are almost required. Its not easy with a high school degree only.
Parts of LA (and LA is huge, your talking about a place that at 60 mph will take you 2 1/2 to 3 hours to cross north to south (and on the LA freeways, you're never going to cruise at 60mph for that long, LOL. The closer to the ocean, the better, I like Santa Monica, I have family in Marina Del Rey, but both are as expensive as SF. Other parts of LA are the world's biggest company town, and if your not in the industry you'll feel left out.
Quote from: tekla on January 16, 2008, 05:44:34 PM
Matter of fact, I'm out on the deck now in a bathrobe and its its pretty nice.
Here is the weather in Tennessee and northern Alabama.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fannajasmine.com%2Fsnow2.JPG&hash=7f0ff34a44fa052d6e5b135b1472cf2edb8a0f1d)
So far the only thing received from my 148 hrs of college is a associates degree in general transfer and I'm working on Bachelors in General Studies. I will have almost a history degree since I will be lacking only four classes. Skills I have ability is the to use a lot of different computer programs I have learned in college and that is about it. Anyways nice to hear about different areas I'm really only familiar with 4 states Tennessee, Michigan, Alabama, and Ohio.
Later,
Anna
Nashville might work for you.
Of course finding a job and being able to afford to live someplace is important, and a given. Beyond that, what exactly are you looking for? What kind of life? What kind of lifestyle? What kind of services or access to services are you looking for.
Claire, I only spend 10% in rent for a large appartment.
I lived in SFO for 3 years and I
had a BIG salary and I still spent lot more than that on rent $20K a year.
If you don't mind spending lots a money on rent and everything else
and like the environment, they go ahead. That's why I was there until
my company went Kaput in 2003; people should get the whole picture though.
If you have a family and a normal teacher salary, its simple, the bay area is hell,
why do you think so many people commute from almost the central
valley. A friend who was director of marketing couldn't buy
a house big enough for his 2 children family. Is that affordable?
I think the bay area is OK if your single or a couple and you don't need
too much space. For the price of one very small house in a San-Jose suburb
(not even in the city) $600K, I could buy 3-4 houses of similar size in a similar
suburb around montreal; salaries are not 3-4 times less here...
Companies have trouble recruiting for the bay area because people don't get
as much for their money as elsewhere. Before the dot com era, it was much easier.
Quote from: Keira on January 15, 2008, 10:15:41 PM
the average rent in the city is $1700,
and your not getting a palace for that price.
Which part of the city? the tenderloin?
tink :icon_chick:
:P Crazy, everyone's competing for their city. LOL
There are tons of cool places to live. I wouldn't mind checking out Montreal sometime (I have family there) or maybe sometime checking out the bay area, Vancouver, etc. I think it's cool that there are many different options that one could live, each with their own benefits. :)
Although, Alberta will always be home for me, and I think it's kick-ass that we cover SRS and have a program that really rocks compared to other Provinces. Our GID doctor is awesome, compassionate, and has no relation to the Clarke Centre (or what ever they re-named it now, which I think still employs the same crack-pots) in Toronto. I have trans friends in Toronto, however, that are fighting for rights up there which is awesome. I think the main fight right now is to re-instate SRS funding and get better, non-clarke type, doctors.
I should make one note of my friend. I don't doubt that she's Trans or doesn't deserve surgery, etc, but she had other life issues that I think should have been taken care of as part of the program. Sadly, because our program is so popular, and there are so many people wanting it with only one provincially approved GID doctor (and he's not just a GID doctor, he also works with OCD and other people), the system got over burdened and it was very easy to get past the radar and get through quickly.
The truth is, people who've done that sadly are only fooling themselves. I feel pretty sad for my friend, and I wish she would have taken steps to get off drugs, and take care of herself after. As for suing Brassard, it wasn't about the surgery, but about the after care -- which, from everyone else, I hear is amazing. So, I was unsure what she was talking about. And of course, she didn't take care of herself, ended up in a relationship with her drug dealer, etc, which isn't good. Sadly, in the end, she ended up very sick and back in surgery. I hope that one day she gets her life together. I know she's a good person at hard with a lot of issues going on, some of them not totally her fault, but being mixed in with the wrong people, etc, is never good.
As for the province, they also have to watch their back. With recent news in other Countries of people suing the system after surgery, and then some issues over here, they are on edge. But, we are very lucky that the are continuing with the program, but just not fast tracking as much. We're lucky that we even have the program, because 99% of the world has nothing, or if they do, their programs are pretty broken. Ours is a two year wait, and you see Brassard (Meltzer in certain medical conditions). So, it's a good deal, still. They have to make sure that the program works, and that people are ready and able to take care of themselves after the surgery. That's something I understand, even though it sux my route got longer by a few months, I'm still lucky.
Technically, they are just following see GID Dr. for a year, that's it, and you get the go ahead provided you are living FT during that whole time, and the Harry Ben stuff, etc. It just happens that the wait list to see GID Dr. is a years wait. So, that equals two years. Now, if you're not FT when you see GID Dr. then the wait is longer 'cause they tack on the 1 year RLE in accordance to Harry Ben. But, sadly, if you've already started your RLE before seeing GID Dr. it doesn't actually count. So my RLE before seeing GID doesn't count with the provinces system (although it gives me brownie points). However, the extra RLE does count personally, because it's given me to time to be extra sure, and make sure that I am ready for SRS and be able to take care of myself after, etc. So, waiting isn't as bad as it sounds... although, waiting years and years and years would really suck, like the UK system.
Of course, it's not "free" because we pay taxes and we also make payments to the provincial health care system, so that we can benefit. I've been paying into taxes my whole life, and into my health insurance, and it's nice that it actually pays me back. :)
Anyway, I think I'm getting off topic.
Urm, pick a place that you'd like to live. There are a lot of great places to live, and each place has something different to offer. Decide what aspects are most important to you, and go with it.
--natalie
Tink, this comes from FORBES, supposedly reliable, who knows where they take the number.
The $1700 average includes studio and appartment in the south eastern part of the city,
which is not as expensive. Also, SFO, many people have been in appartments
a long time and I think there is a restriction to how much you can raise the rents of
existing appartment. So, in fact, rents of appartments that are offered on the market could be
significantly higher than this. Also, contrary to NYC, the variance in rent is not as high
in SFO. The low end especially is not as far from the average than in New-York City (the
average rent in NYC is about $3000).
Oh if it is an average, then it makes sense. But some people pay way more than that on a monthly basis. I guess location makes a big difference. Apartments in the Pacific Heights for new tenants are just outrageous these days. Some of us are incredibly lucky to be old tenants, for our rent is not that high considering the neighborhood and all....nothing you can do about that; that's how life works....(unfortunately)
tink :icon_chick:
San Francisco sits at the tip of a peninsula. It has water on 3 sides. It's not getting any bigger. I said it was expensive in my first post but for me it's manageable. I value aesthetics more than property ownership. We have huge opportunities for arts and cultural experience. My apartment isn't so big but I'm not in it all that much. If you aspire to a bourgeois existence, this isn't the best place for you.
That said, what upset me was was your disparaging comments about the City and California. This is my home, my place in the world. I would never say in a public forum that Montreal was a cesspool unless I knew for sure that no one from there would ever see it.
Quote from: Tink on January 16, 2008, 10:53:12 PM
Oh if it is an average, then it makes sense. But some people pay way more than that on a monthly basis. I guess location makes a big difference. Apartments in the Pacific Heights for new tenants are just outrageous these days. Some of us are incredibly lucky to be old tenants, for our rent is not that high considering the neighborhood and all....nothing you can do about that; that's how life works....(unfortunately)
tink :icon_chick:
and of course, having said this...I would be totally out of my mind to move. I think I will die in this apartment. Perhaps I am being biased, but there's no place like home, San Francisco rocks! :P
tink :icon_chick:
Hey, Tink, if you've got a cheap appartment is Pacific Height (though you were in Berkeley?)
then that's different. We are talking about people moving there; they have
to get apparments on the open market.
Though, I preferred Telegraph Hill (where I lived)
to Pacific height. North Beach, Broadway, Chinatown, Fisherman's Warf, Downtown
area is much more animated and all within a mile.
Claire, I didn't say California was a cesspool, or anything like that. Reread.
Said it was overpriced. Which I'm not the only one to say so. Its
growth has been much slower in the last 20 years than places like Texas
or even Georgia.
(I wouldn't want to move to Georgia or Texas either...
But they are a better value. I'm talking practical here. Affairs of the heart
are something else. I loved living on top of my little hill too till I had to
leave the country (because my work permit was tied to my company and it folded)).
Being forced to leave a place unwillingly is very hard and it was.
Around LA, people with a low salary have to buy houses in Riverside
or live in inner city overpriced dumps, the inland
empire is at the end of a dusty 2h freeway ride from the ocean. The California
dream is not for everyone.
My rent for my two room downtown apartment is $1180 -- is a nice place, so a little more than some places. It's right in the middle of getting new carpets and paint and I don't know what else.
But yes, Montreal is much cheaper. According to some a recent survey by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)recently did, here are the averages for a two bedroom apartment in major cities in Canada:
One note about prices: they always change, where in a city you live will depend on the area. As well, economics tell us that the more demand there is to move to the city (reflected via vacancy rates) the higher the cost to rent will be. Also, the higher the average wage, the cost of inflation will reflect that.
Calgary: $1089
Vancouver: $1084
Toronto $1061
Edmonton: $958
Victoria: $907
Ottawa $866
Halifax: $815
Winnipeg: $740
Montreal: $647
Regina: $661
(There's more cities, but I'm too lazy to point them all out).
Okay, looking at the price list we see that at the moment, Calgary's average rental costs are the most expensive. There are several reasons for that: A) The amount of people moving to Calgary, there's a large demand to live in Calgary; more demand = more cost. B) Our economics. Alberta is by far the richest province in the Canada. We have a very strong economy vs the rest of Canada.
As for Regina way at the bottom, there's a few reasons why no one would want to live there. So, of course, it's cheaper! :)
And Montreal is on the list, too... I was sure to include that.
--natalie >:D
And yes, Canada has a West vs East rivalry. And Quebec (where Montreal is) has a Quebec vs Canada rivalry, so of course we need to have some fun with this. But seriously, all of Canada is great and awesome. :) Live where you wanna live, and let live where others wanna live. ;D
Posted on: January 16, 2008, 11:16:30 PM
San Fran sounds like a cool place, I wanna visit some day! I don't know about living, because the idea of earth quakes scares me more than rent prices. :P When I lived in Vegas, we had an uber small earth quake, but it was enough for me to feel freaky about it...
Quote from: Keira on January 16, 2008, 11:15:37 PM
Hey, Tink, if you've got a cheap appartment is Pacific Height (though you were in Berkeley?)
Hold your horses my dear ;D I didn't say "cheap" are you kidding? affordable! (that's different) Berkeley? No! where did you hear that? rumors, rumors, rumors. *sighs*
tink :icon_chick:
The southeast part of SF Bay View / Hunters Point is a place where I can assure you that any writer for Forbes who got out of a car, would not be getting back into it.
There are so many factors that go into such a decision. Many like cali for the life, as well as they lifestyle - after all, its not a state, its a state of mind. I know a couple people out here who are here because they surf. Hard to do that in Alberta or Montreal, or Denver. I like the cultural stuff, but if you don't do that, what would it matter? I love the fact that I can be outside all year long, ride my bike without too much heat or cold - but if your not into the physical stuff, perhaps that does not matter.
I know people from everywhere, and also people who come from everwhere. Some people love LA, others hate it, and for those in the industry, its the only place - so like or dislike doesn't enter into it. I know people who love Texas, others who got out at the first chance. So SF is not for everyone. And SF is just one part of the Bay Area, which has about 10 million people in total in it. There is Marin and Sonoma, different from Contra Costa, which is not Richmond, or Las Gatos (home of the second highest volume Ferrari dealership in the US after Miami, so, not cheap) And, for the vegans, dreadlock crowd, there is Santa Cruz.
The reason rents are cheap in Montreal is simple, there are zillions
of appartments, so a shortage is rare. Home ownership is lower
in the province of Quebec, probably because of low rental.
In Calgary, the city is spread out and people
want to own their home. The rental pool is smaller thus higher rents.
Quote from: Keira on January 16, 2008, 11:19:29 PM
The reason rents are cheap in Montreal is simple, there are zillions
of appartments, so a shortage is rare. Home ownership is lower
in the province of Quebec, probably because of low rental.
In Calgary, the city is spread out and people
want to own their home. The rental pool is smaller thus higher rents.
Yep, economics. Although, what about GID programs, and etc? It's my understanding that in Montreal you must first pay for the surgery and then get it reimbursed or something like that.
There's more to a city than just the cost of rent. Like, for instance, people go to SF even if it costs more because they enjoy the benefits that that city offers, etc. So, each city has it's plus and minuses. Each city has something a little different to offer, and rent is only one factor into the reasons why someone moves to a city. Other wise we wouldn't have a large francophone/Quebecor population in Alberta. But it's cool that we have diversity here and that people are coming to Alberta and finding out that it's pretty cool. I have a few friends from Montreal, I've worked with a few people from Montreal -- at my last place it was confusing because I was Natalie and the other girl was Nathalie (h is silent in French). I have a ton of friends from Ontario who've moved out here, and seem to like it a lot better.
Quote from: zombiesarepeaceful on January 16, 2008, 12:33:28 PM
Oh man. I was planning on moving to the UK England area in a year or so. Why is it a bad area for TS? My ftm boyfriend lives over there and he's never mentioned it being particularily bad...I know the NHS has a long waiting list for surgery, though...
Don't do it..
I say the best place is in a house
(gets her coat)
Actually, the UK isnt that bad, Berligh is being a drama llama, to live, its fine, for treatment? dont bloody bother.
R :police:
I love the Uk but I've heard it's crummy too, they say it's hard to make a half decent living and the gap between rich and poor is really high. I'm with Canada too but I love Toronto I find it's a good place to live overall. There are so many programs for Trans persons most are free, lot's of doctors good healthcare overall. But ya there's no GRS coverage anymore and for that reason I'm considering moving to Alberta but it may not be worth it to wait 2-3 years to get covered cuz in that time I should be able to make that money anyway. I can't believe theres a year wait to see a GID Doc that's crazy, right now Toronto is my home I love the city theres so much to do here. GRS is important but so is living where I feel comfortable, I have never seen any predigest towards me here. From my point of view I can't decide myself if I should move to Alberta just for the GRS..."and to meet Natalie in person :laugh: or stay in Toronto......I'm sure I'll figure it out.
I enjoy Cali, but I mean, people don't pay for anything here for you. It's more so ever just a sort of cool place to live because of the weather. Expensive for sure though. I've always wanted to go to Canada to check it out for fun, but unfortunately no one wants to take a trip there in my family.
Quote from: tekla on January 16, 2008, 09:05:54 PM
Of course finding a job and being able to afford to live someplace is important, and a given. Beyond that, what exactly are you looking for? What kind of life? What kind of lifestyle? What kind of services or access to services are you looking for.
I won't live in a slum. Apartments would be fine as long as don't have paper thin walls and sunlight is a must. I have never felt to comfortable in Tennessee and even less in Alabama. I'm looking for a place that is not too intense I am kind of laid back. I would like to go the city and have of some fun without taking hours to get there. I hate cold weather with a passion. Only things I do around here for enjoyment is to walk in the park, I use to ride my mountain bike but got tried of being bitten by dogs, and taking pictures, which most of these can be done anywhere. I would like to have these things near me a gender therapist, a MD that is ts friendly, and endo. It is a horrible feeling to go to a doctor tell them what your on and they flip. Oh high speed internet connection would be nice. I just feel kind of isolated here.
Oh Natalie Albetra, Canada sounds nice. Only thing that sounds bad is the weather to me.
Quote from: lisagurl on January 16, 2008, 06:50:38 PM
Nashville might work for you.
My sister I lived up in Nashville in an apartment with about 950 dollars rent for 4 months. It was gated until someone drove through it. The policemen across street had his shotgun stolen out of his police car. A crazy person down the street was firing a gun in multiple directions. All this was going on in her 4 months stay in Nashville. I think Nashville is ok but don't like the south much.
Anna
the uk is miles more tollerant than the US,
and i dont know where you heard it, but the gap between rich and poor is not that big, in the US, its huge, in the uk, theres a LOT of variance, and no clear divide...
R :police:
Quote from: Jessica G on January 17, 2008, 05:27:55 PM
I love the Uk but I've heard it's crummy too, they say it's hard to make a half decent living and the gap between rich and poor is really high. I'm with Canada too but I love Toronto I find it's a good place to live overall. There are so many programs for Trans persons most are free, lot's of doctors good healthcare overall. But ya there's no GRS coverage anymore and for that reason I'm considering moving to Alberta but it may not be worth it to wait 2-3 years to get covered cuz in that time I should be able to make that money anyway. I can't believe theres a year wait to see a GID Doc that's crazy, right now Toronto is my home I love the city theres so much to do here. GRS is important but so is living where I feel comfortable, I have never seen any predigest towards me here. From my point of view I can't decide myself if I should move to Alberta just for the GRS..."and to meet Natalie in person :laugh: or stay in Toronto......I'm sure I'll figure it out.
Well, if you can sum up the cash in 2-3 years, then you wouldn't have to move out here, etc. And of course, if you don't, by that time hopefully we have another GID doctor (one of ours retired, so now we only have one -- apparently they are looking for a possible two more GID certified doctors, cutting the wait list way down).
Or, you can just come and visit sometime -- or I'll visit you. I think it would be fun to go to Toronto. I've only been to the airport, so it would be interesting to see what Toronto is all about. :)
--natalie
Quote from: gothique11 on January 16, 2008, 10:40:24 PM
:P Crazy, everyone's competing for their city. LOL
So true.
Canada sounds lovely and liberal, parts of America is pretty cool too(NYC, SF, Seattle), though the South scares me, 'Deliverence' and 'My Cousin Vinny' left a lasting impression on me!
The UK rocks, I've been there and I love the people, they like complaining (especially bout the weather LOL) but they are very open to differences and acceptance was my impression. So many eccentrics there too and they're my kinda crowd.
Here in Australia, Sydney and Melbourne are great places to live. Sydney is expensive now unfortunately, and Melbourne is arty and with it, but still affordable! Up north (Queensland) is like America's South, rednecks galore! ;D
Berleigh, be patient Dear. Please do not complain about the oppression of having to wait for 4 years to have the gov't sponsor your SRS, until you have lived under the oppression of living where you will probably never be able to afford it.
Oh, the question? Anywhere, if you're a nurse!
Frisco. whoo hoo :icon_dance:
Quote from: Rachael on January 17, 2008, 07:51:45 AM
I say the best place is in a house
(gets her coat)
Actually, the UK isnt that bad, Berligh is being a drama llama, to live, its fine, for treatment? dont bloody bother.
R :police:
Yeah, a house is better than a cardboard box. ;D
Well Ok I'm Biased and maybe a bit touched, but I live in the SF bay area and only pay $500 a month for rent. Of course I live on a sailboat I own, but hey it's waterfront. There are always options in any location. Oddly enough I think the north bay area might be a bit nicer then SF as it seem people are live and let liveand less play spot the TS. Too bad there are no marinas in Sabastapol (Northern CA / Hippyish) Sigh.
Beni
It's true. Clock the ->-bleeped-<- is a favorite pass time on Muni trains and busses. I have to admit I do it myself :embarrassed: Being clocked is not going to cause you any problem though. I've never been heckled over being trans.
I just got back from a week in San Francisco. Great city but I didn't get to play at all. It was a very busy business trip!
But I'll put a plug in for New Zealand. A very liberal country. Esp in the cities. Wellington has a SF like vibe and a thriving GLTG community.
I hope to move back there someday....
Denver, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Madrid, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Seattle, New York (maybe iffy), Vancouver, Brussels.
Quote from: Kiwi Jayne on January 19, 2008, 01:48:15 PM
I just got back from a week in San Francisco. Great city but I didn't get to play at all. It was a very busy business trip!
But I'll put a plug in for New Zealand. A very liberal country. Esp in the cities. Wellington has a SF like vibe and a thriving GLTG community.
I hope to move back there someday....
whats gltg?
and where did b go?
R :police:
YOU try typing with a cat on your arm! :laugh:
The trouble with some places, not in your nation of residence, is its getting harder to get permission to move there and get citizenship.
Sebastapool does not have a Marina (except perhaps one of the mind) but Petaluma does. And people might play spot the ->-bleeped-<-, but its a harmless amusement. Its not like anyone is going to call you on it.
i think ill stick to just looking female... and move anywhere :P
R :police:
not everyone has the genetic gifts to make that happen - so they need other choices or options
I lived in petaluma for 6 months, not a bad place. Yes I've not had any real issues anywhere in CA, most everyone is fine and does not say anything negitive. Petaluma has a marina but it's not liveaboard. Plus petaluma is a bit uppieish not that there is anything wrong with that, just not me, where as sapastapol is way more laid back.
That said if you can pass in San francisco you can pass anywhere else. But you've really Got to pass. Me of course I had a late start, but no real complaints, other then height and Voice which I'm "still" working on, I do pretty well.
Beni
I grew up in Sonoma county, and still live up there part-time. Back in the early 70s the idea was that Sebastapool wasn't laid back, it was just real high. Having just been out there a few weeks ago, its good to know that not much has ever changed. They still have one of the best record stores in the North, for sure on that, and worth the trip all by itself. I prefer the River Area, myself, but its not like that's far away from there. And, when in Sebastapool, don't stop, keep on going out to Occidential for some of the best food in the county. But I live in almost D-Town Santa Rosa and keep a room in North Beach, that works out well for me.
Portland Oregon is cool. Its about 1/3 Yuppies, 1/3 hippies, and 1/3 white trash (there is an entire section of the city called "Felony Flats" and it is Tanya Harding's home ice. But the location is awesome, Mount Hood and the other mountains are so pretty (well, except when there going off I guess)
I agree. Petaluma is a charming little town. The old downtown area especially so. I'm very locked into The City though. I'm not willing to commute anymore and I have a job that I love with a great employer and a whole life here. Since transition I have thrived here. I do some volunteer work in the TG community but I'm much more connected with the rest of the world.
Still, just this morning, I thought about how nice it would be to have garden again. :icon_cute:
Well, there are lots of places in the Bay Area besides SF. So I was just trying to expand the list a bit. I work in series, 3 or 4 days (16 hour days) and then take 4 or 5 or so off. So the dull life is good for me, besides I'm easily bored. So I can have my city life and my Santa Rosa life also. Two places are both nice, I love the work I do in both (very different stuff for the most part) and the two lives that result. They balance each other out, and keep my mind from wandering too far afield.