[Janneman]

Hagar, you are entitled to your opinion, but please remember this site is here to help people and not discourage them.

Eliab, The following list is almost a year old, but it should give you a reasonable perspective:

Forbes: These metros have the lowest rates of violent crime, workplace deaths, fatal crashes and natural disasters.

[Bubba]

Eliab, if I had the chance the move closer to Atlanta because of work (i.e. promotion or new job), I would do so.
Then the same goes for (example) Baltimore; if a work offer would place me in a even better position than I am now, I would move there as well.

It would be an impossibility to find a city without crime, anywhere in the world for that matter. Our life's journey of adventure, discovery and experiencing new places can take us to many cities in this wonderful country of opportunity that we live in.
The adventure, discovery and experience is what WE make of it ourselves, having positive and supportive friends around obviously helps.

[oscar]

I agree with above, Baltimore is not that bad and safer than Cape Town. There are lots of sports events there home of the Orioles at Oriole Park and the Ravens at Raven Park. The waterfront area is very nice and there are quite a lot of music concerts there, compared to DC. in fact thousands of people from all over Maryland converge on Baltimore for weekends and sports events. There are also, lots of interesting bars and restaurants there. My new car was vandalised in an expensive parking garage at the waterfront area one Sunday afternoon it had some scratches on the roof and bonnet. Not major damage but irritating damage.
With the current sluggish job market, I would take a job anywhere you can get it. You can always move on to another city.

I still go to Baltimore... but wish I had my own car guard.

A co worker of mine who's husband is a police officer used to work the area but got a transfer to a district out of Baltimore. What he hated most was having to pick up local drunks ( bergies) he would always curse how the cruiser smelt of urine for hours afterwards.
Whenever his wife got in the cruiser after his shift he would tell her not to touch anything. She once put something on the back seat and he freaked out.

This post has been edited by oscar: 01 August 2010 - 08:57 AM

[Hagar]

Eliab, on 31 July 2010 - 05:54 AM, said:

Hi Hagar, I have been sensing a bit of negative opinon from your side, can you please tell us the reason for this. All advise and opinions are taken to consideration when one is making a decision.
To answer your questions, I chose Baltimore because nice people who I met through my work in SA offered me a place to stay for a mont or two until I get settled there is also a possibility because the guy is well connected friendly guy.Then Atlanta I picked because I had great reviews from some of the Americans I met you have to keep in mind that not all places are dangerous and wherever a person goes there will an element of crime.
I am being open minded, not every city I land in will be my home.

Also just to let everyone know have postponed my LCD will keep you all informed

Cheers
Eli

Just want to give you the straight scoop, since I have been here a lot longer than most of you, and most people on this forum think the US is all rosy and will just give you positive feedback. I see you have good reasons to go to Baltimore, which I fully understand now. When you first posted it just seemed that you picked it out of a hat. And while there is crime anywhere, some cities are more well known for it. I would have given you the same advice if you picked detroit or new orleans. And there are definitely a lot of places in atlanta you do not want to go, but it is a big city and there are very nice neighborhoods. And if you are coming to the US to find a job, the best advice I can give you is to look in Texas, the economy there is doing a lot better than most of the rest of the US.

[Eliab]

Hagar, on 02 August 2010 - 06:53 AM, said:

Just want to give you the straight scoop, since I have been here a lot longer than most of you, and most people on this forum think the US is all rosy and will just give you positive feedback. I see you have good reasons to go to Baltimore, which I fully understand now. When you first posted it just seemed that you picked it out of a hat. And while there is crime anywhere, some cities are more well known for it. I would have given you the same advice if you picked detroit or new orleans. And there are definitely a lot of places in atlanta you do not want to go, but it is a big city and there are very nice neighborhoods. And if you are coming to the US to find a job, the best advice I can give you is to look in Texas, the economy there is doing a lot better than most of the rest of the US.

Hi Hagar,

Do you perhaps know which city in Texas,because I could definatly give that some thought.

Thanks,
Eli

[oscar]

I don't know what city Hagar had in mind but i would suggest San Antonio or Houston.
Also keep in mind Maryland and Virginia have the lowest unemployment ratio's

This post has been edited by oscar: 03 August 2010 - 04:09 AM

[Malamute]

oscar, on 03 August 2010 - 05:40 AM, said:

I don't know what city Hagar had in mind but i would suggest San Antonio or Houston.
Also keep in mind Maryland and Virginia have the lowest unemployment ratio's

and to add to what Oscar says, it really all depends on which industry you are in, and your specific fit for various positions for which you apply. You could wait 6 months to be employed in Texas, but find the right job in California (which is bankcrupt) in a month, so there is no hard and fast answer of where it is better to go. Find the right job and then move there, rather than select a state and focus your attention just on jobs in that state. Once you are well settled you can always transfer, find another job etc wherever it is you really WANT to live.