I'm looking to move out of nyc. I just visited Austin, TX but have some concerns about the area so I'd like to look at AZ cities, or Sante Fe, NM.

...here's my situation:
I'm looking to leave nyc by end of summer for another city that meets these criteria:
1) warmer! (mild short winters)
2) cheaper housing & cost of living
3) less intense lifestyle, less (this is true of nearly every city other than nyc)
4) enough "alternative" or "youth" culture that:
__a) I don't get pegged as the toke artsy weird chick
__b) socializing is not limited to bars, shopping is not limited to mall chain stores
__c) I'm not isolated
5) offers alternative health treatments (I have a chronic illness)

I am 34yo, female, graphic designer (web), moving by myself, have only about $7000 for the entire move (airfare, apartment deposit, shipping/moving stuff, car leasing, + 2-3weeks without working). It's taken me well over a year to save this much up.

there's a decent chance that once I move I can continue to do some freelance work off-site for nyc clients for a few months, which will help with employment. but I'll eventually need to get a job, preferably staff, in the city I move to. I don't currently own a car, so I'll have to get one. I'm figuring I'll have to lease a used one and pay monthly ($150-$200?), since I don't have the savings to buy one outright.

I prefer to live in older/quirky neighborhoods, rather than the typical modern apartment complexes. meaning, I'd rather have a neighborhood and a dwelling with wood floors & character, than an apartment with wall-to-wall carpeting offering on-site gym, swimming pool and complex facility. but that is just my preference, and may not be a realistic option.

...here's my problem with Austin as a potential move-to:
while it appears to be a cheap city, it's expensive in a sneaky way. non-texmex meals are still $12 an entree, clubs are still $10 to get in, non-designer boutique shopping is just as expensive as nyc. you have to own a car (plus car insurance) which adds on to the expenses.

the housing isn't really cheaper, you just get 2-3x the space as in nyc. *but* the jobs only pay about 60% of the pay in nyc. the housing is either $500-600 depressing motel-like apartments, or $900-$1300 "luxury apartments" or nice old duplex houses.

but since I'm paying $900 in nyc, with a presumbably much higher income than I'd earn in Austin, I don't see how I could make ends meet there.

...a few people suggested Sante Fe, New Mexico:
but I haven't been able to really get a sense of the vibe from research so far.


...here's what I've gathered on Arizona from research thus far:
arizona cities on the whole are mostly mall-centric, with typical new suburban housing (apartment complexes and development homes), some offer arts (museums, dance, etc.) but mostly offer chain restaurants and bars as entertainment. all areas offer great views and great outdoor activities.

It seems that Tuscan is really nice...more historic, with some youth culture due to the university, lots of "high culture" (opera, dance, etc.), but not as much of the alt. arts ("youth culture" art & music), and seems mostly mall-centric.

I think Flagstaff is probably along the vibe I'm looking for, but it seems way too cold (getting down to the teens in the winter evenings).

Phoenix sounds like a good size city, but kinda sprawly and mall-centric without much architectural or culture consideration (the focus was on getting bigger fast, not on creating an attractive well-rounded city). and it sounds like most people live outside the city center (in Scottsdale or Tempe) and have to drive into Phoenix for entertainment & such.

I'd appreciate any thoughts on any of those cities & relocating in general.