What are the best GJ scenes in North America?

paulmcevoy75

I'm thinking about moving from Maine in the next year for a variety of reasons.

I'm leaning towards Chicago.

I was just wondering what the towns with the best scenes are here?

Baltimore is awesome but I don't really want to live there again. Too hot and I had PTSD from the occasional murder nearby where I lived.

Is Buffalo a sleeper scene?

My parents are elderly in Long Island, NY so I don't want to be too far away from there.

flaco

I don’t have any input but I’m dying to see the answer to this myself. I’m in Austin and my experience is that there isn’t much here. There are a few great players in town, but there is only one public jam per month and very few gigs.

billyshakes

Maine...Chicago...Buffalo...clearly a man who is not afraid of the COLD!

paulmcevoy75

https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/comment/119284#Comment_119284

Dude there's not much cold left. It's raining in Portland, Maine today. Things are not normal. Last year I didn't lift a shovel, I once swept snow off my windshield.

That was an inspiration for leaving Baltimore. The hot was getting hotter. I didn't leave the house much June through August.

I honestly miss it there a ton but not sure if you heard, Bmore has some problems. BUT I was pretty happy there a lot of the time. Some amazing people.

Buco

Good GJ scene, parents in Long Island... NYC and the area?

JSanta

Between Buffalo and Rochester, I think we have a burgeoning GJ scene (not to mention just the general awesome arts and music vibes in both cities). The Hot Club of Buffalo is a pretty fantastic combo (shout-out to Josh!), and with Melanie from Victrola Voila moving to Rochester and starting her group back up (which she very kindly asked me to join), there's a lot to like. Stephane Wrembel visits Rochester at least once a year, and there's quick access to Toronto.

FWIW, I was stationed/lived in the DC metro region before coming back to Rochester where I grew up, and I honestly couldn't be happier. A lot of benefits of larger cities, but I can get across town without issue. I unapologetically love the area.

wim

Chicago is a beautiful city and I love it here, but the GJ scene ain't it.

quinng

100% not ohio

Scoredog

probably too far for you but SF has a lot of players.

paulmcevoy75

https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/comment/119288#Comment_119288

Could you try to sell me on Rochester/Buffalo a bit more? I have a friend from Rochester who complains about it being a hole. But it's affordable, very. I like that Buffalo is so close to Canada. I don't know they don't have a very good rep but I am totally open to them.

JSanta

It's hard for me to sell beyond this. I left for 15 or so years from 18-33 years old. I didn't experience the city and area in that formative time, so coming back, I got to have a really fresh perspective. We have a Symphony, ballet, incredible arts scene, one of the best medical systems in the country (which was a major reason we moved back, my wife's occupation), not to mention easy access to the Finger Lakes, the Adirondacks, and the Niagara region of Canada. Not to mention a burgeoning culinary scene that rivals some of the best non-Michelin rated cuisine I've experienced (I'll mention that I was professionally trained as a chef as a young man, something I abandoned quite quickly as a profession).

I got to come back and experience it as a new resident, and it's delivered on everything we wanted. In my limited interactions, people that complain about living here never left, and have little to compare it to. I loved DC and Baltimore for different reasons, but I will never move back. And with Rochester having a fantastic airport, I can get anywhere easily, and basically walk through security.