I moved to Cincy in 1980, I had a few hundred in the bank and no debt fortunately, and suddenly had a massive (to me) income. The company fronted me a loan at zero interest, which I needed to get a start. I got a pretty nice apartment in a pretty decent area near work. I had some furniture, enough to get going, and the apartment required two months rent to start as usual.
Over the next 11 months, we looked around, talked with folks at work about where was a good place to reside, etc. In a new city, that isn't something one can do quickly, I think. Then we bought a condo and stayed there 6 years (anecdote obviously, but I'm making a point about saving and learning about a new city).
Had I been single I probably would have stayed in the apartment another few years. It wasn't a thriving part of town exactly, but it was in the city. I recall thinking it would be near impossible to "meet girls" in this new life, other than a few at work who were mostly not very interesting.
Where I live now is much more convenient for "meeting girls", at least were I 50 years younger and single .....
