How about some input? Yeah, I'm talking to you. And you, too. Ok, I see you reaching over to click away from this blog but remember, I know people... spammers in fact. If you leave now, I can see to it that your inbox is overflowing with emails that would make Ron Jeremy blush.
Ok, not really. But I want to know if anyone out there knows of a better place to live. Yes, 'better' is relative, blah, blah, blah. Either someplace you've been to or perhaps you know someone that lives in a place that sounds like what I'm seeking...
Things I want: mainly warm temps, sun, water, not a giant city, no Deliverance banjos, economically sound, blend of people, semi laid back, education and employment opportunities a definite plus.
Things I don't want: lake effect snow, freezing temps half the year, failing economy, limited growth potential, major metro area, someplace that sucks the life out of you.
Any ideas?
16 comments:
Come to Ireland. We've got an economic boom slowing down, possibly ending. A shower of possibly (pending yet more tribunals) corrupt politicians. Rain. Dull sunshine.
Actually, maybe you'd be better off elsewhere :)
well I have no idea but I have a friend who's traveled all over the country and probably has some idea... I'll check with her and get back to you
in the meantime I cast my vote for kittyville - we have an even mix of pick up trucks and escalades - schools and hospitals up the wazoo - I'm within 30 minutes of 4 colleges and 4 hospitals - 2 hours from manhattan (less than an hour by train) and an hour from albany
gorgeous scenery, mountains, river, streams, lakes etc.
it's laid back and peaceful - there's not much going on here at all actually but it's just a short drive to entertainment/arts/theater/shopping
it's not a warm climate but it's warmer than what you're used to and MUCH less snow!!
plus I'M here!!! =) hehehe
yup - kittyville is the place to be!!
I hear Texas is nice.
Don't listen to Fence - the weather in Ireland SUCKS. This morning it was 7 degrees C outside when I left for work... and this is supposed to be Summer. Although really, that is pretty much the only bad thing about the place. That and peoples' propensity to steal motorcycles (we've now had two swiped in the last 5 weeks).
Otherwise... perhaps I'll meet you in Brisbane next year..?
I always thought Virginia was nice. Warm, but not the deep south. I have no idea about the costs and economy, though.
I'd vote for somewhere in North Carolina, maybe in the Asheville area? My parents love it there, and my dad has talked about retiring there (or in coastal NC) for years. Right now they live in SW Ohio, which is where I'm from.
Otherwise, I'm stumped. I miss New England terribly, so I'm kind of more focused in that direction. One state I wouldn't live in? New York. That's where I live now. As pretty as it is, the state government, the myriad ass-backwards rules and regulations (I'm pretty sure you have to pay for and carry on you a certificate to poop in the woods, even if you're a bear) drive me absolutely up a wall. DO NOT move to NY. Not that it fits your qualifications anyway!
I've also heard decent things about Georgia, though I don't have any town names to give you. Good luck!
p.s. Oh, dear. I think I have just unintentionally insulted Kitty. I will give her this - it is lovely here in NY. The taxes suck, though, and the cost of living is outlandish. I don't think she could counter me on those points! No harm intended, Kitty. I'm just frustrated with this state right now.
i loved laguna beach, but i don't know about living there. too many uppity folk for me.
hehehe no problem Anne... there are a couple things about NY that suck - but I've lived here all my life so I'm used to the taxes - the cost of living in kittyville in particular has gone up quite a bit since 911 thanks to people fleeing the city and moving north - my chances of ever owning a house in my home town (or county for that matter) is shot all to hell now since the price of property has practically doubled since then - I don't know much about the rest of the state on account of I kinda keep to this one area
I talked to my traveling friend yesterday and strangely the topic of where to live just came up out of nowhere since she's eager to get out of Ohio at the moment too (VERY EAGER)
out of all the states she's been to, she leans toward two (leaving NY out of the running solely because of the overabundance of TICKS) she'd like to live in either Colorado or North Carolina... she seems to have settled on the idea of NC because Colorado is even more expensive than NY
so there ya have...
I say NY (kittyville in particular because I'M here) Anne says stay the hell away from NY (can't argue with her at all) - so North Carolina it is hehehe
Pschaw terri, have you forgotten April? Was there not sun? :)
Although today is horrible in the extreme. I fear our summer is over. And I have no answer to the motorbike issue.
Fence - Corrupt politicians AND dull sunshine?!?! All I have is DUMB politicians and dull sunshine; you've got the advantage. ;)
Kitty - Ok, so we know that you being there is a definite plus! And some snow is ok, really. I just don't want this lake effect crap anymore. My new motto: I love snow... on the front of holiday cards. Ahem. And just the name - 'Kittyville', who could want more?!
Terri - Wha..?!?!? 7C? That is just wrong, wrong I say! Perhaps it's the cool temps and lack of sun that drive other to steal bikes? Of course they don't know that they are surrounded by water apparently and can't get away. I'm intrigued by parts of Texas, but three words paralyze me with fear: Texas Brown Tarantula. {gulp} Yeah, yeah Brisbane sounds good. ;)
Jason - Good choice. ;) I was there many years ago and liked it quite a bit. Like you said, south, but not too far to live in fear that everything has okra in it. Some places (Alexandria) are more costly but not everywhere is like that. Figure I can weather a few coastal storms!
Anne - I know someone (family friend) that lives in Charlotte, NC and they love it. Originally from NE Ohio and one day got sick of the snow. Georgia would be good if I could live in Savannah - I'd sit there and wait for Kevin Spacey (think Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil). That main house is in Savannah. I think. If not then it may be a long wait for Kevvo. Do you think those Jawja accents would grate my nerves? ;) I'd pick it up, so it wouldn't matter. I'll have to make sure I send off for my correspondence 'Poop in the Woods certificate' if I venture up NY way! Truth be told, I adore Maine - midcoast. Guess I'm just up for 'warm' now.
Kate - Ooh, now I've never been there but I would love to go to CA! I'm not much into the uppity scene myself. I always thought I'd like it around Big Sur. Of course with the cost of living there I'd be residing in a rest stop along the freeway.
Kitty (part 2) - So you have people fleeing to you? They've heard of your greatness! Well, yours, Kittyville's, same thing. Depending on the area of Ohio that she's in, I can understand why. Economically, it's like a black hole. A long time ago I used to live in Colorado. Just outside of Denver, in fact. Pretty nifty, very brown. Hell, maybe I need to look on another planet...
Fence - Perhaps she blinked at that precise moment?... If I get any extra summer I'll sent it to you right away. I know we have tons of pollen and such but that wouldn't be a very nice thing to send. I'll refrain. ;)
Your request is interesting; I find myself thinking of one place : okay, climate is right, no big cities...but, economic downturn...and then another: lovely place, snows half the year, oops...and then another.
But surely there is someplace that is perfect.
What I'd do is see which of your desires is the most important: what are you totally unwilling to compromise on?
And then there is the "Let's put a world map on the wall and throw darts" method of decision. (You could narrow it to the US if you prefered).
Northern California has basically agreeable climate (in my region we do have, in a nondrought year, tons of rain in the winter but little snow and only a few weeks of freeze). My region is very rural, so no big cities (but you may come across Deliverance-type banjos). And I can't say the economy is exactly on an upturn.
I see someone mentioned southern California (Laguna Beach)...probably too urban now.
Oh--you know, Santa Cruz might be nice for you. It is urban, but not huge. On the ocean, has a University and some colleges. Rents are pretty high there though. But nice people, nice climate.
You might look into it. (my best friend from long ago lives there; has lived there for ages and loves it).
Yeesh....I really can't help here...I've lived in the same county my entire life.
I will tell you though that I've heard North Carolina is terrific (my aunt and uncle moved from here to there and said they'll NEVER move back here). Beisdes, Florida is just SO DAMN CROWDED...and the roads are horrible (always lots of traffic all the time).
Still, all in all, the only place I'd rather live is in Costa Rica...;)
Well, you know, even with all the problems we have down here I have to vote for New Orleans. Or maybe not the city itself, I don't like in New Orleans, but across the lake from it. But still close enough. Where else can you find a city that is as interesting as New Orleans. Yes, there's a lot wrong down here, but to me it's still one of the best places to live.
Ah, well see if it's the poisonous critters you're not too fond of then probably Brisbane not such a good plan.
Fence: I remember April. But that was Spring so it doesn't count. I'm still waiting for summer ;)
LW, I can somehow imagine you living in Santa Cruz as suggested by jarvenpa - of course I've never been there but just the name of it seems to suit you.
(well nobody ever accused me of making decisions based on facts!)
Jarvenpa - There are many places that I think of that hold some attraction but fall short in other areas. Like you said, it may be that I have to focus in on one or two things that are the mainstays. Although I must say I'm all for throwing a dart at a map. I've thought of central to northernish CA many times. Then I read too many Dean Koontz books and northern CA kind of scares me now... Of course there's always the quake issue. Suppose that's the equivalent of tornadoes in the plains states, hurricanes in the SE, etc. I'll have to check into Santa Cruz. Have family in San Bernardino and Hemet so perhaps I'll invite myself out and have a little look see!
PQ - One county? Lifetime? Wow, I think I lived in one county til I was, oh, maybe eight months old. =) Remember, last year was move #41 for me. I really like (and considered) parts of FL but it is expensive and as you said, very crowded. The places I like aren't huge cities but either way, all the job are taken because of the increased population. Now, I do recall being a fan of your Costa Rica plan!!
John - And don't forget, the New Orleans area can lay claim to harboring Buffy the Wonder Dog! I've always wanted to go there because of the oldness of it all. The architecture is spectacular. I have reservations based on some terrible humidity and bouts of awful weather. Again, my version of that is lake effect snow storms. Suppose we all become accustomed to what we live in whether we like it or not. All I know is I'm ready for more 'warm'. You never know, we might end up as neighbors!
Terri - Ah, but those are critters on foreign soil. Well, foreign to me, not them. Therefore I couldn't be toooo upset if one scampered across me considering I may forget the correct terminology. Example: "AAARGGGGHHHAAAAAA" won't do anything to help my cause. On the other hand, "AAARGGGGHHHAAAAAA mate" will automatically gain respect. No really, it's true. I saw it on Jeff Corwin. Or better yet... I could just take him along. Oh hell, Terri, we have a winner... I'm taking Jeff!
Yea the humidity here is a killer. July and August can be pretty bad, but I guess like everything else you get used to it. I don't think I could put up with snow. And the good thing about the humidity, when you go anywhere else and someone says how hot it is you can look at them and tell them they don't know what heat is.
New Orleans is a one of a kind city. And the music is one of the best parts. We have some of the best music in the world here.
And you're right, we have the wonder dog here too.
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