I'm moving...but where to?

AsSiMiLaTeD

We live in Texas, have lived here all our lives, and I think we're ready to try something new. My work allows me to go wherever I want, so really the only issue would be cost. I make decent money but with the move I'll still be on a Texas salary, so I can't exactly buy a penthouse in Manhattan here.

The main things I dislike about the Dallas area are the miserable summer heat, and the general lack of any reason to be outdoors. There's really nothing to see or do here, there are nice areas but no real scenic beauty.

So I'd like cooler temps and an area that is mountainous, which should go hand in hand I'd think. I'm looking at a few places in Colorado at the moment, but am not set on that and am open to options.

Anyone here care strongly enough to make a case for your home town? I'd like to hear that or any other tips you guys may have.

voltz

If in Colorado it would be Crested butte, our neighbors moved into their cabin there but its a rich mans place now,

or Colorado Springs cause if I could relive my life I'd have move there when I was young & found a job and a way to stay

ain't nothing more boring then the flat lands of kansas, all we have ar a couple of lakes.

sucks2beme

My wife hates Dallas. She says we are selling the house and moving somewhere else
next year. So I'm right there with you on that one. We will be going to Savannah in September
and then driving up along the Carolina coast to look around. I lived in North Carolina
for a couple of years in the 70's. It will be interesting to see what's changed.

ken brydson

nbrowser wrote: »

Since the terrain and stuff is similar to here in SW British Columbia Canada, I'm gonna say the Pacific Northwest, Washington State...mountains, scenery and tons of outdoor stuff to do, mild summers with the odd heatwave, not too terribly winters and heck a huge playground just north here in B.C.!

^^This^^ We have mountains, ocean, lakes, rivers and lot's of rain...

zane77

If your into that thing they have the new pot laws in Colorado and I believe they just started in Washington!

TNHNDYMAN

The mountains of East TN, Southwest VA, and Western NC are hard to beat for natural beauty. I am partial to my hometown of Johnson City and though small it is close enough to Knoxville and Asheville NC to find something to do. Great climate. Low cost of living. No state income tax though local sales tax nearly 10%. A great area for medical needs with the med school here at East Tennessee State University.

Nightfall

If you can deal with snow until April with the occasional snow shower as late as May, Colorado is awesome. I'd personally stay out of the city of Denver and its suburbs, just because I hate the traffic and the hundreds of thousands of people everywhere you go. The mountain towns are where it's at as far as I'm concerned. It's always ten degrees F cooler where I live than in Denver and at night time it actually cools down. A traffic jam is more than one car in front of you at the same time. You get places quicker, use less gas, get done shopping faster, and Denver is only 30 minutes from me if I need something I can't get up here.

Dennis Gardner

I would give a few places consideration, as far from Dallas type of weather, since that seems to be what is holding you back from enjoying outdoors.

Look into Santa Fe, Colorado Springs, Boulder for outdoor mountain access with some city amenities. I like Evergreen, and Parker/ Castle Rock areas if smaller towns are of interest. The higher in elevation you go, the cooler temps.

For year round climate though, San Diego/Oceanside can't be beat. Savannah, Charleston, Myrtle Beach on the east coast for climate choices.

A few 3-4 day weekend jaunts would tell you a lot and be great fun helping make a decision.

tonyb

For weather....stable year round weather, can't beat mid to northern California. All things considered, Nashville is a growing area, cheap to live, but the summers may be just a tad cooler than Dallas. It's the humidity that gets me. However you can't ask for nicer people to live around than in Nashville.

I like water and mountains...California has both and a good climate with low humidity and a ton of stuff to do. If you want to get away from the heat, without nasty winters, you may have to head towards a coastal state. Florida is about the cheapest coastal state, but if you go too far south you'll still have the burning hot summers.

mhardy6647

well... depending on how much cooler you want it... ;-)

DSC_9503 by mhardy6647, on Flickr

We have what you might call a "four season climate"... except we have six seasons - besides the regular four, we also have Mud Season (When the snow melts but before the ground thaws) and Black Fly Season (between spring & summer) :-)

DSC_8334 by mhardy6647, on Flickr
DSC_9060 by mhardy6647, on Flickr
DSC_9291 by mhardy6647, on Flickr
DSC_9415 by mhardy6647, on Flickr
DSC_8152 by mhardy6647, on Flickr


on the bright side, it's reasonably affordable (at least by Northeast standards) and we have world-class healthcare (Dartmouth Hitchcock) less than 1/2 hour away...

EDIT: but, realistically... the best climate I know of in the US is the vicinity of San Diego, CA. Northern CA is pretty nice, too... but, in both cases, you pay for that desirability. We lived in the Silicon Valley when we were starting out on our own -- we couldn't afford to live there now,though. The house we owned (which we thought was expensive in 1989 at a tad under $300k) would be well into seven figures now :-O ... and it isn't what I'd consider a million dollar house!

tonyb

That is one beautiful piece of property pal. Never get tired of looking at your pics.

mhardy6647

... and I never get tired of recycling the photos! ;-)

It is nice -- but in all honesty the weather in Northern New England is bad about 8 months out of 12... makes you really appreciate those four good months, though.

tonyb

mhardy6647 wrote: »

... and I never get tired of recycling the photos! ;-)

It is nice -- but in all honesty the weather in Northern New England is bad about 8 months out of 12... makes you really appreciate those four good months, though.

Not much better here either. Take those 4 months and subtract the days it rains, your down to about 2.5-3 months. Already considering a move myself, better weather...less taxes. Illinois is impossible to retire in.

Maybe in 10 years I'll become one of those grumpy old guys on an electric 3 wheel scooter, scooting down the sidewalks picking up nickels, looking up dresses....eating ice cream cones for breakfast/lunch/dinner. Ya know....that's not sounding too bad.

EndersShadow

TNHNDYMAN wrote: »

The mountains of East TN, Southwest VA, and Western NC are hard to beat for natural beauty. Great climate. Low cost of living. No state income tax though local sales tax nearly 10%. A great area for medical needs with the med school here at East Tennessee State University.

tonyb wrote: »

I like water and mountains...California has both and a good climate with low humidity and a ton of stuff to do. If you want to get away from the heat, without nasty winters, you may have to head towards a coastal state. Florida is about the cheapest coastal state, but if you go too far south you'll still have the burning hot summers.

^These.

I have relatives in Chattanooga, TN and friends in Asheville, TN and visit out there often. In the Asheville area its high enough to kill a large portion of the humidity in the summer, the winters are mild and get cool but not into the negatives.

Lots of cool places within driving distance, parks, cool older architecture (biltmore, gatlinburg, nashville/dollywood), and a very interesting mix of people (Asheville)....

For me its where I wanted to live for a long time, but I cant make it happen in the near future... Long term I plan to retire to gatlinburg tn as its just awesome.

Dabutcher

It is nice here in the Twin Cities area 8 months out of the year. The other four like last year were pure hell! Politics might lend a point or two to where you move? Texas is pretty conservative. You might not like the stuff they do politically in another state? Here we keep spending highway funds on trains and bike paths. Good luck on your new adventures! Peace. D

steveinaz

Northern, or extreme Southern Arizona are mild, I wouldn't live in Phoenix for anything; however Tucson wouldn't be bad as it maintains a small town feel--BUT HOT. Cochise county, where I live, is about 6-8 degrees cooler than Tucson because of our elevation (apprx 4200-4800ft). Northern Az basically looks/feels like Colorado, without the expense and restrictive gun laws.

Cost of living is fairly reasonable, and this is coming from a native mid-westerner. Now, it's not Georgia or Missouri inexpensive, but not bad at all. taxes are reasonable (property/state income), and utilities average about 10 cents a square foot. We generally pay about (yearly average) $185 electric, $55 city natural gas, $30 water, $20 city sewer/trash pickup per month.

George Grand

Have you thought about the Azores at all?

krabby5

Dabutcher wrote: »

It is nice here in the Twin Cities area 8 months out of the year. The other four like last year were pure hell! Politics might lend a point or two to where you move? Texas is pretty conservative. You might not like the stuff they do politically in another state? Here we keep spending highway funds on trains and bike paths. Good luck on your new adventures! Peace. D

Dallas to Mpls? ugh

And it's nice here 4 months of the year..MAYBE. Minus 40 in the winter..90 + drenching humidity in the summer. I'd bet there are maybe 30 REALLY nice days a year in MN (temps in the 70s and sunny). Driving in the winter is horrendous, and EVERYTHING is under construction for the 4 nice months we have.

Been in MN my whole life..if it wasn't for family, I'd be LONG gone. LOL

Then again..I'm not a hunter or outdoorsman at all, either. MN is great for fishing and hunting. Just not for me.

steveinaz

krabby5 wrote: »

Dallas to Mpls? ugh

And it's nice here 4 months of the year..MAYBE. Minus 40 in the winter..90 + drenching humidity in the summer. I'd bet there are maybe 30 REALLY nice days a year in MN (temps in the 70s and sunny). Driving in the winter is horrendous, and EVERYTHING is under construction for the 4 nice months we have.

Been in MN my whole life..if it wasn't for family, I'd be LONG gone. LOL

Then again..I'm not a hunter or outdoorsman at all, either. MN is great for fishing and hunting. Just not for me.

No wonder you're Krabby. LOL

sucks2beme

steveinaz wrote: »

No wonder you're Krabby. LOL

I grew up in North Iowa. Not much different, except for no traffic (or jobs).
The Wife is from upstate NY. Great place to be in summer. As much as she misses
it, she doesn't want to move back there. A summer home in upstate, she'd be ok with that.
But's it's not in the budget.

mhardy6647

tonyb wrote: »

Not much better here either. Take those 4 months and subtract the days it rains, your down to about 2.5-3 months. Already considering a move myself, better weather...less taxes. Illinois is impossible to retire in.

Maybe in 10 years I'll become one of those grumpy old guys on an electric 3 wheel scooter, scooting down the sidewalks picking up nickels, looking up dresses....eating ice cream cones for breakfast/lunch/dinner. Ya know....that's not sounding too bad.

No (income) tax in NH -- one of the reasons it is an (otherwise) somewhat unlikely retirement Mecca.

hmm... I like ice cream... not ready to trade in my (first-ever) lawn tractor for a scooter, though ;-)

cnh

tonyb wrote: »

For weather....stable year round weather, can't beat mid to northern California. All things considered, Nashville is a growing area, cheap to live, but the summers may be just a tad cooler than Dallas. It's the humidity that gets me. However you can't ask for nicer people to live around than in Nashville.

I like water and mountains...California has both and a good climate with low humidity and a ton of stuff to do. If you want to get away from the heat, without nasty winters, you may have to head towards a coastal state. Florida is about the cheapest coastal state, but if you go too far south you'll still have the burning hot summers.

Have to agree. But you still have to think about the EQ thing? That and the PRICE of living in San Diego prevent possible retirement to that area in the future. I mean, who doesn't love LOW humidity and eternal summer/spring. Sun, beaches, mountains nearby and a drive up the coast. Can't afford it! And I don't feel like being there for the BIG ONE!

If you find something comparable. Please do tell.

I love mhardy's picture. But after 24 years under Canada (actually 21 because one was spent in Jersey and two in China during that time). I've had MORE than ENOUGH of WINTER! And would NEVER retire up here. As for the Tax Free benefits of N.H., you can have them. Give me WEATHER or give me DEATH. Oh wait, everyone gets DEATH? So I'll just take the weather, thanks! lol

cnh

steveinaz

I'd like to live in Wyoming, log-cabin like, but Bev can't tolerate cold much.

GospelTruth

Everyone has a good reason why they either like where they live or don't. Here's ours.

We moved out west from Michigan almost 5 years ago to Reno, NV. I know, you think, Reno? Well, here me out before you dismiss Northern Nevada. We live in a region of the country that is one of the sunniest with over 300 days of sun a year. Summers hit around 100, but it is a dry heat and I will take that over the 90's and humidity of the Midwest and East Coast any day. It was 98 yesterday, but honestly, it didn't feel that bad. At night it gets down into the mid 60's in the summer, so open the windows and enjoy the fresh air. Winters are mild comparatively and since we've been here I've only had to shovel the driveway once. Usually it snows and few inches and it's gone. The Sierras, which are 45 minutes from our house are a different story - they usually get a lot of snow in the winter. In the summer it is about 10-15 degrees cooler up there (at Lake Tahoe). Nights can be in the upper 40s to mid 50s in the summer - great for camping or any outdoor activities. You have access to world class skiing at 7+ different major resorts - all within a driving distance (Heavenly, Squaw, Alpine Meadows, Northstar, Kirkwood, Sugarbowl, Sierra at Tahoe). Plenty of camping being right against the Sierras and you are 2.5-3 hours from Yosemite if you really want to do some spectacular camping. And don't forget, you are right next to Lake Tahoe. If you are into motorbiking and off roading, you are right next to the desert as well - and it is mostly owned by the government so it's free reign for riding on and exploring. Additionally, you are still close to California without paying the price to live there. You are 2 hours from Sacramento and 4 from San Francisco and wine country.

Besides the weather and outdoor stuff, you have what I consider to be a small city. You won't have the Dallas traffic for sure. People moan about the traffic here, but coming from Detroit and having worked in plenty of major cities, this is nothing. 30 minutes max from one side of the city to the other. Housing is relatively cheap (ok, not Detroit cheap), but it has been going up since the housing market crash - but property taxes are low compared to Texas. Our taxes on a 3500sqft home are about $3200 a year. There is no state income tax, just like Texas so that makes the move on the same salary a bit easier. If you do a look at states with the lowest tax burden, Nevada is at the top.

Alaska at 6.4% of income
Nevada at 6.6% of income
Wyoming at 7% of income
Florida at 7.4% of income
New Hampshire at 7.6% of income

We don't have a lot of bugs which I find pleasant. We can sit outside and not worry about getting hammered by mosquitoes or anything else.

The downsides: Gambling, casinos, and sometimes the Sierra wind. We don't gamble, so we don't head down town often. But the casinos do bring in good shows and acts and have some excellent restaurants. The wind can sometimes be a bit much, but it's life next to the mountains. If you travel for work (as I used to) then Reno can be a bit of a pain as it's not a major hub for any airline - unlike Dallas. But if you don't have that requirement, then it's not an issue.

Reno is a big outdoor town with a lot to offer. When I accepted a position out here 5 years ago, my wife and I were a little apprehensive about coming out here. I have to say, we love it here and don't have any reason to move back to the Midwest (or anywhere else for that matter) with the exception of family.

My wife lived in the Dallas/Ft Worth area for a long while before we met. Her friends from there come out to visit and are amazed at how nice it is here and "wish" they could move here but for this reason or that they cannot.

If this hasn't at least peeked some curiosity, then I would say look at Oregon or Washington as well. Washington doesn't have a state income tax, but cost of living there is much higher.

Here are some pictures of a day trip around lake Tahoe and from our deck in Reno.

jflail2

All four seasons here in VA as well, and my town is apparently the "9th best mountain town in the nation" (for whatever that's worth):

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-favorite-mountain-towns/10

Seriously, Charlottesville is a great place to live. Ocean is 2.5 hours away. Mountains are an hour away (at most.) Tons of good music, arts etc, especially with Dave Matthews Band originating from here, and his band's manager bringing in the shows.

UVA is also a top tier public university, should you or family ever desire further education.

And if you want the big city life on occasion, just drive up to DC (and the NOVA area), Baltimore, etc.

mhardy6647

well... if we had 300 days a year as nice as it is right now today as I sit on my porch in the soft, cool, dry breeze in Northern NH... we'd be puttin' razor wire and guard dogs along the CT River and the other borders to keep folks out ;-)

tonyb

cnh wrote: »

Have to agree. But you still have to think about the EQ thing? That and the PRICE of living in San Diego prevent possible retirement to that area in the future. I mean, who doesn't love LOW humidity and eternal summer/spring. Sun, beaches, mountains nearby and a drive up the coast. Can't afford it! And I don't feel like being there for the BIG ONE!

If you find something comparable. Please do tell.

I love mhardy's picture. But after 24 years under Canada (actually 21 because one was spent in Jersey and two in China during that time). I've had MORE than ENOUGH of WINTER! And would NEVER retire up here. As for the Tax Free benefits of N.H., you can have them. Give me WEATHER or give me DEATH. Oh wait, everyone gets DEATH? So I'll just take the weather, thanks! lol

cnh

Uh...San Diego is in southern Cali pal. You go up towards Monterey and cost of living isn't so bad. San Fran....forgettaboutit. Even Napa is more reasonable. No, you won't get a massive house on acreage like you can in Texas, but that's the trade off. Maybe Florida you can if you go inland, but who wants to move to Florida and live inland ? Give me da beach baby !!

GospelTruth

mhardy6647 wrote: »

well... if we had 300 days a year as nice as it is right now today as I sit on my porch in the soft, cool, dry breeze in Northern NH... we'd be puttin' razor wire and guard dogs along the CT River and the other borders to keep folks out ;-)

Ah yes, those are perfect type days! You have a nice piece of property there as well which I'm sure makes it that much more enjoyable being out there. We'd love to have some property like that someday as well. One thing that you won't see in Reno... rolling green meadows like that.

tonyb

http://monterey.craigslist.org/reo/4544086746.html

for 365k, a nice California mountain home. Picture yourself sitting on the deck...in the hot tub, with your laptop doing work....looking at that scenery.

mhardy6647

GospelTruth wrote: »

Ah yes, those are perfect type days! You have a nice piece of property there as well which I'm sure makes it that much more enjoyable being out there. We'd love to have some property like that someday as well. One thing that you won't see in Reno... rolling green meadows like that.

heh, when we lived in Milpitas CA, the hills just east of us (just across the Hayward Fault!) were green like Scotland... but only in January. Most of the time, they were just flammable.

tonyb

Another nice joint in Sarasota, steal of a price....well Punta Gorda, close.

http://sarasota.craigslist.org/reo/4538676677.html