posted on September 2, 2005 12:07:44 PM new
GREAT QUESTION! Can I add--Somewhere where the temperature is a constant 70's to low 80's, with low humidity, plenty of water and services. I can't find Eden on my map.
posted on September 2, 2005 12:38:18 PM new
You cannot live in San Diego on 55K unless you bought years ago. (I used to live on 1441 W 7Th St National city Calif)
Where in WV?
As to Eden. Most places get one bad event a year maby. We seem to get one a week in the summer. Sooner or later insurance will stop and when it does your house is unsellable.
posted on September 2, 2005 01:01:12 PM new
I now live in heaven. You can live comfortably on 55K (I live on much less). You just have to have a less "active" lifestyle. Northern rural Pennsylvania. They call our area the "Pennsylvania Wilds". I'm sure nearly all states have an area similar to this. Major cities are within a two hour drive for cultural, sporting and "city life". We are more laid back, relaxed and alot less stress, crime and aggravation. Alot to do around here for little money: hiking, rafting, hunting, fishing, and so much more. Good friends, great get-togethers, great food and drink. One hour from the wineries on the Finger lakes...now there's a day of fun! We actually still have Ice Cream Socials!
I have lived all over the United States: New England, Texas, Alaska, Hawaii. Every place I have lived has its good points and its bad points. I have found this as my favorite place to be.
posted on September 2, 2005 01:33:44 PM new
Michigan is too harsh in the winter. The south is pretty good if you can avoid some of the major hurricane spots.
posted on September 2, 2005 02:27:03 PM new
I have lived in NC, TX, MN, WI, IA & CA. I now live in the next thing to heaven. Our ususal summer temp is about 75 for a high & 55 for the night time liw. You can live very comfortable on 55G's/. We are in the Santa Maria Valley with lots of water. We don't get rain from May to October. Our average total rainfallis about 14 inches. Everything is irrigated. I live ih a mobil home park of 155 units. I don't think that there are 10 A/C's in the whole park. We are 9 miles from the ocean & that is why we are kept cool. You go 30 miles inland & can be over 100. Western MC would not be too bad, but central & eastern are tor th birds with heat & hunidity. When I was stationed at Camp Lejeune in the 50's My shoes grew mold sitting in the closet. I also spent 7 yrs. in Raleigh in the 80's Tornados hail storms ice storms, No thankee.
Life Is Too Short To Drink Bad Wine
[ edited by sanmar on Sep 3, 2005 01:47 PM ]
posted on September 2, 2005 03:00:35 PM new
Yes, Sanmar's area is wonderful! That area north of Santa Barbara up to about Santa Cruz. Also, North San Diego County, which was judged many years ago as having the most perfect climate in the U.S. Constant temps between 60 and 80, most of the year. And you can grow anything. The county extends to Oceanside and maybe beyond. My husband grew up there, and we spent many happy summers visiting his family and going to the beach. Now we live inland about 2 hours, up in the high mountains--where it's also PERFECT but we do have winter of sorts.
posted on September 2, 2005 03:35:25 PM new
I think the Carolinas would be the best bet, but if you're sick of storms, I'd stay inland!
I think Southern Virginia is going to be a very up and coming spot real estate and economy wise. You can live on 55K there easily, particularly in the smaller towns.
You should also check the 10 best places to live in the U.S. lists - my town actually made #10 on the small town's list (Centreville, Maryland). But they are very, very helpful with costs of living, housing, entertainment, etc.
We used it to decide on a city for a very temporary relocation years ago and we ended up in Nashville, TN - and it was a great location.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Caroline
posted on September 2, 2005 03:59:58 PM new
For as long as I can remember, California has always been a "magnet" state, in that more people move in than move out. Most of these moves are job related. You can drive over 1000 miles and never leave the state. The southeast corner of the state has some of the most arrid conditions in the country, while the northwest corner requires residents to have web feet and gills. Between the two, you will encounter every type of climatic condition you can imagine. There's some place here in the state you would consider perfect. Real estate prices have rocketed recently in many areas, so that would be one thing to consider. It's been my experience that a good many retirees leave California with Oregon and Washington being the most popular destinations, followed by Arkansas and Missouri.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on September 2, 2005 05:05:38 PM new
Not a bad idea! But the weather is unstable down there as well. My dad and stepmother picked up and moved to the Virgin Islands 15 years ago. They put everything in to their boat and just sailed off in to the sunset.
We went down to visit a few times each year. But there were some storms to deal with.
They were living in St. Crolx when Hugo hit. The boat ended up a mile inland completely destroyed and the island was completely devastated. They picked up the pieces and stayed there. My dad was a real estate developer and ended up rebuilding a few of the destroyed houses. He lived there until he passed away last year.
But for dacreson, if he wants out of Pensacola, I don't think any of the islands are what he's looking for - but for me, it sounds really good about now!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Caroline
posted on September 2, 2005 05:23:34 PM new
Other than Kentucky, Burmuda Beautiful place.
**********************************
Two men sit behind bars,one sees mud the other sees stars.
posted on September 2, 2005 05:51:02 PM new
Denver is nice but you can't mind snow. The advantage is that snow is not the wet sticky snow of the north east but rather dry powder. In the winter it gets hot (they broke records this yeas with temp around 105) but at least it's not humid. the thing you have to remember is that it's not cheap. My step works with new construction and from the info I took when playing housesitter, message taker, most of the new homes are around 300-350K. They just talked to a realtor who suggested that their 25 year old 3 story 3 bedroom home in an eastern suburb will probably go for a little over 200K.
San Diego is absolutely beautiful, not too cold, not too hot and cool breezes from he water but 300K here is going to buy you a cracker box east of the city where temps are usually 10-15 degrees higher or maybe a two bedroom condo closer in (and not a big one). Also the job market here SUCKS!!
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
posted on September 2, 2005 06:39:33 PM new
I love Oklahoma and that's where I will more than likely remain. I'm one of those severe weather/tornado lovers so tornado alley is ideal. I have lived in Kansas, Southern California and in Dallas. I wouldn't mind living in Dallas again. I also like Kentucky. California is out of the question. Lived north of San Diego for 6 years. Will visit but never live there again. I do still miss the beaches though.
posted on September 2, 2005 07:00:41 PM new
Interesting, Where in Northern PA? I once was in Allentown, loved it. (Lived in Levitown). Calif most of AZ and NV are out (overrun with people) Oregon and western Wash are out for same reason. Idaho used to be great but also is now overrun with people.
All big cities are out in many cases been there done that.
So as I see it you all suggest NC, Northern PA and Va/wVa?
One of the nicest cities I have seen in YEARS is Jacksonville, FL but it is just waiting for a big hurricane which will devastate it.
posted on September 2, 2005 08:35:31 PM new
I'll stay right here in northwest Georgia (just south of Chattanooga). It's inexpensive as compared to other states, it's pretty here, not much crime, friendly people, great schools, etc.
We're too far inland to get any really nasty weather from the hurricanes (a little wind and rain is all), and there's little risk of tornados and earthquakes.
The one drawback is that summers are hot and sticky. Our A/C has been out for 2+ months now. Whew!
posted on September 3, 2005 03:57:11 AM new
Northern PA is the north central region of the state. I live in Westfield, PA. Just south is Route 6, which runs across the state. Property there will be higher. A fixer-upper here (off 6) runs around 40k-60k with about an acre for a little more. Or you can buy a farm with some acreage. Land that has not been perked and no well drilled still runs around 3,000 an acre.....Modular ready (septic tank and well drilled) in a town runs around 18k. My town has water and sewer. Some towns just built sewer systems.
The only bad thing...other than winter (which I'm sure I'll complain about later)....is that good jobs require driving....and driving requires the purchase of gas. But ALOT of people do it. If you work from home...that's definitely not a problem.
posted on September 3, 2005 04:37:13 AM new
Mark wanted me to add...
We have an 18 hole golf course 3 miles from our home.
We can sit on our patio and watch a doe with twin fawns every night.
There is a large, man-made lake about 20 minutes away with excellent fishing and boating, where you can water-ski.
Along Pine Creek there is a long bike-trail that is pretty easy riding. Our 78 year old uncle rides there a few times a year.
Winters are sometimes with alot of snow. If you ski or ride snowmobiles, you'd like that. Other than being pretty, I personally avoid it as much as possible. There are only two times I like to see snow: the night before deer season opens and Christmas Eve.
We heat with a combination of wood and gas, so our heating bills rarely are over $100 a month. But we get our own wood. If you purchase wood, double that amount. If you just use gas, propane or heating oil..you'd probably spend about $350 during the coldest months.
posted on September 3, 2005 09:59:15 AM new
Add my vote for Oklahoma City. Great housing for MUCH less than comperable homes in other places. I can be downtown (terrific venue for theater, shows and entertainment) in 20 minutes with little traffic. Easy access to highways. Even though the political landscape is a bit more conservative than mine, the "Okies" are among the nicest and friendliest you'll find anywhere! Granted, an occasional tornado drops down, but the weather reporting is the BEST in the country. The living is easy and good...and reasonably priced!
[ edited by blueyes29 on Sep 3, 2005 10:02 AM ]
posted on September 3, 2005 11:40:30 AM new
I live in Chicago, a great great city, and Illinois. I would probably choose a city nearby Chicago, one of the suburbs. Esp after seeing the disasters in the south. I was thinking about Louisiana (toward the north) at one time, but after this I started reading about all the poverty in the state and I'm taking a second, third look.
http://lwright.biz/index.html
Caroline 