smartypants71
Drama Llama
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Posts: 5,733
Location: Houston, TX
Jun 25, 2014 22:47:49 GMT
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Post by smartypants71 on Feb 16, 2022 14:04:44 GMT
Huntsville, Alabama. I had to move from there about 18 months ago. I miss it almost every day. Once there is no longer a need for us to be in Florida, we are heading back there.โบ๏ธ My aunt and uncle and their children and grandchildren relocated to Huntsville after Katrina. They really seem to like it a lot there!
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Post by rst on Feb 16, 2022 16:23:55 GMT
I live in Bellevue, home of the $1 million-over-asking market. It is nuts.
The biggest downside for us is that our kids are coming of age to want to buy homes, and while they have excellent jobs and are hardworking, the market is not conducive to a single 25 year old guy wanting to get some equity in a starter home. My oldest bought a house about 30 minutes south of us during the height of the pandemic, but even that area has gotten too expensive for 2nd son's budget, so he's either going to have to look at a condo/duplex or go even further out. I love it that they choose to live close to us, but it's unfortunate that the housing market prices them out of the neighborhoods they grew up in.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Feb 16, 2022 16:38:03 GMT
I feel like most of Michigan is still fairly affordable if you stay out of the southeast corner, Lansing, and Grand Rapids areas. As long as you don't want to live on a lake, you can find a decent house for 200,000 or less. I live in Lansing and I live in a pretty middle class 60s ranch houses urban neighborhood and my house is worth less than $150k. We bought it cheap and out in a bunch of work to it. But I live in a decent neighborhood that is affordable. However the suburbs are more expensive, as is East Lansing. I live on the Westside though and $200,000 will get you a pretty decent house here.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Feb 16, 2022 16:55:57 GMT
After living through this the last few months, I think 'affordable' is so subjective... we moved from the Phx area to outside of St. Louis last fall, and I tried to do a lot of research on cost of living before we made the decision-- cost of real estate, health care, taxes, groceries, gas, etc. But there are still things we're finding out that I missed about it- like we just found out that in Missouri, your vehicles are taxed as personal property (in AZ they don't do that). So even though our property taxes are really low, we will have to pay $$$ every year for our vehicles that we didn't realize. And costs are rising everywhere for food, fuel, etc.
I think it really comes down to what you feel comfortable with-- what's affordable for you-- and where you want to live-- climate-wise, lifestyle, amenities, etc.
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Post by voltagain on Feb 16, 2022 18:56:41 GMT
My experience living around the country is this: The more affordable a place is the less amenities there are. If you gained some finances from somewhere else Oklahoma is an affordable place to live. But we aren't near beaches or mountains or much of anything that is a cultural "big deal" We do have a ballet and museums but they aren't like what you will find in more populous places. Lower housing prices have some notable trade offs. They are affordable because there isn't anything to draw a crowd for competition. So what are your must haves in the next place you live beside being "affordable"
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Post by ~summer~ on Feb 16, 2022 19:01:33 GMT
I remember when selling for a million dollars over asking actually made news here ๐
I agree that there are trade offs (often huge) to moving to a more affordable area. Iโd be particularly interested in hearing from peas that made a move and how it turned out for them. The towns I always hear mentioned are Asheville, Austin, Las Vegas, Nashville, Portland, Phoenix.
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Post by lucyg on Feb 16, 2022 19:03:49 GMT
Yeah, what voltagain said. And others. Iโm thinking you may not like the actual living in a lower-cost area.
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Post by needmysanity on Feb 16, 2022 19:05:52 GMT
A lot of people I know from SoCal have moved to Tennessee, or have plans to in the near future. Tennessee has no state income tax. We moved from California to Tennessee this past spring. The cost of living here is so much more affordable. In CA we lived in what they referred to as "the affordable area" and it was still so darn expensive.
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Post by MichyM on Feb 16, 2022 19:11:58 GMT
Yeah, what voltagain said. And others. Iโm thinking you may not like the actual living in a lower-cost area. Yep. I've spent the last 18 months trying to figure out what I'm doing. Remodel my place? Move to the suburbs? Leave the area entirely? I'd love to spend less on housing and other expenses. For me though I'd like to be near water and mountains. Mild climate. When I find places that look interesting, the politics of the area inevitably stops me in my tracks. I'm used to living amoungst dark blue, bleeding heart liberals. So there's that too.
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Post by andreasmom on Feb 16, 2022 19:20:25 GMT
I live in Bellevue, home of the $1 million-over-asking market. It is nuts. The biggest downside for us is that our kids are coming of age to want to buy homes, and while they have excellent jobs and are hardworking, the market is not conducive to a single 25 year old guy wanting to get some equity in a starter home. My oldest bought a house about 30 minutes south of us during the height of the pandemic, but even that area has gotten too expensive for 2nd son's budget, so he's either going to have to look at a condo/duplex or go even further out. I love it that they choose to live close to us, but it's unfortunate that the housing market prices them out of the neighborhoods they grew up in. +1. My oldest is in college. I donโt see how she would be able to buy a house here in the near future. (Sheโs not a comp sci major)
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Post by mom2kbs on Feb 16, 2022 19:25:22 GMT
I live in Phoenix. My house has tripled in value in the last two years. We were going to move but are now remodeling. My oldest Daughter is in grad school and with rent soaring right now is not sure she can afford her apartment anymore. Phoenix is a lovely but expensive place to live.
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Post by mollycoddle on Feb 16, 2022 19:29:02 GMT
Yeah, what voltagain said. And others. Iโm thinking you may not like the actual living in a lower-cost area. I agree. I live in Ohio, and while there are actually a lot of Democrats here, the state is overall red. But I will add that at least where I live, it is not hard to find like-minded people. I do think that someone used to shopping at Trader Joeโs and Whole Foods might feel out of kilter for awhile. That said, we do have plenty of shopping. But it would definitely be a trade off. One thing that I like about where I live is that we are between Pittsburgh and Cleveland, each about an hour away. And there are plenty of farms not far away, which sell excellent produce.
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pinklady
Drama Llama
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Posts: 5,617
Nov 14, 2016 23:47:03 GMT
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Post by pinklady on Feb 16, 2022 19:52:08 GMT
When I find places that look interesting, the politics of the area inevitably stops me in my tracks. I'm used to living amoungst dark blue, bleeding heart liberals. So there's that too. This is such a huge reality that I don't think people include as much as they need to when they move to a "more affordable" place. This is just not something I will compromise on. I also can't imagine trying to be friends with people who are so polar opposite of me. I say all this as someone who yearns to move to North Carolina. But I just cannot, in 2022, live in a redneck racist place.
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Post by Cupcake on Feb 16, 2022 20:11:50 GMT
I am definitely not in an affordable area, as no place in New England would ever make it onto any โaffordable places to liveโ list. But we do have great cultural opportunities, fantastic public education, mountains, lakes, the oceanโฆ itโs all a trade off. I would make a list of your โmust havesโ and areas you are willing to compromise and see if any of those line up with the amenities (and realities) of any areas on the โaffordableโ lists. I know I have visited some fun/pretty/better weather areas, and although they have been great to stay at for a week or two, I couldnโt imagine living in any of them for one reason or another. Best of luck with your decision, I hope you find the perfect place!
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Post by MichyM on Feb 16, 2022 20:18:35 GMT
When I find places that look interesting, the politics of the area inevitably stops me in my tracks. I'm used to living amoungst dark blue, bleeding heart liberals. So there's that too. This is such a huge reality that I don't think people include as much as they need to when they move to a "more affordable" place. This is just not something I will compromise on. I also can't imagine trying to be friends with people who are so polar opposite of me. I say all this as someone who yearns to move to North Carolina. But I just cannot, in 2022, live in a redneck racist place. I hear you. Asheville NC keeps rising to the top of my list. Over and over again. It sounds lovely and right up my alley (though it would be nice to be closer to water), except for the state's politics. Plus, being on the same coast as my kid would make visits a lot easier.
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Post by FrozenPea on Feb 16, 2022 20:35:12 GMT
my mother in law lives on the other side of greenbank, on the water. on whidbey island.. if you are former military, there is a px on the island.. and the medical care is good. my kids are hoping to hold onto her house.. it was family built in the early 1980's. Greenbank is about six minutes down the road from me! Off topic but my husband's great grandfather Andrew Jackson used to help run Greenbank Farm in the early 1900's until the late 40's. It's beautiful place and they have great pie!
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Post by papersilly on Feb 16, 2022 21:17:36 GMT
weather is everything for me. it can be the most affordable city in the world but if i have to contend with bugs, oppressive humidity, tornadoes or hurricanes, nothing will get me to move there.
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huskergal
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,038
Jun 25, 2014 20:22:13 GMT
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Post by huskergal on Feb 16, 2022 21:19:49 GMT
I was going to say the Midwest and I see both Des Moines and Omaha are on the list.
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Post by epeanymous on Feb 16, 2022 21:22:05 GMT
Yeah, I grew up in an affordable area, and hated it, and then spent most of my early adult life in unaffordable cities, which I loved, and then moved to a more affordable area, and realized that I really prefer the unaffordable areas because the things that are important to me are in unaffordable areas ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/5645536/images/MNrJDkDuSwqIMVw33MdD.jpg) . I did like the Whidbey Island suggestion, that said (although I spent a week there and, again, I am just so much happier in densely populated areas).
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Post by ntsf on Feb 16, 2022 21:23:15 GMT
I miss the loganberry liqueur that they were still making when we were first married. my in laws bought the land in greenbank before the north bluff road was built. and they held it for 30 yrs and built a retirement home. and the new deli up by the post office is so good. for those who have never been to whidbey.. it is a large island northwest of seattle.. accessible by ferry and road. it is in the rain shadow of mountains, so though it is a bit colder than seattle, it gets less rain. there is a national preserved landscape, up at ebey's landing, that was first developed by the indigenous people, and maintained by the white settlers.
lots of exmilitary retire there and there is a big naval air station there.
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
Jul 7, 2014 19:36:30 GMT
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Post by zella on Feb 16, 2022 22:22:57 GMT
We lived for about 14 years in Colorado, mostly in Littleton, which is a surprisingly conservative suburb. Then 14 years on Bainbridge Island, WA, which is about as liberal as anywhere in the US. This was definitely a concern, particularly for me, with moving to Florida (aka the crazy ass state) but the Tampa area is actually pretty liberal, so we don't feel out of place. And real estate costs in the suburbs, where we live, are still reasonable. Glad we left WA when we did. We'd consider CO for sure, but the prices there have gone nuts, so it's not affordable for us. Three years in we're pretty happy with where we chose. And we don't worry about tornadoes (there have been a few since we moved here, but I usually don't find out until afterwards, and they aren't strong or long track), and I have zero worries about hurricanes (concrete block house, well away from water, 65 feet up, not in flood plain and Tampa doesn't tend to get hit much). Living in OK would scare me shitless... way too many tornadoes, and difficulties with rain and water table re: in ground shelters). Nah, I'll take Tampa, thanks.
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Post by Merge on Feb 16, 2022 22:42:53 GMT
Iโll put my plug in for Texas, even though I know the blue staters will throw up their hands in horror. ๐
Houston has more people in it than many whole states do. We have vibrant arts and culture of all types, a diverse population, and arguably the hottest food scene in the country right now.
Itโs not as cheap to live here as it used to be, but still much cheaper than the PNW. In the city, there are plenty of liberals to hang out with. Yes, we have hurricanes and humidity and big roaches (actual bugs, not just the ones in the state house), but if Iโm going to live in a blue city surrounded by a red state, Iโd rather be here than anywhere in the Midwest where I grew up. Just personal opinion.
$1M will buy you a fancy house in a very nice part of the city here. $500K will get you a nice house in a decent part of the city, or a freaking mansion in the burbs.
Be part of the change! Help turn Texas blue! ๐๐๐
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Post by MichyM on Feb 16, 2022 22:52:25 GMT
Iโll put my plug in for Texas, even though I know the blue staters will throw up their hands in horror. ๐ Houston has more people in it than many whole states do. We have vibrant arts and culture of all types, a diverse population, and arguably the hottest food scene in the country right now. Itโs not as cheap to live here as it used to be, but still much cheaper than the PNW. In the city, there are plenty of liberals to hang out with. Yes, we have hurricanes and humidity and big roaches (actual bugs, not just the ones in the state house), but if Iโm going to live in a blue city surrounded by a red state, Iโd rather be here than anywhere in the Midwest where I grew up. Just personal opinion. $1M will buy you a fancy house in a very nice part of the city here. $500K will get you a nice house in a decent part of the city, or a freaking mansion in the burbs. Be part of the change! Help turn Texas blue! ๐๐๐My visual: Merge leading a cheer with pompoms in hands ๐ฃ
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Post by tuva42 on Feb 16, 2022 22:56:14 GMT
Kentucky is an affordable state to live in. We also don't get hurricanes, or many forest fires, or earthquakes. We do have the occasional tornado, but not like Tornado Alley.
While most of the state is very red, Lexington and Louisville are blue. Lexington is quite affordable. You can get a 2,400 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath house in a good school district for under $300,000. You can get 4,200 sq ft, 5 bedrooms, with a pool for under $700,000. Lexington is just 90 minutes from Louisville and Cincinnati where there is more theatre, museums, zoos, aquariums, etc. Lexington has the University of Kentucky. Folks who've never driven in big cities claim the traffic is horrible, but it really isn't. You can be in any part of town in less that 30 minutes even at rush hour.
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Post by lisae on Feb 16, 2022 22:58:35 GMT
weather is everything for me. it can be the most affordable city in the world but if i have to contend with bugs, oppressive humidity, tornadoes or hurricanes, nothing will get me to move there. That is something I wanted to add here as well particularly if you are coming from the PNW. I had a relative who moved from NC to Seattle in her 20's. Whenever she would come back to NC for visits in the summer, she would complain endlessly about the heat and humidity. Even being raised here, she got so used to the climate of the PNW that she couldn't stand to be in the south in the summer. Many people make the move to a warmer climate but it is probably worth vacationing in your desired destination in the summer to be sure it is for you.
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Post by ~summer~ on Feb 16, 2022 23:05:37 GMT
Weather is everything to me too. Mainly heat and humidity- I just donโt think I could live with it. After that - the political climate, access to amenities and the natural geography crosses so many places off a list
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Post by Darcy Collins on Feb 16, 2022 23:07:32 GMT
Weather is everything to me too. Mainly heat and humidity- I just donโt think I could live with it. After that - the political climate, access to amenities and the natural geography crosses so many places off a list Colorado baby - no heat, absolutely no humidity and if you pick the right city, more liberal than Berkeley
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Post by papersilly on Feb 16, 2022 23:20:47 GMT
Weather is everything to me too. Mainly heat and humidity- I just donโt think I could live with it. After that - the political climate, access to amenities and the natural geography crosses so many places off a list Heat and humidity are the big ones for me. it's always sunny here in Los Angeles but severe heat and humidity are thankfully not prevalent. we get it but just for a week or so at a time, right? i don't fear losing the entirety of summer or longer to it.
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Post by Merge on Feb 16, 2022 23:47:22 GMT
Iโll put my plug in for Texas, even though I know the blue staters will throw up their hands in horror. ๐ Houston has more people in it than many whole states do. We have vibrant arts and culture of all types, a diverse population, and arguably the hottest food scene in the country right now. Itโs not as cheap to live here as it used to be, but still much cheaper than the PNW. In the city, there are plenty of liberals to hang out with. Yes, we have hurricanes and humidity and big roaches (actual bugs, not just the ones in the state house), but if Iโm going to live in a blue city surrounded by a red state, Iโd rather be here than anywhere in the Midwest where I grew up. Just personal opinion. $1M will buy you a fancy house in a very nice part of the city here. $500K will get you a nice house in a decent part of the city, or a freaking mansion in the burbs. Be part of the change! Help turn Texas blue! ๐๐๐My visual: Merge leading a cheer with pompoms in hands ๐ฃ A visual no one needs, really โฆ ๐
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Post by Merge on Feb 16, 2022 23:48:07 GMT
Iโll just point out that those of us who live with humidity look ten years younger than the rest of you. ๐
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