sassyangel
Drama Llama
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Jun 26, 2014 23:58:32 GMT
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Post by sassyangel on Feb 16, 2022 23:48:17 GMT
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. I mean a lot of the cities in these states run more blue, but yeah - it’s the state legislatures that would have direct say over my standard of living that give me complete pause. They’re same shit/different state to where I currently live, unfortunately. I have a varied circle of friends, I’m closer with those more politically aligned, but living where I do I’d have very few friends at all, if I left my circle to just that.
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sassyangel
Drama Llama
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Posts: 7,456
Jun 26, 2014 23:58:32 GMT
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Post by sassyangel on Feb 16, 2022 23:51:42 GMT
I’ll put my plug in for Texas, even though I know the blue staters will throw up their hands in horror. 😂 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. It’s 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 I’m going to live in a blue city surrounded by a red state, I’d 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! 😂😂😂 Would actually consider an affordable state where I felt my vote would make something of a difference. That’s a fair point.
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sassyangel
Drama Llama
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Posts: 7,456
Jun 26, 2014 23:58:32 GMT
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Post by sassyangel on Feb 16, 2022 23:53:48 GMT
Weather is everything to me too. Mainly heat and humidity- I just don’t 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 I’ve been debating Colorado, we were there in August and did really like it, a lot. Denver didn’t seem as affordable although we liked it a lot, but areas outside of it, seemed more so.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Feb 17, 2022 0:03:08 GMT
I was going to say the Midwest and I see both Des Moines and Omaha are on the list. You couldn’t pay me to move to either Iowa or Nebraska. Both are way too red for me.
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Post by katlady on Feb 17, 2022 0:04:16 GMT
I’ll just point out that those of us who live with humidity look ten years younger than the rest of you. 😂 So true unfortunately. 😂
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Post by Merge on Feb 17, 2022 0:11:47 GMT
I was going to say the Midwest and I see both Des Moines and Omaha are on the list. You couldn’t pay me to move to either Iowa or Nebraska. Both are way too red for me. And way too white … just sayin’. If you value diversity in your friends and neighbors, that ain’t your place. I grew up there. It’s better than it was, but not that much.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Feb 17, 2022 0:28:21 GMT
You couldn’t pay me to move to either Iowa or Nebraska. Both are way too red for me. And way too white … just sayin’. If you value diversity in your friends and neighbors, that ain’t your place. I grew up there. It’s better than it was, but not that much. You’re so right on that point too!
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Post by Darcy Collins on Feb 17, 2022 0:35:35 GMT
Colorado baby - no heat, absolutely no humidity and if you pick the right city, more liberal than Berkeley I’ve been debating Colorado, we were there in August and did really like it, a lot. Denver didn’t seem as affordable although we liked it a lot, but areas outside of it, seemed more so. It's only affordable if you're coming from the Bay Area or another extremely expensive area.
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Post by cmpeter on Feb 17, 2022 0:35:40 GMT
Yes! That's what I tell DH when he says "we could never live there, too conservative."
Sorry I posted and then never came back, crazy busy day today. I am really appreciating all the recommendations and have gotten some great ideas.
More sun and more affordable are top on my list. He works in Seattle now and loves his current job. It does require he remain in the area for now. I could relocate just about anywhere though and it wouldn't impact my job.
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sassyangel
Drama Llama
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Jun 26, 2014 23:58:32 GMT
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Post by sassyangel on Feb 17, 2022 1:03:34 GMT
I’ve been debating Colorado, we were there in August and did really like it, a lot. Denver didn’t seem as affordable although we liked it a lot, but areas outside of it, seemed more so. It's only affordable if you're coming from the Bay Area or another extremely expensive area. That would be right, looking at Denver prices, lol. Some places outside Denver didn’t seem too bad, but it’s relative I guess. The only people I know who moved there recently, moved there from CA.
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Post by busy on Feb 17, 2022 1:17:45 GMT
I’ll put my plug in for Texas, even though I know the blue staters will throw up their hands in horror. 😂 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. It’s 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 I’m going to live in a blue city surrounded by a red state, I’d 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! 😂😂😂 I agree Houston is pretty great and the city itself is far more liberal than most people would expect. It's also infinitely more diverse than the PNW. The 'burbs get red quickly, though. We've considered moving to the area but would stick in Houston proper. We are partial to Montrose. You housing dollar definitely goes a lot further in the suburbs, but I wouldn't want to always have to drive to the community I'd actually want to be in.
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luckyjune
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,685
Location: In the rainy, rainy WA
Jul 22, 2017 4:59:41 GMT
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Post by luckyjune on Feb 17, 2022 1:58:54 GMT
Yeah, what voltagain said. And others. I’m thinking you may not like the actual living in a lower-cost area. This is my thought too. DH and I always look at the homes on Cheap Old Houses and marvel at what you can get for under $100,000 in other parts of the country. We always follow it up with, "...but then you'd have to live there." I've lived with the bleeding heart liberals in "deep blue" (thanks, Michy!) WA my entire life and I think if I had to move somewhere where people ask me where I go to church or where school boards are pulling books about LGBTQ+ from library shelves, I'd be miserable.
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luckyjune
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,685
Location: In the rainy, rainy WA
Jul 22, 2017 4:59:41 GMT
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Post by luckyjune on Feb 17, 2022 2:04:35 GMT
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! Yes, the pie is pretty wonderful! What a beautiful place! I just drove past it 20 minutes ago.
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Post by AussieMeg on Feb 17, 2022 2:17:17 GMT
A lot of people I know from SoCal have moved to Tennessee, or have plans to in the near future. I know one couple that headed to Tennessee and a few other retiring/empty nesters that have moved from coastal San Diego to the Inland Empire (Murrieta and Temecula), Vancouver, WA and Boise, ID. I hope you're not planning to move anytime soon. I want to come and stay with you one day!
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Post by bc2ca on Feb 17, 2022 3:42:17 GMT
I know one couple that headed to Tennessee and a few other retiring/empty nesters that have moved from coastal San Diego to the Inland Empire (Murrieta and Temecula), Vancouver, WA and Boise, ID. I hope you're not planning to move anytime soon. I want to come and stay with you one day! Weather, lack of humidity and ocean waves will keep me in SoCal forever! We will downsize at some point and split our retirement between San Diego and Vancouver BC, so just let me know when you will be here and DH will get the lamb on the spit.
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Post by Clair on Feb 17, 2022 3:46:59 GMT
Weather is everything to me too. Mainly heat and humidity- I just don’t 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. I agree. The weather here in Los Angeles is amazing. My smallish house may cost a small fortune but my heating and cooling bills are almost nothing. Does that make up for overpaying for everything else🤣. Almost everything you can imagine is here. Every city/neighborhood has a different feel. I love being in a beach city. Like others have said - I know so many people moving to Tennessee and Idaho. I just can’t see myself doing that. As far as moving within California - I can’t see moving inland at all - too hot!
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Post by tenacious on Feb 17, 2022 3:52:22 GMT
I’ll just point out that those of us who live with humidity look ten years younger than the rest of you. 😂 Facts! I aged 10 years when I moved from Asia back to Utah.
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Post by papersilly on Feb 17, 2022 5:12:50 GMT
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. I agree. The weather here in Los Angeles is amazing. My smallish house may cost a small fortune but my heating and cooling bills are almost nothing. Does that make up for overpaying for everything else🤣. Almost everything you can imagine is here. Every city/neighborhood has a different feel. I love being in a beach city. Like others have said - I know so many people moving to Tennessee and Idaho. I just can’t see myself doing that. As far as moving within California - I can’t see moving inland at all - too hot!Moving inland or the central valley is equivalent to moving to Nevada or Arizona. Nope, too hot. I live in the bluffs near the Marina. I can see the ocean from around the corner of my street. I can see the Hollywood sign from my deck and the snows capped mountains when I go on the freeway. Everything is close. We were extremely lucky to get into our neighborhood 11 years ago and it's appreciated very nicely. Sure gas prices are obscene in California and traffic is annoying. The cost of living is high but the weather.... Ohh the nice weather makes it all worth it.
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Post by katlady on Feb 17, 2022 6:11:02 GMT
the snows capped mountains I miss seeing that! I used to work in one of the high rises in Downtown LA, and after a winter storm, the view of the snow capped mountains was amazing!
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stittsygirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,585
Location: In the leaves and rain.
Jun 25, 2014 19:57:33 GMT
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Post by stittsygirl on Feb 17, 2022 8:03:46 GMT
I grew up in Utah, lived three years in Northern California, three years in Colorado, five years in Arizona, and eight years in Texas. We’ve now been seven years in the PNW and you’re never prying me out of here. 90 minutes to the ocean one way and 90 minutes to the mountains the other make the cost of living worth it for me. And it’s a much better place for my LGBTQ kids 😊.
If I absolutely had to move somewhere else though, Colorado would be first on my list, with Arizona a close second (sorry Texas - the heat and humidity was just too much for me 😉).
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Post by tealpaperowl on Feb 17, 2022 13:15:37 GMT
CT is expensive!
I'd love to move to a little town that has cute neighborhoods. Very hallmark movie or lifetime movie like! I just haven't found any yet!
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Post by Merge on Feb 17, 2022 13:42:16 GMT
I’ll put my plug in for Texas, even though I know the blue staters will throw up their hands in horror. 😂 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. It’s 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 I’m going to live in a blue city surrounded by a red state, I’d 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! 😂😂😂 I agree Houston is pretty great and the city itself is far more liberal than most people would expect. It's also infinitely more diverse than the PNW. The 'burbs get red quickly, though. We've considered moving to the area but would stick in Houston proper. We are partial to Montrose. You housing dollar definitely goes a lot further in the suburbs, but I wouldn't want to always have to drive to the community I'd actually want to be in. Older DD has a (tiny, old) apartment in Montrose. Definitely one of the coolest places to live. She decided she'd rather have a crappier apartment in a cooler part of town than live further out and have newer/more space. When we sell our house and downsize, it will likely be to Midtown/Montrose. We also like the Heights and parts of West U. Will have to see. If I really wanted that suburban experience, I'd go for the Sugarland area. Fort Bend county is quite diverse and blue as well.
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Post by peano on Feb 17, 2022 15:35:48 GMT
Weather is everything to me too. Mainly heat and humidity- I just don’t 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 I visited Denver last summer for a friend's daughter's wedding and I was amazed by the feeling of well-being I had the entire time I was there. I don't know if it was the lack of humidity or the altitude, or what, but it was weird. I kind of have to see where DS is going to end up but it's in the back of my mind.
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 25, 2014 19:53:37 GMT
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Post by Mystie on Feb 17, 2022 15:55:36 GMT
I live in Newport News, VA, and I feel like we have some of the benefits of urban living without the high COL of Northern VA. We live in a smaller colonial-style house, 35 years old, in a small, safe neighborhood, and the houses across the street both sold last year for about $250,000. There are plenty of more expensive places in the area, but even those are "cheap" compared to other parts of the country. I like it here; we have mild winters and beautiful autumns and springs. Summer sucks, though (the afore-mentioned humidity!) Lots of sunshine. A diverse population. And until we elected a Trumpist governor last fall, the state has been turning more and more blue since we moved here in 2003. I very much hope Youngkin is an anomaly.
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
Jun 25, 2014 19:53:37 GMT
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Post by Mystie on Feb 17, 2022 16:09:16 GMT
Yeah, what voltagain said. And others. I’m 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 Joe’s 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. You must be in the area where I grew up. I don't think I could move back at this point, but it's nice to visit. I love all the farm stands, I was so spoiled with good food growing up there.
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Post by Sorrel on Feb 17, 2022 16:10:18 GMT
I’ve been debating Colorado, we were there in August and did really like it, a lot. Denver didn’t seem as affordable although we liked it a lot, but areas outside of it, seemed more so. It's only affordable if you're coming from the Bay Area or another extremely expensive area. We left San Francisco for Denver in 2001 (we didn't own a house in California, so no equity, but Colorado was cheap back then). I bought my current house in Denver in 2012. There is zero chance I could afford to buy it now. I feel bad for my kids- they will never be able to afford to buy here. Our only hope for them is that both sets of grandparents own in Colorado... maybe someday in the future their equity could help them.
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Post by mollycoddle on Feb 17, 2022 16:18:29 GMT
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 Joe’s 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. You must be in the area where I grew up. I don't think I could move back at this point, but it's nice to visit. I love all the farm stands, I was so spoiled with good food growing up there. I think that you are probably right about the location. I admit that I often wonder what it would be like to live in a blue state. It gets very tiresome surrounded by so many Trumpers. But I am too old to move at this point. I have a lot of friends here and we all manage to enjoy ourselves. And I don’t have to deal with a lot of traffic.
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Post by ~summer~ on Feb 17, 2022 17:08:08 GMT
Colorado baby - no heat, absolutely no humidity and if you pick the right city, more liberal than Berkeley I visited Denver last summer for a friend's daughter's wedding and I was amazed by the feeling of well-being I had the entire time I was there. I don't know if it was the lack of humidity or the altitude, or what, but it was weird. I kind of have to see where DS is going to end up but it's in the back of my mind. I also took my kid for a long weekend in Denver and really enjoyed it. There were beautiful neighborhoods, the weather was perfect and food was great. It is a bit far from the ocean though, and also did not feel very diverse. But I did really like it.
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Post by ~summer~ on Feb 17, 2022 17:13:23 GMT
I’ll put my plug in for Texas, even though I know the blue staters will throw up their hands in horror. 😂 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. It’s 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 I’m going to live in a blue city surrounded by a red state, I’d 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! 😂😂😂 merge you make Houston sound great - I need to come visit! Am I the only one who wants more urban as I get older? As my nest empties out and I have more time I feel I need the energy of a city. Ideally I’d live in a nice house on a beautiful tree lined street but still urban and walking distance to cafes, shops, restaurants and parks. Too much to ask lol?
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Post by Merge on Feb 17, 2022 17:20:58 GMT
I’ll put my plug in for Texas, even though I know the blue staters will throw up their hands in horror. 😂 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. It’s 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 I’m going to live in a blue city surrounded by a red state, I’d 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! 😂😂😂 merge you make Houston sound great - I need to come visit! Am I the only one who wants more urban as I get older? As my nest empties out and I have more time I feel I need the energy of a city. Ideally I’d live in a nice house on a beautiful tree lined street but still urban and walking distance to cafes, shops, restaurants and parks. Too much to ask lol? Houston is great! You can definitely have what you want here. I also want more urban and walkable as we get older - what you have to remember here is that while you may be able to live close and walk, you will be a sweaty mess when you get there for at least 6 months of the year. But we're used to that by now. On the plus side, you will almost never need to put on a heavy coat or boots to walk outside. We like to say, you don't have to shovel humidity!
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