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Post by cmpeter on Jun 15, 2024 18:42:23 GMT
I've posted recently that we are selling our house. We aren't sure yet where we will end up after the sale goes thru. The original offer fell thru due to buyer's financing issues...so we are back on the market again. In the meantime, dh and I are looking for a new town/area that is a little less expensive than our current Seattle suburb.
I'm interested in looking at a new state/area with housing prices that are more reasonable than the Seattle area. Our wants: 4 bed/3 bath on ~1/2 an acre and not a fixer.
If you love where you live and and you can buy a house like that for less than $1M (because you can't find that here), I would love to learn more about your town.
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Tearisci
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,268
Nov 6, 2018 16:34:30 GMT
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Post by Tearisci on Jun 15, 2024 19:15:39 GMT
I'm in the DFW suburbs after growing up and spending most of my life in the PNW so I know where you're coming from.
You can definitely get that here but there are pros and cons:
Pros-
No state income tax like WA state.
Lots of choices for dining and shopping.
I can find Tillamook cheese here.
There is no "Seattle Freeze" and people are genuinely nice here.
Cons:
Red State
You hear country music in the grocery store
Everything is spread out and there is traffic
Weather can be a factor with extremes
I hope you find the perfect place!
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Post by ntsf on Jun 15, 2024 19:59:35 GMT
you could go over to port angeles, or sequim... or even south of mt rainier somewhere. even whidbey has some cheaper homes or over by bremerton. (I love washington state)
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Post by cmpeter on Jun 15, 2024 20:17:53 GMT
We are looking in all those areas. Dh is more interested in staying in WA because our adult children are still in the PNW. But, I'm ready to get out of the PNW.
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Post by cmpeter on Jun 15, 2024 20:18:51 GMT
We have some old neighbors that relocated to Dallas. I should look them up. Thanks!
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Post by hopemax on Jun 15, 2024 21:03:20 GMT
The bigger question are what are your deal breakers in terms of lifestyle. 1. Proximity to things like airports, shopping / entertainment options, etc. 2. Politics (which is morphing into quality health care availability, especially for women) 3. Weather, and other stuff like that.
My extreme backup location for affordability is Northern Illinois, where my Mom grew up. Basically imagine a triangle between Rockford, Dubuque and the Quad Cities. Blue state, family is there, Rockford, Madison, Chicago, Milwaukee are accessible as larger city options with resources. Weather can be an issue, but not as bad as other northern states. I grew up in Bellingham, DH in Oak Harbor and DH's family is still all in the Seattle area, so we keep looking for a return to the PacNW, and the prices... So I occasionally look at the peninsula, or western Oregon (not in Portland, but where it's still accessible).
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Post by Zee on Jun 15, 2024 21:16:44 GMT
The bigger question are what are your deal breakers in terms of lifestyle. 1. Proximity to things like airports, shopping / entertainment options, etc. 2. Politics (which is morphing into quality health care availability, especially for women) 3. Weather, and other stuff like that. My extreme backup location for affordability is Northern Illinois, where my Mom grew up. Basically imagine a triangle between Rockford, Dubuque and the Quad Cities. Blue state, family is there, Rockford, Madison, Chicago, Milwaukee are accessible as larger city options with resources. Weather can be an issue, but not as bad as other northern states. I grew up in Bellingham, DH in Oak Harbor and DH's family is still all in the Seattle area, so we keep looking for a return to the PacNW, and the prices... So I occasionally look at the peninsula, or western Oregon (not in Portland, but where it's still accessible). I grew up in the QC. I would prefer to never move back to the cold, but it's certainly affordable. Dubuque would be my choice now, if I needed to move back to Eastern IA/Western IL. Or maybe IA City. A friend recently sold their CA Bay area home to move back to the QC. Made a ton of money on the sale. In the middle of Iowa, Des Moines is so much nicer and hipper now than when I was young. Went to my cousin's wedding there and was very pleasantly surprised! |
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Post by Linda on Jun 15, 2024 22:29:38 GMT
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westiemom
Shy Member
Posts: 48
Aug 14, 2023 4:21:57 GMT
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Post by westiemom on Jun 16, 2024 3:56:47 GMT
I live in Iowa. Housing is affordable. Politics is awful. Weather is often miserable.
Years ago, I lived in Rochester, Minnesota. I would move back. Housing is affordable, property taxes are reasonable, and there are plenty of things to do. Great restaurants and shopping also. Most importantly, the healthcare there is second to none.
Minnesota is pretty solidly blue. And if Rochester doesn't offer it, the twin cities are a bit over an hour a way.
The one and only downside, I think, is winter.
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,350 
Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on Jun 16, 2024 4:25:53 GMT
Colorado, though somewhat expensive, is no where near the cost of living as the Seattle area. It would have mountains, but unforunately no ocean, but does have some nice lakes.
Denver is close to Rocky Mountain National Park which is nice. Denver offers a slew of activities, events, food options, fantastic medical.
Colorado Springs is at the foot of Pikes Peak which is nice feature to wake up to every morning. It does not have the slew of events compared to Denver, but still has nice options, such as the Garden of the God, the Air Force Academy, 7-Falls, great medical, and food options.
Colroado Spring and Denever are 60ish miles apart, so living in either would allow you to enjoy the perks of both cities.
Homes in the newer developments range from $500k to $750k, but there are older neighborhoods that have a lot of homes in the $400k ball park and of course there are areas where you will find homes that are quite expenxive.
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Post by Zee on Jun 16, 2024 4:27:36 GMT
I live in Iowa. Housing is affordable. Politics is awful. Weather is often miserable. Years ago, I lived in Rochester, Minnesota. I would move back. Housing is affordable, property taxes are reasonable, and there are plenty of things to do. Great restaurants and shopping also. Most importantly, the healthcare there is second to none. Minnesota is pretty solidly blue. And if Rochester doesn't offer it, the twin cities are a bit over an hour a way. The one and only downside, I think, is winter. I remember when it was blue or, as I thought our slogan should be, "surprisingly progressive". It maybe one day will be that way again. I still love it deep in my heart. |
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Post by lisae on Jun 16, 2024 12:32:27 GMT
There are many, many communities in the south where you can buy a house like that for half a million or even less. However, the climate and lifestyle are very different. I had an aunt who grew up here and married a man from Seattle. After spending most of her life in the pacific nw, they bought a retirement home in Florida for the winters. She would never stay there in summer because she just couldn't handle the heat. It was too hot here in NC for her. I am also about an hour and half from Charlotte so a major airport and entertainment venues are a good drive. On the other hand I have the mountains (1 hour drive) and great beaches 5-6 hour drive. I used to think we would move in retirement but I'd have to put in a lot more money to sell her and live somewhere else and why would I want to move somewhere with traffic, weather and water shortages?
We are a somewhat purple state. I'd say we are more Majenta and my part is very red. Still I have found a group of women who are like minded politically, most of them moved here from somewhere else. I have 4 neighbors who relocated from the NE.
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,319
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Post by iowgirl on Jun 16, 2024 12:37:40 GMT
I live in Iowa. Housing is affordable. Politics is awful. Weather is often miserable. The most succinct perfect description ever! I remember when it was blue or, as I thought our slogan should be, "surprisingly progressive". It maybe one day will be that way again. I still love it deep in my heart. Kim has got to go. She, and her followers are decimating Iowa. It is sad to see, especially what is being done to our school system. But the democratic party in Iowa is in shambles and most candidates they supply are simply not viable. They need to wake up. Look how rural Iowa votes - that is what is going to win the election. They could get a more moderate candidate and win. But they refuse to see the light. Either side needs moderate candidates to save our state! My daughter just bought a 2 bedroom home. Good condition, but needed updating. Small house, small lot. She wrote a check for $49K for it. Put about 10K into updates and remodel (she did a lot of the work herself). She has a good investment that she can resell for a lot more down the road. This is in a small rural town though. |
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Post by ~summer~ on Jun 16, 2024 12:37:43 GMT
I would also think about what are your deal breakers? How far can you be from your kids? What weather can you handle? What is most important to you?
It seems Oregon is relatively affordable - I love Eugene.
I also loved Minneapolis when I was there - beautiful city with tons of attractions.
Coming from the Bay Area we have friends that are moving to: Boise, Durango, Colorado and Utah.
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Post by MZF on Jun 16, 2024 13:12:02 GMT
My brother sold his home here in No. CA and moved to Caldwell, ID in 2019. He did not own his home here outright and it was a run of the mill 3/2 in a older subdivision, but was able to pay cash for a brand new, 4/2/2, get all landscaping and 'new house' stuff done, and buy a new car. I haven't visited him as yet so don't know area at all, and know prices there have increased greatly, but a quick search showed at couple of 4/3/3 on an acre for under $1M. I'm pretty sure you won't find anything you want in California--prices here are  Good luck with your search and let us know what you find. |
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Good luck with your search and let us know what you find.