Where Should I Move?

nvanprooyen

nvanprooyen

Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat
Dec 8, 2008
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Orlando, FL
I've lived in FL for the past 10 years or so and I'm ready to move, at least for a little while. My business allows me to be practically anywhere, provided I have a computer and a high speed internet connection (as I would imagine is the case for many of you).

I'd like to live in a place with seasons, nice scenery and plenty of stuff to do outdoors (fishing, camping, hiking etc). Also, I'd like to be semi close to a decent sized city...like within 30-45 mins or so. Doesn't have to be huge, around 100K people w/ an airport for business reasons is fine. Good schools, low crime etc are also important.

My list so far, in no particular order:

- Chattanooga, TN
- Asheville, NC
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Somewhere outside of Seattle. Kitsap Peninsula looks nice.

So my question is this, for those of you who live in those places (or have spent time there), why should / shouldn't I consider relocating there? Are there any other places I should be looking at given my requirements? I'm not considering anything international right now, that's phase 2 of my plan...which I'll probably start a thread about in a year or so :)

Thanks for the feedback!
 


I'd suggest Southern California. Been here for years and I love it. Has everything you've listed. Amazing hiking trails too.
 
moltar said:
Move to Canada. You get plenty of seasons, great scenery, free health care :)
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Nothing is free :). I'd definitely look into North Carolina. I have not lived there but it seems like it could be pretty cost effective with lots of stuff around you.
 
1. Take Colorado Springs off the list now. It's a horrible place to live. Tons of people, terrible traffic, crime out the ass... just don't do it. Don't get me wrong, Colorado is awesome, I was born there and my family lives there, but stay away from the Springs and Denver. Fairplay, Canon City, Durago... these are all awesome places to live.

2. People laugh, but living in the Ozarks is super cheap and there's TONS of things to do outdoors.
 
subigo said:
1. Take Colorado Springs off the list now. It's a horrible place to live. Tons of people, terrible traffic, crime out the ass... just don't do it. Don't get me wrong, Colorado is awesome, I was born there and my family lives there, but stay away from the Springs and Denver. Fairplay, Canon City, Durago... these are all awesome places to live.

2. People laugh, but living in the Ozarks is super cheap and there's TONS of things to do outdoors.
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1. Thanks man, exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for - Never been there. Spent some time in CO...mostly in Denver and the ski areas west. Went to Boulder once, never made it down to CO Springs.

2. Good one, forgot all about that. Really pretty country.
 
I have lived in and around Seattle for the past 20 yrs. We have just 2 seasons -- wet/damp winter and cloudy with sunbreaks in summer :D

The Kitsap Peninsula does have beautiful areas. The only cities I'd recommend living in Gig Harbor and Silverdale though.

One of the best cities in the Puget Sound IMO is Bellingham. Population is around 75k with a great university and lots of outdoor activities (skiing, camping/hiking, saltwater and fresh water fishing, etc)

If you desire a warmer climate in the summer (80's-90s) and four true seasons I'd suggest looking into central and eastern Washington state where it is a high desert (Spokane)

I actually really like Denver and it has a similar climate to E. Washington. There are some really great areas West and North of Denver that would fit your criteria (Golden, Boulder, etc)

If you prefer water activities and great seafood (oysters, crab, salmon, etc) I'd go with WA.

Portland and the surrounding area is another great city you might want to consider (Bend OR located in central Oregon is SUPER cheap right now with beautiful geography and lots of outdoor activities.
 
pocketrockets said:
I have lived in and around Seattle for the past 20 yrs. We have just 2 seasons -- wet/damp winter and cloudy with sunbreaks in summer :D

The Kitsap Peninsula does have beautiful areas. The only cities I'd recommend living in Gig Harbor and Silverdale though.

One of the best cities in the Puget Sound IMO is Bellingham. Population is around 75k with a great university and lots of outdoor activities (skiing, camping/hiking, saltwater and fresh water fishing, etc)

If you desire a warmer climate in the summer (80's-90s) and four true seasons I'd suggest looking into central and eastern Washington state where it is a high desert (Spokane)

I actually really like Denver and it has a similar climate to E. Washington. There are some really great areas West and North of Denver that would fit your criteria (Golden, Boulder, etc)

If you prefer water activities and great seafood (oysters, crab, salmon, etc) I'd go with WA.

Portland and the surrounding area is another great city you might want to consider (Bend OR located in central Oregon is SUPER cheap right now with beautiful geography and lots of outdoor activities.
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Thanks man, super helpful
 
nvanprooyen said:
Bellingham looks really nice. About an hr to Vancouver and maybe 1.5 to Seattle?
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Yeah about 1hr+ to Vancouver BC (depending on border crossing wait times) and 1.5hrs to Seattle ... sometimes 2hrs with traffic. The I-5 corridor can be horrible in and out of Seattle.

Forgot to mention Bellingham is also a great family town with low crime, really nice parks and excellent schools.
 
I was born and raised in Seattle. I've spent most my life along the Washington State I-5 corridor from Olympia to Freemont. I've lived in Denver for 3 years and I currently live in Chattanooga TN.

My take on it all is: Washington is amazing. It's beautiful and the people are great. If you want 4 seasons though, like mentioned above, that's not the place to live. The climate is very mild, but you really do only get 2 seasons and both are rainy. There is a lot to do in Washington though, from hiking to mountain biking, sailing, Geoduck hunting. I really like Washington and will eventually be back.

Denver is great too. You do get 4 seasons, hot summers, snow in the winter and the mountains are beautiful in the spring and fall. There is also a lot to do there and if you like to ski, then this is your mecca.

Chattanooga is weird. There is a diversity that runs deep here and it causes a lot of tension. People want it to be so many things, that it's getting pulled in 20 different directions. I've not been here long, but people say it's changing and a lot of the people here don't like the change. I really shouldn't get into much more of that or this would be a 10 page dissertation, but as far as the numbers you are looking for, this is the place. It's a smaller city with a nice airport. There is a lot of business minded people here. There are 4 seasons, and I hate the summers. The humidity kills me, but you're in Florida, so you know all about it. I don't not like Chattanooga. It's a pretty neat place that has a lot to do. The people are great, but it's so different that what I am used to coming from Washington State. I'm sure I'll be here another few years before I head off to where ever I'm going next. I'm in no hurry to leave.

Feel free PM me if you want to know anything else.
 
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