If You Could Live In Any State...

[Mairte]

Alaska...theres and idea. I want to check out upstate New York as well.
Been going on realtor.com and perusing different places and properties.

[Lady Mikayla of Phoenicia]

I lived in the Phoenix, AZ area first 8 years of my life... tooo bloody hot!  Then Southern California for the next 25 years... where the earth shakes at will and traffic is very challenging.  I researched for 2 years and decided North Carolina was for me.  I've lived here over 8 years now and love it.  I live about 15mins from CRF, one of the largest Renaissance Festivals in the country!  4 hour drive to GARF,  6 hour drive to PARF, 8 hour drive to GLMF... you get the idea.  Molden moved here almost 2 years ago and now a certain other Rennie is researching a possible move to the area!

We have milder winters than Michigan, basically we experience a gentler 4 seasons.  Yet still easily accessible to the North.

I am a Realtor®/Broker, Certified Feng Shui Consultant licensed in both North & South Carolina.  If you would like to pm me your e-mail address, I will forward you a link to homes in my area!  If you would like to include some information on what type of home you are seeking, i.e. bed, bath count, price, acreage (if any) & etc... I can forward specific homes to you as well!  These are both complimentary!

[Mairte]

Sounds great! I will do that. I never really considered CA because of hearing how high the price of living is? But I HAVE also heard Northern CA is beautiful.

[Lady Nicolette]

Northern California is a completely different place from Southern California.  So much so that it the idea of splitting it into two states comes up from time to time. 

Lady Mikayla is also right about the Carolinas, though, too...

[Merlin the Elder]

I wouldn't even consider southern California, but if someone offered me a good job in or near Yosemite, I'd go now! Beautiful there!

[dbaldock]

I wouldn't even consider southern California, but if someone offered me a good job in or near Yosemite, I'd go now! Beautiful there!

I got to visit Yosemite National Park in October of 2009.  It's beautiful.  Took some pictures.  (Imagine that...)    


But, it's a ways from any large towns or cities -  http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Yosemite+National+Park,+CA&sll=31.735467,35.265255&sspn=0.103803,0.154324&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Yosemite+National+Park,+Mariposa,+California&ll=37.651209,-119.775009&spn=0.387619,0.617294&z=11

[Merlin the Elder]

We were camping in the tent-cabins beginning the day after Christmas. Snow-covered...awesome!

[Capt Spleen]

I started out in Western Pennslyvania, Pittsburgh. It's Rolling, green, lush, and the reason is that it's tied as the rainiest City next to Seattle. The Autumn color is grand. But you can have the humidity. It makes for bone chilling winters.  Yet a very friendly region.
I traveled for work for a decade a decade ago, and had the opportunity to experience many states. Even as the cloudy disposition of PA was a downer, I got to fly up above the clouds where it was always sunny!
While I traveled, I always enjoyed Arizona, Florida, and Louisianna, but for various reasons, more as places to visit than to live.
And I have recently become fond of Santa Fe, Albuquerque.

I did like Washingtons clean atmosphere, and, that Vancouver was just across the northern border, but again, the rain.
Portland, Maine had wonderful Seafood, and the New England states had the best Autumn colors.

I was laid off in PA, and had the opportunity to work in Colorado, where I reside now.  Very dry climate. Sunny most days. Great attitude adjuster!
The vistas are something to see. Fishing and camping are a premium. Bike trails on almost every road, Mountain Hiking, white water, hot springs, and snow capped mountains can be seen from the lower levels into August.
Takes less alcohol to buzz at altitude of this magnitude.
For now I call this home and enjoy it very much......

But I may retire in another part of the world.......Say,... in the next 50 years or so.......
Panama? Argentina?.... But that's another thread.

Oh and no matter what state or country I make my home, there is always the state of Euphoria!

[arbcoind]

Spleen, you describe South Western PA well.  I've lived in this area all my life.  We truly have 4 seasons which is cool because you get to have 4 different wardrobes.

The people are very friendly and helpful.  We have Steeler Nation...our Christmas decorations are mixed with our black and gold.  This time of year is very exciting with football and parties.  And don't forget our hockey team the Penquins.  I'm not mentioning baseball or the Pirates!

Pittsburgh is a city that feels like a small town, but has so much to offer.  Driving can be a belch, but once you figure it out, it's not too bad.

I live in the foothills of the Laurel Mountains...so I'm 30 minutes from Pittsburgh and 30 minutes from the moutains.  Skiiing at the local resort is good if that's what you are into.

Yes, it's downright cold in the winter, spring is pretty with everything in bloom, summers can be hot and humid, and fall is beautiful...almost like fireworks.  But our days are mostly or partly cloudy...everyone goes nuts if we have a completely sunny day.

We have 3 rivers and a few lakes so boating is a popular activity as well.  The suburbs of Pittsburgh are filled with shopping, dining, and nightlife.  You can find everything from upscale to dive bar.  I prefer the latter.  The cost of living is reasonable.

Lastly, we are home to The Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival, my home faire.  But it's not a far drive to MDRF, PARF, or GLMF.

Spleen, for me I'm ending up in St. Thomas after I leave here.

Gina

[Anna Iram]

Mairte, I've read all the great suggestions here, and having ventured about quite a bit can agree with each and every one of these suggestions. You could make a wonderfu home in any of these places. The question is: how far from your family are you comfortable being? A drive of a day or two or just around the corner? Also remember a place can draw you because it's the vibe you need right now to grow. NYC, Maine and AZ, in that order, were that for me at one time but there also came a time when it was time for me to experience life elsewhere. For me, one day, it just felt so odd for me to be living out west when all of my family was here in the South. I needed to make that full circle back again. My thoughts are that being so close knit you might find yourself with that same desire one day. Even in the face of grand adventures, family ties are strong.

Having said that, if distance isn't an issue, North Carolina would indeed be a good compromise. I've never been but I've always thought it was perfectly situated for a life on the east coast.

[Mairte]

Oops! I messed up and thought she was talking about Northern California! I would prefer North Carolina actually over that because of my son living in the state.
As far as being close to family or not, right now I wouldnt want to be terribly far away. However, that is because of my mother. This is awful but I can see when she passes away the family kind of drifting apart. I sure hope I am wrong. When that happens, I hope I am as far away as I can manage!! Illinois is still a good compromise with that for me. And as said, NC because of my son.

[Molden]

Mairte - DO contact Lady Mikayla for considerations in North Carolina. She does a wonderful job of listening to your wants and needs in a new place. She is also very diligent in making sure you are well prepared throughout the process...her buyers can all give glowing recommendations and she can provide references. 

[mpullen]

As a Navy brat and a Navy member, I've lived all over the country.

California - San Diego, Bakersfield, El Cajon, La Mesa (born)
Hawaii - Pearl Harbor
Rhode Island - Newport, Melville
Arizona - Phoenix (high school), Tucson (college)
Oklahoma - Oklahoma City
Connecticut - Ledyard, Groton
Texas - Pearland (present)

When I retired from the Navy in 1989, I looked at the job offers and their locations. A teaching/research position in Arizona at a college research reactor, training manager at a reactor in Ohio, or working for the largest independent electrical switchgear manufacturer in North America located in Houston. Houston won out by a wide streatch. Moderate climate, no income tax, sales tax okay out of metropolitan area, good/short commute, people who say "hello", and where a handshake still seals a deal.

[Merlin the Elder]

Must be hell getting a battleship into Oklahoma City...

[Butch]

My bet is that he was a comm guy.  Tinker AFB is my guess.  I was at the USMC I&I Staff there from 90-94, just off base on the Southeast side.  Gotta love those OKC ice storms!  Hey, when you moved away from OKC, just for a very short time, did NOT seeing red dirt seem weird?