Which would you pick? I am making a move, a change. It will be a little while yet,had an offer on the house since the lot next door is being sold to the same people, and I am decided (tonight actually) to take it. However it will be contingent on me having another place.
SO, I will be looking for a small house, preferably in the country that doesnt cost an arm and a leg.
Other than that, its the WHERE I have to figure out.
Since I work from home I am not locked in to any one area.
I am just curious what people here would do in the same situation. :)
Well, where are you now Mairte? And what's important to you? I'm partial to the Dallas/Fort Worth TX area. :) We moved here 18 years ago by choice and I just love it.
When we made that choice we looked at state income tax rates, job market, what the rental/housing market was like. I had wanted to really look at crime rates and other statistics but we moved here before ye olde' interwebs was able to spit out random information at you.
Another Texan chiming in! I live in a college community between Houston and Austin. The cost of living and property values here are moderate, the economy and housing bubble burst hasn't quite impacted us like it has the rest of the country (yet, anyhow), and the crime rate isn't too high, although like everywhere, it's somewhat worse than it used to be. And I'm within a 1 1/2- 2 hour drive of a large city if I really need/want something there. We only have about 2 1/2 months of semi-consistently chilly weather, so we have multiple growing seasons. It rarely gets below the upper 20s, but peak summer can be a little rough for a couple of months if you don't tolerate heat & humidity. Consistent highs in the upper 90's with 80% humidity is not unusual. Typically, lots of rain in the spring with occasional flash floods, though only the low areas are seriously impacted. Lots of bugs and the occasional tropical storm to deal with, but meh, that's life. Best part- I'm close enough to TRF to drive home every night! :D
I'm not a Texan, but a Texas neighbor. I'd almost consider Texas for the faires alone as we approach retirement age. The thing that would dissuade me would be the heat. It's bad enough in Arkansas. I've considered New England so that I could enjoy winter weather besides just ice.
IF...................I could live in any state, it would actually be two states.
Texas: from Oct - April (I already live in Texas)
Montana: May - September
I've lived in Texas pretty much my entire life and I must admit, I get tired of the really hot summer months (July & Aug in particular). Montana is great during the summer months campaired to Texas but I wouldn't want to deal with winter in Montana either.
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on November 25, 2010, 10:04:27 AM
I'm not a Texan, but a Texas neighbor. I'd almost consider Texas for the faires alone as we approach retirement age. The thing that would dissuade me would be the heat. It's bad enough in Arkansas. I've considered New England so that I could enjoy winter weather besides just ice.
One of the nice things about Texas, compared to Arkansas, that my parents took into consideration when they moved here after retirement was that there's no State Income Tax (which does make a difference if you're on a fixed retirement income). They don't stay in south Texas during the Summer though - they spend Summers in central Minnesota.
I don't know if Tipsy Gypsy is at Prairie View (Prairie View A&M), College Station (Texas A&M), or Brenham (Blinn College) --- but any one of those is pretty centrally located, and easily within 4 hours of 5 different Ren Faires (Scarborough near Dallas, Middlefaire near Hillsboro, Sherwood near Austin, Four Winds near Tyler, and TRF near Houston) and quite a few Celtic Festivals.
Your idea of New England is nice - the area is beautiful - but the cost of living is higher there than here in the south. One nice thing is that they do have quite a few Ren Faires and Celtic Festivals in a pretty concentrated area.
I always loved the Ozark Mountains, especially the area around the Buffalo River, Mountain View, and the Ozark Folk Center. But, it's a long way from any Ren Faires and is still in the "Ice Belt", even though they do get more Snow than Central Arkansas.
I would stay here in Pennsylvania. The weather is a nice mix and my home city (Pittsburgh) is a mostly friendly town. We have been described as the Big City with the friendliness of a little town. I think it suits us. Plus I am within a four to five hour drive of probably more than a dozen faires and an 8 hour drive from over a hundred.
I wasn't looking at it so much from a cost-of-living standpoint. It's higher in New England, but so are salaries. My interest would not be in one of the major population centers anyway.
Texas was set up by folks who were already tired of living in the US states by the 1830s. And don't worry about the weather, it's a big country just pick a latitude! If I wanted to move several hundred miles away, I'd just go to West Texas!
There's nothing like Florida. Oh, how I miss the beach! Sure, it's hot, there's bugs, lots of traffic, but stand 5 minutes on the beach at Indialantic, how could you NOT be hooked?????
And the surfing's great, too! ;D
I live in California and there is no way i would ever move (unless out of country). I've already told my dad (he wanted to go to Washington or Alaska....no) if he moves I am staying.
If I didn't love Texas so much, I would go back to Colorado (where I was born) because nothing compares to living on the foothills of the Rockies...
California is in my heart and my soul. What other state has such diversity of ocean (whether you are looking for sunbathing, surfing or picturesque vertiginous vistas), world class cities, fabulous wilderness and snow-covered mountains, some of the best wines anywhere, petrified forests and hot springs, beautiful verdant farmland and the biggest and oldest trees in the world? It's suffered a lot during the ups and downs of our country's fortunes, but it always ends up back on it's feet. You can't beat the weather in most of the state, either! And if you miss the humidity, we've even got the Sacramento valley....Not to mention it's where the Renaissance Festivals were born. You bet I'm homesick!
Louisiana.
How can you turn down blues, jazz, Creole and Cajun food?
But I am in Florida which suits me because I am a beach chick. 8)
Texas I moved here by choice 32 years ago and never looked back. Of course I moved to a small town of 36,000 which now has ober 300,000 but I still wouldn't trade it. Every geo-region in the lower 48 can be found in Texas from beach to mountain to deseart. Rised in Western PA and its pretty country but the taxes are killers
So far, I've lived in CA (the Bay Area), OK (OKC), VA (Williamsburg), NY (upstate middle of nowhere), and FL (Orlando). Out of all of these, my two favorites have been OKC or upstate NY. Unfortunately, I can't do professional theatre in either place.
OKC is a great city - it has a very suburban feel, but there's a nice downtown, and there's everything you need in a very short distance. It seems like a suburb like Edmond would be a really nice place to raise a family. Also, the cost of living is super low, and the weather changes really often so you never get bored. Plus you get a nice sampling of all the seasons.
I loved upstate NY, but I didn't like living in the middle of nowhere, so I would want to be closer to Albany (I was an hr away). I wasn't there during the winter, but the summer was absolutely gorgeous.
The next place I want to try, though, is Seattle. However, I'm moving home to CA to save up money for it, since the cost of living is so high.
Oh, and though some people may like FL, I have absolutely hated it. The weather is non-stop hot, the tourists are crazy (and therefore, no one knows how to drive), the cost of living is higher than wages here, everything is really spread out so you have to drive 15 to 30 minutes to find anything you need, and half the roads are toll roads. I'm leaving in April, after my next show, and I know I won't ever live here again.
Yeah, Rebecca...I've been to Florida on numerous occasions, all over the state, and it wasn't my cup of tea at all. Not a slam on Florida, just wasn't what I was looking for. I think the places that I liked the most were cold. If it weren't for Sarah Palin, I might like Alaska.
Good thoughts! I am in Minnesota now and did live in West Texas for 6 years. I actually liked East Texas the many times we were through there. It is one of the states I was considering before even asking the question.
Leaving in about an hour to do some shopping (not one of the die hard 3 am black friday shoppers!) but will check back here today or tomorrow.
Oh also, I tend to like the northern states but winter gets old after December. ::)
Mairte, do remember that most people are loyal to their states (me included) and there are a lot of Texans on this board, so it would stand to reason that TX would place highly here (no offense, please!!!! None meant)...Places Rated might be a good place for you to take a survey, they recommend places you may have never thought of based on a variety of factors that you choose.
http://placesrated.expertchoice.com/how/Default.aspx
I dearly love Louisiana and Florida for a number of reasons. But for now I'm in Minnesota. cursing every snowflake.
Lady Rebecca, Seattle would be a great place to live! My in laws used to live right outside of the city in Kent, before they retired and moved up on the Olympic peninsula to Sequim. Seattle has everything you'd want in an urban environment, yet a relatively short drive outside the city finds you in stunning beauty. Washington is a nature lovers paradise. One could spend months, if not years just exploring Mt. Rainier and surrounding area, and up on the Olympic Peninsula. The geography is so diverse, (much like the previous post about CA) WA has it all. Bustling metropolis, small quaint towns, including a bavarian village, breathtaking mountains and waterfalls, dramatic coastal vistas with sea stacks, whale watching. World renowned tulip and lavender fields. Seafood nirvana, hot springs, temperate rain forests with huge ancient trees old as time, desert like conditions in eastern parts of the state as well as green, verdant farmland.
My husband would move out there in a blink, heck I'm sure I'd like it too, if all my family weren't here in MD.
Actually I am living there now. I have lived in CA. TX. MA. NY(born and raised in Albany), but I am basing my preference on strict economics. I like living in a smaller town with relatively close access to a big city and I have that. If fact the scenario I use is put a pin in Columbus Georgia and attach an 8 hour string to it (roughly Orlando) then use that and draw a circle. within that circle see how many major metropolitan place there are. With access to those cities I can live cheaper here and get the same goods and services and decent climate as any place in the country. The only place that might be cheaper is Bentonville Arkansas but you can't get there from here, and the only place you can shop is Wal-Mart. Also USA today did a survey a while back and based solely on climate Alabama ranked second only behind Nevada as the best place to live without having to greatly fear disasterous climatic upheavals, i.e. tornados, hurricanes, cylones, blizzards, ice storms, nor'easters, and floods etc.
I spent most of my life in Texas. If I moved back, it would likely be in Austin, though I would consider Denton (just North of Dallas).
I'm now living just north of Charlotte, NC and am LOVING it! Great autumns and springs here. It gets cold enough in the winter to make snuggling a sport... ;) Davidson, NC is CHARMING beyond belief and Mooresville has access to sooo much. The Arts are big here and I really love that.
If I move anywhere else, it'd likely be in Vermont - either Woodstock (not THAT woodstock! That's in NY.) or the area around Dartmouth University.
My son lives in Asheville, NC and I have thought about it.
I DO like the four seasons in Minnesota, I just could do with a little less winter but not no winter at all. I would really miss snow.
LOL, what state has the most renaissance festivals??? :)
I live where I choose now. Texas is home and shall always be. As for the most Ren Festivals I dont know. :)
LOL, I just thought that might be a good place to live. :) Maybe I will have to research the number of RFs in various states. Okay, its not the most important criteria but it sure would help!
Right now seriously considering a old historical stone farmhouse in Illinois...yeah, COLD in the winter but maybe there would be someway to insulate it better.
The farmhouse sounds neat, but I can't help but think of the film Babyboom and the scene with Diane Keaton when her well runs dry and it starts to snow inside the house. Funny movie if you've not yet seen it.
Have you looked at Arizona? You can ski in the morning and be in the desert by afternoon. You have the Grand Canyon, awesome Sedona, a great faire in Chandler and close enough proximity to Cali and Texas, and other states for more great faires. If AZ had an ocean I'd still be living there.
LOL, Anna, I HAVE seen that movie, love it! ;D Its weird you should bring that up because I was talking with the real estate agent about everything that needs fixing and THAT popped into my head.
I am not in a hurry, they cant build anything on these lots until spring anyway.
Arizona would be a different life experience for me for sure!!! Though maybe not...how different is it from West Texas? I think the states I have been considering the most are IL, TX, NC and NM because my sister lives in Albequerque.
Watch though, it will be somewhere totally the opposite of ANY of these places. ;D
A good companion movie is The Money Pit... That's what I'm in right now....
That was this house when I first moved in. I have my reservations at times about starting over but plan on buying something in better shape this time! The first winter I was here, the house was barely insulated...
Depending where you move to in Illinois, there could be a lot of faires around. We live in NW Illinois & from the second week in May to the second week in October, 5 months, we went to faire every weekend except for 8. And some of those we didn't go were because we had company for 3 or 4. So there definitely are a lot of faires in the area.
But the weather is absolutely awful in the northern part of the state. Our son went to school in Carbondale in Southern Illinois. It is on the same latitude as Richmond, VA, & the weather was a lot more temperate. He hated coming home at Thanksgiving & Christmas, because there it would be 50-60, & here it would be 10-20. And going down to 35 below in January!
It cant be any worse than where I am right now(Minnesota)...though I am considering states further south, I know the north is in my blood and I would probably soon miss it!
I like the idea of more faires within driving distance (within a day?) Though I am not above longer road trips. And IL isnt too far from most of my family, there is something to be said for that since we are close knit.
The old farmhouse is in the Wilmington,IL area.
Another good movie to watch while I am considering an old house....Funny Farm. :D
Anyway, this is good, tossing ideas around.
Well, i grew up in PA... was based in GA, then NC, then KY before being sent to Europe... how i ended up in TEXAS is beyond me! :D
Having lived here for half my life, i can't imagine living anywhere else... unless i hit the Lotto, then i'll have houses all over the place. ;)
A couple of years ago, my companion and I traveled by car to the Pirate Con that was held in New Orleans. Traveling through Arizona, New Mexico and Texas - wow there's a whole lot of nothing but desert in those states. On our way back we went through east Texas around Tyler area and we camped at Tyler State Park in Texas and it was just beautiful. But since I can't take heat or humidity very well, it was not a place I could live.
I loved the part of Colorado we went through - Pagosa Springs was just gorgeous and I might be able to live there, but I know I can't deal with the snow and cold.
In the past I've been up through northern Calif. and Oregon (now that's a true consideration), but that was way back in the 1970's and it would be nice to go back through Oregon as I think it was the best state of all.
I've moved around southern Calif. a bit, from Orange County up to the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, but after having moved down to north county San Diego, I love it here.
I have a gorgeous view of the hills/mountains to the east, comfortable temperatures most of the time and I've seen more wildlife here than anywhere else I've lived. Yes it is expensive to live here, thank goodness we don't live in San Diego proper otherwise we'd be in some run down apartment, way too expensive to even consider. North county, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido are the best. ;D
I have been to Pagosa Springs,CO before, havent been in many places more beautiful. I did check into Colorado once but at the time the cost of living there was quite high? I dont know if that has changed.
Another state I was in that I liked was West Virginia. Awesome views.
I do plan on this being my last move, thats why I am considering so many options. I have lived here for 12 years and DO like my house, I am just not in any way a town/city person. :-\
Now, if I could live in any state, there are several good options: state of perpetual bliss; state of intoxication; state of mind...oh yeah...and state of confusion, whether I want to or not.
Hmmm. State of intoxication would make things a lot less painful...provided one could STAY that way! :)
I don't care what anyone says about Florida. Boat drinks and endless sunsets are good enough for me.
(http://www.thepassagesamui.com/images/sunset-drinks-300w.jpg)
I have never been to Florida, though my oldest daughter was in November because friends of hers live down there. She didnt want to come back!
Gonna be kind of nippy on that beach tonight. were getting down to the low fourties this evening. From a high of mid eighties yesterday. Things change fast around here!
We live in MO because it is close to my wife's and my families in NE. HOWEVER; I really liked VA! So, I guess if I could live in VA with the traffic I experience in MO, I would be very happy!
I was raised in San Diego and regularly visit family there, but would not live there now.
If I could combine the nice weather from my home town with same small town, low crime, decent traffic, and low smog I have here in Nebraska, that would be heaven.
I'll chose quality of life over weather anyday.
If money wasn't an issue...I'd move back to WV or HI. WV is beautiful in the summer, doesn't normally get above 90 and the land is lush. In the winter it doesn't get below 0. The seasons are just the right amount of time. Land is cheap but good jobs are hard to find there. Hawaii is beautiful year round and the people and culture are wonderful, but it is very expensive.
We have talked about possibly moving to Colorado at some point. Texas has been good to us but we don't get much in the way of seasons and the summer here is unbearable for us.
I enjoy living here in MN but I'd like to test out Alaska and NY as well. :)
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.
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!
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.
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...
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!
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on December 09, 2010, 05:55:04 PM
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. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/david-r-baldock/sets/72157625566112822/) (Imagine that...) ;) :D
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 (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)
We were camping in the tent-cabins beginning the day after Christmas. Snow-covered...awesome!
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!
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
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.
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.
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. :)
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.
Must be hell getting a battleship into Oklahoma City...
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?
Molden, I am definitely going to be in touch with Lady Mikayla this week to check on some properties. LOL, I remember when I was 11 or 12, my great aunt lived over by a place called "Maggie Valley". Anyway, when I was that age, I swore up and down that was where I was going to live when I "grew up".
Right now I believe its between Illinois and North Carolina, IF I dont decide to stay in Minnesota. After this weekend, NC sounds better and better....
Mairte, you might want to rethink Illinois! After the blizzard this weekend, when roads were closed & there was a ban from tow trucks going out to pick up anyone stranded.
This morning as I write this before leaving for work, it is -4 degrees, yes that's minus 4! With more snow expected tomorrow night.
Remind me, someone, of what I'm doing here? Oh, we own a restaurant, that's right!
Later that night:
By the way, when I got in my car this morning to drive to work, the car thermometer registered minus 11, not minus 4 that the weather said it was. Yuk!
Quote from: Lady Renee Buchanan on December 14, 2010, 06:39:01 AM
...
Remind me, someone, of what I'm doing here? Oh, we own a restaurant, that's right!
Load it on the back of a truck, and move it somewhere with warmer weather... ;)
Quote from: dbaldock on December 14, 2010, 09:37:34 AM
Quote from: Lady Renee Buchanan on December 14, 2010, 06:39:01 AM
...
Remind me, someone, of what I'm doing here? Oh, we own a restaurant, that's right!
Load it on the back of a truck, and move it somewhere with warmer weather... ;)
Lady Renee Buchanan I would be happy to help you and your family move to NC too...
Mairte as I was typing this a Realtor called and has information about homes available in the Maggie Valley area too... what a small world!
Oooo, I will have to check out the ones around Maggie Valley! Also Asheville. (sons residence) (Will email you)
What I really want is an old fixer upper farmhouse without neighbors right next door.
Yeah, I am kind of a hermit. :-\
I love the New England- Mid Atlantic area. Born and raised in upstate New York. I spent 7 years living in southern California and could not wait to escape the heat, smog, dust, and traffic. Now I am back living in upstate, New York . I love the change of seasons, all the lakes nearby. You have plenty of opportunities for summer sports and winter sports. There is alot of farmland and great farm markets. Plus alot of history in this area dating back to the early colonists and being centrally located it is only a few hours drive to New York city, Boston, Montreal, Mystic Seaport, Atlantic City,Philly,to name a few places.
Upstate New York IS beautiful. It always reminded me of the river valley here in the way it looks and the change of seasons.