Hello all. I have a totally off topic question.

I am considering a move and would like any suggestions for some northern locations that are somewhat nature centered...allowing for access to beaches, skiing, boating etc. I have decided that I like the seasons too much to go to the Carolina's. I'm looking for an area that would also allow for a good education for my boy.

So far, I have come up with Portland, Maine....although I am unfamiliar with any other towns up that way. I have heard some good things on here about parts of Michigan as well.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

MEDC

I'm moving back to Iowa soon. The Mississippi River beaches are more fun than you might think. We have tons of winter, lots of water, cheap land, and good schools.

Connecticut isn't bad, but it is expensive.

Michigan is a good place to go if you want to buy a home, because the economy is down, everyone is trying to sell, and you will get alot for your money.

I live in southern California - hardly any seasons, but life is great. Housing is sky high - $500,000. for a 3/2 in an average area.

I'm taking care of my father and am in Seattle right now. Housing is sky high here too. It is nice, with seasons and lots of rain.

My sis used to live in Bend, Oregon and loved it. Nice seasons, nice people and good housing prices.

The only place I would avoid is Texas. Oh, they all LOVE their state, but I sure can't figure out why.

i am in upstate ny.
ny state has a TOP NOTCH education, in fact all states will take teachers who are trained in ny state because they are so highly qualified after going to our colleges and getting our certifications. we have 4 beautiful seasons as well, and access to all you describe. i have access to skiing, beaches, and gorgeous nature trails where i live.

that being said.. i have lived here all my life and was really looking forward to moving to georgia until that relationship fell through! :-( i loved it down there.

mlhb

Not certain about the job market there but just west of Grand Rapids is the Spring Lake-Grandhaven area. Spring Lake connects to Lake Michigan via Grand Haven. Lots of friendly people....(quite a bit of Dutch/Calvinites in the area).

A good friend lived there back in my single days and Coast Guard festival was always a must.

3 hours from Detroit...2 hours from Chicago.

The whole Lake Michigan coast is awesome. From Grand Haven to Travere City there are tons of big and small towns on the lake.

The thumb side of Michigan. Not so much. Mostly a depressed economy over here. Good time to buy anywhere in Michigan. The resort towns get hit first as people first try to dump their second homes/cottages in the sagging economy and nobody wants to buy one. Many of these towns over built and you can get some great deals.

Schools...you'll have to shop around district by district. A friend of mine lives in Leland, Michigan and they just built new school (k-12) and the small...very small town is growing. It's wayyyy north next to Traverse City. Lots of snow and lots of beaches and water in the summer. LOVE it up there too.

You might oughta consider Tennessee. LOTS of yankees heading down that way to retire. Warmer..for sure...but the mountains still give you winter weather for a bit and the population is growing and the infrastructure is NEW. I imagine taxes will be much lower down there. Factor in cost of living in your analysis. Michigan ain't gettin' cheaper. The government is WAY in the hole right now.

Mr. Wondering

p.s.- The house next door to me is for sale but NO WAY am I letting you move into my neighborhood. Detroit's got enough problems without you here. Besides you'd have to cheer for the Lions and I know how much that would hurt an Eagles fan <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

actually, the Lions were about the only good thing to happen to the Eagles this year!

The economy SUCKS in Michigan and besides it is full of damn yankees with a weird [censored] accent. They call convenience stores "party stores," and eat PASTIES. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

You should move to HOUSTON, TEXAS, MEDC! If you can lose that silly NEW YAWK CITY accent, you would fit right in with your feistiness! the economy is GREAT, the schools are awesome, the weather is fabulous and most of all..........it is fulla TEXANS!!!

We have beaches, boating, huntin, and we are ARMED TO THE TEETH here! You can't go drunk driving here anymore, but we do have some pretty cool honky tonks. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

We have some football and baseball teams here, too! I am the account manager for my company for some basketball team down here [Rockets?] and could get you tickets. I could also get you a FREE TOUR at Nasa 1 Space Center.

cost of living is CHEAP here too. You can get a MANSION for $300,000.

LOL...Forget the house next door to us, OUR house is for sale-not on the market yet, but it is SOOOOO for sale...I'm DYING to get back down south and NOTHING here is selling...C'mon MEDC, it'd be PERFECT for ya...3 bdrms, 3.5 baths, fully finished basement with TONS of closet space INCLUDING a cedar closet, 2 car attached garage, an extra 2.5 car detached garage...HUGE backyard...horseshoe drive...I just know you'd kill to live in Metro Detroit, right??? It being such a "resort area" and all! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Mrs. W <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

how about real estate taxes...I am getting killed here at 8k a year!
New York accent....not me Mel! We laugh at New Yorker's down here. My house right now sits right on...literally on , the Mason Dixon Line.
Does that make me bi?

Mrs W! Lol.....nah..no more big cities for me!

Nope Dallas is where it's at. We've got the COWBOYS, the MAVERICKS, the RANGERS AND the STARS. You can make good money here and still live in the burbs. The Rail will get you to downtown Dallas or even over to Fort Worth to see the Stockyards, Billy Bobs and more. The housing market is nuts right now, everyone's selling and no one's buying. It's a little pricey in some areas but not everywhere.

BUT... if you're dead set on seasons, Dallas ain't it. We only have two. Cold or hot.

I went to Medford, Oregon once for a two-week trial and I swear that little town is God's hidden garden. It was beautiful! Surrounded by mountains, very clean town, very friendly people. I've always thought about retiring there, it made that big of an impression.

LMAO!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Mr. W would have to answer your tax questions when it comes to Michigan...That's not my department here! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Mrs. W

MEDC, it depends on where you live. If you move to an older, established town like Alvin or Sugarland, the taxes would be about half that. If you move to some of the newer subs [like I stupidly did] you will be looking at $8. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> But, the cost of living is much lower here and it is a FUN, exciting place to live.

Yanno, for someone that talks SO much smack about hatin' yankees Mel sho nuff is doin' a whole lotta recruitin' of one of them thar suckers on this thread!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

MEDC...Mark my words, if you move to Texas the FIRST thing Mel will tell ya is the difference between a yankee and a damn yankee is that all the yankees went home...That'll be a REAL WARM WELCOME and a FINE HOW DO YA DO, huh? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Mrs. W

my goodness you get a lot of house for the money down there Mel. I'm looking at houses in the 77044 zip ode and they are huge for 300K! Wow.

MEDC, for $300k you can have 3300 sq ft, 4 bdrm, 4 bath, study, formal dining, kitchen all pimped out with granite and stainless, BRAND NEW HOME.

You can also shoot wild hawgs off the back porch with your shotgun! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

shaddup, MrsW, if we can rescue his silly yankee accent and odd foreign manners, no one will know!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Mel...I found a house that would cost 1.5 million up here for 399K in a place called Jersey Village. This blows my mind.

BUT, I am not a hunter...unless of course they are two legged beasts that abuse children....then I have a shotgun and shovel.

LOL - Apparently wild hogs in the yard is an amenity in Texas.

how far from the Gulf of mexco time wise is the Houston area?

MEDC...

Mr. W said to tell ya that with all those houses for sale in Texas, maybe you'll get lucky and find one close to that one tree they have there! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Mrs. W

Its about 45 minutes down to Galveston.

Aloha,

Well you could swim out here. Cost of living is high but there is work. Someone needs to keep our 'superferry' floating! LOL!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Weather is nice, constant summer with a few tropical storms now and now. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> .... a hurricane, earthquake, volcano or 2 now and again.... other than that it's paradise, except if you live here then it's work. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

L.

lmao

houston is in the PINEY WOODS, silly girl! We live in a FOREST! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

But can you shoot wild hogs off the back porch??? I THINK NOT!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

**snort** <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> that is an added benefit! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

MEDC,

I live in Maine and I wouldn't live anywhere else. I live north of Portland in the Belgrade Lakes area and the school systems in this area I feel are outstanding.
It's a great place to live, in an hour I can be at the ocean, lake or mountains.
If you have any questions I'd be happy to answer them.

Still

Yo MEDC

If you move away, then you won't be able to watch the Iggles every Sun, and even worse you will no longer be able to hop in your car and get an Italian Pork at TonyLuke's.

BTW, I thought you were in the city, but if your on the Mason-Dixon line, then I am not very far away...probably same county.

LoBoy

I'm in Montreal... well a suburb of Montreal and I couldn't live anywhere without 4 seasons. The heat in the south during the summer months would kill me!

Anyways, obviously, I love where I live, I'm in a northern suburb of Montreal and am less than 30 minutes from the Laurentian mountains where there is top notch skiing.

If I were to live in the states, my first choice would be Portland Maine. Maine is my favorite state and if I could, I would love to live there. Like stillhurting just mentionned, you have the ocean, mountains and lakes.

Lostboy, I left the city years ago after retiring from the PD. I lived in Montgomery County for a while...I now live in extreme southern Chester County. Part of my yard actually sits in MD.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I will do some more research tomorrow based on the suggestions. For now, I am having a hard time adjusting to the clock change....off to bed.

Thanks you all.

When you said the MD line, I figured we were in the same county. I'm about 15-20 mins north of there.

Listen, I have some undeveloped land that will have to be sold as part of the divorce process, and it is in one of the places suggested on this thread. Email me if you would like some more details.

Thanks,

LoBoy

I live in St. Louis, and you definitely get all four seasons here, sometimes all in the same week! I tell you what, the St. Louis area is a great place to live and raise a family.

If you are looking for a more northern locale with a ton of recreational opportunities, try the Tri-Cities area in Washington. There are tons of water sports with the convergence of the Columbia, Snake and Yakima Rivers, you are about an hour and a half from the Cascades, two and a half hours from the Columbia River Gorge, three and a half hours from Seattle and Portland, four hours from the ocean, and just minutes away from HUNDREDS of AWESOME wineries. It is east of the cascades so it doesn't rain, it gets hot in the summer, cold in the winter, and it isn't expensive like the coast. If I moved away to a far away location, it would be up there.

I live in the West Michigan/Spring Lake/ Grand Haven area that Mr. W talked about. I come from the part of the state that Mr. W lives. It is awesome over here. The schools are good, LOTS of trees, hills, skiing, and our own little fresh water ocean...Lake Michigan. The sunsets are incredible and we have all season...sometimes in one day. It's sleeting right now! It's pretty quiet, safe and VERY conservative (don't know if that's plus or minus for you!)

Okay....I must chime in on this one even though I am beat.

There was this great house, but you just missed out on it because WH snapped it up to turn it into the Turdy Bunch house.

HA. Just kidding.

I LOOOOVE Michigan. Yes, I've lived here my whole life and am biased, but come on folks. We don't get tornadoes. We don't get floods. We don't get hurricanes. And the handful of blizzards were get are fun. No one gets hurt except for the goofballs who run their generators inside the house. DUH.

We have four seasons...all beautiful. I am a half hour from Lake Michigan, where the public beaches are huge, accessible, and spectacular.

There are plenty of inland lakes for boating, and cruising up the lake from port to port is great fun. Holland, Grand Haven, Muskegon, White Lake, Pentwater, Ludington, Manistee, Frankfort....ahhhh! Every one of those towns are great little harbor towns where you can tie up for a day or a few hours and all have great marinas.

And of course there's all kinds of skiing and tons of bike trails.

Schools can be superb or awful....probably like anywhere. You can easily get test data off the web to clue you in.

The "Dutchies/Calvinites" are still very prominent over here, but no longer are the predominant force. Once today's election results are in, I can tell you if you can now buy booze in Hudsonville! See how progressive West Michigan is?!? The city of GR proper is actually blue.

You can get a great house for very little....Matt Lauer did a piece on the Today show about a month ago comparing housing prices in GR to NY and it was amazing. A $250,000 house here is practically a mansion, and it would get you something like a closet in NYC.

Definitely the west side of the state is where to go. The economy here is not quite as bad as the rest of the state. If you are looking for really rural, the UP is wonderful (I grew up there, and my older sister still lives there, and I LOVE pasties, Mel).

Depending on what you want...GR for something more urban. Plenty of suburbs to choose from if you are into the cookie cutter thing, and lots of small towns and rural areas, too.

Jennifer now owes me a tax credit for plugging her state.

Now I really have to go to bed, but thanks for reminding me of what I have to be grateful for... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

OH!!! And MICHIGAN is the only state where you can show where you live by pointing to your hand...what more could you ask for?!?!

That's right, Lil Sis, I forgot about the BIG election on alcohol in Hudsonville today!

...and thanks for the head's up on the sleet headed my way...
<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

medc:


Well you don't want to move here; 8K in taxes a year would mean that you are living in a house the size of a cracker box. Actually, cracker box would be generous, come to think of it.

But as for places that are nice to live, I have some suggestions. My parents and sisters live outside of Atlanta. My parents love it there, low taxes, low house prices, friendly people. Too bad they talk funny. As far as education goes, they have a program in Georgia whereby good students get to attend University free of charge. That's why my sister moved there (that, and to be closer to the free babysitting).

The big drawback to the Atlanta area is traffic. It's quite bad.

My daughter goes to school in Virginia - I must drive right by where you live, since I go right over the Mason-Dixon line in Pa/Md on my way. Virginia is beautiful, I could see us possibly retiring there due to the lower cost of living. We will not be able to retire where we are now, that's for sure, but I do love it here.

Good luck.

PK

Thank you all for the great suggestions. Lilsis...you gave me some great towns to explore. The harbor towns that you mentioned...are they good places to live or just visit. I am looking for a place that is close....20 minutes or so from a marina. My boat is always in the water during boating season as it is too big to trailer.
Also, schools are very important to me. My son will be starting high school next year...at 12 years old(picture me running screaming!!!!)...and this is a major consideration.
I would like to be in a place where I can get a decent piece of ground...yet still allow for him to have a neighborhood feel so that there are friends around. Where I am at now is beautiful...but we are very rural and the majority of his interactions with other kids are at school.
Thanks for the help....

PS...Lilsis...things will get better. I know the your exwh buying that house shook you. As much as you don't buy it right now, but you will be a very, very happy woman one day soon. God will bless your life more so than He already has.

Something to consider

Lake Michigan is awesome but it's a BIG lake. You need a big boat to be comfortable out there many days.

Many, but not all, of these harbor towns have inlets connecting the big lake with interior sheltored lakes. Often you'll get a lot more use out of the interior lake as conditions will be more stable for all boats...but enjoy the adventure of journeying out to the big lake from time to time. Plus...real estate is a lot cheaper on interior lakes than near these towns on the big lake.

Is your house on the market now???

Mr. Wondering

Edited: why waste my time on such a rude individual. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

If his boat is not trailerable than it must be big enough to handle Lake Michigan; at least for short cruises when the weather is fair. It's really no big deal to make a run from one safe harbor to the next. We went from Muskegon to Pentwater and Ludington in our 22 ft. walkaround several times, and just quick trips to Grand Haven to have dinner or just hang out. You just need to pay attention to the weather.

Lots of people use their boats like floating cottages; they rent a slip for the season and hang out on their boats all weekend. We did in/out service.

All of the marinas (I think with the exception of one marina in Grand Haven that is within the channel) are located beyond the channel on the inland lake/river.
So anyway, you don't have to have a house right on the lake (either the big lake or inland) to truly enjoy the boating season.

Rich DeVos is selling their family "compound" on Lk MI for tens of millions. It has 8.5 baths. Perfect!

From medc's description, I'd think suburban would be what you are looking for. It's hard to get both a big chunk of land and still have the neighborhood feel. I guess it depends on what "big" means.

Hudsonville and Jenison are both excellent school districts and easily accessible to Holland or Grand Haven. I'm not too familiar with other districts, but I think Mona Shores, Grand Haven, Traverse City, and West Ottawa are also very good.

It's easy to get education report cards online.

I live on Lake Superior in Michigans Upper Peninsula, and although it is beautiful on the lake, the economy is so distressed and depressed it is not a good place to be moving to.

Marquette is an awesome, beautiful town on the big Lake Superior, and the only place in the U.P. I would consider, were we going to keep a place here.

We're moving to Savannah, MEDC, but will spend part of our summers in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Lake Michigan.

Check out Green Bay and Appleton...both awesome places, low taxes, incredible people, lots of boating, absolutely beautiful countryside and good schools. I love it more than Michigan, for several reasons.

Weaver,

Put the crack pipe down and back away slowly!!!

Are you high?? The taxe base in Appleton and Green are outragious!!!

Much higher than down south. But that it what you get from living in a welfare state.

IHO <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My boat, Baydog, is 32 ft in length. It's not so large as to be a problem...but it does weigh in at about 13,000 lbs with a 12 ft beam, making it not trailer-able.

So, the areas that you have mentioned Mr. W...do you have any towns in mind? Is the whole area there depressed? is recovery on the horizon? I am semi retired...although I do work from home doing some grant writing...so, a robust economy is not that important to me.

I'm going to have to give up the big chunk of land...I want a neighborhood for my son. But I still need some ground because I have three very active labs. Are any of these areas older established places with big old stone homes and such?

Weaver, I will check out those areas...although I refuse to wear cheddar on my head!

All the help is much appreciated.

Mr. W...you asked if my house is on the market...not officially, but it is being shown tonight by my friend/neighbor that I bought it from. He is the builder...she is the real estate agent.

My sons mom is a bit anxious over my looking so far from "home." She always has the option to move if she so chooses. He is excited about the idea.

Thanks everybody.

LTK,

My husband's houses in Green Bay are worth almost twice as much as my houses in MI, and he pays substantially less than me in property taxes. PLUS, they have FREE garbage pickup and removal. The cities are so clean it blinds my eyes...compared to the garbage around my area. We can't even afford garbage removal here.

P.S. Hot off the wave wire, Southern KY (near the VA border) boast for the low cost of living, low taxes, beautiful atmosphere and has been voted one of the safest places to live in America....

I have a house for sale in Virginia Beach that you really should buy then. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Personally, I think property taxes throughout the state of Wisconsin are high. That's why I'm going to the other side of the river.

No way, weaver. I had no idea we had a closet Yooper. I agree completely; if I could live anywhere it would be back in MQT. Small town charm, tons of character, stunning land and waterscapes, recreational opportunities, and the benefits of a university.

The marina there is right on the water (sheltered by a breakwater) and the whole area by the marina has been revitalized. Lake Superior isn't one you want to mess with, although two summers ago we took a run out to Granite Island.

My sister hasn't had great things to say about the schools lately, though, but that is more in regard to her middle school aged daughter. I think when you have a university around, there are more opportunities to take advantage of.

Weaver, should I think of you every time I step on my rag rug in front of my kitchen sink....?

LOL, lil sis. I prefer you think of me everytime you are out on the boat having a glass of wine and admiring the sunset...or NOT. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Your funny.

Just driving into Marquette makes me happy. It has that kind of effect... And it's the only place I have ever seen the Northern Lights.

MEDC,

One word of advice...if you do happen to Upper Michigan, find yourself a woman BEFORE you come here. LOL slim pickens up here in that dept.

My DD's dad moved last year and I let her go with him for the school year this year. I waited 13 years for him to move, so that I could move (joint custody and I wanted desperately for her to grow up around her dad)...she is soooo happy in his new town. And I get her for summers and holidays, so I get the majical times with her. It can work.

I LOVE to see people follow their dreams and not be afraid....so good for you.

Minnesota?

My boy lives up in Traverse City and the economy is so dismal that he and his fiance are moving here to Texas to get jobs. The state of Michigan is running radio ads down here in Texas advertising for our businesses to move to Michigan. It really makes me sad because it is such a beautiful state and it can't keep up with the rest of the nations economic boom.

Weaver,

We'll be just downriver of Minnesota in Iowa.

Marquette has tons of beautiful stone houses, but they are in town, and the yards are small. Of course you could take them on walks along Lakeshore Drive and out to Presque Isle.

Can you tell I'm missing it?

Dob, I spent some time in Cedar Rapids, IA. BEAUTIFUL!

Mel, I know. Don't even get me started on our Governor. And it's not all her to blame. But it is scary, what is happening.

what is MQT?

Western Montana is really nice.

Eastern Montana is more remote, but also much cheaper, for what you get.

Cedar Rapids is the armpit urban embarrassment of Iowa...natives call it "cedar crapids".

We have lived right next door to Appleton WI [Oshkosh] and the lake is STUNNING..white sand bottom, beautifull weather, ...last check poor economy.

The area we have been in limbo in is also beautifull and right on a HUGE HUGE lake. [south central missouri]

This is an waterfront community...they have restaraunts you can drive your boat up to and dock.

There is lots of nifty wildlife like armadillos, deer, BEARS apparantly [I rethunk those nonarmed hikes...lol], all manner of reptiles and lizards and spiders and herons and snakes.

Turtles crawl right out of the lake and up to the front door and look inside..lol

It is pretty cool and property prices vary according to location...some are VERY high...some are pretty low...there is a lot of available land... BUT there is a drug problem.

The economy in Appleton is still somewhat depressed, but it's just such a cool place. I'm a WI lover, what can I say.

An old friend of mine's family had a horse ranch outside of Cedar Rapids (well, out in the countryside) and it WAS beautiful.

Noodle,

My dad was born and raised in Flat River, MO. It was the coolest place with rope bridges, caves. So many places to explore outdoors. And the people seemed so much more friendly than up here.

I hear Lapland is very very nice....

Here is a picture of their coat of arms...
just picture hanging it high and proud outside of your "hut" (urban Lapland term for crib)

MEDCS NEW ADOPTED COAT OF ARMS

ARKIE ARKIE ARKIE

SHADDUP! We are trying to keep it a secret! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Fox (a western Montanan)

MEDC,

West Plains Missouri...

It isn't in the north, but they do have 4 distinct seasons though winter is pretty mild most of the time. You can't go ice fishing, but hunting is the typical past time for most folks. They close the schools and most businesses for the first day of turkey season and the first day of deer season.

Land is cheap. Houses are cheaper! Taxes average about 400 bucks a year or so. You can get new construction typical suburban houses on an acre for about 120 grand.

The one problem is that there isn't much work. Other than jobs to support the retirees that have moved there from somewhere else, Walmart is one of the top employers. But if you're ready to retire, slow down and lead a completely different kind of life, it is a cool place to be.

The "big" towns in the area are Cabool, Willow Springs (home of Hill Billy Junction), West Plains and Thayer. Schools are decent but stay out of Arkansas as they would close the schools entirely if they could keep the football and basketball teams eligible.

A little further east is Poplar Bluff and to the west is Springfield. In between are a bunch of tiny little hamlets and Mark Twain National Forest as well as great hunting, fantastic fishing and a bunch of rocks and trees, which is why the economy isn't made for yuppies. (Can't support a bunch of yuppies with rocks and tress, and that's pretty much all they've got)

The folks there seldom lock their houses, even when they are gone for the day (some even don't lock up for vacation...the neighbors can't check up on the house while you're gone if you lock it) and almost nobody locks their car (though around homecoming weekend it might be a good idea).

As long as you aren't in the "city" you can shoot your guns off any old time. If a deputy stops by because he heard the shots, he likely just wants to know what kind of shooter you've got.

Check out bakerealty.com

Mark

Fox....another sister of mine is in Manhattan...more Dutchies and Calvinites, I'm told.

Minnesota is full.....sorry medc.

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

LAPLAND LAPLAND LAPLAND LAPLAND LAPLAND LAPLAND LAPLAND

ark, your killing me. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Mark...too funny about Arkansas. I can't believe you wrote that.

weaver did you SEE the coat of arms...
that is EGGZACTLy how I picture Medc....
don't you???

arkie....
in fact I think I'd be first on his list to be clubbed

lol

Oh yes, I did see the coat of arms, and yes I know that is how you were picturing him...heck, otherwise you wouldn't have posted it. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I am not going to say how I picture him, but I will say it's three steps up from how I was picturing him a few months ago. Growth is a fine, fine thing to watch. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

you guys crack me up!

it's always funny to me how people imagine me to be....they are seldom correct...but ark did come the closest! lol

Weaver...

Was the ranch toward the Iowa City area because THAT is some gorgeous prairie. When H and I met he and a roommate were renting a 100+ yr old farmouse for 100 a mo [that's right..50 bucks each] with the stipulation that they go collect the farmers cows when they got loose.

It was so pretty with it's iron woodburning stove heat and big porch...imagine my jealousy paying 10 times that to rent ONE ROOM two blocks from campus!

Still...I'm not sure I'm quite up to the task of bullying reluctant bulls back onto their own property even if the price is right.

We LOVED living in WI and have considered moving back sometime IF the economy ever straightens out.

I have noticed that south of the mason dixon line people do seem to get friendlier [although it may very well be in a "bless her heart she's such a sl*t" kind of way] although I challenge any northern midwesterner to be as rude and insensistive as the east coast population where I once had someone mop OVER my sandaled feet [read bare exposed feet] with a gross dirty mop WHILE I was still eating. Guess I can't take a hint or something.

I have to admit that of all the places I have lived [and that's a lot of places!] MO is the most geographically beautifull so far. The colors and mountains and caves and geodes and lakes and rivers are all breathtakingly painfully beautifull.

Well, MEDC, I was gonna suggest Mississippi...but, then I remembered you want actual seasons. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> We only have two down here: Summer and January. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Taxes are looooow, housing is plentiful and cheap, jobs are plentiful compared to most other states, the people are polite, our schools are level 5 (the best!), gun totin' is the norm, and we have loads of wildlife. Heck, I've had a 4' black snake, a racoon, and an armadillo in my office. A big 'ol Mississippi Mud turtle layed her eggs right outside my office window last year, which a racoon promptly dug up and ate. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

If your boat is a bass boat, you'll fit right in! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

They do let Yankees in down here (I was born and raised in Delaware), but you'll forever BE a Yankee...no matter how long you live here. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

It's worth it just for the biscuits and cornbread dressing, man. Seriously. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Lori

I have a house for sale in OH, near Toledo if you're interested! Toledo is on Lake Erie, lot of nice islands to visit with wineries, history, bike trails, etc.. It also has a first class zoo and museum and performing arts center. Also near MI and IN for lakes, Detroit 1 hr. away, Ann Arbor 45 min., Cleveland 2 hrs Chicago 4 hrs. Great place to raise kids, lots of parks, organized sports etc.

Our house is in the country in one of the top school districts, taxes are $5k/yr. We have a pond and pool, lots to do.

Downside, economy, job market is tough, that is why we moved back to NJ.

I've also lived in Syracuse, NY, another great place to live, nice people there.

Good luck in your search

I love this thread! Talking about different places.

Noodle,

I don't know if it was by Iowa City, it was like 25 years ago. What I do remember is the beauty, and my friends dad wore Wranglers every single day of his life. I had grown up in the military with a pilot for a dad...and had NEVER seen anyone's dad wear jeans. LOL... the things that get our notice.

They had to catch cows? Too funny.

People are friendlier down south. And I don't care if it's only to your face or not, at least they talk to you.

I had tended bar in Oklahoma, and I swear on my first night I had people inviting me to concerts with them and their families, and to church all in the same invitation. (these were girls too, if you can believe it) I went to. Oh, and after church it was fried catfish for lunch.

I have to agree with you on MO, too. When visiting my grandma we used to hang out down at this creek, laid way down low between two higher hills with a rope bridge to cross on. We would swing on a rope into the river. The good ole days, with my parents no where around. Nowadays I break out in a cold sweat even thinking about my daughter around water without at least three lifeguards and the coastguard to boot. How times have changed, eh?

Ah...Manhattan, Montana. Bozeman/Manhattan/Belgrade area are getting WAY too pricy. Alot of the non-natives live in that area, as well as more north-western in Kalispell.

Those areas are way too expensive for us natives.

Manhattan is not too far by MT standards from where I am....next time you visit give me a shout.

Fox

Well we are due to be in the New jersy area pretty soon so I'll be able to give a critique of that area as well.

I admit my hopes are not high because I seem to recall that it's roughly an hour and a half north of where we were before when we lived in VA.

Maybe an hour and a half makes all the difference!

At the very least the rats can't be BIGGER than they were in DC.

Noodle...I am quite familiar with Jersey and it is filled with all kinds of rats...
Newark and the Pine Barrens come to mind.

We will also be making a pitstop for a few weeks in GA so I'll have experienced that as well...Thank goodness I will be experiencing it in November or December..I don't think I have a July GA disposition.

ARRRGGGH! MEDC! You couldn't let me be happily in denial?

Phooey! Well at least it's only a year or so.

I hope you get to go to Savannah, and walk around in the beautiful historic district with all the squares, centuries old live oaks dripping with spanish moss, coblestone streets, arctitecture that will knock your socks off, food to die for...Oh and walking on the beach on Tybee Island.

Watch out for those monster mosquitos though. I almost started bawling, they attacked me so bad while standing on the edge of this particularly swampy, swamp waiting for a realator to show us an apt. Not getting that apt.

Weaver,

I didn't actually write that line about Arkansas, simply quoted it. I heard it from my brother who was teaching at University of Central Arkansas at the time.

What would you expect from a state where the governor lived in a double-wide for a couple years (the governor's mansion was being remodeled)?

And like they say in Arkansas, "Thank God for Mississippi."

Don't remember who it was, but some one a couple pages back or so said California doesn't have four seasons. Fire...Flood...Earthquake...Drought...That's four, isn't it?

Mark

Mark, I'm so offended. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Lori

American by birth, Southern by the Grace of God!!!

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

NJ has some incredibly beautiful areas. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> To all the haterz who would dis my state.

I love where I live, which is within walking distance of three state parks and in the rolling hills where Jackie Onassis used to fox hunt. (The fox hunters and the hounds still come around, I saw them a couple of weeks ago. They always manage to misplace some of their dogs and need to ask the pedestrian if she has seen them) I will say though, noodle, that there are plenty of people here in the east who will mop over your feet, no problem. Plenty of nice ones too. I'll be waiting for your critique. Enjoy your visit.

Dobie, I've been to VA Beach on vacation many moons ago. I should go back one of these days...I liked it.

Well, now that we've been through the homes, the taxes, the hogs, turtles, cows, snakes, fish and mosquitos, I WILL say that the southern women seem to treat their men better. Well, I've only known 4 - from Texas, and they have a way about them that is just so charming.

I was dating a guy from Texas and his sis came up for the weekend. It is hard to describe, but she was just so sweet and deferential to men (even her brother). And she ended up married to the blind date I set her up with, and they are STILL happily married.

MEDC, I can see you with a southern girl who will appreciate you.

BELIEVER, I AM BREAKING UP WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ARK^^

Harpers Ferry, IA!

It only took 24 hours for this tired brain to retrieve 'er and spit 'er out, Noodle. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

weaver,

NOBODY is from Harper's Ferry!

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Actually we could. Just up the road there are wild boars running around...... kalua pig... wild style! Saw the babies eating the grass on the side of the highway. Don't have a gun, just darts. LOL!!! Oh shoot, they're the kind with the magnetic tips. Oh well..... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

L.

You said no to the Carolinas but have you considered the mountains of western NC? Asheville is a cute little city with a good city school system. Definitely 4 distinct seasons. Lots of close-by areas for hiking, camping, fishing, skiing.

I have lived in Hawaii [actually was born there even]...it IS very beautifull and I love love LOVE the pedestrian friendly environment but ACK! So expensive!

Sooooooo expensive [but pretty! and fun!]

Have you ever thought about the biggest little state in the union?

Consider Rhode Island!! It has hundreds of miles of beaches and access to to coast everywhere. You 32 foot boat is a perfect fit for fishing, water skiing, and every imagineable pleasure possible in your realm of thinking.

Schools? Great HS everwhere in the state. Good funding while keeping your Property taxes somewhere around 3K.

Higher Ed? Your 30 to 60 min from the greatest ivy league colleges in the nation. Harvard, MIT, BC, BU, Brown U, Yale, Dartmouth, and the list goes on and on.

Your 60 min from Boston, and 30 min from the furthest marina in the state.

Our winters are perhaps just harsh enough to own a snowblower, but short enough to live with it.

Greatest striper and bluefishing you could ask for, with the occasional spluge into Newport, RI for coctails with the rich and famous. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Fabulous beaches on the Atlantic coast, and about a cazillion great resterants per square mile than anywhere in the nation.

Yep, smallest state in the union, but what a powerful impact for the life you want. Your never more than 60 min drive from anything!

Good Luck,
Jerry

Jerry, I hope you are well.
Thanks for the thought. Can you give me the name of some towns to check out?
Thanks.

MEDC

Well since you're a boater,
Look up North Kingston, South Kingston, Warwick, East Greenwich, Portsmouth, and in general, South County.

Median price for say a 3 br ranch with 1-2 br would be around 260 to 290 K. Taxes, are reasonable considering the rest of the nation.

Marinas, exist everywhere, as RI is completely emcompassed by the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

Four full seasons, but of course my favorite is springtime. That's when the herring(buckeyes) begin to move int the fresh water streams and ponds to spawn. OTOH, that's the favorite food for strippers, waiting at the mouth of these rivers. My son and I simply go to the streams with a net and capture the herring, and then take them as bait to go stripper fishing.

It's a kickoff to spring. You would have the time of your life!

Jerry

edit: BTW Rhode Island is known as "the ocean state."

Aloha Noodle.... so you are a local? LOL!!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Which island? My cousins used to make fun of me when I was little and call me a 'ko-tonk' can't spell it right.... (means Japanese born in the mainland w/family in Hawaii).... that was me! I used to feel bad about that but well.... it was the truth. Told my mom, she should have had me here. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

It is highly expensive here. There was a house fire and a little 5 year old boy died this week. They found over 20 people living in that house. It wasn't a big house and the neighborhood was crowded. Cost of living does that to people.

It is sad what greed does. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

This isn't paradise but there are still some nice areas. We don't get to the beach much due to having to work so much and take care of family obligations. But I can't complain. My office over looks Pearl Harbor. Not totally pretty but 'dem boats' are suuure big. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> From our area, we get a bird's eye view of PH. Even still those ships look huge. Wow. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

Would be nice not to have all that ammo so close by. I have relatives who were on th is island when it got bombed. That's the price we pay for freedom here. Beautiful sunsets, beaches and bombs. What a combo! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

L.