where would you move if you could live anywhere in the US?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
sorry, sf has no sunshine and their beaches are not the kind you lay on or walk on with bare feet. did i mention that it's cccc-cold? |
Anonymous
|
It always makes me laugh that Denver and Portland OR are always mentioned as "dream cities" to live in. I have spent lots of time in both and you couldn't pay me to live in either.
Do you realize that Denver is in the desert? Not a lot of trees and grass. And dust/dirt everywhere. There are some cool areas, but overall not a pretty city. It is just an hour drive to the mountains, but realistically still a weekend getaway rather than a day trip. I would rather live in Kansas City, which is only a days drive to the Rockies and, believe it or not, a much nicer city with friendly, down-to-earth, pragmatic people! People in Denver are laid back, but also very weird. Actually, the families we know that live there are quite competitive, especially when it comes to kids' sports. Portland. bleh. Sure, it's really nice in the summer. Weather is refreshing and it's beautiful. But you have to realize that their summer is quite short. The rest of the time it's gloomy and miserable. When you can't do the outdoor stuff (and because of the weather, you usually can't), there really isn't much to do! Seriously, if you tend to get winter blues or have SAD (seasonal affective disorder) at all, you should not move there! I will say that the food is awesome, but probably too good, and the portions are huge! So you can gain 10 pounds just from looking at Portland on a map!  Oh, and lots of weirdos there too.
|
Anonymous
|
OP, if you are looking for a city where most people will not already be settled into a network of friends/family, I would suggest staying in the DC area. I think it's really unique in that way. Most people who live here did not grow up here, so are also looking for friends and a support system. It's just not gonna be like that elsewhere.
Why not go ahead and move to Silver Spring or Rockville? either one sounds perfect for you! Or how about Reston? |
Anonymous
|
I liked living in Denver, but what 14:53 wrote is kind of true. The worst part is, you can't say anything bad about Colorado, ever. It's forbidden. Sort of the opposite of here, where people look at you funny if you say you like it.
Everyone picks on DC for being such a competitive place, but every town is competitive about something. |
Anonymous
I agree with this. I originally suggested San Diego. I lived there for nine years and loved every minute. I now live in Rockville and it is the only place (Ive lived all over) that comes close. DC is close enough, but I have a nice small town feel on the weekends. I really love it. San Diego is amazing and is great if you are looking for a move. It is friendly, laid back, has enough jobs and an international feel. The fact that it is spread out makes it feel smaller than it actually is. The weather can't be beat. |
Anonymous
| The Hudson Valley, anywhere from 30 miles north of NYC up to Albany. You can get to NYC or Boston in a few hours, Montreal is doable, and Albany has some fun things to do. Cost of living is not bad and there are lots of great restaurants, organic farms, and river towns (Garrison, Beacon, Cold Spring, etc.) |
Anonymous
Brrrrrr. There's a reason all those retirees from NY move to Florida! 
|
Anonymous
|
OP, is your family the kind that spends weekends and holidays driving to all the cities and other destinations within a 5 hour drive of DC? If so, weigh the loss of that very heavily when making your decision.
Many of the places being suggested here are not 1 1/2 hours to the beach, 1 1/2 hours to the mountains, 4 hours to NYC, 5 hours to Outer Banks, etc etc. We moved away from DC to one of the towns listed here. Yes, it's less expensive and a better quality of life in so many ways. But I'm bored out of my mind sometimes. No more spontaenous road trips! Everything is a flight away. |