Best Place for well-off young liberal family to live/retire
Feb 12th, 2007, 01:02 PM
#21
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,594
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So it is close minded to say that you don't want to live in a community full of self-involved and materialistic people that don't care about the environment? There are certain cities in America that have developed strong identities for various reasons, and as follows, people will move there for those reasons. Is that the chicken and the egg? Perhaps, but it is reality.
Feb 12th, 2007, 01:05 PM
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Low consumerism" means a society that is not obsessed with buying a new car every 3 years, moving into larger and larger houses, and buying, buying, buying rather than being content with what you have - see rationalsimplicity.com
Feb 12th, 2007, 01:17 PM
#26
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,545
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Berkeley has a very livable downtown. However, I don't view Berkeley, San Francisco and particularly Portland as "warm weather" most of the year.
San Francisco and Berkely are cold year round due to the fog, which also gets to be depressing (similar to the rain in Portland). I lived in the Bay Area for close to 20 years and finally moved someplace warmer. I wouldn't go back.
(Also whoever said about protestors in the trees must be older than dirt.)
San Francisco and Berkely are cold year round due to the fog, which also gets to be depressing (similar to the rain in Portland). I lived in the Bay Area for close to 20 years and finally moved someplace warmer. I wouldn't go back.
(Also whoever said about protestors in the trees must be older than dirt.)
Feb 12th, 2007, 01:37 PM
#29
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,963
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Check weather.com. San Francisco & Berkeley are mild year round not exactly cold. For warmer you can live a little inland (10 -15 miles gives you 90 + in the summer). Also check out San Jose, CA (Campbell or Los Gatos also) which isn't Berkeley, but within a hour of there and a 1/2 hour from Santa Cruz. I also like and agree with the comments on San Luis Obispo.
Feb 12th, 2007, 01:39 PM
#30
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RTP and Carrboro won't qualify, though I love both. Your description seems a little "green party" for the whole of NC. There isn't a "livable downtown" in either, and I wouldn't note the RTP as low consumerism (though the hair is not that big - certainly not Texas-style hair or plastic surgery).
But, if you'd consider Carrboro, Charlottesville, VA should be a much better fit. Bigger town.
But, if you'd consider Carrboro, Charlottesville, VA should be a much better fit. Bigger town.
Feb 12th, 2007, 02:23 PM
#34
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 962
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another vote for Santa Cruz. Housing is expensive, and it can get a little cold in winter.
In spring, summer & fall, there's a farmer's market almost every day of the week. We have several great grocery markets.
There are lots of community-minded people. Can't say growth is "smart", but it is always a topic of discussion.
Downtown isn't nec. livable, but fun to visit. There's lots of little neighborhoods around with coffee shops, restaurants, etc. elsewhere in the area.
In spring, summer & fall, there's a farmer's market almost every day of the week. We have several great grocery markets.
There are lots of community-minded people. Can't say growth is "smart", but it is always a topic of discussion.
Downtown isn't nec. livable, but fun to visit. There's lots of little neighborhoods around with coffee shops, restaurants, etc. elsewhere in the area.
Feb 12th, 2007, 02:42 PM
#35
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,545
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you are looking for warm and progressive but not plastic then central California south to Santa Barbara County (Santa Cruz is northern CA and cold in my opinion).
If you are willing to consider outside the continental USA, then Paia on Maui.
Key West might also be a consideration but hurricanes obviously are a worry there.
If you are willing to consider outside the continental USA, then Paia on Maui.
Key West might also be a consideration but hurricanes obviously are a worry there.
Feb 12th, 2007, 02:57 PM
#37
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 12,848
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
kimmywen, everyone understands perfectly what you mean, they just either don't want to admit it or don't agree with it, or both. Don't let them goad you into an argument, it's not worth it---believe me 
I suggest you look at Asheville, NC. There are several smaller colleges there, a nice little downtown, a small arts community, etc. There are a few nice restaurants, some more fun than nice, and a few really lovely places to live. (Biltmore Forest comes to mind, as well as more resort-type areas.)
With an interest in local politics, some time on your hands and the means to enjoy yourselves, this would be a good match for your style and interests. You would be a bigger fish in a smaller pond here, and your money would go much further than in some of the other states mentioned, too. (No matter how much you have . . .)
The weather is doable; there are four seasons, winter not too frigid, summer not too hot, some skiing (although if you're a purist it may be too tame). There's a symphony, a Junior League, etc., as well as hiking and that sort of thing.
I wish you well in your search!
I suggest you look at Asheville, NC. There are several smaller colleges there, a nice little downtown, a small arts community, etc. There are a few nice restaurants, some more fun than nice, and a few really lovely places to live. (Biltmore Forest comes to mind, as well as more resort-type areas.)
With an interest in local politics, some time on your hands and the means to enjoy yourselves, this would be a good match for your style and interests. You would be a bigger fish in a smaller pond here, and your money would go much further than in some of the other states mentioned, too. (No matter how much you have . . .)
The weather is doable; there are four seasons, winter not too frigid, summer not too hot, some skiing (although if you're a purist it may be too tame). There's a symphony, a Junior League, etc., as well as hiking and that sort of thing.
I wish you well in your search!
Feb 12th, 2007, 03:05 PM
#38
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd even suggest Atlanta, of course the great weather, revitalized downtown areas, markets and friendly neighbors make me smile, but I just can't because my Botox won't let me. Guess you can't move here either!
Feb 12th, 2007, 03:20 PM
#40
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My husband and I are looking for a place to retire that's got low humidity (I've got arthritis) warm weather and is progressive. We've used websites comparing humidity (cityrating.com) average temperatures (noaa.gov) and each state has a website breaking down of how each county voted in the 2004 Presidential Election.
So far, we've narrowed it down to:
New Mexico: Sandoval County, Bernalillo County(near Albuquerque) and Santa Fe County
Arizona: Coconino County (Flagstaff and Sedona) and Pima County(Tucson)
Good luck with your search!
So far, we've narrowed it down to:
New Mexico: Sandoval County, Bernalillo County(near Albuquerque) and Santa Fe County
Arizona: Coconino County (Flagstaff and Sedona) and Pima County(Tucson)
Good luck with your search!
