I have relatives who have a house in Scottsdale and a condo in Flagstaff ("Flag" as it's affectionately known) for the summer months. Yes, Phoenix is blasing in the summer but it is a car-driven place (like FL where I live). You go from AC house to AC car. Everyone is savvy about cooling the place down. That is just the way it is, no mass transit to swelter in.

Thanks for the info. Ok... how bout
a new one... Huntsville, Alabama area?
The job search is causing me to consider
many area's other than what I originally
planned. Thanks!

This may sound very crazy but here goes. Northwest Arkansas is an outstanding choice for relocating. The Boston and Ouchita Mountains are beautiful along with many outstanding lakes. This area has the feel of a big city as far as retaurants and amenities are concerned but still has small town hospitality. The Rogers school district is nationally recognized. There are many outsiders who make up the corridor of Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, amd Fayetteville. In addition, the U of A is located in Fayetteville. This area is 2 hours to Tulsa, and approximately 5 hours to St. Louis or Memphis. I freaked out when my husband was transferred to the area but now don't ever want to leave. With Wal-Mart and their vendors, Tysons, and G.E. Capital, just to name a few, there should be many tech jobs available.

I'm heading to jacksonville, fl next
week for an interview. I've read the
previous posts regarding the area, but
still have a couple of questions.
The first is regarding the crime in the
area. I've seen what seems to be
conflicting data. So what is the real
scoop? Are there neighborhoods to
avoid buying in?
The second is regarding commute time.
I would be working in the downtown area
but would like to relocate to one of
the towns outside of jacksonville. Is
this crazy? In any case, thanks for
any and all feedback.

Take the little quiz on www.findyourspot.com and see what comes up. It's pretty specific but you'll get a good list of choices!

OMG--Can't believe there is a Huntsville Alabama relocatoin post twice in a couple of weeks. Huntsville is FABULOUS. I have live din the Florida panhandle, and all over Alabama, as well as SW Florida. Huntsville tops my list. Our city is biffer than 10,000 but has a real small town feel--with big city conveniences and culture. The mountains are beautiful, if small. School systems are GREAT. Acceptance of outsiders is awesome--you will not have a problem moving here, as it is a very accepting place to live. With Boeing, the space industry, the arsenal and the medical industry all being huge employers in our city, there are lots of new poeple all the time...hardly anyone actually grew up here.

If your Jacksonville interview does not work out, you might want to reconsider Huntsville!

Ugh. Typos. Sorry!

Thanks bamakelly. I'm still looking, but so far no bites on jobs. Know any local recruiters :-) In any case, thanks for the info.

So USNR doesn't like North Carolina and the sort of people they elect to office. I can think of one state way north of the Mason-Dixon line which regularly re-elects a man who drove drunk off a bridge with a girl not his wife late at night and, instead of calling the police and rescue for help, sought legal help while the woman suffocated in a car in a salt pond. As we know, this man got away with his revolting behavior scot free. So, before you get your Yankee superiority all in an uproar, USNR, look at your own skeletons and those of your pals.

In the end, North Carolina "don't need you around, anyhow!" It's the greatest state in the country, bar none.

Howdy cctrav!

Just wanted to reiterate:

WWW.FINDYOURSPOT.COM

It's a totally free quiz that matches a town/city with the items that are most important to you. When I took it, it popped up with 3 cities I have lived in already and 3 or 4 more I would definitely consider. Awesome site!

Hi CC,
I'm a So. Mainer and I know why you're looking to leave the area as far as real is concerned. The only thing I can say is really really really do your research as far as education is concerned. The best education is in New England, so don't be surprised by anything you read about school systems elsewhere. Class size and SAT scores aren't everything.

I read further along and saw you mentioned Arizona. I went through Flagstaff in February 02. It was pleasant. I think it was in the 40s. The scenery was great! I am pretty sure it is not nearly as hot there in the summer as it is in Phoenix.

My friend has lived in Washington State twice (her husband is in the Navy). She has 3 children under 8. I think she liked it where she was...Bremerton/Silverdale I think.

Also, my aunt and uncle live in Washington State and they seem to like it. They used to live on Whidbey Island. I visted about 13 years ago and it seemed nice then.

But what about Maine or New Hampshire or Vermont? :)

I hope you find your dream job soon in a great area! good luck!

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm headed for Knoxville, TN for a job interview. The family and I are making a vacation out of it.
We are headed to VA and Busch Gardens first. Any suggestions on best driving route(s)?

Boston to VA...
VA to Knoxville...

I've done some research on Knoxville, but any additional comments on area appreciated. I'll be spending 3 days in Knoxville area. Suggestions for things to do/see that children would appreciate? ( ages 5, 7, 9 ).
Thanks in advance.

Wow (from Missouri)! I am wondering what kind of job you are seeking with prospects in so many places. Seems you really are covering lots of territory in your quest. You talk of different places to interview with each posting it seems. So much for your original idea of being near to mountains or ocean...that may or may not be the case.

But then why mountain or ocean? How about rolling hills and lakes and trout streams? That would be the case here in the Ozarks and also in Arkansas or Tennesee, etc. And the quality of life, safety, and cost of living very decent. We have lots of Californians arriving every week it seems.
Ozarks Bill

Believe it or not, you should consider the upper Hudson Valley, Eastern Mowhawk Valley of New York. I moved here in 1974 from NYC to go to college and I have not looked back since. Consider the five or six counties surrounding the State Capital of Albany. The cities have their good and bad points, but there are many excellent suburban and rural communities nearby. Some have excellent schools, others less good. We are in the Hilltowns 20 miles southwest of Albany, still rural, but building up some, good school, paid around $3000 in school and local taxes last year (low for this region) Our zoning reqires 5 acres of land to build and many properties have a lot more. We are surrounded by woods and farms. The Greater Albany Area (the Capital District) is rich in entertainment, restaurant, cultural opportunities, great shopping, reasonable roads. We are rich in collges and universities (SUNY, Siena, Union, RPI, Skidmore, to name just a few). Best of all, the rivers, streams, hills and country roads. I moved here due to the proximity to the mountains of the Catskills, Adirondacks and Vermont. Some of the greatest trout fishing streams anywhere are within 1 to 3 hours of my door. I can go on: Saratoga Race Track and Performing Arts Center, Nordic and Alpine skiing. Lake George! Great Hospitals and medical care. Excellent public libraries. Nice sports venues. The area is promoting and trying to get a reputation for "high tech". The jury is still out on this, I think. Anyway, I'm staying. FA

if your still considering NW montana make it the flathead valley, really nice. you have a huge lake valley, very similar to midwestern farmland, a massive and beautiful lake, flathead lake, whitefish and bigmountain ski resort to the north, moutains and beautiful foothills all around, the gateway to glacier national park to the east the list goes on.

Have you ever considered Oregon? I don't know much about the cost of living but it has everything else you mentioned.

HI CC My husband is a systems Architect and we ahve just moved from ct to Charlotte NC. Charlotte is considered a programming hub , check out DICE.com to see where there are programming hotspots. We also decided to leave New ENgland where I spent all my 43 years and venture to a warmer climate, alsod ecided to capitalize on all the equity we had accumulated in our house in ct. What we have found here is that Charlotte is not one big city but a group of smaller areas witht here own unique persoanlities that form a bigger city.
I lived on the cape as a child and know it well. I may not have a beach on the end of my street anymore but I have acsess to 2 great lakes and short drives to Wilmington and Charlseton. I have friendly neighbors, magnificent homes to choose from all custom built, short drive to the mountains of Ashville and 1 day drive to florida.
The cost of living here is 30% less on a daily basis then it was in fairfield county. The employment oppurtunites for my husband have tripled ( he is a dot.net guru ) he has more clients now then he ever did in ct. FOr a programmer this is the place, we also had considered HOuston and Austin and decided it was too hot and Austin was just as expensive as ct . good luck email if you want i would be happy to tell you the joys of living in Charlotte. We have never been happier. [email protected]

mrsbu: Thanks for the info. I have done some research on the area based on your comments. I've also applied for a couple of positions. Could you comment on the school systems, areas to avoid, average commute time? I will send you a direct email as well. Once again thanks.
As for Oregon, I'm afraid that it would be a bit too far from family for us.

ttt

Well, cctraveler, you've probably moved by now!
I read alot about Utah but not about St. George! We recently relocated here and we LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!
It's your fault, UTAHTEA! We went on all your trip suggestions and fell in love with the area!
We are not LDS, and we have met only the nicest people everywhere!
Gorgeous scenery all around, close to Mesquite (40 minutes) and Las Vegas NV (2 hrs).
Check it out!