Sara

Pittsburgh. Twenty years ago, when my husband took a job with a small, start up company there, I went very reluctantly, thinking it was a dirty, industrial city. I loved it from the first day we lived there. We were actually in O'Hara, a township on the north side of the Allegheny River. The area is really lovely, full of wooded hills, and there are the three rivers, which add a lot. There's a lot to do, with great museums, good theater, and a world class symphony. But the best part was the people, they were very friendly and down to earth. We lived in a great neighborhood, where everyone knew each other and got together frequently for social gatherings. We were very sad when we had to move away three years later when my husband's company went under (the drawback of being in Pittsburgh was the dearth of high tech jobs - he's in the computer industry). Our biggest complaint about living there was the lack of decent Chinese restaurants - there was really only one at the time, maybe that's improved since then.

Tim

Moved here 6 months ago and love it. Has everything a big city needs (with its companion Minneapolis) with the old city charm. Downtown's experiencing a revitalization and it's flanked by rivers, parks, and a short drive to pristine, beautiful state parks. Only problem is the winters!

Mary T.

NEW YORK CITY, without a doubt. Living in the Center of the Universe is a daily adrenaline rush. Not for the faint of heart or weak of spirit, but they can't survive here anyway!!

Tim

Forgot to put down my city-St. Paul, MN

Alpha Girl

I agree with Tallahassee. Lived there for 5 years while I got my undergraduate and walked everywhere I went. Beautiful live oaks with Spanish moss, a progressive county that builds roads and schools before a community is built out, tons of places to ride a bike,and a thriving arts community, thanks to the 2 universities and local community colleges. Also an interesting place during major presidential elections and football season.
I am always impressed with the changes they have made when I go back to visit.

Kevin

I find the best towns are in CT, MA and VT.

My favorite is Saratoga Springs, NY

Not Tally

I would stay away from Tallahassee because of teh crime! I was there for a meeting and when I stepped out of the hotel for air the bellman approached me and said it would be best not to stray far for safety.

T.M.

I had a feeling this thread would start to disintegrate into an adolescent "that town is unsafe/stinks" volley of posts.

Read the original question. The poster wants to know if anyone has moved to a town that turned out to be wonderful. Clearly, it's going to rest on personal opinion. What is one person's paradise can be one person's purgatory.

So let's leave the "I heard that place is a crime nest" chat behind. If you made a great move, we want to hear about it. Not why you think the poster is wrong.

S

Sara, there area plenty of chinese restaurants in the Pittsburgh area now. My in-laws have lived in O'Hara Township for 70+ years. BTW, that's one of the richest school districts in the state of Pennsylvania.

VBLover

Without a doubt, Valencia Beach. We had no idea of what we were getting into and it seemed like just another corporate transfer at the time. That was ten years ago. Now, we have "sand in our shoes" and wouldn't leave for the world (or for more money). You'll miss Valencia Beach if you blink; the outlet malls, thank god, are far away up the coast. We can be in Orlando in 90 minutes or Miami in a little over two hours, but there's less and less reason to leave town! Thanks for asking!

Jen

Topping to get more ideas

Thinking about moving next year possibly.

James

Yes! I had my office moved to Long Beach, and had to move personally as a result. I always thought LB to be an obscure, industrial suburb of LA but took residence here to be close to the office while looking for other more permanent options. I found a flat in the Belmont Shore neighborhood, and now you will have to tear me away from it. What a lovely gem of a neighborhood I have discovered, a main street-type area with local shopkeepers whom I have grown to know, great restaurants in walking distance, neighbors that say hello, and a really small-town type atmosphere which I have never ever known in my years of living in the LA area, and the best climate in all of So Cal. Lots of civic activities, it seems every weekend there is a coordinated sidewalk sale, or cultural event, or something, and often they close the main street here (2nd street) for day events with live music and samples of food from the local eateries. The kicker was the holiday parade... what a wonderful night when the entire community gathers around the street with the local schools' musicians and athletes and clubs parading so we could applaud them! Best thing is the smell of the sea air when the sun sets, and the distant sound of the fog horn in the evenings to fall asleep to. All this within a 15 mile commute of downtown LA. Love it.

Tammy

Manhattan, NY...moved here 2 years ago from a small midwest town of 20,000. I was scared to death and now I love it! I hope I never have to leave..