Help in finding my "perfect" place
May 9th, 2017, 05:54 PM
#41
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Lol, mms, I totally thought of you when I wrote that.
I've lived in WA most of my life and I really have never heard anyone recommend Yakima as a place to live until this thread. It's usually suggested as a place that makes everything look better in comparison. As in...."Colfax sucks". "It could be worse. It could be Yakima." "True, very true."
Nanabee- isn't SD expensive though? I mean maybe cheaper than LA and SF but I would have assumed more expensive than most of the west coast.
I've lived in WA most of my life and I really have never heard anyone recommend Yakima as a place to live until this thread. It's usually suggested as a place that makes everything look better in comparison. As in...."Colfax sucks". "It could be worse. It could be Yakima." "True, very true."
Nanabee- isn't SD expensive though? I mean maybe cheaper than LA and SF but I would have assumed more expensive than most of the west coast.
May 9th, 2017, 06:05 PM
#42
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The point is no place is perfect -- otherwise - everyone would be living there and then it would not be perfect. We went through this game 20 years ago - wanted several of the criteria that Cw posted. Finally decided that after living in Denver for 20 years there was no point in moving. Weather is great except for January. So we go south for most of Jan and part of Feb.
May 9th, 2017, 06:11 PM
#43
I think trying to make an intellectual exercise out of a decision that's best accomplished by feeling & intuition is the mistake. No matter how one juggles data, the fact remains you know it when you feel it, even when at that point the logic may go out the window.
May 9th, 2017, 06:40 PM
#44
May 9th, 2017, 07:01 PM
#45
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Thursdays, I was just going to post that link!
You might look at towns on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state: Port Townsend is a charming Victorian seaport. Sequim is considered a retirement mecca for its mild and drier weather.
You might look at towns on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state: Port Townsend is a charming Victorian seaport. Sequim is considered a retirement mecca for its mild and drier weather.
May 10th, 2017, 01:45 PM
#47
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I did that quiz and got San Luis Obispo. Which, having lived in the LA area many years, I could actually see. I miss California sometimes and have thought of retiring there but all my family is back East.
Anyway, the OP seems to have some thing about hating California and wanting out, who knows why as I think there are many parts that would suit that goal fairly well. San Diego is too expensive, I think, although I suppose somewhere on the outskirts might be cheaper.
I'm thinking somewhere in Nevada might work. I do have friends who retired to NH, but down in the SE corner. They can get to Boston in fairly short order and prices were fairly reasonable comparatively which is one reason they moved there from the DC area (They live in Salem or Windham, I believe). I would imagine there can be a lot of snow, though, certainly is in Vermont which isn't far away where my sister lives, although there are occasional years without a lot (like last year). In fact, my sister lives in a manufactured home near Brattleboro.
Anyway, the OP seems to have some thing about hating California and wanting out, who knows why as I think there are many parts that would suit that goal fairly well. San Diego is too expensive, I think, although I suppose somewhere on the outskirts might be cheaper.
I'm thinking somewhere in Nevada might work. I do have friends who retired to NH, but down in the SE corner. They can get to Boston in fairly short order and prices were fairly reasonable comparatively which is one reason they moved there from the DC area (They live in Salem or Windham, I believe). I would imagine there can be a lot of snow, though, certainly is in Vermont which isn't far away where my sister lives, although there are occasional years without a lot (like last year). In fact, my sister lives in a manufactured home near Brattleboro.
May 16th, 2017, 06:15 PM
#49
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I more than appreciate all of your replies. Sorry I didn't check back here sooner. To answer a few of the questions, I live in So. Cal., and no, I don't really want to live in this state anymore, although I might give some thoughts to WAY up north in California, but I haven't really researched that, thinking that I just want out of here. Suffice it to say that the politics are smothering the state and reducing it to a totally tarnished Golden State; AND "the big one" still hasn't hit, and I want to be gone before it does.
Of course I realize that Montana and Idaho are generally snowy, but after investigation, I've found that there are actually areas that don't get much snow, e.g., the Bitterroot Valley in MT.
I have no problem with rural areas; in fact, they might be preferable, as long as they're relatively close to a large(ih)town/city. I do NOT want to live in a college town. But I realize there have to be some tradeoffs on what I want and don't want.
I've taken the Sperling's Best Places quiz a number of times, and I always thought it strange, as newbE said, that one of the questions is not about weather. The place I’m given is Great Falls MT, although I have to assume there must be others (like second, third, fourth place ranking) that weren’t shown.
Inakauaidavidababy mentioned mobility issues? I didn’t say anything about mobility issues, so perhaps that was directed at someone else. The reason I don’t want to live in an apartment is because I’ve been there/done that more than twice, and I can’t -- don’t want to -- deal with noise from other apartments, neighbors too close, etc. Renting is something I wouldn’t mind, because I HAVE thought about the fact of having to keep up ANY place that I own. I have a friend who lives in Cortland OH, moving from So. Cal., in a housing community, for seniors, and she is renting, and she loves it. Everything is taken care of, but she has her own home, a garage, a yard. I wouldn’t mind something like that, I don’t suppose, but I would be willing to look at buying a manufactured home or renting one or even renting a house.
When I said that affordable housing was important, that’s what I mean. I’m not independently wealthy, I don’t receive a big monthly annuity, and I don’t really relish the idea of house payments again. My brother bought a nice home in Michigan (Benton Harbor) for around $80K. Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about. Yes, I’ve considered going back home, which is Michigan, but again there’s the heat and humidity. My sister lives in Washoe Valley NV, which is right by Carson City, a place I really like, but housing is not very affordable.
New Hampshire is one of the few states I’ve never visited. From what I know, it’s beautiful. But SusieQQ and Ackislander, doesn’t it get quite a bit of snow and high humidity?
I have come to the decision that I can deal with some snow, having done it for years, but FEET of snow is not an option. No, I don’t want to have to walk in tons of snow, although I have no problem walking in some snow. I don’t mind the rain. I think my primary weather criteria is low heat, low humidity (and not a lot of snow). Does that help at all?
Of course I realize that Montana and Idaho are generally snowy, but after investigation, I've found that there are actually areas that don't get much snow, e.g., the Bitterroot Valley in MT.
I have no problem with rural areas; in fact, they might be preferable, as long as they're relatively close to a large(ih)town/city. I do NOT want to live in a college town. But I realize there have to be some tradeoffs on what I want and don't want.
I've taken the Sperling's Best Places quiz a number of times, and I always thought it strange, as newbE said, that one of the questions is not about weather. The place I’m given is Great Falls MT, although I have to assume there must be others (like second, third, fourth place ranking) that weren’t shown.
Inakauaidavidababy mentioned mobility issues? I didn’t say anything about mobility issues, so perhaps that was directed at someone else. The reason I don’t want to live in an apartment is because I’ve been there/done that more than twice, and I can’t -- don’t want to -- deal with noise from other apartments, neighbors too close, etc. Renting is something I wouldn’t mind, because I HAVE thought about the fact of having to keep up ANY place that I own. I have a friend who lives in Cortland OH, moving from So. Cal., in a housing community, for seniors, and she is renting, and she loves it. Everything is taken care of, but she has her own home, a garage, a yard. I wouldn’t mind something like that, I don’t suppose, but I would be willing to look at buying a manufactured home or renting one or even renting a house.
When I said that affordable housing was important, that’s what I mean. I’m not independently wealthy, I don’t receive a big monthly annuity, and I don’t really relish the idea of house payments again. My brother bought a nice home in Michigan (Benton Harbor) for around $80K. Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about. Yes, I’ve considered going back home, which is Michigan, but again there’s the heat and humidity. My sister lives in Washoe Valley NV, which is right by Carson City, a place I really like, but housing is not very affordable.
New Hampshire is one of the few states I’ve never visited. From what I know, it’s beautiful. But SusieQQ and Ackislander, doesn’t it get quite a bit of snow and high humidity?
I have come to the decision that I can deal with some snow, having done it for years, but FEET of snow is not an option. No, I don’t want to have to walk in tons of snow, although I have no problem walking in some snow. I don’t mind the rain. I think my primary weather criteria is low heat, low humidity (and not a lot of snow). Does that help at all?
May 18th, 2017, 01:49 PM
#50
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hmmm, I suspect southern NH is going to be too expensive for you from what you've said. Nothing like a nice home for $80K. In fact, there aren't going to be very many areas where that is possible. I'm from a small midwestern town in Ohio which is pretty cheap (eg, you can rent a 1 BR apt for maybe $500-600) but even there the modest houses cost at least about $100K, although there are probalby places for manufactured homes.
New Hampshire is kind of a weird state from my experience. I wouldn't say it has high humidity but it does get snow. Of course it does, it's in New England. Not to mention heating bills can be very high.
I'm with you on the college towns, I don't get why people push that. I have a friend who lives in one in Florida and its awful, the entire city revolves around rowdy students, their bars, etc., and there are always bands of them roaming around the downtown area.
Have you thought of New Mexico, it's cheaper than most places and at least wouldn't have the humidity problems. But if Carson City NV isn't affordable maybe Albuquerque wouldn't be either.
Good luck, the problem is that I think there are lots of cheap places to live but most of us don't know them and only know if bigger, more wellknown places. For example, I get The Week newsmagzine and they have a section in their on housing costs, each week has a different them (eg, houses with a view, houses with a farm, etc), and they always include one "bargain", and sometimes I'm amazed at how cheap a nice house can be in some place I've never heard of. But I can't remember any specific off the top of my head. I think some were in Michigan.
A townhouse might be a good compromise on house vs apt and mitigate noise issues and some upkeep.
New Hampshire is kind of a weird state from my experience. I wouldn't say it has high humidity but it does get snow. Of course it does, it's in New England. Not to mention heating bills can be very high.
I'm with you on the college towns, I don't get why people push that. I have a friend who lives in one in Florida and its awful, the entire city revolves around rowdy students, their bars, etc., and there are always bands of them roaming around the downtown area.
Have you thought of New Mexico, it's cheaper than most places and at least wouldn't have the humidity problems. But if Carson City NV isn't affordable maybe Albuquerque wouldn't be either.
Good luck, the problem is that I think there are lots of cheap places to live but most of us don't know them and only know if bigger, more wellknown places. For example, I get The Week newsmagzine and they have a section in their on housing costs, each week has a different them (eg, houses with a view, houses with a farm, etc), and they always include one "bargain", and sometimes I'm amazed at how cheap a nice house can be in some place I've never heard of. But I can't remember any specific off the top of my head. I think some were in Michigan.
A townhouse might be a good compromise on house vs apt and mitigate noise issues and some upkeep.
May 18th, 2017, 05:12 PM
#51
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I grew up in eastern Oregon/Washington, and I'm familiar with Montana and Idaho. I really can't think of anywhere that would have decent houses for less than 100,000. I know relatives who have bought in that budget BUT those houses have always been fixed uppers, and often they bought it for the lot rather than the house.
But there are a few towns of less than 1500 people that do have houses close to that budget, so there is that. And I would not say it's completely impossible in the mid sized towns if you can live with a trailer park. Those tend to be the homes in your price range in eastern WA.
I would say MO would be a good option, except humidity. I have cousins out there and I periodically look at the houses for sale adds in st Louis. You can get a lot more house there for your money than you could in much of the west.
Phoenix or Abq may be good options as you also indicated you wouldn't object to a planned retirement community. Or a condo. I think a townhome is a good option and it would not actually much more restrictive than a planned community. I've seen a few planned communities where the houses are so close together you might as well share a wall.
I understand not wanting to live in a college town but there is a lot of variation among college towns. I've lived in three at this point and NONE of them match Christina's description. I don't know about elsewhere in the US but in the PNW, college town usually means more resources, more culture, and better healthcare access than the surrounding communities.
But there are a few towns of less than 1500 people that do have houses close to that budget, so there is that. And I would not say it's completely impossible in the mid sized towns if you can live with a trailer park. Those tend to be the homes in your price range in eastern WA.
I would say MO would be a good option, except humidity. I have cousins out there and I periodically look at the houses for sale adds in st Louis. You can get a lot more house there for your money than you could in much of the west.
Phoenix or Abq may be good options as you also indicated you wouldn't object to a planned retirement community. Or a condo. I think a townhome is a good option and it would not actually much more restrictive than a planned community. I've seen a few planned communities where the houses are so close together you might as well share a wall.
I understand not wanting to live in a college town but there is a lot of variation among college towns. I've lived in three at this point and NONE of them match Christina's description. I don't know about elsewhere in the US but in the PNW, college town usually means more resources, more culture, and better healthcare access than the surrounding communities.
May 18th, 2017, 06:04 PM
#52
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I took the quiz and got Great Falls, MT. I need to tell that to my best friend, who lived there for one full year while starting her career in news broadcasting and was so absolutely miserable the entire time she was there.
May 19th, 2017, 06:48 PM
#53
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Again, thanks, everyone for your thoughtful responses. They certainly give me something to go on in my "quest." Phoenix is a place I would never want to live. I like Flagstaff MUCH better, but I'm not sure about housing costs. Ideally I think I might like to buy a manufactured home, not in a mobilehome park, but to place on some land somewhere (that's wide open, isn't it?). My neighbors are contemplating doing that in Washington or Oregon, but I wouldn't even know where to begin. Among the many searches I've done online, I've learned that these are the most affordable states:
1. Iowa
2. Oklahoma
3. Kansas
4. Nebraska (tie)
4. Texas (tie)
6. Indiana
7. West Virginia
8. Arkansas (tie)
8. Kentucky (tie)
10. Louisiana
The most affordable states for housing are these:
#1 Ohio
#2 Michigan
#3 Iowa
#4 Indiana
#5 Nebraska
#6 Oklahoma
#7 Kentucky
#8 Kansas
#9 Missouri
#10 West Virginia
So what does that tell me? It tells me that Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Kentucky, and West Virginia are all probably the cheapest places to live, but the weather is probably pretty sucky (at least to me).
Skiergirl, what did your friend hate about Great Falls?
1. Iowa
2. Oklahoma
3. Kansas
4. Nebraska (tie)
4. Texas (tie)
6. Indiana
7. West Virginia
8. Arkansas (tie)
8. Kentucky (tie)
10. Louisiana
The most affordable states for housing are these:
#1 Ohio
#2 Michigan
#3 Iowa
#4 Indiana
#5 Nebraska
#6 Oklahoma
#7 Kentucky
#8 Kansas
#9 Missouri
#10 West Virginia
So what does that tell me? It tells me that Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Kentucky, and West Virginia are all probably the cheapest places to live, but the weather is probably pretty sucky (at least to me).
Skiergirl, what did your friend hate about Great Falls?
May 19th, 2017, 07:15 PM
#54
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Well, look at a map of WA or Oregon. Look for the small dots. Google housing for sale. There are things in your price range in both Pendleton and Lacrosse, for example. Endicott as well. Colfax probably too. These aren't super nice or new houses, but they're serviceable. Small towns, and I'd personally go crazy. But they fit your requirements and they're all within driving distance of major airports (1-4 hours away.)
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